New major equals world of possibilities

Christopher Roy, right, associate dean of International Programs, and Blythe Burkhardt, center, coordinator of International Academic Programs, discuss study abroad possibilities with Johanna Laing, an international studies major. Laing studied in Seville, Spain, last year. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

Eventually, student Johanna Laing wants to be a United States Foreign Service officer, after a stint in the Peace Corps. So when she heard that the University was going to begin offering an international studies major in the fall of 2003, she was pleased—except for one thing. How could she possibly change majors as a senior?

“I maintained close contact with Blythe Burkhardt, coordinator of International Academic Programs, and my academic adviser,” Laing says, “and all of my credit hours transferred directly to the new program. It was a very simple process. I am currently an international studies major with emphases in international business and international politics and relations, as well as minors in business and Spanish. I have had the opportunity to focus on my particular areas of interest for a strong international education foundation.”

Christopher Roy, associate dean of International Programs, says Laing will be one of an estimated 100 students he expects to declare the major in the fall.

“We are preparing for at least 300 students by 2005,” he says. “We’re judging by the response at other Big Ten universities.”

Although the major was under consideration before Sept. 11, 2001, as part of discussions on improving the quality and quantity of offerings for UI undergraduates, the terrorist attacks in the United States gave it impetus, Roy says.

“It certainly made the campus more aware of the importance of international studies,” he says. “We’ve been getting more inquiries from undergraduates in other majors interested in declaring a double major with international studies.

“We have academic programs that focus on geographical areas, such as African studies, Latin American studies, and Asian languages and literature,” Roy says. “We also have courses in disciplinary areas such as global health studies, development, human rights, and international business.”

The major also builds on the 200 faculty members who participated in planning the major and who are willing to support its students and act as academic advisers, he adds.

When the major begins, its curriculum will absorb 11 former certificate programs and minors, Roy says.

“We’ll have one umbrella program that gives students the option to choose an area or a thematic emphasis. It is a flexible program for students so that they will be able to have the content of the former programs without the complexity of trying to enroll for separate courses in the areas they wanted to pursue.”

Every student will be strongly urged to complete a study abroad experience, and a $1,000 scholarship from International Programs is designed to help them do that, Roy says.

“Students are often concerned about the cost of study abroad,” he says. “The scholarship is a way to give students a little extra incentive to go out and experience the world.”

All international studies students also will complete a senior project, working with a particular faculty member. The project can come out of their studies abroad, Roy notes.

Laing says she is grateful to Burkhardt for introducing her to the new major and is well on her way to completing it.

“I pursued my international foundation by studying abroad in Seville, Spain,” she says. “I received full academic credit for my studies there. The University offers many different opportunities for students to expand their international knowledge.”

Steven Hoch, associate provost for academic programs and dean of International Programs, helped to create the major.

“In the face of the aftermath of 9/11, worldwide scrutiny of U.S. foreign affairs, and the threat of war, it was imperative that the University provide a program that will enable its students to take an active role in shaping the world around them, more so than strictly a language, humanities, or social sciences major would allow them to do.”

Hoch says he is grateful for the speed and enthusiasm of University faculty and administration, as well as the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

“The proposal for the major took a year in the making, with considerable input from both faculty and students,” he says. “After all of the careful planning, we are looking forward to launching the program.”

Article by Anne Tanner