Last Thursday, the Arts and Sciences Council rightly approved a new South Asian Studies certificate program. The new certificate aims to provide a cross-disciplinary, integrated approach to understanding issues in this region by offering courses on economic and social development, global health and religion.
We support the creation of this program due to the heightened relevance of South Asian countries at Duke and in global affairs. We find, however, the rapid proliferation of new programs—at home and abroad—concerning. The administration must proceed with caution when developing new certificates and international programs.
The South Asian Studies certificate is the latest in a series of efforts to develop and institute certificates focused on regional and cultural studies. Recent examples include the Islamic Studies certificate approved in 2007 and the Latino/a Studies in the Global South certificate in 2008.
Initiatives like these can internationalize Duke’s curriculum in ways that supplement the University’s international civic engagement and study abroad programs. We have long argued for continuing the experiences of programs like DukeEngage and study abroad on Duke’s campus. Regional studies certificates could allow students to continue to learn about their region of interest when they return to Duke. If students are to develop meaningful knowledge of a country or region, their learning must extend beyond a summer or a semester.
Furthermore, this new certificate is particularly relevant considering the growing importance of India and South Asia as an emerging economic and educational market.
Through programs like DukeEngage and more long-term institutionalized initiatives like the Kunshan campus, Duke has committed to international educational connectivity. India and other emerging countries in South Asia could be key educational partners in Duke’s international outreach. These partnerships will require regional knowledge.
The new South Asian Studies certificate will assist Duke students and faculty in developing the sturdy, interdepartmental foundation necessary for sustained success in learning about and working with South Asia.
Further, countries in this region, including India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, continue to have more and more relevance in the world outside of Duke. Students will need regional knowledge to engage meaningfully with these places.
Yet the pace of proliferation of these types of programs is concerning. Focused certificates are desirable for students with specific, cross-disciplinary academic passions. But administrators need to ensure that they reserve the rubber stamp for certificates that demonstrate sufficient staying power.
For new programs to become respected, legitimate elements of the learning experience at Duke, they must become institutionalized and exist for extended periods of time. Strong programs are able to leverage cross-departmental collaborations and connections to accomplish their academic goals. This takes time.
This in mind, administration officials and the members of the Arts and Sciences council should exercise bias toward the status quo when considering the creation of new certificate programs and international initiatives. The cost of formulating and enacting a new certificate program is not necessarily prohibitive. But new international programs can endanger the University’s financial resources and reputation abroad. These should be approached with especially high skepticism.
We understand the value and potential of the new South Asian Studies certificate. Nevertheless, we hope that the administration fully considers the consequences of the trend it represents.
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