Area Studies

The Area Studies Program allows students to complete interdisciplinary work in one of the following geographic regions:

Asia—Far East
Latin America
Middle East and North Africa
Sub-Sahara Africa
Russia and Eastern Europe

The interdisciplinary area studies major/minor provides students with an understanding of the background and specific problems of a world cultural or geopolitical: Asia-Far East, Latin American, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Sahara Africa, or Russia and Eastern Europe.  Courses drawn from several departments help to supply information on the area’s economy, geography, history, politics, society, and general cultural background.  The program also provides a solid foundation for graduate work with an area specialization or preparation for careers in government service, nongovernmental organizations, journalism, or private business.  Special topics course and independent studies provide the student considerable flexibility in designing a program suited to individual needs and interests. 

The program is an outstanding contribution to the university’s stated mission of support for diversity and international studies within a multi-disciplinary framework. The area studies program is based entirely on a multi-disciplinary approach and has consistently stressed the importance of diversity within each given area.  In addition, the goals of the program are student driven in that every effort is made to provide students with the utmost flexibility in the program.

The importance of knowledge of global regions/areas in today’s multi-cultural global world cannot be overstated. As EMU graduates enter the workplace they are increasingly called upon to have knowledge and awareness of differing societies and nations. Students with majors and minors in a specific global region have an obvious advantage in obtaining employment and advancement in a wide range of career options including business, journalism, teaching, international law, government jobs in the Foreign Service, military, intelligence and security fields, non-governmental agencies, and translation works to name just a few options.