International Studies Major
This major gives students a broad view of the world with an emphasis on developing regions. The core ensures that students have broad exposure to major world religions, international politics and government, recent global history and relationships between geography, culture, arts and society. This major is a good point of departure for pursuing an international-related master’s degree and/or many careers, including international business, diplomacy and fields related to human development.
Please note that in addition to the course requirements listed below, International Studies majors must also meet the following requirements:
1. Study Abroad
International Studies majors must have a study abroad experience, normally in a non-English speaking country, for at least ten weeks, including a minimum of eight weeks of study through an approved college-level institution. Many of the credits earned can be applied to the major. Students who attended high school in another country may petition the international studies advisory committee for exemption from the requirement for study abroad.
2. Language Proficiency
International studies majors must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English at the 202 level or higher. This can be accomplished by completing a 202 (or 300 or higher) course in a language or by verification through the Languages, Literatures and International Studies Department (i.e. determined by examination or through some other means of confirming proficiency).
3. Program Approval
A program approval for international studies majors must be prepared and approved by an academic advisor from the Languages, Literatures and International Studies Department and a copy forwarded to the Registrar’s Office. A degree evaluation will not be performed until approval is received.
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For course description, click on the course.
- Total Credits Required for Degree120
- General Education30-40
- Required Courses in Major36
- Major Core16
- Concentration*20
- Global Concentration20
- Required Course4
- Electives16
- No more than 12 credits may come from any prefix. Choose 16 credits from the following:
- IP 285/IP 286/IP 485/ IP 486 Study Abroad (1-12 cr.)
- BC 415 Intercultural Communication (4 cr.) [SOCR]
- BC 420 Global Communication (4 cr.)
- EC 201 Microeconomic Principles (4 cr.)
- EC 425 International Economics (4 cr.)
- EC 460 Economic Development (4 cr.)
- EN 225 History of World Cinema (4 cr.)
- EN 311 World Literature in English (4 cr.) [SOCR]
- EN 326 National Cinema (4 cr.)
- EN 360 Modern British Literature (4 cr.)
- EN 411 Topics in World Literature (3-4 cr.) [SOCR]
- GC 220 Economic Geography (4 cr.)
- GC 300 Regional Studies: World Cultures (4 cr.) [SOCR]
- HL 322 International Health Issues (4 cr.) [SOCR]
- HN 362 Cultural Food Patterns (4 cr.) [PERS]
- HS 251 Latin American History (4 cr.)
- HS 254 History of Africa (4 cr.) [SOCR]
- HS 308 Themes in Modern Europe (4 cr.)
- HS 315 Imperialism (4 cr.)
- HS 316 The Holocaust (4 cr.)
- HS 359 Themes in Global History (4 cr.)
- HS 362 History of Mexico (4 cr.)
- MGT 475 International Business (4 cr.)
- MKT 466 International Marketing (4 cr.)
- MU 325 World Music (4 cr.) [HUME]
- PS 206 International Relations (4 cr.)
- PS 299 Model U.N. (2 cr.)
- SN 312 Introduction to Spanish America (4 cr.) [PERS]
- SO 351 Social Change (4 cr.) [PERS]
- Other Courses as Approved by Languages, Literatures and International Studies
- Regional Concentration: Africa20
- Required Course4
- Electives16
- Choose 16 credits from the following:
- IP 285/IP 286/IP 485/ IP 486 Study Abroad to Africa (1-12 cr.)
- EN 311 World Literature in English (4 cr.) [SOCR] (African Topics)
- HS 359 Themes in Global History (4 cr.)
- LG 317 World Studies through Literature in Translation (4 cr.) [PERS] (Africa)
- PS 299 Model U.N. (2 cr.) (African Focus)
- Non-Regional Courses from List (4-8 cr.)
- Other Courses as Approved by Languages, Literatures and International Studies
- Regional Concentration: Asia20
- Required Course4
- Electives16
- Choose 16 credits from the following:
- IP 285/IP 286/IP 485/ IP 486 Study Abroad to Asia (1-12 cr.)
