The International System and the Transformation of Democracy in the 21st Century: Reflecting on a Virtual Exchange Module between Italy and the United States during COVID

Abstract

[EN] In the Spring of 2021, the authors of this paper collaborated on a co-taught Virtual Exchange (or Collaborative Online International Learning, COIL) module titled “The International System and the Transformation of Democracy in the 21st Century”. Students in Italy and in the United States were brought together virtually to explore the changing international order of the post-Cold War era, and to investigate ways in which 21st century democratic institutions of the United States and Italy are affected. This paper describes the qualitative experiences of the professors and their students in this virtual exchange and argues that the practice can offer a unique learning environment which – despite not being a substitute for international mobility – enhances, to a certain degree, students’ intercultural awareness and flexibility, organizational and collaborative skills, and ability to learn and operate in diverse environments using an array of technological tools.