Global Citizenship in Practice

Students connect with local communities in the South of Mexico to explore global citizenship challenges in local contexts.

Global Citizenship in practice aims to foster the exercise of critical citizenship among students by connecting them with local communities in the South of Mexico to explore global issues in local contexts, at home and abroad, through cultural exchange, dialogue, sharing, practice, and research. The minor’s framing is grounded on current literature in the fields of democratic citizenship, global justice, and decolonial understandings.

During weeks 36-42, students are exposed to debates around society, education, and epistemic justice. The main challenge of the course is to make space in our global north framework of knowledge, and to value and understand the epistemologies of the south. Students will also establish initial contact with their former primary or secondary school teachers and get acquainted with a course curriculum in which they find important to contribute to. Students will explore the nature of good educational design and planning and reflect on the challenges of bringing global themes, thought and theory across to young learners.

In weeks 43-44, students participate in a two-weeks field course in Mexico to work together with local youth, social activists, and community organizations in a Maya indigenous community in Sinanche, Yucatan. Students take part in learning and research activities that promote cross-cultural exchange, dialogue and understanding. Upon return, students finalize a teaching portfolio in which they apply a concrete learning into a curricula intervention geared towards their former secondary or primary school (weeks 45).

After the minor students are able to:

1. Apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the theoretical part of the minor in a specific context and practical assignment;
2. Define and shape the contribution of their own field in solving a specific problem of diversity and inclusion in curricula.
3. Collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds;
4. Communicate and present on the practice of global citizenship to academic and non-academic audiences.

Due to the extraordinary costs associated with this minor, student participants will also have to contribute. Specifically, students will need to purchase their own flight ticket and airport transfers, pay a €600 minor fee, and pay for (most) meals in-country, medical prophylaxis / vaccinations (if required), visas (if required), and all personal incidentals.

Teaching methods
This Minor is based on democratic teaching and participants are co-responsible for the learning process. Continuous and active participation is encouraged throughout the sessions.
Golden guidelines are established in a collective and participatory manner and each session starts with a recap of the previous one via the use of visual maps to support the consolidation of learning.
The teaching methods include interactive lectures, storytelling, small group conversations. Teaching techniques include fishbowls, break groups, collective writing, and sensorial exercises.

Teaching materials
Required books and literature: Articles to be downloaded from EUR e-library

Method of examination
Students will be examined via individual invigilated exam, group presentations, and a final teaching portfolio.

Composition final grade
40% Individual invigilated exam composed of essay style questions.
40% Individual Teaching Portfolio plan
20% group presentation

https://www.eur.nl/onderwijs/minoren