University of Pittsburgh

UNDERGRADUATE
Bulletin

University Center For International Studies

 

 

The University Center for International Studies (UCIS) is the central coordinating and support mechanism for the international activities of the University of Pittsburgh. As a University-wide center, UCIS supports multidisciplinary programs of research and instruction in international and area studies, linking departments and schools of the University. It connects the University and private and public sector institutions, other universities, and institutions in other countries to strengthen the University’s international dimension of teaching, research, and public service. UCIS aids students in their acquisition of international knowledge through certificate programs, study abroad programs, curriculum development, and seminars; assists faculty in their international research, teaching, and service; and develops and manages international programs and projects.

The center offers certificate programs in African, Asian, European Union, Latin American, Russian and East European, West European, and Global studies. Four of the UCIS areas of studies programs (Global, Latin American, Russian and East European, and European) are designated as National Resource Centers by the federal government.

UCIS certificates evidence language proficiency, regional knowledge and cultural competency that students find useful for international careers or for advanced degrees with a concentration in a particular world area or global theme.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
4400 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-7390
ucis@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu

Admission Requirements

Formal admission to the UCIS certificate programs is accomplished by completing a simple application form. Interested students are encouraged to apply in their freshman or sophomore year. There are no special requirements for admission. All undergraduate certificate programs in UCIS (with the exception of the certificate programs in global studies, European Union studies and Latin American studies described below) require 15 credits/five courses in the applicable area, with three or more courses in at least two departments other than the major. Language requirements vary from four to six terms.

Certificate courses can be used simultaneously to fulfill the student’s general education and international/foreign culture requirements. Grades generally must be C or better to be accepted for the certificate program. Upon graduation, both the academic degree and the certificate are posted on the student’s transcript.

Advising

All UCIS certificate programs provide advising services to students interested or registered in its programs in addition to those routinely offered by the students’ major advisors. Center advisors assist in selecting courses, language training, and arranging internships or study abroad to fit the students’ academic and personal interests. See the program descriptions below for contact information.

Special Academic Opportunities

In addition to the regular certificate programs, UCIS offers the following special academic opportunities:

Asian Studies Scholarships and Fellowships

Students enrolled in the Asian studies certificate program are eligible for a variety of fellowships and scholarships, including the Chinese Summer Language Study Abroad Scholarships, the Japanese Studies Undergraduate Scholarship, the Study-in-Japan Scholarship, and the Japanese Summer Language Study Scholarship. In addition, a new undergraduate scholarship program for students studying Chinese and Japanese language is available for study abroad in an approved program.

Latin American Studies Undergraduate
Seminar/Field Trip

The Undergraduate Seminar/Field Trip is a unique component of the Latin American studies undergraduate certificate program. The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) firmly believes that all undergraduates should have the opportunity to experience Latin American culture firsthand. This objective is met through an annual field trip to a selected Latin American country for which about 12 students are chosen each year. CLAS subsidizes the cost of this trip via scholarships to place it within the means of virtually all students. Student participants register for a seminar in the spring term (January–April) that prepares them for the field trip through study of the culture, economics, geography, history, and politics of the area to be visited. Students also are introduced to research methodology and are guided through the development of a project which forms the basis for research they conduct while in the field. In the summer session (mid-May–late June), the students travel to Latin America, where they reside with host families and undertake their research projects under the direction of a CLAS faculty member. (In past years, groups have gone to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.)

Russian and East European Studies Summer Study Abroad and Internship Awards

The Center for Russian and East European Studies (REES) believes that study or work abroad is a key component of its certificate program. In an effort to encourage students to travel to the region, REES offers several scholarships each summer to students enrolled in the certificate program. In addition, REES offers several awards to its students annually to fund paid internships in Pittsburgh during the academic year in the field of Russian and East European studies.

West European Studies Friedl E. Kessler Memorial Fellowship

To help defray the costs of studying abroad, the European Studies Center offers the Kessler Fellowship for study or research in Germany. This competitive award is offered every year in the amount of $1,000. Any student pursuing the Certificate in West European Studies who studies German and has at least a 3.0 GPA is eligible to apply.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

AFRICAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
African Studies Program
Anna-Maria Karnes, Undergraduate & Graduate Advisor and Outreach Coordinator
4137 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-648-8143
Awk19@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/africa

 

 

