Academic Units & Programs
THE WEST VIRGINIA CONSORTIUM FOR FACULTY AND COURSE DEVELOPMENT IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (FACDIS) , was established in 1980. It is a consortium of 20 West Virginia institutions of higher education with 375 faculty in international studies and foreign languages from 15 different disciplines. FACDIS offers faculty opportunities for professional development and curriculum resources.
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PROGRAM, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences , offers a multi-disciplinary International Studies major. With this program, students develop a specialized program in either one of two areas of emphasis: regional tracks and global affairs tracks. Regional tracks are focused on the history, culture, politics, and economics of a particular region. Students concentrating in one of these areas are required to pursue an advanced foreign language appropriate to the region and, ideally, have a study abroad experience in that region. The areas offered are : Africa/Middle East; East Asia; The Americas; and Europe. Intelligence and National Security has recently been added as a new area of emphasis for the International Studies Program. There are presently 176 ISP students at West Virginia University.
THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences offers majors and minors in the following areas: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian and Spanish. There are presently 134 students majoring in a foreign language. A pproximately 4000 students take foreign language classes each semester. The department also has numerous study abroad courses.
The Intensive English Program is located in the Department of Foreign Languages. IEP serves the language and cultural needs of many international students, providing instruction to more than 130 students a year, including special projects sponsored in partnerships with agencies, universities, and companies in Japan, South Korea, Mexico and other locations.
STUDY ABROAD AND THE FRESHMAN EXPERIENCE The Office of Student Life is partnering with the Office of International Programs for an innovative study abroad experience. Famous Italians is already taught every Spring Break in Italy. It is very popular with Freshman participants. In July of 2007, a new summer program will commence in London for students making the transition to sophomore year.
CENTER FOR CHINESE BUSINESS, College of Business and Economics, offers a range of executive management, market research, and specialized business services and courses focusing on emerging Chinese markets. They advise WV companies in how to develop joint ventures and expand export markets and have developed an innovative study abroad program in China.
WVU HONORS COLLEGE The Honors College strongly encourages students to have a study abroad experience; honors credit is given for any study abroad experience if the student keeps a journal, or some equivalent document such as a blog or podcasts. Students also write a relevant paper about their experiences when they return. To encourage students to study abroad, the Honors College has a student-run standing committee on study abroad. This committee has a booth at the annual Study Abroad Fair, organizes a study abroad meeting where students share their experiences with others considering study abroad and organizes cultural events such as international faculty dinners and trips to international events and performances.
WVU EXTENSION faculty engage in international volunteer projects in Guatemala and Peru, and guide the WV International 4-H Youth Exchange Program, and other community development outreach efforts across West Virginia.
WORLD MUSIC CENTER, in the Division of Music, College of Creative Arts, develops distinctive international music and artistic programs through faculty and student exchanges with educational institutions in China, Brazil, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand. |
