Curriculum and Globalization: Higher Education

Abstract

The rise of the knowledge-based economy has considerably transformed not only the higher education systems but also the underlying values and the design of curricula in higher education. In order to enhance the global competence of university graduates, universities across different parts of the globe have started comprehensive reviews of the curricula and introduced new strategies to transform the university learning and teaching approach from the teacher-centered orientation to a more student-centered orientation. Acknowledging the growing needs to better prepare students for living and working in an increasingly culturally diverse and socially complex world, universities not only in the West but also in the East have developed new teaching and learning strategies to promote multiculturalism and internationalization of curricula. This article is set out in this background to examine what major values underlying the design of new curricula in coping with the globalization challenges and what are the major curriculum changes. The article concludes with a critical reflection on globalization and curriculum changes.