Certificate Requirements

  • One required core course (3 credits) from Introduction to Africa (AFRCNA 0127), Early African Civilizations (AFRCNA 0586), or Culture of Africa (ANTH 1778)
  • Four elective courses (12 credits) selected from those on the course list that contain at least 25% African content
  • Language proficiency:  a minimum of two years of study (four terms) of either an indigenous African language (Swahili, Arabic or Yoruba) or proficiency in a European language (other than English) relevant to African studies as a consequence of Africa’s historical experience (French, Portuguese or Spanish)
  • Capstone research paper/project:  This is the culmination of the student’s learning experience and clearly demonstrates in-depth knowledge of African studies issues in at least one academic discipline. The capstone may be an assignment submitted as part of coursework, such as a final term paper. It must be submitted to the African Studies Program no later than the last semester before graduation. Submission may be electronic

 

 

ASIAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
Asian Studies Center
Katherine Carlitz, Undergraduate & Graduate Advisor and Assistant Director for Academic Affairs
4109 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-648-7371
kcarlitz@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/academics/ug-certificate.html

The Asian Studies Center is widely recognized as being among the best and most comprehensive in the country in research, public service, and teaching about East Asia. The center’s mandate is to promote an enhanced understanding of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands through exceptional undergraduate and graduate academic programs, strong interdisciplinary faculty development, and energetic community outreach. The center has nationally recognized programs in Chinese and Japanese language and culture studies, with growing strengths in Indian and Korean studies. Its affiliated faculty spans the disciplines. Typically more than 3,500 graduate and undergraduate students enroll each year in Asia-related courses. Undergraduate students from any field or school interested in Asia can supplement and strengthen their major field of study by enrolling in the Asian Studies certificate program.

Certificate Requirements

  • Four courses (12 credits) on Asia in at least two departments outside the major
  • One course (3 credits) on Asia in the major department. If the major department does not have options for an Asian focus (e.g., chemistry, English), the student must take an additional Asia-related course in a third department
  • Language proficiency:  two years (four terms) of Asian language study at the college level or equivalent proficiency.  Pitt offers Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, and Vietnamese.  Heritage and native speakers must demonstrate intermediate level-proficiency, and may be exempt from this requirement
  • Capstone research paper and experience:  The capstone paper is the culmination of the student’s learning experience and demonstrates in-depth knowledge of Asian studies issues in at least one academic discipline. It may be an assignment submitted as part of coursework, must be submitted no later than the last semester before graduation, and may include a digital portfolio. Details will be discussed with the advisor

Financial Assistance

Asian Studies Certificate students may be eligible for a variety of scholarships and study abroad awards. For information, visit www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/financial_aid/ug-scholarships.html

EUROPEAN UNION STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
European Union Center of Excellence/European Studies Center
Stephen Lund, Undergraduate Advisor and Assistant Director
4216 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Phone: 412-648-7422
slund@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/euce

The European Union (EU) Studies Certificate provides an introduction to the history of European integration, working knowledge of the EU’s laws and administrative bodies, economics and the Euro Area, and (depending on the classes chosen) an overview of specific policy areas (defense and security, immigration, economic, international relations, etc.). The certificate provides a multidisciplinary and cross-regional (east-west) perspective, and it is perfect preparation for students who want to pursue careers in both public and private international organizations and to continue the study of Europe and the EU at the graduate level. 

The University of Pittsburgh is an internationally recognized center for European Union studies.  Selected in 1998, the university is one of 10 European Union Centers of Excellence in the United States (as chosen by the EU itself).  The EU certificate has a high visibility that will assist students as they apply to competitive graduate programs in a number of disciplines and to corporations and organizations that interact with the European Union.

Certificate Requirements

  • Six EU studies courses (18 credits) from at least three different departments are required. These courses will include Politics of the European Union (PS 1317, a prerequisite for PS 1330), European Union Seminar (PS 1330), one course on the historical foundation of the EU, and three courses on the EU or with significant EU content
  • Language proficiency:  two years of college-level study of an official European Union foreign language (excluding English).  Languages currently available include: Spanish, German, French, Italian, Swedish, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Hungarian, Polish and Slovak. Students may request placement tests through the language department

 

Approved courses are posted online at

http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/euce/node/142.

 In addition to the certificate itself, the European Studies Center/European Union Center of Excellence also offers its students a number of valuable resources, including scholarships for study abroad, directed research opportunities, research assistance, and a full calendar of events and visits from politicians and practitioners from across Europe.

