New majors and concentrations hit Eastern’s academic shelves

International business and health & physical education are now declarable majors at Eastern. For those seeking a concentration in English other than writing and literature, journalism is now available.

“As a member of the curriculum committee, it is good to see faculty debate over what should be offered at Eastern,” David C. Greenhalgh, dean of arts and sciences, said.

International business will give students a chance to study abroad at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico. Spanish professor Julia Aguilar’s connections to the University helped bridge Eastern to this program.

“I taught in Puebla about 20 years ago,” Aguilar said.

International business majors will spend two years at Eastern learning basic Spanish and business. They will then spend a full year learning business in the context of Puebla’s culture.

Professor Jack Bower accompanied Aguilar to Mexico this summer. Together they drew up an academic program with Puebla that combines a language program with a business core.

“This program will allow students to live in a context whereby they must operate by another people’s rules that cannot be simulated within the classroom,” Aguilar said.

Greenhalgh also said that engineering will be offered to students soon. Penn State and Eastern are formulating an agreement to get this major in the works.

Professor Philip Cary said that he is hopeful that with the help of fellow philosophy professor Randy Colton, a philosophy major will someday soon be offered to students.

Along with these majors, a certification program is now offered to graduate students in health and physical education.

“I hope this can one day be offered to undergrad, but that would require faculty specifically for that major as well as space and equipment improvements to our gym,” Hellen Loeb said.

For those English majors who want to go into the news field, there is now a concentration in journalism for them.

“I don’t expect large numbers of people to major with this concentration,” Caroline Cherry, chair of the English department, said, “But it is a wonderful opportunity for those with a clear sense of vocation.”

This concentration requires students to join the Waltonian staff and complete twelve credit hours of communications classes.

“Successful journalists often specialize in a particular subject,” Joyce Munro, adviser of the Waltonian, said.

It is because of Eastern’s wide range of courses that Munro believes students will find their specialty, as well as their writing voice.

“This concentration should make it more possible for students to get jobs after graduation,” Munro said.