GLOBALIZING THE PARALEGAL CURRICULUM COPYRIGHT 2010

Presented by Leslie D. McKesson, Ed. S., NCCPParalegal Technology Coordinator/InstructorWestern Piedmont Community College

THE FACE OF AMERICA IS CHANGING

In 2002, 52% of American immigrants came from Latin America, 25% from Asia, and 14% from Europe.

40 years from now, minorities will account for nearly 50% of the American population (up from 31% in 2000).

THE ECONOMY IS CHANGING

Global interdependence

Changes to banking and finance systems

SOCIETY IS CHANGING

Diminishing physical and technological borders

Pluralism Human Rights Environmental Issues Global Economics Demographic shifts

THE WAY WE WORK IS CHANGING

Outsourcing Virtual employment

LEGAL TRENDS

The January/March 2010 issue of Paralegal Today identifies Globalization as the number one trend effecting paralegals in the coming year. “The globalization trend will continue as U.S.

Law firms continue to compete for legal work with firms abroad, as well as in their own back yard. . . . Paralegals must broaden their knowledge across multiple jurisdictions and adapt their skills to serve a global market. ” p. 33

GLOBALIZATION DEFINED

“Globalization (or globalisation) describes an ongoing process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a globe-spanning network of communication and trade. “ Wikipedia (a Web 2.0 technology)

Figure 1

MULTICULTURALISM /DIVERSITY GLOBAL EDUCATIONGlobal education is the application of multicultural concepts to “the world community and emphasizing the planet, its natural resources, and all interconnections”. Brown and KisylkaGoal: To develop “a citizenry that knows and cares about contemporary affairs in the whole world, not just in its own nation”. Dunn

Multiculturalism attempts to understand the different perspectives among sub-groups within one overarching legal or social system.

Goal: To examine relationships between people of widely varied geographies, languages, nationalities, political structures and ideological beliefs.

Environment and planet

Human rights

Peace and conflict

RaceGender

Health

Education

“. . . the meaning and

scope of [global

education is] uncertain and contested.”

Zepke

Figure 2

WHY IS GLOBAL ED IMPORTANT TO PARALEGALS?

Demand for bi- or multi-lingual paralegals

Client relations International, Corporate, and Cyber law Outsourcing and virtual employment

ADDING “GE” TO YOUR COURSES

Modify existing assignments to include international characters and contexts Show movie or selected YouTube video

portraying or discussing an international custody battle (see sample http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiF-X7z9t1A ) Discuss in class or have students write a reflection paper or comment on a discussion thread.

Facilitate discussions around global issues Peter is a fellow instructor. He is a native of

Romania who recently became a United States citizen and has consented to discuss his experience with the naturalization process with your Administrative Law class and answer live questions from students. Online alternative, post a blog or podcast to your course page discussing Peter’s story. Students are required to post comments, questions, research findings or observations based on the blog/podcast.

Make use of current events as backdrop for research/analysis assignments Research question for Family Law. Helen and

Jack Benson live in [your state]. They have taken in a child who was orphaned by the recent earthquake in Haiti, and they wish to adopt the child. Research (may involve agency interviews) the process for adoption in your state in this situation and write a two page paper outlining your findings. (Live or online)

When appropriate, make use of students with global resources or intercultural experiences Student Nilsa recently moved to the United

States from Nicaragua. She was a lawyer in her country and is studying to be a paralegal here. She has consented to discuss the legal system in her country, including the role of paralegals, in your Introduction to Law/Paralegal Studies course.

Nilsa’s interview could be recorded and posted as a video or audio podcast, followed by discussion or a reflection paper.

Encourage macro-analysis Students have a brief survey study of

abortion rights in Ireland (see sample site http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/03/05/ireland-update-abortion-laws

) and write a comparative or reflective paper

MAKING “GE” PART OF CLUB ACTIVITIES Project partnerships with other clubs

(Rotaract, diversity, “green” clubs) Paralegal Association and Global Village

student group partner to coordinate a dinner/fundraiser for Haiti Relief. Students prepare and serve a simple traditional Haitian meal and present a brief educational program spotlighting the country and its history.

Invite speakers from other countries to present at club functions or meetings Have your paralegal association coordinate

an expert presentation on multiculturalism or globalism for other students as a service to your institution.

Plan club service or community project with global focus Students volunteer to contribute 3

community service hours to package food to be sent to children in third world countries

Connect with a sister city program in another country Have students conduct research regarding

paralegal utilization and education in another country (ex., Canada, the UK, etc.) Locate a paralegal education program in that country and establish a virtual exchange program with their student group

OTHER IDEAS

(Note: these sites are listed as exemplars only, I have neither reviewed them at length nor do I endorse them): Criminal Law course discussion on the global

illegal drug market (Global Health) http://www.globalissues.org/article/755/illicit-drugs

Family Law international policies on domestic violence (Gender Issues) http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/violence_against_women/

Education for All (Education/Gender Issues) http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTEDUCATION/0,,contentMDK:20374062~menuPK:540090~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:282386,00.html

SPECIAL NOTE

Global issues can be daunting and bleak. Educators should make effort to introduce global topics in ways that take into account the affective impact of topics, issues, and discussions, and engage constructive thinking. Shift Happens 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhuV_rmf5Mg

TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Gain a functional understanding of the terms, methods, and concepts of global education through research, travel, professional development, networking, or other relevant activities.

Willingly and honestly assess and confront personal beliefs as educators and as individuals.

Incorporate both affective and cognitive approaches to instruction.

Determine and implement appropriate models to guide program design and evaluation.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Brown, S. and Kysilka, M. (2009) What Every Teacher Should Know About Multicultural and Global

Education. Pearson Publications, Boston. Dellow, D. (2002) Why do community colleges need to be involved in international activities?

Community College Press, Washington, DC. Dunn, R. (2002) Growing Good Citizens with a World-Centered Curriculum. Educational Leadership,

October. Gordon, M. and Newburry, W. (2007) Students as a resource for introducing intercultural education

in business schools. Intercultural Education, Vol. 18, No.3, August, pp.243-257. Hanvey, R. (1976, 2004) An attainable global perspective. The American Forum for Global Education. Hicks, D. and Bord, A. (2001) Learning about Global Issues: why most educators only make things

worse. Environmental Education Research, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2001. Pp. 413-425. Nathan, R. (2005) My freshman year: what a professor learned by becoming a student (Ithaca, NY,

Cornell University Press). Fluhme, Ashley. Paralegal Today (January/March 2010). 10 Trends for Paralegals in 2010. Romana, R. (2002) Internationalizing the Community College. Community College Press,

Washington, DC. Wikipedia.org . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization Retrieved March 16, 2010. Zepke, N. (2005) Diversity, adult education and the future: a tentative exploration. International

Journal of Lifelong Education, Vol. 24, No. 2 (March-April), pp. 165-178. World View: An international program for educators. http://www.unc.edu/world/ Retrieved March 3,

2010.

This presentation may be downloaded at http://www.mckessonlearning.com