- EN 311 World Literature in English (4 cr.) [SOCR] (Asian Topics)
- EN 411 Topics in World Literature (3-4 cr.) [SOCR] (Asian Topics)
- GC 300 Regional Studies: World Cultures (4 cr.) [SOCR] (Asian Topics)
- PS 299 Model U.N. (2 cr.) (Asian Focus)
- Non-Regional Courses from List (4-8 cr.)
- Other Courses as Approved by Languages, Literatures and International Studies
- Regional Concentration: Europe20
- Required Course4
- Electives16
- Choose 16 credits from the following:
- IP 285/IP 286/IP 485/ IP 486 Study Abroad to Europe (1-12 cr.)
- EN 311 World Literature in English (4 cr.) [SOCR] (European)
- EN 326 National Cinema (4 cr.)
- EN 360 Modern British Literature (4 cr.)
- HS 308 Themes in Modern Europe (4 cr.)
- HS 315 Imperialism (4 cr.)
- HS 316 The Holocaust (4 cr.)
- LG 317 World Studies through Literature in Translation (4 cr.) [PERS] (Europe)
- PS 299 Model U.N. (2 cr.) (Europe)
- Courses taught in French, German and Spanish dealing with Europe
- Non-Regional Courses from List (4-8 cr.)
- Other Courses as Approved by Languages, Literatures and International Studies
- Regional Concentration: Latin America20
- Required Course4
- Choose one course from the following:4
- HS 251 Latin American History (4 cr.) or
- Electives16
- Choose 16 cedits from the following:
- IP 285/IP 286/IP 485/ IP 486 Study Abroad to Latin America (1-12 cr.)
- EN 311 World Literature in English (4 cr.) [SOCR] (Latin America)
- GC 300 Regional Studies: World Cultures (4 cr.) [SOCR] (Latin America)
- HS 251 Latin American History (4 cr.)
- HS 362 History of Mexico (4 cr.)
- LG 317Z World Studies through Literature in Translation (4 cr.) (Latin America)
- PS 299 Model U.N. (2 cr.)
- Courses taught in French, German and Spanish dealing with Latin America
- Non-Regional Courses from List (4-8 cr.)
- Other Courses as Approved by Languages, Literatures and International Studies
- Regional Concentration: Middle East20
- Required Course4
- Electives16
- Choose 16 credits from the following:
- IP 285/IP 286/IP 485/ IP 486 Study Abroad to Middle East (1-12 cr.)
- EN 311 World Literature in English (4 cr.) [SOCR] (Middle East)
- HS 359 Themes in Global History (4 cr.)
- GC 300 Regional Studies: World Cultures (4 cr.) [SOCR] (Middle East)
- PS 299 Model U.N. (2 cr.) (Middle East)
- Non-Regional Courses from List (4-8 cr.)
- Other Courses as Approved by Languages, Literatures and International Studies
- Non-Regional Courses**
- BC 415 Intercultural Communication (4 cr.) [SOCR]
- BC 420 Global Communication (4 cr.)
- EC 425 International Economics (4 cr.)
- EC 460 Economic Development (4 cr.)
- EN 225 History of World Cinema (4 cr.)
- GC 220 Economic Geography (4 cr.)
- HN 362 Cultural Food Patterns (4 cr.) [PERS]
- HL 322 International Health Issues (4 cr.) [SOCR]
- HS 359 Themes in Global History (4 cr.)
- MGT 475 International Business (4 cr.)
- MKT 466 International Marketing (4 cr.)
- MU 325 World Music (4 cr.) [HUME]
- PS 206 International Relations (4 cr.)
- SO 351 Social Change (4 cr.) [PERS]
*Concentration - Students must choose the global or a regional concentration (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East) with which to fulfill their electives.
**For students choosing a regional concentration, up to eight of their elective credits may be taken from the list of non-regional courses, while all others must come from within the chosen concentration.
No more than 12 credits per prefix may count toward the major.
This major does not require a minor.