UA International creates new program

The University's international department has instituted a new certificate program for students who wish to pursue higher-level studies in international issues and cultures.

The interdisciplinary global studies certificate program awards students a certificate and a designation on their transcripts after they complete 15 hours of designated courses.

To receive the certificate, students are required to take CIP 200, a new course that focuses on introducing students to global studies.

When students complete the course, they are required to complete two of a select list of previously existing UA courses: ANT 102, GY 105, GY 110 and SOC 101.

These courses provide the groundwork for the remaining six hours required for the certificate, which come from 300- or 400- level courses in a variety of subjects encompassing nearly every college.

Brendan O'Farrell, an overseas study academic adviser, said the program features elements of intercultural communication in general, also specifically on the region which students decide to focus.

"For instance, students who accompany me to Ireland in the summer will focus on the Catholic/Protestant dialogue surrounding the peace issue in Northern Ireland," O'Farrell said. "Students who go to Brazil or India will focus on issues that pertain to those countries, as well."

O'Farrell said the trip to Ireland would offer a course in Irish literature as well as CIP 200.

"Dr. John Burke of the English department will be teaching a special topics course in Irish literature," O'Farrell said.

Frannie James, an instructor in the International Honors Program and in Capstone International Programs, said the new course and the programs were created to give students more options.

"We did want to expand the opportunities for students who wanted to go abroad to study," James said. "But we also wanted to provide a chance for all students to gain a better understanding of the interaction between cultures."

James said CIP 200, the certificate program's only course that must be taken by everyone, has two parts.

"In CIP 200, we teach inter-culture communication, which can really help students if they decide to go abroad, and we also focus on global issues to help students understand what issues are affecting the world," James said.

Sheila Ingram, the executive secretary of Capstone International programs, said aside from providing students with an understanding of world issues, the program also seeks to encourage UA students to approach all courses with a global perspective.

"The program came the most part from the hard work of Dr. Jane Stanfield, who is the associate provost for international education and global outreach," Ingram said. "She worked very hard to get the deans of the various colleges to support this new program, something that worked well when the first CIP 200 classes were given in fall of 2006."

James also said CIP 200 is a general course that doesn't refer to specific issues of intercultural communication. She said it is meant to teach the basics and allow students to choose their own focus.

"We wanted to provide students with a better understanding of the world around them with this course," James said. "We also wanted to help them see their place in that world."