The five newest International Studies faculty members represent a diversity of research and teaching interests befitting an interdisciplinary program with a global outlook: the intersection of economic growth, innovation, and international trade; the relationship between protest movements and democratization; global capitalism in imperial and post-colonial settings; the depiction of political history in film; and the influence of ethics and religion on international politics. 聽
聽Collectively, their defining experiences make for an impressive sweep of academic, social, and formational activities: They include involvement in Iran鈥檚 pro-democracy movement, winning a national innovation award as a high school student, publishing an award-winning book on international finance and war, and working on projects in conflict alleviation and recovery.
Danial Lashkari
These qualities, according to International Studies Program Director Erik Owens, make the five 鈥渃rucial contributors to the University鈥檚 broad effort to enhance interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching.鈥� Four of the new faculty were hired with joint tenured or tenure-track appointments in other departments: Assistant Professor Danial Lashkari (Economics); Assistant Professor Stacie Kent (History); Assistant Professor Ali Kadivar (Sociology); and Professor Jonathan Kirshner (Political Science). The fifth, ethicist Mara Willard, serves a three-year term as a visiting assistant professor in International Studies.
鈥淓ach completed rigorous disciplinary training in his or her field and has chosen to research and teach in ways, and about issues, that cross disciplines in illuminating ways,鈥� adds Owens. 鈥淓ach also reflects Boston College鈥檚 commitment to global engagement, both in the international content of the courses they teach, but also in the international experience they bring in their personal and professional lives.鈥�
The joint appointments between the IS Program and the four departments, he explains, are 鈥渁 constructive way of formalizing the relationship so that the expectations of teaching, advising, service, and scholarship are fairly distributed and clear to all parties. The common goal is to have new faculty members truly flourish at 亚色影库, eventually earning tenure and integrating themselves into the life of the University and, of course, their home program and departments.鈥�
Stacie Kent
One of Boston College鈥檚 oldest interdisciplinary programs, International Studies has seen a 102 percent increase during the past 10 years in the number of students鈥攖he current figure is 267鈥攃hoosing it as a major and has consistently been among the top 10 most popular undergraduate minors. There are good reasons for this, says Owens.
鈥淎t its best, International Studies embodies the forms of interdisciplinary teaching and learning that prepare students to think and act in complex working environments after graduation.鈥� In his recent conversations with IS students and alumni, Owens adds, 鈥渢hey consistently described it as rigorous, flexible, interdisciplinary, and global鈥攆our key themes that also dovetail with the University鈥檚 Strategic Plan鈥檚 initiatives.鈥�
鈥淚ncreasing global aspects of the 亚色影库 curriculum is an important initiative in the University鈥檚 Strategic Plan, and enhancing faculty strength in the International Studies Program will make an important contribution to implementing that initiative,鈥� says Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Dean Gregory Kalscheur, S.J. 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that we鈥檝e been able to add such a strong cohort of new faculty with joint appointments in International Studies this year, and I鈥檒l look forward to working with these new colleagues as we continue to strengthen the University鈥檚 global impact in the years ahead.鈥�
Ali Kadivar
The IS newcomers have a similarly favorable impression of the program and its students.
鈥淢y career trajectory has been somewhat unusual in that I have been in many different disciplines along the way, before settling at last on economics,鈥� says Lashkari, an expert in economic growth, innovation, and international trade. 鈥淭herefore, being part of a multidisciplinary program along with colleagues from other fields has certainly been an important aspect of joining the IS faculty. I accepted the position hoping for rewarding and enriching