AFRICAN-STUDIES MINOR OFFERED

The minor program is for non-majors who want access to African-studies courses.





OU will offer students a new minor in African studies next fall.

"It will broaden their education and will give them a competitive advantage," said Ismael Marquez, director of International and Area Studies. "In a world such as ours, where this country has to maintain a high profile, we need to produce graduates who are familiar with the different cultures throughout the world."

OU already has a major in African studies. The minor is for non-majors who want access to African history, anthropology, art, geography, political science, and women's studies. Eighteen credit hours will be required to graduate.

The minor is a division of the International and Area Studies degree. The degree has four areas of specialization: Latin America, Eastern Europe, West Europe, and Asia. The new minor will be the fifth. Any student can take the African studies minor, but unlike the other area minors, foreign language is not a requirement. OU lacks the resources to teach African languages, Marquez said.

The African studies division is in keeping with OU President David Boren's principle objective of preparing students to live and work professionally in the 21st century.

"The University of Oklahoma is becoming a pace-setter in university education in the United States under President Boren's leadership," said Edwin Corr, associate director of the International Program Center. He said OU is one of the first universities to prepare students to live and work professionally in other nations.

Before 1960, about 5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (goods and services) was involved in international trade. Today, 32 percent of the GDP is. Twenty years from now, the percentage will increase to 50. Students must have a better understanding of the world, Corr said.

One of the IPC's goals is to internationalize the curriculum. Corr said the staff of the IPC first reviewed existing programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and established the International and Area Studies.

IPC is also looking at graduate degree programs that include international studies, Corr said.





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