by Neil Schoenherr
International travel, global exchange, communications and technology play a large role in today's fast-paced business world. In the future, leaders will need to be trained in the issues of diversity and a global economy.
The Program of International Studies in Arts & Sciences is planning a new academic option aimed at helping students meet the challenges of our rapidly changing world.
The new program, called International and Area Studies, could start as early as the fall of 2002.
"We are hoping to strengthen our International Studies program here at Washington University," said Edward Macias, executive vice chancellor and dean of Arts & Sciences. "We plan to focus initially on undergraduate programs. This new program will have an international core of classes with a series of area studies course tracks. Initially, those area studies courses will be East Asian, European and International studies. We want to form an interdisciplinary link between students and faculty by supporting various scholarly activities within the program."
The primary goal of the program is to develop a stronger and better-coordinated interdisciplinary curriculum for students with interests in the study of particular areas, as well as those with more international and global interests.
The program was established in the belief that an understanding of the world outside the borders of the United States should be an integral part of an Arts & Sciences undergraduate education.
Macias said the executive planning committee is already working on goals and specific course work for the new program, which will most likely become a major.
Priscilla Stone, director of international studies in Arts & Sciences, said she is excited about this new program. "We currently have a number of students who come to Washington University with interests in pursuing an international course of study. We want to make sure we are adequately meeting that need," she said.
Students who enter this program would be prepared to work in any number of fields after graduation, including government, business, education, law, or other emerging markets, Stone said.
"The goal really is to create a well-rounded interdisciplinary program which includes courses from both the humanities and the social sciences. We want to make the most of our considerable faculty strengths in these areas to help prepare students to meet the challenges ahead," Stone said.