International Studies Major (BA)
College: College of Social Sciences & Professional Studies
Study Abroad Recommended for International Studies Majors
Study abroad or any other experiential learning activity in International Studies is strongly recommended. Each student planning to major in International Studies must consult regularly with an International Studies faculty adviser and the College of Social Sciences and Professional Studies adviser to schedule a coherent program consonant with their experiences and interests. This is important when selecting elective course options. Students are cautioned to match prerequisite classes with higher level classes within the major.
Foreign Languages
Although International Studies does not have a language requirement, faculty members strongly encourage students to gain additional language competence beyond the introductory level required for graduation. This is critical for students who choose elective course option C (Comparative Cultures and Societies) and for those who are planning to go and work abroad.
Experiential Learning Activities
All majors in International Studies are strongly encouraged to participate in experiential learning programs. This may be accomplished through study abroad, participation in short-term faculty-led study tours, semester or year-long study abroad, working with international students on campus, especially the Parkside International Club or the International Studies Club, or working/ volunteering with an international agency or a non-governmental organization in the international arena.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Explain the world beyond their borders through interdisciplinary frameworks; (KNOWLEDGE)
- Articulate how interconnected the world is; (KNOWLEDGE)
- Demonstrate skills necessary to navigate cultural and national differences from various perspectives; (SKILLS)
- Demonstrate dispositions of understanding, solidarity, mutuality and empathy towards people whose experiences and lives are different from theirs. (ATTITUDES)
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the major, International Studies students will be able to will be able to:
- Identify major issues facing various parts of the world and understanding how connected they are. (Learning Goal 1).
- Students will be able to:
- articulate processes
- identify global trends in various areas
- analyze the modes of connectivity between social, political and economic systems
- discern how cultural traits of different societies have historically borrowed from each other
- Students will be able to:
- Collect and use data to effectively analyze and interpret international issues, using concepts and methods from different disciplines (Goals 2,3)
- Students will be able to collect primary source data and information about:
- International agencies
- Governments
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOS)
- International issues, from critical and reflective perspectives. (Goal 2)
- Students will be able to collect primary source data and information about:
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills
- Students will be able to:
- Write all forms of text (papers, reports, press releases, etc.
- Make effective oral presentations (including digital ones)
- Students will be able to:
- Engage in multiple intellectually challenging and practical international activities and experiences.
- Students will be able to:
- Create and participate in on and off-campus fora, discussion and activities of an international nature
- Cultivate tolerance and togetherness through practical interactions on and off campus
- Reflect on how their national and cultural identities have been shaped and are fluid. (Goal 3)
- Students will be able to:
Requirements for the International Studies Major
Students majoring in International Studies must complete a total of 42 credits of which 12 credits are introductory or pre-requisite courses. For core and elective courses, please note that every semester, the list is updated, posted on International Studies’ website and sent to majors and minors. You may request a list of options from the Office of the Center for International Studies (Molinaro 379) as soon as registration starts for the following semester.
Introductory courses are required of all majors and provide students with the introductory background knowledge for the wide range of disciplinary perspectives that comprise the International Studies Program. In some cases, these courses are required for upper-level work in a discipline that is related to International Studies. Many of these courses also fulfill university general education requirements.
Core courses provide the broad comparative and global perspective and theoretical background essential to an international studies major.
Senior Seminar is required for all majors in International Studies, except for those doing a double major who could take it in the other discipline. This capstone course is offered in Spring. Students should take it in their senior year or the Spring before intended graduation (if in December). Students are expected to carry out an original research paper, a professional practical project or a program (International Studies) portfolio that caps their studies, especially in the elective option they have selected. The research methods course must be completed prior to taking the Senior Seminar so that students are appropriately equipped to carry out the research required for their senior project. Please, consult with your adviser regarding an appropriate research methods course for your particular option or research project interest soon after declaring your major.
If you are seeking a double major, you must have consulted with your adviser in the other discipline about focusing your Senior Seminar on an international issue or project. Their consent is important to double majoring. Those majoring in Political Science and International Studies take the same capstone course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory/Foundation Courses | ||
| Required Course | ||
| INTS 100 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select one course from three different groups 1 | 9 | |
| Group I | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Group II | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Studies | ||
| Fundamentals of Climate Change | ||
| Contemporary Human Geography | ||
| Culture and Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Introduction to Geography: World Regions | ||
| Group III | ||
| Western Civilization I: From Antiquity to 1300 | ||
| World History I: From Antiquity to 1300 | ||
| World History III: From 1800 to the Present | ||
| Group IV | ||
| Survey of World Art | ||
| Women In Literature | ||
| Beauty, Bewilderment, and Love: The Humanities through 1500 | ||
| Independence and Mystery: The Humanities from 1500 to the Present | ||
| Culture of Food: The French Case From Croissants to Champagne | ||
| Appreciation of World Music | ||
| Group V | ||
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| History and Cultures of Modern Asia | ||
| Introduction to the Middle East | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Introductory/Foundation Courses Subtotal | 12 | |
| Core Courses | ||
| Group One: Methods Course 2 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Topics in Data Collection and Analysis: | ||
| Criminal Justice Research Methods | ||
| Literary Analysis | ||
| Sources and Methods in History | ||
| Research Methods and Sources | ||
| Research Methods in Psychology | ||
| Business Statistics I | ||
| Statistics for the Social Sciences | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Survey Methods | ||
