Departments, Programs and Centers
Programs
International Studies
Director Associate Professor Michael Snodgrass, History
Professors Frederick Bein, Geography; David Bell, Sociology; Linda Bell, Communication Studies; Gabrielle Bersier, World Languages and Cultures; Ulla Connor, English; Edward Curtic IV, Religious Studies; Jon Eller, English; Linda Haas, Sociology; Didier Gondola, History; Bessie House-Soremekun, Political Science; John McCormick, Political Science; Obioma Nnaemeka, World Languages and Cultures; John Parrish-Sprowl, Communication Studies; Peter Rangazas, Economics; William Schneider, History; Robert White, Sociology;
Associate Professors Marta Anton, World Languages and Cultures; Robert Aponte, Sociology; Enrica Ardemagni, World Languages and Cultures; Wan-Ning Bao, Sociology; Didier Bertrand, World Languages and Cultures; Herbert Brant, World Languages and Cultures; Tim Brothers, Geography; Kevin Cramer, History; Jeanette Dickerson-Putman, Anthropology; Thomas Fedor, Geography; Carrie Foote, Sociology;Gina Sánchez Gibau, Anthropology; Elizabeth Goering, Communication Studies; Ain Haas, Sociology; Kelly Hayes, Religious Studies; David Hoegberg, English; Sue Hyatt, Anthropology; Jason Kelly, History; Daniella Kostroun, History; Una Osili, Economics; Scott Pegg, Political Science; Kevin Robbins, History; Eric Saak, History; Rosa Tezanos-Pinto, World Languages and Cultures; Jennifer Thorington Springer, English; Gail Gráinne Whitchurch, Communication Studies; Gregory Witkowski, Philanthropic Studies; Reiko Yonogi, World Languages and Cultures; Xin Zhang, History
Assistant Professors Joseph Tucker Edmonds, Religious Studies, Africana Studies; Andrea Jain, Religious Studies; A Kate Miller, World Languages and Cultures; Ben Van Wyke, World Languages and Cultures; Jing Wang, World Languages and Cultures; Ye Zhang, Economics; Iker Zulaika, World Languages and Cultures
Senior Lecturers Claudia Grossman, World Languages and Cultures; Erik Lindseth, History
Lecturers Fadia Antalbi, World Languages and Cultures; Amy Bomke-Keating, World Languages and Cultures; Amira Mashhour, World Languages and Cultures; Tijen Demeril-Pegg, Political Science; Jasper Sumner, Political Science; Dawn Whitehead, Office of International Affairs; Peg Williams, Anthropology; Rafia Zakaria, Political Science
The world is becoming a smaller place in which to live, and the interdependence of our political, cultural and economic systems is growing by the day. Locally, Indiana’s economic health is increasingly tied to foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports of agricultural, life science, or automotive products. The state ranks in the top 15 nationally in FDI and exports, while the ‘Crossroads of America’ is now a major international freight hub. Record numbers of immigrants from places like Mexico, South Asia, and West Africa are transforming the cultural and political landscape of central Indiana. Meanwhile, Hoosiers are serving abroad in the military, in the Peace Corps, as missionaries, or as members of the international business community. To prepare students for life and careers in an increasingly globalized world, the School of Liberal Arts offers the B.A. and a minor in International Studies.
The interdisciplinary character of International Studies distinguishes it from International Relations, the Political Science subfield with which it is often confused. In the IS program students learn another language, specialize in one of five world regions, enrich their academic experience through study abroad, and study the cultural, historical, political, and economic forces at work in our 21st century world. They take advantage of the international opportunities offered at IUPUI, one of five 2011 recipients of the Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization
The most innovative feature of the major is that students tailor a combination of area and thematic concentrations to meet their own academic interests and career goals. A student pursuing a career in the burgeoning non-governmental organization sector could combine a thematic concentration on development or global civil society with an area concentration on Africa or Latin America and the Caribbean. Another student interested in a Foreign Service career might combine a thematic concentration on international relations with an area concentration on the Middle East and study Arabic as their foreign language. In short, students customize their area and thematic coursework to meet any variety of different interests and needs.