School of Public and International Affairs

J. Bohland, Director

Executive Committee: L. Grossman; V. Hardcastle; T.W. Luke; L.H. Myers; J. Randolph; J. Rees; A. Schuetz; M. Stephenson

Affiliated Faculty: R. Rich; G. Toal; E. Weisband; M. Papadakis

The School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) provides students interested in public issues with opportunities to gain perspectives and skills from several related disciplines. SPIA is a collaborative effort of the Center for Public Administration and Policy and the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies; the Departments of Geography, International Studies, and Political Science and the Center for Science and Technology Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences; and the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Each of these units allows students to complete a concentration in public and international affairs by taking a series of courses across the five SPIA programs while completing requirements for their majors. Concentrations include Environmental Affairs and World Politics and Policy, among others. SPIA also sponsors a Washington Semester program that allows undergraduate students to combine Washington-area internships with course work for academic credit. For more information about SPIA programs, students should contact the main office of any of the participating units -- Agricultural and Applied Economics, Center for Public Administration and Policy, Geography, International Studies, Political Science, Science and Technology Studies, or Urban Affairs and Planning.

Undergraduate Course (SPIA)

1004: NATIONS & NATIONALITIES

Introduction to world and American ethnic and indigenous cultures and to social constructions of human and group identity, nationalism and extreme ethno-nationalism. Music, dance, film, art, ceremonial rituals and other multimedia forms of creative or symbolic expression supplement readings and lectures. Multidisciplinary exploration of collective conceptions of cultural differences. (3H,3C).

2004: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Use of computer technology to enhance research skills, analysis, and communication in the social sciences and planning. Use of the Internet in research. Incorporation of Geographic Information Systems in projects. Experience in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, web-site development, and presentation software to communicate effectively. (3H,3C) II.