The Department of International Studies expects to introduce a highly anticipated new undergraduate specialization this spring: security and intelligence.
"At the Ohio State University we are seeing the resources of (a) world-class research and educational institution being brought to bear in the creation of (this)," said Karlene Foster, assistant director of International Studies.
The new specialization has gathered from international studies, geography, history, psychology, political science, computer science, engineering and economics to create new course work for the program, Foster said.
They are anticipating approval by the end of the quarter and are hoping to begin offering the specialization this spring, said Tony Mughan, professor of political science and director of International Studies.
Within the college of International Studies, students choose an area of specialization, either one of the six regions or one of the three thematic areas. The new security and intelligence specialization will fall under the thematic category once it is approved, Mughan said.
Mughan is the faculty member in charge of designing the curriculum and has been working on the idea for two years.
"It's an attempt to provide a coherent response to the changed circumstances the United States finds itself facing since 9/11," Mughan said.
They are hoping to equip students with the background necessary to work in the growing field of security, including transportation, information, food and environmental for both the public and private sector, Mughan said.
The specialization is made up of 50 hours, including 10 hours of language on top of the 20 required by arts and sciences.
Four of the top languages that are sought after for intelligence and security are Persian, Korean, Chinese and Arabic, Foster said. All are taught at OSU.
The program will utilize existing faculty, Foster said.
Some students began to get a taste of the anticipated program through an elective course titled "Development and Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction" that was offered during fall quarter for the first time by professor Jeff Lewis.
The class, that gained national attention through the Dec. 27, 2004 issue of "Time Magazine," discusses chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, as well as the history of chemical and biological warfare.
For the final project, students were assigned one of the 50 states and had to prepare an assessment of their existing threats.
"They were absolutely a blast to read, pun intended," Lewis said.
Lewis will teach the course again in the spring as well as "Terror and Terrorism," as soon as the specialization is approved.
"Psychology of Personal Security," another course that will be a part of the curriculum, is taught by Bob Arkin this quarter.
The material will range from personal emotional life, to issues of terrorism and decision making styles, Arkin said.
A course in bio-terrorism and plant pathology is also being planned, said professor Chuck Curtis.
"The country needs to know about this," Curtis said.
His course will include looking at how organisms are used as weapons, including the "select list", which are pathogens, like anthrax, selected by government agencies.
Mughan believes this specialization will be a major contribution to undergraduate offerings.
Foster said she expects 50-75 students in the program by the first year and anticipates it to grow. Students in majors like criminology will be interested in adding this to their major, she said.
International students interested in working on security in their home countries have also been excited about the program, Foster said.
Many of the interested students were 15 and 16 years old when September 11 occurred and this has had a big impact on them, Foster said.
Prospective students have e-mailed Foster, expressing intense interest in OSU now that they are planning to offer this specialization.
Mughan hopes the program will one day develop into a masters degree and will attract students from across the United States.
Wright State University offers a program in research and intelligence analysis, and the University of Wisconsin offers a program in global security, but both differ from the OSU specialization, Foster said.
There are no programs in the Midwest that can compare to the OSU program, Mughan said.
"Because of its size, Ohio State can offer a much more focused group of courses," Foster said.
Last fall, a first year experience seminar was offered on the topic of homeland security. The seminar received great support, with over 250 students attending, said Todd Stewart, the director of international and homeland security at OSU.
The hour long program discussed career opportunities in public and private sectors, aimed at those with undecided majors, Stewart said.
Stewart led the discussion on national security and terrorism challenges facing the United States, responsibilities of the federal government and individual citizens and what the nation is doing in response to threats within the world. The seminar is being taught again this winter.
"We believe that Ohio State has a responsibility to make more informed citizens," Stewart said.
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