Overview of Course

This course explores comparative and international education through a global and research-based lens, with a special focus on the 10 countries visited during the Spring 2026 Semester at Sea voyage. Students will engage with key frameworks for analyzing educational systems across diverse cultural, political, and economic landscapes, developing a nuanced understanding of how education shapes—and is shaped by—society in an interconnected world. The learning will happen on the voyage as well as during the field class sessions.
Through comparative analysis, students will critically examine the recent reforms in education systems, investigating the relationships between education, culture, and social structures. Topics of study include gender, race, class, teacher preparation and status, curriculum and pedagogy, assessment of learning, special education, and the influence of socio-political and economic factors on education systems.
A key theme throughout the course will be recent reforms to make quality education available to all in line with the Sustainable Development Goal number 4 (SDG4) and the World Bank’s call for educational transformation. Students will also consider the impact of globalization on educational reform efforts. By applying comparative approaches to real-world contexts, this course will equip students with the tools to assess and engage with education as a driver of social change in diverse global settings.