 

GLOBAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
Global Studies Program
Elaine Linn, Undergraduate & Graduate Advisor and Assistant Director
4100 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-2113
global@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/global

Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in any school within the University may seek an undergraduate certificate in global studies. With the certificate advisor, students design a coherent plan of study.

Certificate Requirements

  • Six global studies courses (18 credits) are required. These courses will include Introduction to Global Studies (ARTSC 0150), three global concentration courses, and two regional courses
    • Language proficiency: a minimum of two years of college-level study (four semesters) in a foreign language spoken in the chosen region of study, or fulfill the requirement by passing a proficiency exam. Intermediate low-mid proficiency is expected. Pitt offers instruction in over 30 languages
    • Global Concentrations: To complete the certificate, a student chooses a global concentration from six topic areas in order to undertake the necessary interdisciplinary and cross-cultural learning and research. The six topic areas are: Changing Identities in a Global World, Communication, Technology and Society, Conflict and Conflict Resolution, Global Economy and Global Governance, Global Health, and Sustainable Development
    • Global Studies Capstone research paper: This research paper is the culmination of the student’s learning experience of an issue related to the global concentration. It demonstrates analytical skills within a trans-regional context. The capstone must be written as part of a course and graded by a faculty member; in addition the capstone is presented during the annual spring Global Studies poster session

 

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE AND
RELATED CONCENTRATION

 

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
Center for Latin American Studies
Julian Asenjo, Undergraduate Advisor and Assistant Director for Academic Affairs
4207 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-7396
juasenjo@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas

 

Certificate Requirements

  • Seven Latin American courses (21 credits):  two courses in the major department and five courses from at least two departments outside the major. If majoring in a department in which no Latin American courses are offered, the requirement is seven Latin American area courses in at least three different departments
  • Language proficiency: three years (six terms) of college-level Spanish or Portuguese, or have equivalent competency
  • Study abroad in Latin America is required. The study abroad program must be for academic credit and last at least six weeks. The requirement may be fulfilled by participation in the CLAS Undergraduate Seminar and Field Trip.

Related Concentration Requirements

Similar to a minor, the related concentration is designed for students who want to learn about the cultures and societies of our neighbors to the south. It is suitable for students considering a career specializing in the Latin American region, and has two academic requirements: area studies courses and language proficiency.

  • One course in the major department, and four courses from at least two departments outside the major (15 credits).  If majoring in a department in which no Latin American courses are offered, the requirement is five Latin American area courses in at least three different departments
  • Language proficiency:  two years of study (four terms) of college-level Spanish or Portuguese, or have equivalent proficiency.

 

 

RUSSIAN AND EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
Center for Russian and East European Studies
Susan Hicks, Undergraduate Advisor
4417 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-7418
smhst57@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/crees

Certificate Requirements

Five Russian & East European area studies (non-language) courses (15 credits).  Courses must be taken in at least three departments, and up to two courses may be taken in the major department

  • Language proficiency:  a minimum of two years (four terms) of college-level study of a language of the former Soviet Union or East/Central Europe. Pitt offers Russian, Polish, Slovak, Ukrainian, Modern Greek, Turkish, and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian. Additionally, Pitt’s Summer Language Institute offers Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Bulgarian, Czech and Hungarian. Heritage speakers must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency.
  • Capstone Paper:  this is the culmination of the student’s learning experience and demonstrates in-depth, interdisciplinary knowledge of Russian & East European studies. This 10 to15-page paper must be written in junior or senior year, and be submitted to the certificate advisor with grade documentation prior to graduation. Students are strongly encouraged to take the 3-credit REES capstone course, which fulfills this requirement and counts as an area studies course.

 

WEST EUROPEAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
European Studies Center
Stephen Lund, Undergraduate Advisor and Assistant Director
4216 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-3503
slund@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/euce

Certificate Requirements

  • A minimum of five West European studies courses (15 credits).  Courses must be chosen according to a theme to ensure intellectual cohesion. Possible themes include:  European humanities, cultural and social development, continental European politics, Spanish studies, German studies, or self-designed theme after consultation with the international advisor
  • Two courses from the major may overlap with the certificate.  Remaining courses must be from at least two departments outside the major.  One of the five courses must be on 20th/21st century Western Europe, if applicable to the theme.  Two courses must be at the 1000 level
  • Language proficiency:  two years of college-level study (four terms) in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Irish Gaelic, Swedish or Modern Greek
  • Digital Portfolio:  this is the culmination of the student’s learning experience and demonstrates in-depth knowledge of West European studies issues.  Details will be discussed with the advisor.