| Group Two: Core Elective Courses | ||
| Select twelve credits with a maximum of two courses from any one department 3 | 12 | |
| Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Peoples of Southeast Asia | ||
| Anthropology of Language | ||
| Livelihoods, Exchange, and Globalization | ||
| Migration and Immigration | ||
| Environmental Anthropology | ||
| International Development and Change | ||
| Business | ||
| Business Communication for International Students | ||
| Communication | ||
| Global Media | ||
| Criminal Justice | ||
| Restorative Justice | ||
| Violence | ||
| Comparative and International Criminal Justice Systems | ||
| Economics | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| International Economics | ||
| English | ||
| Modern and Contemporary British Literature | ||
| Pre-1800 World Literature | ||
| Post-1800 World Literature | ||
| Film Genres | ||
| Finance | ||
| Management of Financial Institutions | ||
| International Financial Management | ||
| French | ||
| French Civilization and Culture | ||
| Fieldwork in French | ||
| History | ||
| History of Modern Middle East | ||
| History of Islam | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| History of Britain II: 1603 to Present | ||
| International Studies | ||
| Practicum: Global Skills in Culture and Language | ||
| Practicum: Global Skills in Political and Economic Systems | ||
| Management | ||
| Global Management | ||
| Marketing | ||
| Global Marketing | ||
| Modern Languages | ||
| Paris: The City and the People (in English) | ||
| Post-1800 World Literature (Same As ENGL 347) | ||
| Music | ||
| World Music | ||
| Political Science | ||
| European Politics | ||
| The Politics of Developing Nations | ||
| Popular Music, Human Rights and Democratization | ||
| Fascism, Nazism, and the Contemporary Radical Right | ||
| The Latin American Left | ||
| African Politics | ||
| Women, Power and Politics | ||
| Sustainable Management | ||
| Marketing for a Sustainable World | ||
| Environmental and Sustainability Policy | ||
| Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability | ||
| International Development and Sustainability | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Social Institutions in Contemporary China | ||
| Society and Environment | ||
| International Development and Change | ||
| Spanish | ||
| Latin American Civilization and Culture | ||
| Spanish and Spanish-American Literature to 1700 | ||
| Spanish Literature Since 1700 | ||
| Spanish American Literature Since 1700 | ||
| Core Courses Subtotal | 15-16 | |
| Major Elective Course Options | ||
| Choose one option | 12 | |
| Senior Seminar | ||
| INTS 495 | Senior Seminar in International Studies | 3 |
| Total Credits | 42-43 | |
- 1
Many, but not all, of these courses fulfill general education requirements. Consult with your advisor to make sure that you take the appropriate range of general education courses needed. Keep in mind the prerequisites for upper-level courses you anticipate taking in the future.
- 2
When choosing a Methods course, be sure to consider the prerequisites for that course. This requirement must be completed prior to taking INTS 495 Senior Seminar in International Studies. Note: SOCA 303 Program Evaluation and SOCA 307 Survey Methods require SOCA 295 Social Science Research Methods as a prerequisite
- 3
Note this conditional option:
ANTH 455 International Development and Change OR SOCA 455 International Development and Change
Major Elective Course Options
Elective options allow students to focus on an area of interest within the broad scope of International Studies. Every semester, a list of currently approved courses for each option is available from your adviser, the Center for International Studies office and the department website. That list may include some of the core elective courses listed above. Students may also propose an individually designed option, subject to the approval of the Center for International Studies Steering Committee.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits in one of the following options. Course taken for these options must be taken from at least two different departments and must be selected in consultation with the College of Social Sciences and Professional Studies Adviser, and/or the International Studies Major adviser.
Option A - Globalization and Development
Focuses on the processes of political, economic, and sociocultural change that accompany globalization and development, with an emphasis on developing nations. Courses that traditionally fit well for this option come from the following disciplines: Communication, Economics, Environmental Studies, Finance, Geography, History, Political Science, Sustainable Management. However, consultation with advisers is highly recommended.
Option B - International Relations
Focuses on the major interactions among nations, including politics, trade and intercultural communication. Also includes consideration of international organizations and non- governmental organizations. Courses that traditionally fit well for this option should be drawn from the following disciplines: Criminal Justice, History, Political Science, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Management. However, consultation with advisers is highly recommended.
Option C - Comparative Cultures and Societies
Focuses on cross-cultural and comparative study of societies and cultures, including the arts, literature, politics and social organization. Courses that traditionally fit well for this option come from the following disciplines: Communication, English, Geography, History, Political Science, Spanish, Sociology. However, consultation with advisers is highly recommended.
Option D – International Commerce/Business
Focuses on commercial and economic relations among nations, including a business perspective as well as national economic policy. Courses that traditionally fit well for this option come from the following disciplines: Business, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, Sustainable Management. However, consultation with advisers is highly recommended.
General University Degree Requirements (Bachelor's Degree)
In addition to individual program requirements, students must also fulfill the following requirements:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Skills | 7-8 |
| General Education | 36 |
| Foreign Language** | 6-8 |
| Ethnic Diversity | 3 |
| Total | 52-55 |
** Transfer students in sustainable management, and health information management and technology collaborative, online degree-completion programs, the business management online degree-completion program, and the flexible option degree-completion program will be exempt from the university’s foreign language requirement. See appropriate academic section for further information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Reading | 3 |
| Computational Skills | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| College Mathematics with Applications | ||
| College Algebra I | ||
| Total Credits | 7-8 | |
Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Minimum Total Credits | 120 |
| Upper Level Credits (300 level or above) | 36 |
| Residency | 30 |
Cumulative Degree GPA: 2.0 minimum
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| MATH 102 | Quantitative Reasoning | 4 |
| ENGL 100 | Fundamentals of English | 3 |
| Introductory Language | 4 | |
| COMM 107 | Communication and the Human Condition | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Reading | 3 |
| COMM 105 or COMM 205 |
Public Speaking for the 21st Century or Oral Interpretation |
3 |
| COMM 108 | Media and Society | 3 |
| Introductory Language | 4 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |