By Carrie PorterThe Daily Northwestern
Northwestern’s revamped International Studies program is getting a positive reaction from both students and administrators, with most new applicants opting to complete the adjunct major’s updated version.
After months of discussion, the program now contains a new thematic cluster, an honors program and a revised core sequence. In addition, students can now earn a minor in the subject.
New enrollees can choose between the new or old version of the program. But about 80 percent of this year’s sign-ups have gone with the redesigned plan, said Bianca Ramirez, the International Studies program assistant
“I think that students are really excited,” she said.
Weinberg freshman Patience Baach recently enrolled in the program despite some trepidation.
“I was wary that it was an adjunct major,” she said. “But with the new system, it will be easier and will allow me to fulfill requirements for my (other) major and international studies.”
“We changed the requirements to make the program more comprehensive and allow students to have more focus,” said Ramirez. “The program is also encouraging students to study abroad. We want them to get first-hand knowledge of experiences with the cultures of other countries,” she said.
To fulfill the thematic clusters requirement, students will choose one of four topics: Issues in International Security, International Political Economy and Development, Global Commons, and Culture and Society.
“Each of these themes are interdisciplinary and are key questions that concern the globe,” said Galya Ruffer, the associate director of International Studies Program.
Since its beginnings in 1988, 5,000 to 6,000 students have participated in the International Studies program, with about 300 students annually over the past five to seven years, said Prof. Frank Safford, the program’s former head.
The old program emphasized historical and cultural studies, Safford said. The new version has been refocused on science and economics, including adding Introduction to Macroeconomics as a course requirement.
“The thing that made the change most urgent was when President Bienen expressed extreme disgruntlement with (the program),” Safford said.
Some of the core classes of the old program will remain largely the same. Prof. Gueorgui Derluguian said his two-part Global History course will essentially be a compressed version of the three-part World Systems.
“It didn’t really change that much,” he said.
Nicole White, a senior international studies and French major said she thinks the revamping will be beneficial for the program but that she felt prepared with the old program, as well. “It would be good to require and focus on different areas,” she said. “I didn’t feel like I got an international perspective before. But as long as you do well at Northwestern, anyone can find a decent job.”
With job security increasingly ambiguous in a globalizing economy, students desire more options to give them versatility, Ruffer said.
“Like most universities, we recognize the need to have a more international focus,” said Mary Finn, the associate dean for undergraduate academic affairs. “We are increasing curricular offerings that are international in some way.”
“The real question is what makes a well-educated student after (he or she) graduates,” she added, listing fluency in a foreign language and experience in study abroad programs as important factors.
The International Studies program is one of NU’s first steps in a more international direction.
“Students are going out and seeking employment in an international world. They need now a different set of international skills,” Ruffer said.
“International studies is the largest adjunct major. As far as I know, there is no other department going through changes like these.”
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