University will offer lectures to address a changing world

From packed crowds at Irvine Auditorium to large numbers of undergraduates signing up for Professor Stephen Gale's class on terrorism, Penn's initial response to the Sept. 11 attacks and subsequent events in Afghanistan have prompted the creation of a series of additional programs to provide undergraduates with a greater understanding of international affairs.

Although advanced registration for spring semester classes began on Sunday, the international relations program did not decide to create additional courses or restructure the program. Instead, the program has responded to the increased demand to focus on current affairs by developing a terrorism speaker series and planning a terrorist crisis simulation for students.

The terrorism speakers series will bring a total of six different experts in the field of international relations to speak about a variety of issues. The series is sponsored by Sigma Iota Rho, the honor fraternity for international relations. Fraternity President Megan Thomas, a College senior, said the series is meant to cater to students' increasing queries about terrorism and current events.

University President Judith Rodin said that it is vital for Penn as well as other universities to address the issue of terrorism and focus on current affairs in light of last month's tragic events and the current air strikes on Afghanistan.

"We have not done a great job in university campuses on teaching courses in international relations and comparative issues," Rodin said. "We were talking collectively as to what we think and what we might do."

But due to the increasing emphasis on international affairs over the last two months, the curriculum within certain IR classes will shift its focus. IR major Margaret Watt, a College senior, said that changes can be expected, but will vary from professor to professor.

"The curriculum tends to change over time as the world itself changes," Watt said. "Since the program is interdisciplinary and courses are drawn from a multiplicity of departments, accepted courses will also reflect changes in course offerings within the University."

Other IR majors said it is important that professors from the various departments that comprise the IR program integrate the current situation abroad into the curriculum.

"I think some time should be allocated in each relevant class to discuss, explain and theorize about the recent events," College junior Margot Mendelson said. "The war on terrorism is a complex concept to grasp and deserves attention from the IR program."

Mendelson said that the current status of international affairs provides undergraduates studying international relations with a unique opportunity.

"Dealing with this war and the concept of fighting terrorism is pretty new and will be presenting itself to many of us in the near future," Mendelson said. "It requires a new perspective and understanding of how wars can be fought against a group, not a nation."

IR majors said that they are pleased with the current structure of the IR program and that recent events do not merit any drastic changes.

However, undergraduates anticipate an increase in the number of students who sign up for classes on international affairs and terrorism.

"I think that certainly classes on terrorism will rise in popularity," Watt said. "I would hope that students would take a continuing interest in such 'hot spots' in the world, but that remains left to be seen."

Rodin said it will be vital for the faculty to provide students with adequate resources about international relations.

"The necessity for us, the faculty, is to really convey to the students how important it is to keep up with current affairs and what is going on," Rodin said. "For the intellectual community, I think there is going to be a lot of thinking about what we can do."

Walter McDougall, the chairman of the International Relations Department, is on sabbatical the semester and could not be reached for comment.

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