The scent of egg rolls and samosas filled the third-floor lobby of Grise Hall Tuesday.

Flags from countries around the world hung in the windows, tinting the sunlight red, blue and green as students took advantage of their first official chance to ask questions about a new major.

About 100 students attended the launch of the political science department’s international affairs major, said Saundra Ardrey, political science department head.

“More and more of students are realizing that they are global citizens, and they want to be able to understand different political systems and cultures,” she said.

Students can’t officially declare the major until fall, but they can enroll in the required classes for the major now, Ardrey said.

She said she expects about 50 to 100 students to declare the major next semester.

The department needed to create only one new course for the major because the curriculum is interdisciplinary, she said.

International affairs majors will take economics, geography, history, communication and foreign language classes along with political science classes and a new senior colloquia course, Ardrey said.

Chief International Officer Cornell Menking said the majors that focus on international issues are important for American students today.

“To not understand the interdependence of the planet today is not only unfortunate, it’s a handicap,” he said.

An international affairs major will help students prepare for careers with foreign relations organizations, international non-profit agencies and government agencies, among others, Ardrey said.

President Gary Ransdell said the major provides Western with another avenue to achieve its overall goals as well.

“We’re serious about this ‘with international reach’ wording in our vision statement,” he said.