Bridging Global Goals and Local Contexts: Advancing Equity and Human Rights in University Classrooms

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Bridging Global Goals and Local Contexts: Advancing Equity and Human Rights in University Classrooms
Language: English
Authors: Robert Sheridan (ORCID 0000-0002-5978-5864), Kathryn M. Tanaka (ORCID 0000-0003-2575-5429)
Source: Journal of International Students. 2026 16(2):199-226.
Availability: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 28
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Social Justice, Civil Rights, English (Second Language), Content and Language Integrated Learning, Foreign Countries, Culturally Relevant Education, Student Centered Learning, Second Language Instruction, Student Attitudes, Learner Engagement, Student Interests, Attitude Change, Public Colleges, Elective Courses, Global Education, College Students
Geographic Terms: Japan
ISSN: 2162-3104
2166-3750
Abstract: This paper examines ways to integrate social justice and human rights education into international university courses taught through English as a foreign language (EFL) and content and language integrated learning (CLIL) in Japanese universities. Grounded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study connects these goals to human rights issues to create culturally relevant, student-centered lessons that develop intercultural and linguistic competence while raising awareness of diversity, equity, and social justice. Drawing on classroom observations, material trials, and surveys, this paper proposes a framework for designing curricula that link global social justice themes, such as gender equality and climate justice, with local contexts and student experiences. The findings highlight the importance of relatable content for sustaining engagement and fostering critical thinking, intercultural competence, and language skills. Overall, this study underscores the importance of international course design, which uses intercultural communication tools to deepen global understanding and improve learning outcomes. [Note: The page range (199-126) shown in the citation on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 199-226.]
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1495201
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1495201
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1495201
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Bridging Global Goals and Local Contexts: Advancing Equity and Human Rights in University Classrooms
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Robert+Sheridan%22">Robert Sheridan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5978-5864">0000-0002-5978-5864</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kathryn+M%2E+Tanaka%22">Kathryn M. Tanaka</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2575-5429">0000-0003-2575-5429</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+International+Students%22"><i>Journal of International Students</i></searchLink>. 2026 16(2):199-226.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 28
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research<br />Tests/Questionnaires
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Justice%22">Social Justice</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Civil+Rights%22">Civil Rights</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Content+and+Language+Integrated+Learning%22">Content and Language Integrated Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Culturally+Relevant+Education%22">Culturally Relevant Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Centered+Learning%22">Student Centered Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Interests%22">Student Interests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitude+Change%22">Attitude Change</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+Colleges%22">Public Colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elective+Courses%22">Elective Courses</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Global+Education%22">Global Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Japan%22">Japan</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2162-3104<br />2166-3750
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This paper examines ways to integrate social justice and human rights education into international university courses taught through English as a foreign language (EFL) and content and language integrated learning (CLIL) in Japanese universities. Grounded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study connects these goals to human rights issues to create culturally relevant, student-centered lessons that develop intercultural and linguistic competence while raising awareness of diversity, equity, and social justice. Drawing on classroom observations, material trials, and surveys, this paper proposes a framework for designing curricula that link global social justice themes, such as gender equality and climate justice, with local contexts and student experiences. The findings highlight the importance of relatable content for sustaining engagement and fostering critical thinking, intercultural competence, and language skills. Overall, this study underscores the importance of international course design, which uses intercultural communication tools to deepen global understanding and improve learning outcomes. [Note: The page range (199-126) shown in the citation on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 199-226.]
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1495201
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1495201
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 28
        StartPage: 199
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Social Justice
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Civil Rights
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Content and Language Integrated Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Culturally Relevant Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Centered Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Interests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attitude Change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public Colleges
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elective Courses
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Global Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Japan
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Bridging Global Goals and Local Contexts: Advancing Equity and Human Rights in University Classrooms
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Robert Sheridan
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Kathryn M. Tanaka
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 2162-3104
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2166-3750
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 16
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of International Students
              Type: main
ResultId 1