2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]
International Programs
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Associate Provost: Deborah Pierce, Ph.D.
The Division of International Programs supervises and coordinates the international activities of the university in order to encourage greater internationalization of programs, curricula, faculty, staff, and students. Division staff bring the perspectives of the world to NIU and the expertise of NIU to the world through international mobility for faculty, students, and ideas.
For students participating in an approved transfer agreement leading to a joint degree between Northern Illinois University and a partner international university, Northern Illinois agrees to accept the completed international transfer curriculum as the equivalent of the lower division general education requirements for a baccalaureate degree. In making such collaborative arrangements with sister institutions around the world, NIU will allow students to transfer this portion of their baccalaureate degree from the international university to NIU without incurring a loss of credit. Successful completion of this package of courses assures students that all lower division general education requirements are fulfilled.
Study Abroad Programs
Director: Anne Seitzinger
The university offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to study abroad while continuing to remain enrolled at NIU. Most courses are approved equivalencies of current NIU courses and are applicable to campus degree programs with the approval of relevant academic departments. Students are covered by NIU’s accident and illness plan for students while overseas. Eligible students can apply their financial aid award toward overseas programs, and there are some scholarships available for study abroad. Courses are available in both the English language and in various foreign languages.
NIU is known nationally for the extensive study abroad programs that are offered to undergraduate and graduate students. Both graduate and undergraduate credit can be earned. The faculty-directed programs take place primarily during the summer and winter periods and range from three to nine weeks. Listed below are all of the study abroad programs that NIU currently offers. Students who would like more specific information should contact the Study Abroad Office.
Cosponsored Study Abroad and Exchange Programs
Director: Anne Seitzinger
These programs are open to undergraduate students only.
NIU currently offers programs worldwide for students from all majors and interests, for various periods of time. These programs include academic residential, academic internships, and one-on-one student exchanges in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Cosponsored study abroad programs are administered by other institutions or organizations and supported by NIU. Students receive NIU credit if the program has been preapproved by the student’s academic department. On-site staff provide support and services for students. Cosponsored program sites include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Russia, Scotland, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Uruguay.
NIU currently offers faculty-directed programs in 23 different countries. Most NIU administered programs are directed by an NIU faculty member, with cooperation from various NIU departments, and offer specialized credit and residential study abroad during the fall and spring semesters, summer session, and winter break period.
Unless otherwise noted, in all cases undergraduates must meet NIU undergraduate admission requirements, and graduate students must meet Graduate School requirements or apply for and obtain permission from the Graduate School to register as a student-at-large.
Belgium: Printmaking. Early to late February. In cooperation with the Frans Masereel Centrum. Students will produce prints utilizing the European methods and equipment, which are in many ways varied from how they conduct processes in the United States. Students will be working on a large German Mailander offset press to produce lithographs and monotypes. This is a unique piece of equipment to European studios and is rare to shops in the United States. (UG or GR)
Belize: Health studies. Early to mid June. In cooperation with the University of Belize. Examination of the health care system in Belize and the impact of the World Health Organization; insight to the indigenous languages and culture of bush healing; interaction with students from the University of Belize; interdisciplinary networking of students from various health science programs. (UG or GR)
Cambodia: Cultural Anthropology Field School. Mid June to mid July. In cooperation with the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. Students will participate in classroom lectures and fieldwork focusing on Cambodian culture, cultural reconstruction in the post-Khmer Rouge era, Cambodian Buddhism, as well as practical application of ethnographic field methods and interviewing techniques in rural villages. (UG or GR)
Canada: Discovering Montreal. Late May to early June. In cooperation with Université de Montreal. Examines the richness of Canadian culture as it is manifested in the beautiful, international city of Montreal. This city enjoys a distinctly French Canadian identity, strong Canadian English influences, and a truly global character as represented by its considerable ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity. Knowledge of French is not necessary to participate in this program. (UG)
England: NIU at Oxford: Biological sciences, English, and political science. Late June to late July. In cooperation with Oriel College, one of the 34 colleges that make up Oxford University. Courses offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels are designed to take advantage of the unique resources of the British setting. Formal class meetings supplemented by individual tutorials.
