| IU's Academic Approach |
| GLOBAL ACADEMIC APPROACH IN SUMMARY The International University (IU) is guided by the principle that education is a journey, not a destination. In the context of IU, in which more than 100 different nations have been represented, students are given the skills to succeed wherever in the world that journey may take them – in their career, further education, and personal and professional development. It is the distinct purpose and privilege of the faculty and staff of IU to guide students on this journey. IU’s programs are centered on two tracks, which influence and support one another, and foster a unique setting for maximal success in achieving the institution’s goals: Business Administration Bachelor of Business Administration Master of International Business Master of Business Administration Diplomatic Studies Bachelor of Arts in Diplomatic Studies Master of Arts in Diplomatic and Strategic Studies Advanced Master of Arts in Diplomatic and Strategic Studies There are essential and intertwined elements of the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs: Global-oriented required courses with a high level of academic quality and depth, equip students with the necessary professional skills to compete in the global marketplace. Substantial elective courses in which students delve deeply into subjects of their choice and which are suited to their career goals. Research or seminar papers and/or Project Papers required for most courses beyond freshman level. In the Bachelor’s program, a liberal arts foundation fosters life-long learning: The liberal arts approach has consistently proven to increase students’ general intellectual capabilities, including reason and judgment. A Master’s Internship and Project Paper A Master’s Thesis which is a contribution to scholarship in the field of study. Completion of a thesis is especially important for those students desiring to enter a doctoral program. The results of this effective combination are confirmed again and again in the lives of IU’s successful graduates! Student-centered approach: IU’s student-centered approach spurs creativity, leadership, and critical thinking. In addition to preparing students to launch successful careers, advance in their existing careers, or go on to higher academic degrees, IU specializes in giving students the tools to assimilate the lessons of life as they occur. IU provides the mechanisms for self-learning so students can stay abreast in their field of study through changing trends. Learning is enriched by students and faculty from many ethnic, geographic, and religious backgrounds and IU fosters openness, inclusiveness, and respect for the views of others. The world of an IU student becomes smaller – as cultures and ideologies which were unfamiliar are suddenly viewed with greater understanding. Paradoxically, at the same time IU opens a whole new world of possibilities and ideas and opportunities for its students. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ACADEMIC DEGREES The Bachelor’s program in Business Administration and Diplomatic Studies provides excellent preparation for either:
The Master’s programs in Business Administration and Diplomatic Studies are in some aspects cross-disciplinary. Students are encouraged to supplement their Business Administration studies with a few courses in aspects of the Diplomatic Studies related to understanding complex world problems and how they are affected by and affect the business environment. Diplomatic Studies students are encouraged to supplement their study program with a few courses helping them be better managers or marketers of NGOs, for example. Bringing both diplomatic and business students together in one course provides a wealth of perspectives on the course material! Please also see the student handbook 2009/2010. IU wishes to continually strengthen a commitment to academic integrity. For this reason, the faculty and administration have adopted the academic integrity policy which centers on avoiding and dealing with cases of cheating and plagiarism. It is now available here and in the Student Handbook. Further, the Turnitin.com account has become functional. This powerful software compares research papers and theses to a wide variety of sources to assure adequate paraphrasing and detect plagiarism. It also identifies papers which have been previously submitted for a course by someone else and has been uploaded to Turnitin.com for checking. Current students can also click here to upload their research papers to Turnitin.com. |
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