The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies gives students knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today’s globalized world. With courses in international relations, political science, economics, regional area studies and other disciplines, the degree program challenges students to understand international security, international political economy, global governance and countries in global, local and transnational contexts. Students develop intercultural awareness and cross-cultural communication skills through specialized coursework, foreign language study and education abroad. The degree prepares students for rigorous graduate coursework and exciting careers in both public and private organizations. Particular attention is paid to developing students’ critical thinking, research and communication skills so they may participate effectively as global citizens.
International studies majors are required to take seven core courses across the disciplines of the liberal arts and sciences including political science, history and economics. These courses are designed to introduce students to different theories and approaches to studying global issues and governance. Majors also must fulfill a cultural awareness requirement by taking one course from three potential options; demonstrate proof of competency in a foreign (second) language; and fulfill at least three credit hours in a traditional course, service-learning course, experiential-learning course, practicum or internship, that is taken abroad.
Outside of the core requirements, students have the flexibility to design their own plan of study based on course availability. The following plans are just a few examples; majors should be creative in tailoring their courses to their interests and needs in consultation with their faculty advisor.
Example Course Plans; subject to availability
International Relations and Political Economy
ECO 315 International Political Development
PSC 202 International Political Economy
PSC 280 Introduction to Peace Studies
PSC 410 International Law
Africa Region
PSC 282 Development Strategies and Projects in Africa
PSC 343 Politics of Development
PSC 345 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
PSC 444 The Political Economy of Africa
Indo-Pacific Region
HIS 296 America and Vietnam
PSC 341 International Relations of East Asia
PSC 365 Politics of East Asia
PSC 412 Comparative Judicial Politics
Latin America Region
HIS 313 Latin America
PSC 206 Contemporary Latin America
PSC 342 The Political Economy of Latin America
SPA 422 Latin American Civilization and Culture
Full list of IST major-eligible courses; some courses may carry pre-requisites within their home department.
PSC 202 International Political Economy
PSC 206 Contemporary Latin America
PSC 280 Introduction to Peace Studies
PSC 282 Development Strategies and Projects in Africa: A Travel Course to Ghana
PSC 305 Nuclear Proliferation and Nonproliferation
PSC 340 The European Union
PSC 341 International Relations of East Asia
PSC 342 The Political Economy of Latin America
PSC 343 Third World Political and Economic Development
PSC 345 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
PSC 365 Politics of East Asia
PSC 410 International Law
PSC 412 Comparative Judicial Politics
PSC 444 The Political Economy of Africa
PSC 446 International Organization
PSC 455 NGOs and Global Civil Society
ECO 310 Environmental Economics and Management
ECO 315 International Economic Development
ECO 321 Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis
ECO 430 International Economics and Finance
ECO 432 Economics of Emerging Markets
ECO 442 Monetary Economics
HIS 206 Slavery and Racism in the Early Americas: A Comparative Perspective
HIS 217 China's Modern Centuries
HIS 218 History of the Islamic World
HIS 220 Introduction to African History
HIS 221 Japan's Modern Centuries
HIS 227 Traditional China
HIS 228 Traditional Japan
HIS 296 America and Vietnam
HIS 313 Latin America
HIS 322 Spanish Caribbean and its Diasporas
LIT 229 Contemporary African Literature
LIT 233 Trauma Narratives: Africa
LIT 324 Post-Colonial Literature and Theory
PHL 235 Philosophy of Martial Arts
PHL 236 Yoga and Philosophy
PHL 237 Indian and Asian Philosophy
PHL 320 Chinese Philosophy
PHL 321 Daoist Philosophy and Religion
PHL 330 Asian Philosophy Special Topics
REL 288 Chinese Yoga and Meditation
SPA 422 Latin American Civilization and Culture
SPA 435 Latin American Literature
SPA 436 The Latin American Novel
SPT 251 Latin American Literature in English Translation
