The Power of a Global Citizenship Curriculum on College Students

Abstract

In an era marked by intensified globalization, it is increasingly important for learners to understand global issues and develop as responsible, active global citizens. Educational institutions have begun responding to this need by introducing new pedagogical approaches to global citizenship education. One community college in the north-east United States has created a global citizenship curriculum as a vehicle for educational change in the twenty- first century. The curriculum engages with both neoliberal and critical frameworks: the former emphasizes global competencies that support international mobility and employability, while the latter prioritizes reflexive learning, critical thinking, and social responsibility. Focusing on transnational knowledge exchange and global economic participation, the curriculum also seeks to instill commitments to social equality, justice, and freedom through exposure to diverse cultures and communities. Built around four themes—empathy, active listening, intercultural communication, and globalization—and delivered through faculty instruction, direct experience, and structured reflection, it has strengthened students’ knowledge, skills, and values. Survey narratives from a pilot study illustrate its impact and how it has shaped students’ personal, academic, and professional identities as global citizens.