Departments & Programs

International Studies

Major in International Studies—B.A.
Purpose

The B.A. Major in International Studies provides an intellectual foundation that enables students to communicate, collaborate, and work across national, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic boundaries. By incorporating extensive foreign language study and mandating an overseas experience, this degree fosters competencies that students need in order to function successfully in a global environment. Flexible major requirements encourage depth and breadth of regional and thematic knowledge. Students explore the major by taking two introductory courses chosen from the following thematic concentrations: Global Health and Environment; Global Development; Human Rights and International Law; International Communication and the Arts; Identity and Conflict; and Diplomacy, Security, Governance. They are also required to complete 300- and 400-level courses that focus directly on their chosen thematic concentration. Students must choose a regional concentration area with the approval of the departmental advisor. This area can be defined as either:

  1. an area defined geographically (either broadly defined, such as the Pacific Rim, or with a concentrated focus, such as Egypt or Germany); or
  2. an area defined linguistically, religiously and/or ethnically (such as the Jewish diaspora) outside the United States.

Optimally, the regional concentration chosen will relate to the student's foreign language study.

Required Courses

Students must complete a minimum of 41 credit hours including the following:

  1. Two core courses chosen from I202–I210; one of the two must introduce the chosen thematic concentration (6 cr.).
  2. Four courses (at least 12 credit hours) at the 300–400 level (excluding I400, I405, I406 and I498). Two 300-level courses must be in the student's chosen thematic concentration; the remaining two 300-level or 400-level courses may be chosen from International Studies courses, regardless of thematic concentration.
  3. I315. Completion of I315 before the overseas experience is strongly recommended.
  4. I400 or I406 (3 cr.).
  5. Three courses (at least 9 credit hours) at the 300–400 level from a regional concentration area, taken outside of International Studies.
  6. Foreign language proficiency (at least 6 credit hours) beyond the College's general requirement for B.A. degrees. Students may pursue the study of a single foreign language through six semesters; they may study one foreign language through four semesters and study a second foreign language through two semesters; or they may study one foreign language through four semesters, study the first semester of a second foreign language, and study the first semester of a third foreign language. Non–native speakers of English may petition International Studies for exemption from third-year language study. See advisor for details about procedure and necessary documentation.
  7. An overseas experience (study or internship, INTL-I 498) of at least 6 weeks duration, approved in advance by International Studies.
  8. ASCS-Q 296 College to Career II: Navigate Your Arts and Sciences Experience (2 cr.) or ASCS-Q 299 College to Career III: Market Yourself for the Job and Internship Search (2 cr.).
  9. An approved outside minor, ideally related to the chosen thematic or regional concentration.

Note: Students  may need more than 41 credit hours to complete the overseas/international experience requirement.

Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.