Florida Political Science Association Annual Meeting: USF-ULIM Presentation: “Creating a Global Classroom: Developing Collaborative International Research Projects in Undergraduate Courses”

On Saturday, March 26th, a group of 3 students traveled with me to the Florida Political Science Association annual conference 

We were joined (virtually) by students and faculty partners at ULIM.

In this presentation, we discussed the development and implementation of our virtual collaborative

 research project.  As you know, throughout the Spring 2022 semester, our students have been 

meeting in joint seminars and small group sessions, using technology and social networking tools 

to engage effectively.  The objective of the research project is to give the students the opportunity 

to work together on a comparative legal research project, comparing decisions of the European Court 

of Human Rights and the Supreme Court of the United States involving similar legal questions.  

This project is designed to develop students’ legal research and writing skills and to enhance students’ 

understanding of the ECtHR in comparison to the SCOTUS.  By learning more about legal issues in 

the EU and the workings of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, 

students are expected to learn more about Europe and to better understand the Supreme Court of the

 U.S. and its role in American constitutional democracy. Ultimately, students will present their research

 posters at international videoconference(s). 

At the conference, we discussed how the creation of this “global classroom” provides a way to

 internationalize the curriculum and for the students to develop relationships with classmates 

overseas without leaving their home campuses.  The extent to which students develop global citizenship 

competencies, such as improved intercultural communication skills and an appreciation of diversity, 

was explored. The impact of incorporating the global engagement project in the curriculum was

 evaluated by analyzing anonymous student surveys, a qualitative review of the students’ written

assignments, and observations of the students during the videoconferences.

 

[insert student presentation remarks here]

 

 

The conference was hosted by Bethune-Cookman University, over in Daytona. 

I left my house at 4:00 am -- to go and get the van -- and meet students in the USF St Pete parking 

garage at 5:15 am for the drive across the Florida peninsula. We presented in the morning - and then

stayed for the luncheon FPSA business meeting as well as for the afternoon panels. We made a quick 

stop at the Daytona Beach to see the Atlantic Ocean before heading back to USF. We made a quick 

dinner stop in historic Sanford at a soul food restaurant. I got back home after 1:00 am -- so -- it was a 

long day!

 

 

5:15 am and ready to pull out og the USF St Pete parking garage

 

arriving at Bethune-Cookman University

 

  

 

 

 

 

 I can't wait to see the Mary McLeod Bethune sculpture at the US Capitol rotunda!

 

 

Love this slogan -- Enter to Learn; Depart to Serve

The FPSA Business Meeting/Luncheon was held in the Bethune-Cookman Center for Civic Engagement