1. Internationalization of Humanities Disciplines in Chinese Higher Education: Challenges and Strategies
Shaoxue Liu, Jiabin Zhu
Graduate School of Education
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
May

2. Globalization is the context of economic and academic trends that are part of the reality of the 21st century. Internationalization includes the policies and practices undertaken by academic systems and institutions—and even individuals—to cope with the global academic environment. (Altbach, 2007)

3. Background
Globalization has an great impact on Chinese higher education system (Altbach, 2009)
Multiple strategies have been used for internationalization
Bilingual courses
Curriculum internationalization
Exchange programs
International joint programs
Branch campuses
There seemed to be a lag for Humanities disciplines compared to the STEM disciplines

4. Background
Challenges in the Internationalization of the Humanities Disciplines
Limited bilingual courses (Zhang, Chen, & Sun, 2013)
Out-dated English textbooks (Zhuang & Sun, 2004)
Limited number of international programs (MoE, 2005)
Possible inherent reasons
Difficulty to grasp meanings (local history, cultures and thoughts)
Preferably be taught in original language (e.g. Ancient Chinese Literature)

5. Zhang, Chen, & Sun, 2013

6. Zhang, Chen, & Sun, 2013

7. Literature Review
Challenges in the Internationalization of the Humanities Disciplines
Limited bilingual courses (Zhang, Chen, & Sun, 2013)
Out-dated English textbooks (Zhuang & Sun, 2004)
Limited number of international summer programs (MoE, 2005)
Possible inherent reasons
Difficulty to grasp meanings (local history, cultures and thoughts)
Preferably be taught in original language (e.g. Ancient Chinese Literature)
We want to see “What are the demonstrations of internationalization in the Humanities disciplines?”
From faculty/adminstratives’ perspectives
What are the demonstrations of internationalization in the Humanities disciplines?

8. Methods Qualitative interviews Semi-structured interview
Professors and administrators from Humanities disciplines (Literature, History, Philosophy)
Sample interview questions:
(Professor) As a professor in Humanities disciplines, how do you perceive your roles in the process of internationalization?
(Administrator) Would you please describe the routine work that your college has done as related to internationalization?
The interviewees were all Chinese professors

9. Working Model-“3M Model”
Medium
Method
Mind
Adoption of a second-language or a lingua franca
Construction of a scholarly network as a platform for information exchange
Etc.
An understanding and/or an incorporation of multiple research methods
An understanding and/or an incorporation varied advanced teaching methods into one’s teaching
Openness to diverse perspectives in a global context
An awareness of and an appreciation of multiple perspectives
Note that I am presenting the findings backwards, I am laying out now the model that we developed after looking at all of the interviews, and then I will present the actual interview data or the quotations

10. Operationalization of the “3M Model” in the Internationalization of Humanities Disciplines
The Dimension of “Mind”
The Dimension of “Method”
The Dimension of “Medium”

11. Finding-The Dimension of “Mind”
The significance of an open mind:
“For the humanities disciplines, we should have a strong tolerance, an open mind, to experience, to observe and accept others, the good stuff. Like what I mentioned about the traffic rules, there are underlying theories, if you think, they are good, then take them, it will be a great complement to us.” –Chen
“It (an overseas scholarly visit) definitely had certain influence on me. To some extent, it was an inspiration. I saw how foreign scholars lived their lives, and how they treated others. After I came back to China, I will surely have some change, because you have seen a more respectful, valued life, you will strive for the same direction. Say, you will be more responsible to your work, and be friendlier to students. …Sometimes, you just need a role model, an example, once you saw it, it will inspire you. Overall, the
scholarly visit had a very important positive impact on me.” –Chen

12. Operationalization-The Dimension of “Mind”
Openness to diverse perspectives within a global context;
An awareness of multiple perspectives from a global context;
An appreciation of multiple perspectives from a global context;
Other possible changes towards “Internationalization” at the ideological dimension;

13. Finding-The Dimension of “Method”
Being resourceful and informative about different
research methods:
“In terms of research content, some western research methods
are quite innovative. For example, some particular research
methods and theories can be stronger than Chinese ones in
terms of Literature and Chinese studies. This is because the
western culture pays close attention to theoretical development,
which brought about diversified methods. Sometimes, it is
thought-provoking.” –Chen
“We need to introduce many important academic findings, to help us
reconstruct the academic system. … The introduction would
certainly include some thinking methods, because, there are many
theoretical premises behind the results. That is, within these
different opinions, there are different perspectives, they embody
both the findings and the methods.” –Huang
Of course, many of these quotes illustrate more than one dimensions

14. Operationalization-The Dimension of “Method”
To understand different research methodologies that were developed in different historical, cultural and social contexts；
To appreciate the usage of different research methods and adopt choice one(s) for one’s own research work;
To appreciate varied teaching methods that were used in different historical, cultural and social contexts;
To adopt and/or incorporate new and appropriate teaching methods that were developed under different contexts;

15. Finding-The Dimension of “Medium”
To establish different networks at the organizational
and individual levels to promote scholarly exchange
“To attend conferences, on one hand, it’s like a social, a more, say,
establishing academic network; on the other hand, through that
(attending a conference), it can help our research, for example,
you have accumulated some academic results for a while, you need
a way to summarize the results. Then, if you got an opportunity for
international communication, it becomes a good channel to put it
forward.”—Huang

16. Operationalization-The Dimension of “Medium”
To communicate research findings in English or a choice language;
To teach knowledge, skills, etc. in English or a choice language;
To introduce/create/adopt English text books or text books in choice language;
To participate in other scholarly communications in English or a choice language;
To construct different networks (personal and professional connections) to facilitate professional communications;

17. The Nature of Bi-Directional Communication
“In the aspect of internationalization of Humanities disciplines, on
one hand, we learn from others; on the other hand, we demonstrate
our research findings to others. I think, our institute has shown
both directions.” –Deng

18. Findings
Strategies to Promote Internationalization in Humanities Disciplines
To promote short-term and long-term overseas scholarly visits
To create positions to attract visiting scholars from all over the world
To launch short-term exchange programs

19. Findings
Strategies to Promote Internationalization in Humanities Disciplines
To promote short-term and long-term overseas scholarly visits
Most faculty and staff go abroad. This is the first step, an important step. The scholarly visit consists communications at all levels and aspects, not just in the academic realm. For (scholars in) Humanities disciplines, after living in another country for a certain period of time, you will find a reference system which will be beneficial for conducting research on our own culture. As a result, I suggest faculty and staff go abroad more often. ... Although we now have more scholarly visit opportunities compared with previous years, it’s still not enough. It is better if every faculty can conduct some kind of scholarly visit every few years, maybe not a whole year, just half a year or even three months, it is helpful.

20. Conclusion
Challenges facing the internationalization of Humanities disciplines
Functional Model--“3M Model”: different aspects of the internationalization process
Strategies to promote the professional development of faculty members along with the 3M Model

21. Thank You!