Other Programs with a Strong International Focus

Jewish and Israeli Studies

Wesleyan offers students a number of opportunities to pursue studies in Hebrew language and literature, Israeli culture, Judaica, and Jewish civilization. Most Judaica and Jewish studies courses are taught or cross-listed in the Religion Department, which also is home to Wesleyan's spring study-abroad program in Israel.

This program, based at Hebrew University, focuses on the political, social, and religious cultures of contemporary Israel. Students examine the competing agendas of various ethnic and religious communities and how they produce multiple levels of experimentation, social conflict, religious innovation, and cultural diversity. Ethnographic instruction and field studies complement classroom learning. Students have the opportunity to make progress in the study of Hebrew, and, in addition to examining the varieties of Jewish culture in Israel, they also are able to study Palestinian and Arab-lsraeli culture and society.

For more information, contact Associate Professor Jeremy Zwelling, Department of Religion 209, 171 Church St., telephone (860) 685-2296.


The desert, Leelach Rothschild '97, Israel

African Studies

While no major is currently offered in African studies, a wide variety of courses related to African societies and cultures is taught at Wesleyan, including courses in music and dance. Students wishing to take a concentration of courses related to Africa may do so by majoring in a specific department or by developing their own University major in this area. Study abroad in Africa is encouraged for students who wish to pursue this interest.

Wesleyan has a long-standing exchange agreement with the prestigious University of Cape Town in South Africa where students may take a wide variety of courses for a semester or a year. In addition, programs are approved in Durban, South Africa, and in seven other African countries. Most of these programs combine classroom learning with fieldwork and independent study, and some specialize in fields as diverse as wildlife management and theater.

For more information, contact Professor Richard Elphick, Department of History, Public Affairs Center 134, telephone (860) 685-2394.

"People probably have the perception that going somewhere like Australia is a cop-out, because the language and culture are so similar. In fact, Australian culture and experience are extremely distinct from American. The differences are not as obvious as, say, between Chinese and U.S. culture, but that is not to say the experience is any less worthwhile or culturally challenging." Trevor Lippman '96, film studies major, University of Melbourne

Trevor Lippman '96, film studies major, University of Melbourne

"It's intense and wonderful; the most intense semester I've had. Imagine yourself wrapped in paryas, a baby strapped to your back, pounding yams in a tiny mud-brick hut at the tip of a forgotten valley."

Katarina Vehaskari '97, English major, SIT Cameroon


Kumasi university students, Lori Goldsmith '97, Ghana

Art History

Art history requires that students reach intermediate proficiency in a foreign language to complete the major, and German, French, and Italian are considered to be the most useful languages for study in the history of art. Students may concentrate in the history of European, African, or Asian art and are assisted in choosing study-abroad programs that will enhance their understanding of these traditions.

Archeological Studies

Students interested in the interdisciplinary program in archeological studies may choose to spend a semester at the University of Sheffield in EnglandÑwhere fieldwork, as well as theoretical study, is part of the curriculumÑor to pursue faculty-directed summer fieldwork abroad in Morgantia, Sicily, or Soissons, France. Faculty advisers assist students in designing a study-abroad experience appropriate to specialized interests.

For more information, contact Associate Professor Douglas Charles, Department of Anthropology, telephone (860) 685-3266.

College of Social Studies

Students who choose to major in the intensive interdisciplinary social science program known as the College of Social Studies (CSS) are strongly encouraged to study abroad during the first semester of their junior year. Many CSS students choose to pursue one of the programs abroad that has an internship component in government or in economics, and they may combine this option with foreignlanguage immersion in Germany, Belgium, or Spain. Internship opportunities are available in the United Kingdom and in many other programs with social-science specializations around the globe.

For more information, contact Professor Donald Moon, Department of Government, Public Affairs Center 311, telephone (860) 685-27816.

"It was the most difficult, challenging, wonderful thing I've ever done in my life. I was pushed to my limits in every way, and learned an incredible amount about the world and myself."

Katherine Wohlauer '97, Latin American studies major, Scripps College in Ecuador

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