Internationalization of the Bachelor of Photography: Curriculum strategy for developing student's competence in culturally diverse and international settings.

Abstract

This paper identifies an effective strategy and the techniques for developing students' competence to work professionally in culturally diverse international environments. The course "Collectors and Gatherers", offered as an elective in-field-project for Bachelor of Photography students at the Queensland College of Art Griffith University, provides an opportunity to extend the cultural and overseas experiences of students as well as expanding their art/photography practice through the opportunity of collecting and collating research information (visual and text) from a specific culture other than Australia. Students are encouraged to contrast and compare important cultural, social and political issues between the two countries. The course relates to the primary purpose of the program by providing a context for students to conceive and plan future photographic projects based on collecting information from another culture. This information is utilized in artwork finished on their return to the QCA and contributes to a professional folio submission, exhibition and catalogue publication at the conclusion of the semester. This paper will provide good practice examples from various recent field trips to China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Prague and Egypt and will discuss the research benefits to both students and the staff involved.