Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

IU School of Liberal Arts

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International

"No longer is it enough to bring the world to us.  We must engage with the world so that we are fully prepared to meet the challenges of the 21th Century."
 IU President Michael McRobbie, November 2008 to the American Council on Education

Global literacy and international collaboration are now more important than ever. Intercultural knowledge and competence rank high among the skills identified by employers for new graduates. Indiana University has a long and rich tradition of international engagement and its 2008 International Strategic Plan focuses on engaging students and faculty in academic experiences abroad, collaboration with our international partners, and increasing global awareness in the state of Indiana.

A core value of the School of Liberal Arts is the pursuit of interdisciplinary, international, and multicultural approaches seeking to situate learning in a global context. This value is achieved through several pathways: study abroad opportunities, international collaboration in teaching and research, curriculum internationalization, and attracting international students.  Liberal Arts faculty have created study abroad programs in a wide variety of countries including China, Jordan, France, Germany, Dominican Republic, and Spain. Faculty and students participate in research and teaching projects with IUPUI international strategic partners in Kenya, China, and Mexico. The School of Liberal Arts houses the Confucius Center, the Max-Kade German American Center, and the Spanish Resource Center, three international centers promoting the study of language and cultural awareness in collaboration with the governments of China, Germany, and Spain. International endeavors are enriched by the presence of an increasing number of international students from countries including Uganda, France, Venezuela, Mexico, Russia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Vietnam, and Pakistan. The school offers opportunities to learn eight languages and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies. International awareness is emphasized throughout the curriculum with courses with an international focus in many disciplines.