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WELCOME
WHAT WE'RE ABOUT
Globalization is here to stay, but what course it takes is far from predetermined. That will depend on how it is shaped by actors competing in the global arena. The International Studies [I.S.] Program offers interdisciplinary degrees (both major and minor) intended to prepare students to work in that exciting new arena.
The degree is designed to equip I.S. graduates with critical skills, flexible thinking, creativity, and a cosmopolitan view of world issues. This will enable them to rise to the challenges of working comfortably across linguistic, cultural and disciplinary borders. To this end, the curriculum straddles traditional departmental divisions, combining insights drawn from different disciplines around a common regional or global concentration.
In particular, the program links four core disciplines (cultural anthropology, geography, history, and political science) in examining how the world works – as seen both from above and below and from local, national, regional, and planetary perspectives. Students are helped to undertake internships, encouraged to study abroad, and recommended to combine the I.S. major with a minor in a second field such as foreign languages, political science, social science, business, mass communication, or engineering. Many I.S. students opt for double majors. | |
NEWS FLASH
WHAT'S HAPPENING
New Offices
International Studies has a new suite of offices in 153 Howe Russell. We have a nice new seminar room, which will be used for all sorts of functions and will also be the permanent home for the ISS students' club.
Advising
Students needing advice about the International Studies Program should contact Director Leonard Ray at lray2@lsu.edu or 225-578-7274. His office is Howe-Russell 153A.
International Studies Society [ISS]
If you want to join the dynamic ISS student club please contact Blythe Adams at badam18@lsu.edu. They are currently making plans for the Fall 08 semester. Feel free to contact Blythe Adams with any suggestions or recommendations for officers. They are also working on a website of their own which will be linked to this one. In the meantime, check out the ISS profile on facebook.
New Curriculum
Minor revisions to the I.S. curriculum which reflect changes in the requirements for a degree in Arts and Sciences go into effect for the Fall 2008 semester. The total credit hours required for an I.S. degree will be 120 hours and I.S. majors are no longer required to take laboratory courses. Current I.S. majors must follow the catalog requirements which were in place when you were admitted to LSU, unless you ask the college of Arts and Sciences for permission to follow a more recent catalog year. Before changing catalog years, check the requirements of any minors or second majors because those requirements may also have changed between catalogs.
New Concentrations
LSU has recently welcomed a number of new faculty with interests covering African history and culture, Middle Eastern geography and culture, and Arabic. From Fall 2008, the I.S. major will offer a regional concentration in the Middle East, and another regional concentration in Africa. These two concentrations replace the old combined Africa-Middle East concentration. (See areas of concentration)
New Internships Program
A new Internships Course / INTL 3099 has been approved. It will enable students to earn credits for academic work completed during the course of an internship. Students must make arrangements with the I.S. internship director before beginning their internship. (See opportunities/internships)
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CALENDAR
SPRING 2008
In the coming weeks several guest lecturers will be giving talks with an international focus! See events page for more info.
International Studies Association 2008 annual convention, March 26-29 in San Francisco, CA
Contact Amy Triche (atrich6@lsu.edu) if interested in attending. Click here for a link to the convention's website.
Friday, March 7, LSU Law Center Room 106, 2:00-4:00 pm, Human Rights Symposium with Dinah PoKempner, Alberto Zuppi, and Rodwan Abouharb discussing the topics of torture and international institutions. The event is sponsored by the International Law Society. Light snacks will be provided.
Tuesday, March 11, Hill Memorial Library First Floor Lecture Hall, 3:00-4:30 pm, Dr. David Walsh from Catholic University will give a talk entitled "Missing the Modern Philosophical Revolution: a readjustment of Vogelin & Strauss." The event is sponsored by the Political Science department.
Tuesday, March 11, Design Building Auditorium (Rm 103), 5:00 - 6:30 pm, Prof. Bruce Cumings of the University of Chicago will give a talk entitled "Exiting the 'Axis of Evil'? Clinton, Bush, and North Korea." The event is sponsored by the International Studies Program.
Friday, March 28 , Allen 131, 2:00-3:30 pm, Professor Gaurav Desai from Tulane University will give a talk entitled “Kurtz's New Horror: The Politics of International and Area Studies.” The event is sponsored by International Studies, Comparative Literature, Louisiana Gulf and Caribbean Studies, and the Departments of English and History.
Monday, April 7, Howe-Russell 130, 5:30-7:30 pm, Bruce Reidel of the Brookings Institution will give a talk entitled “The Hunt for Al Qaeda.” The event is sponsored by the International Studies Program.
The 22nd annual Festival International de Louisiane will be held in Lafayette, LA, April 23-27. See events page for more info. | |