International Studies Program

Welcome! In today's globalized world familiarity with the culture, history and languages of different parts of the world is a marketable skill.  Companies and institutions desire graduates who can work with people from other cultural backgrounds whether overseas or in an increasingly multi-cultural United States.  Courses in International Studies are an ideal means to cultivate knowledge and interest about other cultures and peoples.  Explore the world through the course available at Oakland University's International Studies Program.

Drawing on faculty from various disciplines within the College of Arts and Sciences, the International Studies Program offers for general education a variety of interdisciplinary courses that introduce students to the civilizations of seven world areas outside of North America and Western Europe: China, Japan, Africa, India, Latin America, Russia and Eastern Europe and the Middle East.  In these courses students will explore various aspects of these civilizations: art, government, history, language, literature, music, religion and social organization.

The ISP also offers programs and courses that focus on these world areas. Its major programs include East Asian Studies (China or Japan) and Latin American Studies. Its minor programs include African and African-American Studies, Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Slavic Studies and South Asian Studies.

There are several scholarships and financial aid available for your field of study.

The ISP office is located in room 217 Varner Hall.

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The OU Pledge

The OU Pledge is Oakland University's commitment to provide undergraduate students with opportunities for meaningful, hands-on learning.  This commitment seeks to enhance students' academic knowledge with experiential learning, internships and/or research experiences that empower them to make substantive professional contributions.  International Studies students engage in experiential learning through their participation in various opportunities such as:

Study Abroad:

Studying abroad provides students with hands-on experiences in other cultures and languages.  International Studies facilitates exchange programs with  Nanzan University in Japan and  University of Orléans in France.  OU's Study Abroad Office offers students many additional opportunities to study abroad through the faculty-led programs, exchange programs, and partner programs listed on their website.  Many study abroad courses com in through International Studies' rubric and count toward the program's majors and minors.  For more information, please contact the program director, Professor Liz Shesko, at [email protected].

Hands-on Courses:

• IS 3920 - Directed Readings in International Studies
• IS 4995 - Directed Research in International Studies

Student Organizations:

CAIR: Host Family Program at OU
China Club
French Club
German Club
International Allies Association
Italian Club
Japan Club
Model United Nations Club
Spanish Club
Students Organize for Syria
UNICEF at Oakland University
World Music Organization

Student Affinity Groups:

African Student Union
Albanian-American Student Organization
Arab-American Student Organization
Bangladeshi Student Organization
Chaldean-American Student Association
China Club
Egyptian Association at Oakland University
Hispanic Aspiring Leaders Organization (HALO)
Indian Students Association at OU
Iraqi American Union
Jordanian Student Association
Lebanese Student Association
Pakistani Student Association
Saudi Students Association
Serbian Student Club
Vietnamese Student Association