This paper draws upon a case study of library and information science (LIS) international doctoral students in the United States and documents their perspectives to identify ways to further internationalization. Internationalization is defined as incorporating non-US issues and elements into LIS education. The study explores internationalization in the context of a "two-way" learning process in which international students gain from the discipline, but also LIS education gains from the cross-cultural experiences of the students. Documenting the perspectives of LIS international doctoral students provides a critical outlook by giving voice to an under-represented group. It also becomes a methodological strategy to represent global diversity and facilitate cross-cultural exchange.
Data collection methods in this research included in-depth interviews with structured, semi-structured and open-ended questions, and informal discussions with all 21 international doctoral students in a premier American LIS institution. Documenting the perspectives of international doctoral students provided a critical outlook by giving voice to an under-represented group. Critical theory recognizes perspectives of all stakeholders in a particular situation. This includes points of view of the under-represented in order to "do justice to a diversity of socially defined perspectives while providing a grounding for the evaluation of controversial problems" (Endres, 1996, 24). Critical thinking goes hand-in-hand with a reflective process to question traditional understandings and scrutinize existing values, practices, ideological frameworks, and processes. The application of critical theory in this research becomes a methodological strategy to represent global diversity and facilitate cross-cultural exchange.
Source: International Journal of Progressive Education (via ERIC)
The FreePint Family is a family of resources to help information workers be more effective, raise the value of information in their organisations and contribute to success.
'FreePint... provides most of my professional development because it won't come through work and [other resources] just don't cut it.'
FUMSI Forum: Do you have a research question? Post it to the FUMSI Forum, where professionals share Q&A and useful tips on how to Find, Use, Manage and Share Information. It's free.
FreePint Shop:
VIP LiveWire:
