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The International Affairs Program, a community of students and faculty, contributes to the overall educational mission of Skidmore College in preparing students for responsible citizenship in an increasingly interdependent world..

The IA Program fosters the idea that no one world view is universal, that other people may have profoundly different perspectives and values, that cultures are interdependent, and that local choices have global impact. In the interdisciplinary IA Program, students acquire an in-depth base of knowledge and skills in a separate major or minor and broaden their global awareness and cross-cultural understanding in coursework on the political, economic, cultural, and physical world. The Program prepares students for responsible global citizenship, leadership roles, and international careers in a world characterized by intellectual and ethical challenges.

As a center of international learning, the Program cultivates and enriches a culture of teaching, scholarship and learning among the faculty and students at home and abroad.

The IA curriculum is transformative, in that students:

• engage a variety of complex issues of global significance, such as human rights, poverty, environment and cultural intolerance
• learn to apply different methods and theories to the study of such issues
• develop the ability to think independently while working collaboratively
• are challenged to produce and communicate creative solutions to world problems
• acquire life-long learning skills, such as high intermediate competence in a foreign language to enrich their understanding of and interactions with other peoples; an understanding of the dynamics of international conflict, collaboration, and negotiation; the ability to differentiate between phenomena that are area-specific and transnational; and the ability to identify and analyze complex international problems in their historical, technological, and ethical contexts.

Statement of support of students:

In keeping with our mission to respect and value diversity and differences, the International Affairs program at Skidmore College reiterates our firm commitment and adherence to the fundamental principles of social justice and to the core values of inclusion and non-violence. We are committed to the eradication of all forms of discrimination and to achieving the full participation of all persons in the campus life. Our discipline relies on vigorous and enlightened debate and broad civic engagement. We reaffirm our commitment to full respect for fundamental freedom and support peaceful resolution of disputes.

Below are the departmental learning goals mapped to College-wide goals for student learning.

Students in international affairs will:

• Develop a polycentric worldview through achievement of intermediate competence in a second language. (Ia, Ib, IId, IIIa, IIIb, IVa)
• Engage an array of international issues, opportunities, and challenges within interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary contexts. (Ia, Ib, Ic, IId, IVa, IVb, IVd)
• Understand basic knowledge requirements and theoretical approaches for addressing international issues, opportunities, and challenges in the political, economic, cultural, and physical environments. (Ia, Ib, Ic, IIb)
• Demonstrate basic analytical and problem-solving skills related to international issues that utilize interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches. (Ic, IIa)
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in addressing complex and interconnected international issues and problems. (IIc, IIIc)
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently on a major project that deals with an international issue, opportunity, or challenge.  (Ic, IIa, IIb, IIe, IIIc, IIId, IVb, IVd)
• Demonstrate a broad view of the world that is sensitive to cultural differences and recognizes the value of diversity. (Ia, Ib, IId, IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb)