Thursday, 5/15/97 Small major lets students affect world in big
way ACADEMICS: Community service, international travel all part of
program
By Gregory Mena Daily Bruin Contributor By traveling the world
and choosing courses from different disciplines, some
undergraduates escape four years of roaming the UCLA campus.
Instead, certain undergraduate students focus on helping emerging
countries in the international development studies major. "This
major is especially good for people who are interested in helping
people in the third world," said Aneetinder Brar, a graduating
senior. In the underdeveloped countries studied in this major, "we
encourage grass-roots, community-oriented development that would
decrease the disparity between the rich and poor and redistribute
the wealth," Brar said. Underdeveloped nations include the regions
from the southern part of globe: India, African countries, Latin
America, and Asia, with the exception of Japan. "The international
development major really gives you a good perspective of how the
world really functions," Brar said. "You can look at assumptions
behind institutions like the World Bank and critically analyze
them," she said. The international development studies program
takes an interdisciplinary approach at analyzing the power
relations and infrastructure of developing countries. For example,
students are required to take courses from anthropology, economics,
sociology and political science. In addition to these various
courses, students must specialize in two different geographical
locations in the world. Among others regions, students may
specialize in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin, Sub-Saharan
Africa, or Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The major also
strongly encourages students to travel. The International
Development Studies program works with the Education Abroad Program
(EAP) to send students to developing countries. "Development isn’t
something that you can see between Sunset and LeConte," said
Patrick Burns, the counselor/coordinator for international
development studies. "We want students to be in close contact with
the development as it happens in the field." he said. "If they can
find an equivalent course at another university, we will be happy
to help them incorporate that course work in their degree," said
Burns, noting that his job is eased by the size of the major.
Because the major is relatively small, it allows for greater
interaction between students and faculty. "This major draws
together a dynamic group of students committed to social change,"
said Joshua Muldavin, professor of geography and co-chair of the
international development studies major. "Because of the shared
commitment and vision, the students develop very close relationship
and a real community. That is difficult to find at UCLA," Muldavin
said, who attended a forum Tuesday sponsored by the International
Development Studies Student Association (IDSSA). Students often
return from studying abroad and present their research to fellow
students. For example, Alessandra Ribeiro carried out field work in
Brazil. She presented her research on the role of Afro-Brazilian
religious rituals. After completing the major, students work in
government positions, for international aid agencies, or apply
their skills in Los Angeles public policy. Other students who
graduate in the international development studies major often
refine their academic pursuits at the graduate level and continue
to teach. Students may be able to take a graduate program at UCLA.
In 1990, administrators created a proposal for a masters program in
international development studies. However, the program was halted
by the financial drought of the Californian recession. Faculty
expect to find an academic niche for a graduate program in the
School of Public Policy, Burns said. Related Links: UCLA
International Development Studies