International Studies is interdisciplinary. It encourages all of its students to view the world from various perspectives and to be broadly concerned with social, political, economical, and cultural processes, linkages, interdependencies, and power relations that connect individuals, communities, groups, states and regions across the globe. Shared dilemmas and challenges tie the world's citizens together. If we are to? participate fully in this interdependent world, we must develop cultural empathy and understanding of human rights and gender issues, ethnic and religious diaspora, environmental degradation, historic and political impacts and other evolving global concerns.
International Studies complements and challenges paradigms and methodologies of traditional disciplines as well as existing interdisciplinary programs. For the liberal arts student, international studies will help them situate their interests within broad historical and geographical terms. A double major in International Studies provides students from all disciplinary and programmatic backgrounds with the tools they need to situate themselves as informed citizens in a rapidly changing and increasingly interconnected?world.
Our broad mission is?threefold:
- To produce educated citizens who can understand and work within the context of these?processes,
- To create an intellectual environment which can sustain innovative, cutting-edge, curriculum development and research,?and
- To make the boundaries between Denison and ?the world? far more permeable than they are currently through increased off-campus opportunity for Denison students and faculty (that are closely tied to curricular priorities) and through a greater presence of international scholars, artists, and students on our?campus.
