Interested in studying abroad in Asia? Check out the Freeman-Asia Scholarship! The Freeman-Asia Scholarship provides up to $5,000 for a semester abroad and can help fund tuition, airfare, living costs, local transportation and books. The student deadline is October 20th, 2016. If you have any questions check out their website http://www.iie.org/Freeman-ASIA or email the Study Abroad Office (sao@umbc.edu). 

Yesterday was the official announcement of the appointment of Dr. Brian Souders as interim director of International Education Services (IES), effective immediately. In his new position, Dr. Souders assumes responsibility for providing leadership for all the activities of IES and the daily management of its operations.

Dr. Souders is a proud UMBC alumnus with a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy and Culture. He holds a masters in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.A. in political science and Slavic languages and literature from Indiana University, Bloomington. He joined UMBC in 2000 as coordinator for Study Abroad and rose to associate director of International Education Services in 2009. He previously served as assistant director in the Study Abroad Office at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Souders has provided outstanding leadership to UMBC’s Study Abroad Office and has played a critical role in the success of UMBC students being awarded Fulbright Scholarships at unprecedented numbers.

Dr. Souders was awarded the Jakubik Family Endowment Staff Award for Outstanding Service in Student Support for 2014-2015. He has served as senator and secretary of the UMBC Professional Staff Senate and has been a member of the Council of University System Staff Executive Committee. He is very active in NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA), where he is currently a member of the executive board.

Dr. Souders speaks several foreign languages fluently and has had international education experiences in Estonia, Russia, and Finland.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Souders on this appointment and wishing him continued success in his new role.

Modern cinema often shapes our understanding of the past – both good and bad. But just how historically accurate are our favorite films? Are modern directors more interested in wowing audiences with over-the-top theatrics and CGI effect instead of portraying a historically-accurate account of the ancient world? Are you not entertained!?

This summer, ANCS 350 – The Ancient World in Modern Film explores the way in which modern films interpret and represent ancient Greece and Rome to modern audiences. By comparing source materials (many of which were popular entertainment in their own day) with their film counterparts, students will gain a better understanding of the creative choices made by artists inspired by the past, and explore how we too might use history to inspire art.

Films covered will include Prince of Egypt, Clash of the Titans (1981), 300, Quo Vadis, Gladiator, and the Japanese film Thermae Romae.

ANCS 350 is a six-week hybrid course offered during Summer Session II.

Register Now

Before the intrusion of the West in the 19th century, East Asia was significantly different from what we see now. In order to understand how Western civilization impacted the development of the contemporary East Asia that we see today, we must consider the historical perspective.

HIST 103 – East-Asian Civilization will take Summer Session II students through the history of traditional society in East Asia. The course focuses on China, Japan, and Korea, introducing the principal elements of East Asian civilization before the intrusion of the West in the 19th century. It also will provide an essential historical perspective to developments in contemporary East Asia.

HIST 103 is a 4-week course that fulfills the Culture or Social Sciences GEP.

Register Now!

One of the best ways to track cultural contributions is through literature and film.

AMST 375 – Studies in Asian American Culture explores the role of cultural expression and artistic representation in Asian American culture as it attempts to establish a sense of belonging and cultural presence in the U.S. The course begins with historical information on patterns of immigration for various Asian immigrant groups, but the main focus will be to explore the cultural contributions of Asians in the U.S. through literature and film.

AMST 375 is 6-week course offered in Summer Session II. It can fulfill the Arts and Humanities or Culture GEP, and is part of the Culture & Social Justice course offerings.

Register Now

Many people fail to realize the cultural diversity of groups indigenous to the Americas.

This summer, examine the issues of representation and identity in contemporary North American Indian communities, including the role of anthropological interpretation and its impact on the perceptions of Native America.

Drawing on contemporary ethnographic studies, ANTH 326 – American Indian Cultures emphasizes the economic and political adaptations made by Indigenous people through the early 21st century in response to social change and challenges to social justice.

ANTH 326 is a 6-week course offered in Summer Session II. It fulfills the Culture or Social Sciences GEP, and is part of the Culture & Social Justice course offerings. To enroll in this course, you must complete SOCY 101 or ANTH 211 with a “C” or higher.

Register Now!

In a world where cancer is the leading cause of death and infectious disease is an ongoing epidemic in multiple countries, we need to be aware of how our bodies function and what makes them dysfunction. We need to learn healthy practices so that we can take any precautions necessary in order to take care of our bodies.

This summer, BIOL 106: The Human Organism will help introduce non-science students to science and its methods. Some of this course’s topics include genes and DNA, cells and cancer, immune system and HIV, metabolism and nutrition, muscles and exercise, nervous system and drugs.

BIOL 106 is a 6-week course offered in Summer Session II, and it fulfills the Science non-lab GEP.

Register Now!