International Affairs Programs, 1963-

The Extension in International Affairs, "was established in 1964 under the Division of University Extension and headed by a coordinator." Its purpose is to encourage "better understanding of world affairs" in the people of Illinois in general and in those involved in decision-making--educators, politicians, labor and business leaders in particular.¹ In co-operation with social science departments on campus, the League of Women Voters, the Illinois Alumni Association and the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, and utilizing the services of other sections of Continuing Education, such as Field Representatives and Short Courses and Conferences, it sponsors conferences on foreign affairs throughout the state, featuring nationally known speakers.² Through the World Affairs Speakers Service of the Office of Continuing Education, the Section arranges lectures for local groups by faculty members.³ It acts as a local sponsor the Foreign Policy Association's annual Great Decisions study program.⁴ It carries on research on the educational needs of the people of Illinois in the field of foreign affairs. In 1966-68, it surveyed high school social science teachers in an attempt to improve the social science curricula in Illinois high schoools.⁵ In 1973, in co-operation with the Office of International Programs and Studies, it organized the Committee for Public Service in International Affairs, composed of the heads of all area studies centers on campus, "to develop new public service programs in the international affairs area,"⁶ the first step of which was a survey of business, labor, and government leaders to determine if programs on Russian culture and language would be beneficial to them. It publishes the papers read at its major conferences, an annual current bibliography on foreign affairs, the Bulletin and the Newsletter, Interinstitutional Dialogue.⁷ The Bulletin, for high school social studies teachers and the business, labor and governmental community, contains announcements about new foreign affairs courses taught at the University of Illinois and elsewhere, and conferences plus a brief annual bibliography of books and visual aids. The Newsletter for Illinois community colleges, colleges, and universities, contains announcements of conferences and educational programs at the University of Illinois and elsewhere, travel programs and available fellowships and grants.⁸ In 1973 the University-wide Division of University Extension was reorganized, and the Office of Continuing Education and Public Service was created on the Urbana campus to handle sections transferred to local campus control, among them the Extension in International Affairs.⁹

1. Helen Farlow, History, The University of Illinois Division of University Extension, 1933-1968, A Progress Report, RS 31/1/0/4, p. 42.

2. Bulletin, 9 (Spring, 1973), RS 31/5/0/1, p. 1.

3. Bulletin, 14 (Winter, 1975), RS 31/5/0/1, p. 7.

4. Farlow, p. 42.

5. Farlow, p. 42.

6. Bulletin, 10 (Fall, 1973), RS 31/5/0/1, p. 1.

7. Farlow, p. 42.

8. See examples in RS 31/5/0/1.

9. Board of Trustees Transactions, 57th Report, March 21, 1973, pp. 183-84; July 18, 1973, p. 326.