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Undergraduate Programs

International Studies

A degree in international studies helps students understand people living all over the world and how globalization impacts our future.

Student Learning Outcomes

Major or Minor in International Studies

International Studies, B.A. International studies is an interdisciplinary major that focuses on social transformation and innovative responses to seemingly intractable global problems. Major in International Studies
International Studies Minor Gain an understanding of different world cultures, languages and political systems and earn a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Minor in International Studies

Requirements

The International Studies major requires 39-48 credit hours of courses. Students must complete all requirements for the major with an overall “C” (2.00) GPA or better. In order to study abroad, students must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or better. 

Language Requirements

Students must complete or demonstrate proficiency in a language:

  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Spanish

Students can opt to take another approved non-English language through at least the 202 level, preferably in the language used for international experience. If the language is not offered to the 202-level, other arrangements are possible.

International students enrolled in the North America concentration must provide documentation of their proficiency (equivalent to the 201 level) in a language other than English to at least the 202-level. This language will preferably be used for the International Experience Requirement.

Pathways Through the Major

Students may complete the international studies major either in-person, completely online, or through a mixture of these modalities. Globalization and Middle East concentrations are always good for the online pathway to the degree. Other concentrations need to be approved by the coordinator, Dr. Dan Masters.

Concentration Requirements

Students must complete 15 hours in one of three thematic concentrations. Twelve of those hours must be at the 300 level or above and must include at least two INT courses and at least two disciplines.

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Explores significant issues related to various aspects of human society and culture, such as immigration, human rights, social movements, conflict and justice, and civilizations: histories, languages, and religions of various regions and countries.

15 hours in a thematic area (Global Cultural and Social Dynamics, Global Governance, or Environment and Development)
12 hours at 300 level or above; minimum of 3 upper-level INT electives. 

 

Explores the ways different global actors (States, International Organizations, Social Movements or NGOs/INGOs or TANS, Insurgent movements) seek to manage complex international issues (global markets, trade or finance or money, power, war and conflict, conflict resolution, human rights, migration, and international law). 

15 hours in a thematic area (Global Cultural and Social Dynamics, Global Governance, or Environment and Development)
12 hours at 300 level or above; minimum of 3 upper-level INT electives. 

Focus on global development trends (e.g., industrialization, urbanization, infrastructure deployment, and resource extraction) directly impacting natural environments and human/non-human livelihoods. Considers effective mitigations and solutions (e.g., agricultural policy, eco-tourism, and sustainability practices) that require cooperation and coordination across international borders.

15 hours in a thematic area (Global Cultural and Social Dynamics, Global Governance, or Environment and Development)
12 hours at 300 level or above; minimum of 3 upper-level INT electives. 

Students must complete 18 credit hours of core courses. Courses used to satisfy this requirement may not be used to satisfy concentration requirements.

The following courses are included as core courses.

  • INT 105 - Introduction to International Studies
  • Geographic/Environmental Awareness. One of:
    • BIO 150 - Humans and Ecology
    • EVS 195 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
    • EVS 205 - Global Environmental Issues
    • GGY 140 - Introduction to Human Geography
    • GGY 180 - World Geography I
    • GGY 181 - World Geography II
    • INT 230 - Sustainability: From Global Goals to Local Action
    • OCN 150 - Introduction to Oceanography
  • Political/Economic Awareness. One of:
    • INT 200 - Global Capitalism and its Discontents
    • INT 215 - Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Politics of Globalization
      (ECN 250, PLS 111, and PLS 220 for majors in a catalogue year prior to 2018)
  • Social/Cultural Awareness. One of:
    • INT 220 - Cultural and Social Globalization
  • INT 300 - Interdisciplinarity and International Studies
    • Prerequisite: INT 105, and International Studies major or minor
  • INT 490 - Senior Seminar in International Studies
    • INT 300, and International Studies major, and second semester junior or senior standing.

Please Note: Courses used to satisfy core requirements cannot be used to satisfy the concentration requirements.

The International Studies minor requires 21-24 credit hours of courses. A grade of "C" (2.0) or better is required in all courses counted toward the minor. In order to study abroad, students must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or better.

Core Requirements

Students must complete 12 credit hours of core courses. Courses used to satisy this requirement may not be used to satisfy concentration requirements.

  • INT 105 - Introduction to International Studies
  • At least TWO additional core courses from at least two different Awareness categories:
    • Geographic/Environmental Awareness. One of:
      • BIO 150 - Humans and Ecology
      • EVS 195 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
      • EVS 205 - Global Environmental Issues
      • GGY 140 - Introduction to Human Geography
      • GGY 180 - World Geography I
      • GGY 181- World Geography II
      • OCN 150 - Introduction to Oceanography
    • Political/Economic Awareness. One of:
      • INT 200 - Global Capitalism and its Discontents
      • INT 215 - Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Politics of Globalization
        (ECN 250, PLS 111, and PLS 220 for majors in a catalogue year prior to 2018)
    • Social/Cultural Awareness. One of:
      • ANT 105 - Introduction to Anthropology
      • ANT 205 - Human Societies
      • ENG 111 - Introduction to Literature Global Emphasis
      • ENG 225 - World Literature to 1600
      • ENG 226 - World Literature since 1600
      • FNA 101 - Cultures of the World through Music and Dance
      • HST 103 - Introduction to Global History 1500-1848
      • HST 104 - Introduction to Global History since 1848
      • PAR 230 - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
      • PAR 232 - Asian Religions
  • INT 300 - Interdisciplinarity and International Studies

Concentration Requirements

Students must complete at least three additional courses from one of the International Studies Concentrations:

  • Arts & Literature, Environment, Globalization, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or Middle East
  • Two of the courses must be selected from the 300-level or above and must include at least one INT course.

International Experience Requirement

Students must complete 3 credit hours of international experience. This will normally involve Study Abroad, but other options are possible as approved by the Director of International Studies. Courses fulfilling this requirement may count towards other requirements in the minor.

Please Note:

  • some courses have prerequisites or co-requisites.
  • Study Abroad courses often fulfill concentration requirements.
  • courses with an * count only if topic is if applicable to the concentration.