Schreyer Scholars Take Unique Look At Global Issues

October 17, 2001
University Park, Pa. — A number of Schreyer Honors scholars took a timely look at global issues at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in the nation’s capital over fall break. The knowledge comes to them at a time when the nation struggles to grasp at the complicated threads that construct international relations.

As part of the criteria for the course “Globalization Trends and World Issues,” an honors class offered through Information Sciences and Technologies (IST), 23 students and their dean, Cheryl Achterberg, traveled to Washington, D.C. The group spent three intensive days at the bipartisan think tank. They took on roles and responsibilities of U.S. government policy-makers responding to various   foreign policy challenges under the guidance of research staff and senior Scholars at CSIS. They returned with a newly found respect for how to respond to and set policy for international issues and crises.

“It was a trip that let you see how they went about thinking about things,” said student Morgan Mihok, a senior majoring in chemistry. “You ask yourself, what did I miss that the government has to consider?”

Achterberg said the topics of study each year relate closely to world events and almost eerily to new world crises.  Each July she travels to CSIS to discuss possible topics the fall class will study. This past July, because President Bush had yet to finalize his administration, Achterberg and CSIS officials decided to focus on U.S. energy, technology, and defense policy as they relate to particular hot spots around the world. One main focus the group decided to discuss was a potential clash between civilizations. They discussed these topics in class before the Sept. 11 attacks.

“It was amazing. Even before Sept. 11, we were looking at ways to predict events,” Achterberg said. “As a result of what happened the students already had tools in hand to interpret or critique the recent attacks and our response to them.”

The intensive trip also enabled students to gain a broader understanding of current international events and international relations in general.

“Going in to D.C. added a lot more relevance to what people are saying,” said Midori Valdivia, a freshman majoring in international politics. “I learned a lot about the world and gained a greater understanding about so many different viewpoints. I got rid of my bias about international politics.”

The opportunity presented before these scholars certainly is unique, in part, because experts provided feedback on student presentations and recommendations and students could compare their own work to the experts’ presentations, too.

The relationship between the Schreyer Honors College and CSIS was established when William Schreyer introduced the two organizations, as he serves on the boards of both. “The two organizations worked creatively to explore developing a unique course experience in partnership with each other. Without Mr. Schreyer’s original idea and promotion, this course never would have worked,” Achterberg said.

Although a few other universities visit the think tank, Penn State is the only university with a full-blown course, a three day trip to Washington, D.C., along with an annual visit from CSIS Senior Vice President Erik Peterson, who lectures the class at University Park.

For more information about the Schreyer Honors College visit http://www.scholars.psu.edu/.

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Contact: Allison Kessler, Department of Public Information at (814) 865-7517 or akessler@psu.edu.