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June 28, 2001

UCIS to introduce global studies certificate program

Traditionally, Pitt has been strong in international area studies programs. But what about students who are motivated by issues that cross regional borders?

Beginning in fall term 2001, Pitt will offer those students a new undergraduate certificate in global studies.

Provost James Maher approved the Global Studies Program last week. It will be administered by the University Center for International Studies (UCIS).

William Brustein, director of UCIS, said, "We're strong in four major regions of the world — but what about people whose interests are in the Middle East or Africa or Oceania, and there's not an area studies program for them? Global studies is a way to bring them in."

UCIS houses four internationally recognized area studies components, the Asian Studies Program and the centers for Latin American studies, West European studies and Russian and East European studies. It also is home to one of only 10 European Union centers in the United States.

But there are many issues that cross regional areas and include the role of the United States, such as the global economy, the environment, world politics and technology, Brustein said.

"It's great we're moving in this direction. In international studies, a lot of people are motivated primarily by a global or transnational issue, such as sustainable development, which is a key concern to developing countries who are using their environment while developing economies."

The preservation of the Brazilian rain forest, the Kyoto protocols and human rights are other such examples, he said.

"If you just study human rights from an area studies perspective, can you capture its global comparative essence? These are the issues that transcend boundaries. What's motivating students is not just Asia or an interest in Europe, it's the issue. Global studies is a way of getting both faculty and students who are driven by a comparative global perspective on issues into the international studies fold," Brustein said.

The global studies certificate program is tailored to undergraduates with an interest in one or more regions of the world and related regional or global issues or themes.

Requirements include: five global studies courses (including Introduction to Global Studies), two courses in one regional concentration and two courses in a thematic concentration, such as global governance, evolving identities in the global world and technology and society. Two years of college-level foreign language proficiency also is required.

Undergraduates seeking the certificate will be encouraged to enroll in a study or service abroad program.

For more information on the Global Studies Program, call 8-7390 or access the UCIS web site at: www.ucis.pitt.edu

–Peter Hart


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