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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 undergraduate certificate programs through its four area studies centers (Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, Russian and East European Studies, West European Studies), all of which are designated by the federal government as National Resource Centers. In addition, UCIS offers undergraduate certificates in African Studies and Global Studies. UCIS certificates evidence language proficiency and area knowledge 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 Center for International Studies
4G Wesley W. Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 648-7390
Fax: (412) 648-4672
ucis+@pitt.edu
http://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 program in Latin American studies described below) require 15 credits/five courses in the applicable area, with three or more in at least two departments other than the major. Language requirements vary from two to six terms.

Certificate courses can be used simultaneously to fulfill the student's general education and international/foreign culture requirements. Grades 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 certificate 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 Year-in-Japan Scholarship, and the Japanese Summer Language Study Scholarship.

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES UNDERGRADUATE SEMINAR/FIELD TRIP

The Undergraduate Seminar/Field Trip is a unique component of the Latin American studies 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 through mid-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, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.)

RUSSIAN AND EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES CAP COURSE

The Center for Russian and East European Studies (REES) offers, through a specific department in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, a capstone (or exit) course for juniors and seniors in its undergraduate certificate program. The cap course is recommended, but is not a mandatory requirement. It is designed to give students from a variety of academic disciplines the opportunity to investigate a common development in the region. Topics have included women writers, political and economic transition, and nationalism. The course is not exclusively for REES students, and is open to undergraduates who are knowledgeable and interested in the region. Course requirements include research paper(s), and class size is limited to 25 students.

The REES certificate requires that students enroll in courses that focus on this world region from at least three different academic departments. This cap or exit course is an opportunity for students from different disciplines to take the same course, which is interdisciplinary in nature. The classes include both lectures and discussion sessions.

RUSSIAN AND EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES SUMMER STUDY ABROAD AND INTERNSHIP AWARD

The Center for Russian and East European Studies 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 Center for West European Studies offers the Kessler Fellowship for study or research in Germany. The competitive award is offered every other 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 QPA is eligible to apply.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

AFRICAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

Undergraduate Advisor:
Joseph Adjaye
Director
African Studies Program
University Center for International Studies
3T01 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 648-7544
Fax: (412) 648-7214

jadjaye@pitt.edu

http://www.pitt.edu/~bjgrier/adjaye.htm

Students seeking an undergraduate degree at any school within the University may pursue an undergraduate certificate in African Studies. Requirements include:

• Five courses: One required core courses (either AFRCNA 0027 Introduction to Africa or AFRCNA 0086 African Civilization and Culture), and four courses selected for those listed with African content.
• Language proficiency: One year of study (two terms) of an indigenous African language (Swahili, Yoruba, Arabic) or proficiency in a European language relevant to African Studies as a consequence of Africa's historical experience, e.g., French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

ASIAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

Undergraduate Advisor:
Dianne F. Dakis
Assistant Director for Student Affairs
Asian Studies Program
University Center for International Studies
5B16 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 648-7367
Fax: (412) 624-4665
dakis@ucis.pitt.edu
http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/asp/cert.html

Students in any school of the University can pursue an undergraduate certificate in Asian studies as a supplement to a major. Requirements are:

• Five Asian area studies courses: one course in the student's major and four courses in at least two departments other than the major (for a total of 15 credits). 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.

GLOBAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE

Undergraduate Advisor:
Laura Hastings
Associate Director
Global Studies Program
University Center for International Studies
4G27 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 624-2918
Fax: (412) 624-4672
global@pitt.edu
http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global

Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in any school within the University may seek an undergraduate certificate in Global Studies. Requirements are:

• Five Global Studies courses: CAS 0150 Introduction to Global Studies, two courses in one regional concentration, and two courses in a thematic concentration, for a total of 15 credits. Three courses must be taken in at least two departments other than the student's major.
• Language proficiency: Two years (four terms) of college-level language appropriate to the regional concentration selected. Equivalent proficiency in the language may be proven through examination.

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES: RELATED CONCENTRATION AND CERTIFICATE

Undergraduate Advisor:
Shirley Kregar
Associate Director for Academic Affairs
Center for Latin American Studies
University Center for International Studies
4E32 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 648-7396
Fax: (412) 648-2199
kregar@ucis.pitt.edu
http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas

Related Concentration

Students may begin their work on Latin America through the related concentration in Latin American studies. Requirements are:

• Five Latin American area studies courses: one course in the student's major and four courses in at least two departments other than the major (for a total of 15 credits).
• Language proficiency: two years (four terms) of college-level Spanish or Portuguese, or the equivalent. Equivalent proficiency in the language may be proven through examination.

Students who complete these requirements receive a notation on their transcript that they have earned a related concentration in Latin American studies.

Certificate

The certificate program consists of on-campus area and language proficiency courses, plus a study abroad program. Requirements are:

• Seminar/field trip: satisfactory completion of the interdisciplinary seminar and field trip (nine credits) or an equivalent program of academic study abroad.
• Four Latin American area studies courses: one in the student's major and three in at least two departments other than the major (12 credits).
• Language proficiency: three years (six terms) of college-level Spanish or Portuguese, or the equivalent. Equivalent proficiency may be proven through examination.

Students majoring in departments in which no Latin American courses are offered can complete the related concentration by substituting the major course with a Latin American course in any department.

RUSSIAN AND EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

Undergraduate Advisor:
Paloma Garcia-Paredes
Center for Russian and East European Studies
University Center for International Studies
4G19 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 648-7418
Fax: (412) 648-2199
paloma@ucis.pitt.edu
http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/crees

The Russian and East European Studies Certificate combines foreign language training and multidisciplinary area studies courses. Requirements are:

• Five Russian and East European area studies courses: one course in the student's major and four courses in at least two departments other than the major (15 credits).
• Language proficiency: two years of college-level study in Russian or a language of the former Soviet Union or East/Central Europe or demonstration of equivalent proficiency.
• Maintenance of a 3.00 QPA in courses taken toward the completion of the certificate.

Students who major in departments not offering REES courses, e.g. the natural or physical sciences, are required to take five courses (15 credits) in three departments.

WEST EUROPEAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

Undergraduate Advisor:
Stacey Beggs
Assistant Director
Center for West European Studies
University Center for International Studies
4E20 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 624-3503
Fax: (412) 648-2199
beggs@ucis.pitt.edu
http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/cwes

The West European Studies Certificate is designed to allow students to complement a major in any discipline (including the sciences) with an interdisciplinary set of courses related to Western Europe and the European Union, and proficiency in a relevant language. Requirements are:

• Five West European area studies courses: One course in the student's major and four courses (12 credits) in at least two departments outside the student's major department. Of these courses, one must be on l9th-century and one on 20th-century Western Europe, and two must be at the 1000 level or above.
• Students are required to choose area studies courses that follow a "track" or common theme. Examples of tracks within West European Studies include European Union studies, international affairs, and European contributions to the humanities. Students may also focus on a specific country.
• Attendance at two Center for West European Studies or European Union Center events per term.
• Language proficiency: Two courses beyond the second-year level in French, German, Italian, Spanish or another West European language other than English.

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