North American Studies Centers: An Overview

Abstract

Area studies in the United States were created during the Cold War. In 1957, the Soviet Union announced the launch of Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite. This focused international attention to the emergence of sophisticated technologies and international security threats, and the U.S. government responded by investing more in science and foreign languages. The National Defense Education Act (NDEA) was signed into law by President Eisenhower in 1958. Title VI of the NDEA, entitled “Language Development,” would provide federal funding to build foreign language and area studies programs at U.S. universities. Title VI was composed of two parts: Part A, entitled “Centers and Research and Studies” which authorized three programs: Centers, Fellowships, and Research and Studies and Part B, “Language Institutes.” Initial funding began in academic year 1959–60 when US$3.5 million was appropriated with US$500,000 going to Centers and Fellowships, and the remaining US$2.5 million allocated to Research and Studies. In 1972, Title VI began providing grants to assist postsecondary institutions in internationalizing their curricula. Title VI supports ten programs: National Resource Centers (NRCs); Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS); International Research and Studies (IRS), the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program (UISFL); the Business and International Education Program (BIE); Centers for International Business Education (CIBEs); Language Resource Centers (IRCs); American Overseas Research Centers (AORCs); the Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP); and the Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information