Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies

Welcome to the Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies at Villanova University! Please come in and browse our web site to find out more about our programs. The Institute offers a major in Global Interdisciplinary Studies. Students may minor or complete a concentration in any of areas of study defined in the units that comprise the Institute. Please see each specific program for details.

The Institute is comprised of three units:

Newest IGIS Course Offerings

• The Tale of Shanghai and Tokyo
  

Student Accomplishments

• Fiona Grugan
  Junior IGIS and Latin American Studies Double-Major, won the prestigious Alejandro Reyes Scholarship Competition for 2012. The Alejandro Reyes Scholarship Award is given annually to a junior for excellence in Latin American Studies by the Pan American Association of Philadelphia. The winner is chosen by a competition among students from the area colleges and universities. Fiona was presented with the Award and a check for $1,500 on April 12 at the Union League of Philadelphia during the celebration of the Pan American Day Event by the Pan American Association.
• Casey Richards
  Junior IGIS, Casey Richards has been awarded the Gilman Scholarship for her studies abroad in Japan. In addition to the Gilman Scholarship, Casey Richards has been offered a prestigious State Department Internship.  Casey’s internship will take her to the Marshall Islands. Her blog contains detailed information for other students who plan to travel abroad in Japan.
  
• Jerisa Upton
   Sophomore IGIS and Honors major with a minor in Chinese Studies is a  Presidential Scholar and Critical Language Scholar. She has been selected as a 2012 Boren Scholar (http://borenawards.org/boren_scholarship) to study abroad in China through CIEE's Advanced Chinese Studies Program at Peking University during the 2013 spring semester.  Jerisa began her study of Chinese independently through self study in seventh grade and tested into Advanced Chinese as a freshman at Villanova. Receiving the Critical Language Scholarship as a freshman, Jerisa has demonstrated her commitment to intensive language study and understanding Chinese culture, politics and beliefs through full immersion.
  The summer of 2011  Sophomore Jerisa ,  participated in a Chinese Speech Contest at Beijing Normal University and was awarded third place out of the 42 contestants in the category. This magazine published her speech on their website!!
• Weddy Worjroh
  Senior IGIS and Sociology major Weddy Worjorh has been awarded the Villanova Fulbright Scholarship for 2012-13.

Critical Language Students

• Hayley Aron
  A Japanese Studies student,  (JPN Intermediate class) was accepted by Critical Language Scholarship Program. Hayley , who is minoring in Japanese in the Japanese Program, IGIS (Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies), was granted a scholarship from the Overseas Research Centers Council of America through the U.S. Department of Education to study in Japan in the summer of 2012. This is a very competitive scholarship and we congratulate her on her accomplishment.
• Kali Cook, Rachel Horton, Manhattan Ishimi, Hyo Youn Kim, Patrick Borja-Navarrete and Matthew Virts.were 2012 JNHS-CC inductees from Villanova University. These students were in the Japanese Program, IGIS (Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies), were inducted by AATJ (American Association of Teachers of Japanese) for the 2011-2012 academic year.
  The Japanese National Honor Society – College Chapter (JNHS–CC) recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence in the study of the Japanese language. The American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) is pleased to assist teachers with a way to recognize their outstanding students, to maintain high standards in Japanese language education, and to promote activities that give students ways to use their language skills on their campuses and in their communities.
  Students who are nominated for membership receive Certificates of Excellence and red-and-white cords to wear at graduation, and they are recognized on the AATJ website and in its newsletter. Sponsoring instructors also receive recognition.

Successful IGIS Graduates

• Amy Richards,  GIS 2010, wanted to forward the link to her travel blog for her trip through South America... check it out!

Students' Study Abroad Experiences