International and Area Studies

Director: James Wertsch

Home Page: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~overseas/index.html Location: Stix International House Telephone: (314) 935-7642

International and Area Studies (IAS) offers an interdisciplinary major that allows students to develop a broad understanding of the world, while exploring the diversity and richness of other cultures. One of the hallmarks of our contemporary era is the complex relationship between globalization and local differences. New information technologies and worldwide markets connect us to people, ideas and products throughout the globe. Yet even in this context of globalization, we continue to have strong attachments to local languages, cultures, and societies. In some ways, differences among people -- whether of government, economy, religion, or ethnicity - are becoming more pronounced. Faculty members in the department help students explore this tension between global and local.

News Stories & Tip Sheets:

Showing Stories 1 through 3 of 32.  - Show More

Tale of Genji Campus celebrates 1000th anniversary of 'world's first novel,' April 18 April 4, 2008 -- One mark of a great novel, it's been said, is its ability to stand the "test of time" — to remain captivating to readers from generation to generation. Washington University will honor such a novel on April 18 with two campus events celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the Tale of Genji, a central pillar of the Japanese literary canon often hailed as the world's first novel.

Call for action Universities must tackle global energy, environmental woes, says international call to action May 7, 2007 -- Proclaiming that "energy and environmental issues represent the greatest challenges of this century," Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton today joined presidents of six other premier research universities in calling for universities worldwide to marshal their resources for a global effort to secure a brighter, sustainable future. Plans for collaborative academic programs involving education, research, university operations, social sciences and policy studies are detailed in a statement issued May 7.

MEDIA ADVISORY WUSTL chancellor announces a call to action for research universities worldwide May 7, 2007 -- Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton will announce a call to action for research universities worldwide to focus on the energy and environment as the greatest challenge of this century. The announcement, which comes as part of a conference involving the presidents of 12 premier research universities from Asia and the Middle East, will be made at noon May 7 in Whitaker Hall Auditorium, Washington University's Danforth Campus.

Showing Stories 1 through 3 of 32.  - Show More

Faculty Experts:

Showing 3 Experts.

Shanti A. Parikh Assistant Professor of Anthropology in Arts & Sciences Parikh's research focuses on local responses to national and global development interventions, particularly issues surrounding sexuality, sexual and reproductive health, and gender relations. Using ethnographic and historical methods and critical theory, her current research in eastern Uganda traces ... Expertise: East Africa, HIV/AIDS, eastern Uganda, globalization, sexuality, gender relations, social change, … Direct contact: (314) 935-7769 / sparikh@artsci.wustl.edu

Robert L. Canfield Professor of Sociocultural Anthropology in Arts & Sciences Robert Canfield Download Canfield, a sociocultural anthropologist, spent nine years in Afghanistan. His research focuses on Islamic movements in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He supports the U.S. war in Afghanistan, but has been highly critical of the Bush administration regardin the war in Iraq. Canfield, who has studied Islamic ... Expertise: Islamic politics, U.S. anti-terrorism policy, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Central Asia, Eastern Islamic World, … Direct contact: (314) 935-5282 / canfrobt@artsci.wustl.edu

James V. Wertsch Marshall S. Snow Professor in Arts & Sciences James Wertsch Download James V. Wertsch, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Anthropology in Arts & Sciences.In addition, he holds joint appointments in Education, the Russian Studies Program, and the Program in Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology, all in Arts & Sciences. Heis the director of the McDonnell International ... Expertise: Russia and former Soviet Union, collective memory, identity, international studies, psychology, education Direct contact: (314) 935-9015 / jwertsch@wustl.edu

Showing 3 Experts.

More News:

International and Area Studies program to start in 2002
Dec. 2000 - International travel, global exchange, communications and technology play a large role in today's fast-paced business world. In the future, leaders will need to be trained in the issues of diversity and a global economy. The Program of International Studies in Arts & Sciences is planning a new academic option aimed at helping students meet the challenges of our rapidly changing world. The new program, called International and Area Studies, could start as early as the fall of 2002.