At U of T, specialized courses and programs offer students opportunities to acquire many of the insights and skills gained from learning abroad right here on our campuses. These opportunities aim to instill the values, perspective and cultural agility you need to achieve your goals and to effect positive change in the world today. U of T is launching two new initiatives on each of our campuses to enhance these opportunities.
Global Scholar
Designated Global Scholar courses are specially curated across a range of disciplines to empower students to interpret our world through a global lens and examine issues from different cultural, economic and socio-political perspectives. After completing the Global Scholar requirements for their chosen faculty or program, students will receive a certificate and a "Global Scholar" notation in their transcripts.
Along with gaining a broader perspective and learning vital new skills, earning a Global Citizen notation or Global Scholar certificate will help you stand out among your peers as you launch your career and pursue your professional goals.
Global Citizen
Experience global, locally. The “Global Citizen” initiative is a high-quality, intensive co-curricular program where students engage in opportunities that explore what it means to be global through various lenses. By engaging in these opportunities, students experience what “global” looks like from multiple perspectives and develop three competency areas—community and civic engagement, fostering inclusivity and equity, and global perspective and engagement.
Once students have participated in three distinct opportunities where they develop all three competencies, they will be invited to a workshop where they will unpack and discuss the complexity of what it means to be “global,” and engage in a critical reflection of the interconnectedness between local and global communities to understand and engage perspectives beyond their own. Students then receive a Co-Curricular Record (CCR) notation of Global Citizen.
Learning outcomes:
- Identify and debate the complexity of a variety of terms that are used in relation to the notion of “global citizen” (i.e. global, intercultural, local, settler).
- Critique their Co-Curricular Record (CCR) experiences to unpack their understanding of “global citizenship”.
- Identify one’s own location and identities, and recognize the tension between colonial perspectives and the variety of indigenous experiences.
- Explore hierarchies and positionalities within the understanding of ‘culture’ as it relates to one’s own knowledge and experience through dialogue.
Co-Curricular Record
The Co-Curricular Record (CCR) at the University of Toronto is designed to help students find opportunities beyond the classroom and have their skills and experiences captured on an official university document.
In order to receive the "Global Citizen" CCR notation, students must complete three opportunities that develop the three competencies below. Students will then be invited to attend a reflection session focused on global and intercultural competency, where they engage in identity awareness and development.
Global Perspective and Engagement
- Understands and analyzes the interconnectedness of societies worldwide;
- Develops and demonstrates intercultural competency and exhibits appropriate stewardship of human, economic, and environmental resources;
- Identifies one's own individual agency in a global perspective.
Examples of opportunities: utmLEAD, UTM Abroad Co-Curricular Experience, Mohawk Language Exhibit Volunteer, Global and Intercultural Fluency Training Series
Fostering Inclusivity and Equity
- Understands and explores one's own identity and culture in relation to others;
- Seeks involvement with people different from oneself;
- Articulates the advantages and impact of a diverse society;
- Identifies and challenges systemic barriers to equality and inclusiveness;
- Exhibits respect and preserve the dignity of others in all interactions.
Examples of opportunities: Accessibility Peer Mentor Program, Community on Campus Volunteer, Facilitated Study Group Facilitator
Community and Civic Engagement
- Demonstrates consideration of the welfare of others in decision-making;
- Participates in service/ volunteer activities that are characterized by reciprocity;
- Engages in reasoned debate and critical reflection;
- Understand and participates in relevant governance systems;
- Educates and facilitates the civic engagement of others.
Examples of opportunities: Alternative Reading Week, MoveU Crew, Free the Children at UTM