ESU adds two new academic minors

ESU students will be able to learn more about how conditions overseas might affect their everyday lives through two new academic minors next semester.

The Kansas Board of Regents recently approved ESU proposals to offer concentrations in East Asian studies, as well as national security studies.

“The program will allow students to broaden their horizons, not only for their academic interest, but for possible professional considerations later on,” said professor Phil Kelly, who co-authored the national security proposal with assistant professor Kalu N. Kalu. Both teach in the ESU social sciences department.

The national security concentration addresses challenges facing U.S. security in the 21st century global society. Courses will build upon historic events and show students how to analyze the changing structures of international politics.

Students will cover the causes of terrorism, the use and control of force, the aims of diplomacy and America’s role in the world. Some courses will give special attention to American foreign policy in Latin America, including immigration and drug law enforcement.

According to Kelly, the concentration ties courses together across many university disciplines, including political science, geography, sociology and economics. He expects the minor will appeal to students who major in political science or history, especially if they have an interest in the military or national intelligence.

The East Asian studies minor will have a similar interdisciplinary focus, including Chinese language, as well as economics, politics, history and Eastern philosophy. Courses will center on the cultures of China, Japan and Korea, said instructor Marianne G. Curtis, who authored the proposal.

“There are always immigrants coming here to the U.S. to study, live work and raise families and look for a better life,” said Curtis. “It’s important to be able to understand and interact with these people—not just for students and professors. Police officers, hospital workers, teachers and people in other professions could benefit from learning more about eastern Asia.

When the have finished the minor, students will be able to speak Chinese at an intermediate level and “see the world from the eyes of someone from those countries, and not the eyes of our own government and media,” said Curtis.

Though not a part of the minor’s core requirements, Curtis hopes students will explore possibilities for studies overseas. ESU offers opportunities to study in South Korea, Japan or Hong Kong through the International Student Exchange Program.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>