International Studies Major

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is an interdisciplinary major that prepares students to understand and engage global systems, cultures, and challenges. Drawing on courses across the social sciences, humanities, and language departments, students develop regional knowledge, thematic depth, language proficiency, and intercultural competence. The major culminates in an integrative senior seminar and requires an approved international experience.

International Studies FAQs

What is International Studies?

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is an interdisciplinary major that prepares students to understand and engage global systems, cultures, and challenges.

What are some courses I may take?

Some featured courses include Comparative Politics and Global Politics. Students are also able to choose from a variety of electives such as Black Philosophy, Women, War & Peace, International Management, Global Art & Design Appreciation and Cultural Studies. See the Requried Courses page for a full list of courses.

Is there a study abroad requirement?

All majors must complete an approved area studies learning experience. This program component is designed to correspond with the Trek “Culture: Explore your world” requirement allowing students to focus on a country or region in-depth, either through physical travel in the case of a faculty-led module or other study abroad opportunity or through intellectual travel in the case of independent study or other coursework.

Semester study abroad/Faculty-led international module (excluding Centenary in Paris)
Approved international internship
Currently offered Area Studies or Independent Study course approved by the director
Other program approved by the director

What career can I purse with a International Studies Major?

International Studies Major

Drawing on courses across the social sciences, humanities, and language departments, students develop regional knowledge, thematic depth, language proficiency, and intercultural competence.

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International Studies Major Course Requirements (40 credits)

I. Gateway Course (4 credits)

Complete one of the following:

PSC 110 Comparative Politics – 4 credits
PSC 111 Global Politics – 4 credits

II. Research Methods (4 credits)

Complete one of the following:

SOC 415 Methods in Social Research (4)
PSC 358 Political Analysis (4)
(or other research methods course with advisor approval)

III. Approved International Studies Electives (20 credits)

Complete five courses (20 credits) from the approved list below.
At least four courses (16 credits) must be upper division (300-level or above). No more than two courses (8 credit hours) in one academic field

History, Philosophy, and Politics

HIST 102 and/or 103 Western Heritage
HIST 302 Environmental History of the Americans
HIST 303 Nineteenth-Century Europe
HIST 305 Renaissance and Reformation Europe
HIST 306 The Age of Enlightenment and Revolutions
HIST 308 History of Britain and Empire
HIST 333 Twentieth-Century Europe
HIST 345 Paths Not Taken: Why History Matters
PHIL 304 Chinese Philosophy
PHIL 305 Black Philosophy
PHIL 306 Latin American Philosophy
PHIL/PSC 309 Political Philosophy
PSC 315 Women, War & Peace
PSC 324 International Law and Human Rights
PSC 325 European Politics
PSC 327 Race, Gender, Nation and the Politics of Identity
PSC 331 Democracy and Ethnic Conflict
PSC 345 Protecting People in a Borderless World

Global Economy and Development

ACCT 340 International Accounting
BUSN 341 International Management
ECON 329 Money and Banking
ECON 333 Economics of Developing Countries
ECON 340 International Economics

Culture, Media, and Global Society

ART 101 Intro to Visual Analysis: Ancient through Medieval Art
ART 102 Intro to Visual Analysis: Renaissance through Contemporary Art
ART 250 Global Art & Design Appreciation
ART 315 Ancient Greek Art: Power, Politics and Legacy
COMM 250 Global Art & Design Appreciation
ENGL 202 Writing, Research, and Communities
ENGL 278 Literary Theory and Criticism
ENGL 301 Literature and Culture II (if the topic is relevant)
ENGL 313 Advanced Rhetoric
ENGL 314 Public and Media Relations
ENGL 321 Literary History (if the topic is relevant)
ENGL 322 British Literature
ENGL 333 Seminar in Literary Genres (with advisor permission)
ENGL 341 Major Authors (with advisor permission and relevant author)
ENGL 362 Cultural Studies
LANG/ENGL 393/394 Studies in Culture: Literatures in Translation
SOC 307: Sociological Power Dynamics of the Political Divide
Any upper level (300+) FREN or SPAN courses

(Additional courses may be approved by the program director.)

IV. Modern Language Requirement (8 credits)

Students must complete at least two (2) courses and successfully complete the intermediate level (202) in a foreign language.

French Option

FREN 201 Intermediate French I
FREN 202 Intermediate French II

Spanish Option

SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish
SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish

Students placing above the intermediate level will complete advanced coursework to reach the required two courses.

V. Area Studies Requirement

Semester study abroad/Faculty-led international module (excluding Centenary in Paris)
Approved international internship
Currently offered Area Studies or Independent Study course approved by the director
Other program approved by the director

VI. Senior Capstone (4 credits)

Complete:

INTL 400 Senior Seminar in International Studies – 4 credits

(taught as independent study until a cohort forms or approved senior seminar with substantial international focus such as HIST or PSC 473)

The capstone includes a substantial research project integrating regional, thematic, and methodological learning.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy The institution does not discriminate in its educational and employment policies against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or on any other basis proscribed by federal, state, or local law.