The importance of being cosmopolitan in Australia’s global classroom

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper is concerned with the issue of teaching journalism, media, and communication to international students in an increasingly global classroom in Australia. Through an extended example of the international students from China, the paper seeks to answer four questions. First, what are the issues and challenges facing us in our global classrooms, particularly in teaching journalism, media, and communication to international students? Second, what are the learning outcomes that can be expected – by both students and teachers? Third, if Australia is similar to other Western liberal-democratic countries in having these problems, to what extent is our unique position in today’s global geopolitical order posing extra intellectual challenges in the global classroom? Finally, if we are not satisfied with the status quo, is it too ambitious or indulgent to envisage an alternative outcome? The paper argues that it is time we get serious about becoming cosmopolitan in our teaching of journalism, media, and communications. It also argues that scholars in journalism, media, and communication should start treating putting these questions on the research agenda, not just as issues of teaching and learning.