College Schools, 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, the major fosters competencies that students need in order to function successfully in a global environment. Flexible major requirements encourage depth and breadth of thematic and regional 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; Culture and Politics; Peace and Conflict; and Diplomacy, Security, Governance. They can then bring focus to their major studies by completing advanced electives related to the thematic area(s) that most closely aligns with their own interests. Students are also required to complete a minor.

Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 35 credit hours of coursework, including the CASE Credit Hour and Residency Requirements and the following:

  1. Introduction to International Studies. Complete both a and b (3 courses total):
    1. Two courses from the following:
      • INTL-I 202 Global Health and Environment
      • INTL-I 203 Global Development
      • INTL-I 204 Human Rights and International Law
      • INTL-I 205 Culture and Politics
      • INTL-I 206 Peace and Conflict
      • INTL-I 210 Diplomacy, Security, Governance
    2. One (1) additional INTL course at the 100–200 level
  2. Research Design.
    • INTL-I 315 Research Design in International Studies (completion of I315 before the overseas experience is strongly recommended)
  3. Advanced Electives. Complete at least four (4) courses from the following list, including at least one (1) course at the 400 level:
    • INTL-I 300 Topics in International Studies
    • INTL-I 302 Advanced Topics in Global Health and Environment
    • INTL-I 303 Advanced Topics in Global Development
    • INTL-I 304 Advanced Topics in Human Rights and International Law
    • INTL-I 305 Advanced Topics in International Communication and the Arts
    • INTL-I 306 Advanced Topics in Peace and Conflict
    • INTL-I 310 Advanced Topics in Diplomacy, Security, Governance
    • INTL-X 370 Topics with Service Learning in International Studies
    • INTL-I 420 Environment: Global Perspectives
    • INTL-I 421 Human Rights and the Arts
    • INTL-I 422 Contested Territories/Conflicted Identities
    • INTL-I 423 Postcolonial/Postcommunist Discourses
    • INTL-I 424 War and Peace
    • INTL-I 425 Gender: International Perspectives
    • INTL-I 426 Advanced Topics in International Studies
    • INTL-I 427 Issues in Global Development and Political Economy
    • INTL-I 428 Social Justice and the Environment
    • INTL-I 429 Global Health Politics
    • INTL-I 499 Seminar in Conflict Studies
  4. Capstone. Complete one (1) of the following:
    • INTL-I 400 International Studies Capstone Seminar
    • INTL-I 406 Honors International Studies Capstone Seminar
  5. Career. Complete one (1) of the following:
    • ASCS-Q 296 College to Career II: Navigate Your Arts and Sciences Experience
    • ASCS-Q 299 College to Career III: Market Yourself for the Job and Internship Search
  6. Foreign Language1. Complete one (1) of the following (a, b or c ):
    1. Proficiency in a single foreign language through the second semester of the third year of college-level coursework (6 semesters)
    2. Proficiency in a single foreign language through the second semester of the second year of college-level coursework and another foreign language through the second semester of the first year (4 + 2 semesters)
    3. Proficiency in a single foreign language through the second semester of the second year of college-level coursework (4 semesters) and the first semester of a second foreign language and the first semester of a third foreign language (4 + 1 + 1 semesters)
  7. Electives. Complete additional INTL courses, as needed, to complete all major requirements.
  8. Additional Requirements. Complete both a and b:
    1. International Experience. Overseas experience (study or internship) of at least 6 weeks duration, approved in advance by the Department of International Studies.
    2. Minor. Complete a minor related to international studies approved in advance by the Department of International Studies.

1Non-native speakers of English may petition the Department of International Studies for exemption from third-year language study. Students eligible for a waiver may need to take additional credit hours in International Studies courses.