Sharjah′s history as an important trading center and meeting place of many cultures makes the American University of Sharjah an especially appropriate place for international studies. The AUS interdisciplinary program in international studies offers students a unique opportunity to prepare for an increasingly complex global political and business environment. Weaving together strands from all the social sciences, as well as international law, cultural studies, and literature, into a coherent and comprehensive program, the international studies curriculum assists students in acquiring a broad understanding of world cultures and events. This understanding, supplemented with the specialized study provided in the international relations, international economics, Arab studies and Western studies concentrations produces students who are uniquely well qualified for positions in international business and agencies, and government service.