(UG or GR)
France: NIU College of Law in Agen: Late May to mid July. In cooperation with the University of Bordeaux-Montesquieu IV. Designed to give non-French speaking students an understanding of the French civil law system and the legal system of the European Union. Language of instruction is English. (LAW)
France: History and Literature in Bordeaux, French and history. Early to late June. In cooperation with Université Montesquieu-Bordeaux IV. Students will have the opportunity to learn about French history, language, literature, and culture through an immersion in southern French society. (UG or GR)
Ghana: NIU in Ghana, West Africa. Mid-May to early June. In cooperation with the University of Development Studies, Tamale. Explores the riches of Ghanaian life and culture, while also engaging in a cross-cultural educational experience at the University of Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. The program will provide an effective mix of classroom lecture and outside experiential engagement as the core of the study abroad experience. (UG or GR)
Indonesia: Public Health and Health Education. Early to late June. In cooperation with Hasanuddin University in Makassar. Explores public health issues, hospital and health care settings, environmental health and safety issues, and Indonesian culture and practice. Students will have the opportunity to intern with professionals depending on their academic backgrounds. (UG or GR)
Ireland: Exploring Ireland’s Community and Mental Health Services. Late June to mid July. Provides opportunities to explore a variety of mental health and community psychiatric health care services in Ireland. Learn about the history of Ireland’s mental health care system, mental health services, community /public health system, Mental Health Commission, mental health law, patient rights of Ireland’s mentally ill, and the preparation and education of Ireland’s psychiatric nurses and mental health care workers. (UG or GR)
Ireland: Global Selling Perspectives. Early to mid January. Assist sales students in understanding the complexity and difficulty involved with selling in different countries (cultures). The program is also designed to help students learn and develop specific selling skills that are not typically taught at NIU. (UG or GR)
Ireland: Media and culture, and communication, and history. Mid June to mid July. In cooperation with Trinity College. Examines Ireland’s struggle to define its own cultural identity in a world of American and British media domination. The program will examine issues of international culture via an immersion in Irish politics, history, literature, and media. (UG or GR)
Italy and Spain: Design and Architecture. Late May to early June. An overview and blend of both historical and contemporary design and architecture will be introduced by means of on-site study in Italy and Spain. The program will integrate historical information and contemporary trends in architecture and design as it relates to the unique cultural fabric of Italy and Spain. (UG or GR)
Madagascar: Past and Present: Biodiversity, Extinction and Conservation. Early to late June. Provides students with the opportunity to learn first-hand about primate biodiversity, extinction, forest fragmentation and conservation in Madagascar, one of the world’s foremost biodiversity hotspots. (UG or GR)
Malaysia: History and Culture. Late June to early August. Provides students with the opportunity to learn and experience the history of Malaysia and the Malay world, on site and in a living laboratory. (UG or GR)
Multicountry: Art, Appropriation and Display: The Museums of Paris, Cologne and Amsterdam. Mid May to early June. Provides a broad base of historical and museological knowledge, and the experience of centuries of the visual culture of these three cities through site visits and lectures. Students will develop a personal research project on an aspect of art/visual culture that intrigues them. (UG or GR)
The Netherlands: Peace, Justice, and the International Courts. Early to mid June. Examines the intertwined issues of genocide and international justice. The program will focus on the meaning of justice and its various dimensions, and how the historical pursuit of justice has been complicated by issues such as sovereignty, denial of genocide, prolonged periods of conflict and violence, and an outright rejection of international jurisdiction. (UG or GR)
Poland: Exploring Contemporary Graphic Design. Mid March. In cooperation with the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice. Provides the opportunity to meet and work with students at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice. Students will focus on graphic design and studio art practice. The program will integrate historical information and contemporary trends in European graphic design and art. (UG or GR)
Russia: Moscow: Theater and performance studies at the Moscow Art Theatre (MXAT). Fall. Directors, actors, theater scholars, and teachers of the MXAT school administer daily instruction to NIU School of Theatre and Dance students. Teaching focuses on acting, voice, movement, and Russian theater history. Students take daily classes at the MXAT school. (UG)
Sicily: Archaeological field school. Mid June to early July. In conjunction with the Universities of Gothenburg, Oslo, Palermo, and Stanford and part of the Monte Polizzo Archaeological Project. Provides an introduction and practical application of archaeological sampling and field methodology; field experience in archaeological survey techniques and archaeological excavation techniques; laboratory experience in pottery analysis; exposure to a broad range of artifacts (Neolithic through Medieval); and a multi-cultural experience with other international students and exposure to a new culture. (UG or GR)
