2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]
International Affairs
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Associate Vice President: vacant
The Division of International Affairs 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, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Serbia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Viet Nam.
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.
Argentina: Latin American Culture and Spanish Language. Mid May to early June. In cooperation with the Centro de Español como Lengua Extranjera (CELE) at the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina. The program will introduce students to Argentine and Latin American culture, the courses and the program are designed to be a gateway to pursue other interests and fields. (UG)
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)
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)
China: History, Culture and Society. Mid May to mid-June. In cooperation with Chongqing College of Posts and Mobile Telecommunications (CMT) and Shanxi Agricultural University College of Telecommunications (CT). The program allows students to focus on developing a deep understanding of Chinese history, culture and life. It will consist of in-class “traditional” lectures as well as interactive sessions with students in China, travel-study to explore contemporary issues and more. (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: La Vie Provençale, Aix-en-Provence. Late May to mid-June. In cooperation with IAU College in France. Students will develop a profound understanding and appreciation of French culture through this immersive experience. Participation in this program will greatly benefit the language competence of the students and is therefore an integral part of the French Language Curriculum at NIU. (UG)
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)
Germany: Deutschland Heute: Facets of Contemporary German. Mid May to early June. In cooperation with Internationales Haus Sonnenberg, St. Andreasberg, Germany. Students will be introduced to Germany’s language and culture in an immersion setting. Students will deepen their knowledge and add further impressions during trips to sites spanning the northern half of Germany from Bremerhaven to Hanau. (UG)
Ghana: African Society, Culture and Development. Mid May to mid-June. This program provides students with the opportunity to explore aspects of the historical, cultural and artistic foundations of West African civilization. Students will personally experience the riches of Ghanaian life and culture, while also engaging in a cross-cultural educational experience at the University of Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. (UG)
Indonesia: Experiencing the Arts in Bali. Mid December to early January. Music, dance, and theater along with art and crafts are important parts of Balinese culture. Fieldwork experiences will enable students to encounter Balinese culture first-hand and will help them to reinforce the theories learned in courses such as anthropology, history, art history, and ethnomusicology. (UG or GR)
Ireland: Exploring Ireland’s Health Care Services. Early to late July. Students will learn about the history of Ireland’s health care system and the variety of Ireland’s health services. This will include specialties of nursing, public health, and health studies. (UG or GR)
Japan: Japanese Culture, History, Art and Education. Mid to late May. In cooperation with Yamaguchi Prefectural University, students will study the culture and history of Yamaguchi Prefecture and Western Japan through field trip experience, lectures, readings, and assignments. Also, students will be exposed to the language and culture of modern Japan, including education, cuisine, art, and pop culture. (UG)
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)
Mexico: NIU-Human Connections Global Internship. Mid May to mid-June. Students will engage in an immersive international internship experience; learn through dialogue and human relationships and begin to understand the needs and capacity of diverse global communities; and gain leadership and professional skills through engagement in their internship and workshops with local leaders. (UG)
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)
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)
Worldwide: NIU-Omprakash Global Internship. Early June to late July. Extensive online training and personalized mentorship for students interning within a network of autonomous international grassroots social projects. Students will think critically about international aid, volunteering, and problematic trends in “voluntourism.” (UG)
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: Sim Chin Tissa
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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