As of next fall, students will have the opportunity to explore and study regional cultures and current issues weighing heavily on the globe as part of a new major offered at MSU.
Global and area studies, a new undergraduate degree, was approved at Tuesday's Academic Council meeting as part of a report from the University Committee on Curriculum.
James Madison College offers a major in international relations, and the interdisciplinary studies in social science major provides an international focus. But this is the first time there will be a major looking at area studies in a global context, said Assefa Mehretu, associate dean of the College of Social Science.
"We don't have one, and we should have one," he said. "We do need actually one of these programs. We are considered a resource as a center of excellence for a variety of international programs."
There will be a core to the program that looks at global issues and global dynamics, such as culture, race, trade and economy, said Jeffrey Riedinger, acting dean of International Studies and Programs.
There will be separate tracks or concentrations where students can study areas that specifically interest them, such as Latin America. The major will be rounded out with such things as internships, study abroad programs or service learning experiences.
A demand for such a program was indicated by those involved in the different international specializations, Mehretu said.
"It is a very good thing to add," he said. "We need to have students who understand the global community in a variety of ways, thematically and regionally."
The idea for this program was the outcome of a two-year review of world area studies at MSU. Riedinger said the university looked at what peer institutions were doing and decided instead of creating majors in specific area studies, such as African studies, administrators wanted a program focusing on area studies in a global context.
"We've built it and now we are going to see if (students) are going to come," Riedinger said.
The major will be housed in the College of Social Science and also will be available as part of a double major.
"Students who are business majors can enhance their education and know a little about the world," Mehretu said.
The major will be available starting in fall 2006. According to the University Curriculum and Catalog office, information about the major will be posted on the MSU Web site sometime today.
"The core courses will need to be created and faculty will need to be identified to teach those," Riedinger said. "We are looking at a mix of MSU and U.S. Department of Education funding to help some faculty get enough time and assistance to design those courses that they would teach."
Riedinger said this new major will position students to go further in careers or in graduate school, setting them up to be the next generation of foreign officers.
Admissions Director Pamela Horne said she has noticed the international interest in prospective MSU students.
She said MSU is a "hallmark" for international study with a strong study abroad program, large numbers of international students on campus and faculty members that work around the world.
"This is certainly a 21st century major," Horne said. "Today's young people are very aware that they need to understand and be appreciative of the world around them."