Sierra Leone: African Democracy and Socioeconomic Development through Sustainable Engineering. Mid June to early July. Provides students with the opportunity to complement their education from NIU with knowledge about political, economic, social, and technological issues in Africa. Students will also engage in a project to develop renewable energy technologies that are appropriate for developing countries, with Sierra Leone as a case study framework. (UG or GR)
Spain: Spanish Language and Culture in Toledo. Mid June to mid July. In cooperation with the University of Castilla-La Mancha. Provides immersion in the language and culture of contemporary Spain. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and 3.00 in Spanish courses. (UG or GR)
Tanzania: Experiential Learning with NGOs. Late June to late July. Learn about Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in developing countries, the relationship between governments and NGOs in Tanzania, and the challenges and rewards of engaging with grass-roots NGOs in a project for building improvements in a school. (UG or GR)
Worldwide: International business seminars. Late December to mid January or mid May to mid June. Allows students interested in pursuing a career in international business or related field to acquire a firsthand view of international business practices and experience the excitement of traveling outside the United States. Includes visits to European manufacturing, retailing, and financial organizations/industries that engage in international business. (UG or GR)
Faculty-Directed. Undergraduate or graduate credit for students traveling independently overseas who engage in a significant independent research project under the direction of a member of the NIU faculty. Type of academic credit and number of semester hours of credit dependent on the nature of the project and to be determined by the faculty member directing the research project. (UG or GR)
INTL 101. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS (1-9). Course work undertaken as part of an approved university study abroad program. Discipline-based course used to reflect credit given, with departmental approval, for course work for which there is no NIU equivalent course available. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 semester hours.
INTL 201. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS (1-9). Course work undertaken as part of an approved university study abroad program. Discipline-based course used to reflect credit given, with departmental approval, for course work for which there is no NIU equivalent course available. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 semester hours.
INTL 301. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS (1-9). Course work undertaken as part of an approved university study abroad program. Discipline-based course used to reflect credit given, with departmental approval, for course work for which there is no NIU equivalent course available. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 semester hours.
INTL 401. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS (1-9). Course work undertaken as part of an approved university study abroad program. Discipline-based course used to reflect credit given, with departmental approval, for course work for which there is no NIU equivalent course available. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 semester hours.
International Student and Faculty Office
Director: Heesun Majcher
The International Student and Faculty Office assists all nonimmigrant students, scholars, faculty, and staff at Northern Illinois University. The office follows up with all immigration regulation-related matters of the university as required and necessary; processes immigration documents for all nonimmigrant students, scholars, faculty, and staff; coordinates all admission efforts for incoming international undergraduate students; and advises all international students, scholars, faculty, and staff in immigration-related issues.
The office provides ongoing support for all nonimmigrant population on campus in their academic, cultural, and social adjustments with such programs as comprehensive orientation programs, workshops in various topics, and other activities as necessary. Through these efforts, the office makes continuing efforts to help international students, scholars, faculty, and staff to gain the maximum benefits from the many opportunities that the university offers, and also to increase international understanding and appreciation for diversity on campus.
International Training Office
Director: Lina Davide-Ong, Ed.D.
The International Training Office (ITO) develops and implements high-impact, innovative, and results-driven training programs that address societal and institutional needs of developing countries. The International Training Office’s programs and initiatives provide opportunities for NIU faculty, staff, and students to share their knowledge and expertise with training participants from diverse cultural backgrounds. Since its establishment in 1981, the ITO has successfully implemented training programs that match participants’ needs with the strengths, capacities, and interests that exist within the faculty of NIU. Through the years, the ITO has been a facilitator of change and an active partner in developing the human resource potentials of individuals, groups, and communities worldwide.
Course List
Also see “Inter-College and University-Wide Interdisciplinary Courses” for IDSP 301 and IDSP 401.
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