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Dana College will add International Studies to its diverse offerings of academic majors starting with the fall 2004 semester. Developed partly in tribute to the late Sen. Paul Simon ’49, the centerpiece of the major involves immersion experiences abroad or in diverse areas of the United States.

“We’ve been thinking about an International Studies major for some time to build on the strengths of our liberal arts background,” said Sybille Bartels, professor of German and associate dean for student success. “With Senator Simon’s passing, there was a strong sense of finding a way to honor the legacy of our most famous alumnus. From his first book ‘The Tongue-Tied American,’ to his last appearance before Congress, he always expressed a passion about learning language and about other cultures as a way to establish world peace.”

Students in the major will study language, communication, history, religion and political science classes. They also choose an emphasis area from religion/philosophy, history, international business and languages. All students in the major are required to participate in immersion experiences in other countries or in ethnically distinct areas of the United States. International Studies majors will be able to apply for travel abroad loans from a fund at Dana established by Simon with money left over from his presidential campaign in 1988. Simon died from surgery complications on Dec. 9, 2003.

Besides making students better world citizens, the major is designed to prepare students for a multitude of careers in the exploding global job market.

“Many employers place higher value on prospective employees who can relate to people with diverse backgrounds, and who have knowledge and experience in diverse situations,” said Ann Nelson, director of career services at Dana. “Obviously governmental agencies at all levels and non-governmental organizations find those with international knowledge and experience more attractive, if not essential. Increasingly, occupations in the business, communications, criminal justice and social work fields seek persons who are bilingual. For an example, check the top Omaha employment listing sites.”

Bartels said the program will rely on Dana’s well-established relationships in Argentina, Denmark, Germany and on many American Indian reservations for immersion opportunities for students, while looking at expanding elsewhere in the world. As with all of Dana’s majors, International Studies will not only give students knowledge, it will teach them the critical thinking and problem solving skills imparted by a liberal arts education.