World business culture inspires new minor

The extended reach of the Internet creates an international marketplace. Other global communication options expand the workplace. Labor migration routes regularly crisscross national boundaries. It all provides good reason for U.Va. students to seek out the College’s newest minor.

This fall, 20 students will be admitted to the Global Culture and Commerce minor, housed in the anthropology department and open to all College students.

“This idea came up about a year ago,” said cultural anthropologist Richard Handler, associate dean for undergraduate academic programs in the College. “It speaks to a longstanding interest for a liberal arts perspective on the world of international business,” he said.

Organizers were heartened to see 30 initial applicants for a program they imagine could easily grow in scope and size, given increasing scholarly attention to issues of international culture. “The applications revealed students who seriously want to put together areas of study allowing them to think about globalization and to work in a globalized world,” Handler said.