ICIS Home: Area Studies at Emory
Area Studies at Emory
Area studies are structurally and intellectually central to Emory's vision of international and comparative studies. Place-based knowledge and deep understanding of specific societies, cultures, and nations in different world areas are key to informed comprehension of the world. Areally based understanding is also vital for understanding the causes, consequences, and best ways of ameliorating social problems, injustices, and conflicts.
At Emory, area studies programs include strong emphasis on culture, history, and language as well as the comparative and social scientific understanding of international trends, and developments. Scholarship in area studies proceeds through dedicated courses, research funding for students and faculty, study abroad opportunities, and formalized area studies programs with which a wide range of faculty and students from different disciplines affiliate. Approximately 25% of the faculty members of Emory College are affiliated with one or another area studies program.
The largest area studies programs at Emory are administratively housed, orchestrated, and financially supported by ICIS, and each is headed by a faculty director. Additional area studies initiatives collaborate with ICIS while operating in conjunction with specific academic departments, such as those dedicated to the study of specific languages and cultures.
Area studies programs and intellectual projects are cross-fertilized by special events, symposia, workshops, and themes organized by ICIS as a whole. These initiatives are designed to create synergy and enhanced understanding between and across world area concentrations.