Professor: Larson and Payne (Coordinators)
The International Studies major is a ten-course interdisciplinary major. It includes a core set of six courses which every student must take. The core courses draw from five different departments and provide students with a truly interdisciplinary experience. This core is combined with a flexible set of electives, which simultaneously prepares students to meet their individual future goals. Specifically, students can complete the final four courses of the major in one of three ways: (1) they may take a more general approach in which they take courses which focus on broad transnational and global issues, or they may choose to pursue either the (2) Developed Countries Area focus or the (3) Developing Countries Area focus.
The major is designed to integrate an understanding of the changing social, political and historical environment of Europe today with study of Europe in its relations to the rest of the world, particularly the United States. It stresses the international relations of the North Atlantic community and offers the student opportunity to emphasize either European studies or international relations. The program provides multiple perspectives on the cultural traits that shape popular attitudes and institutions. Study of a single country is included as a data-base for comparisons, and study of its language as a basis for direct communication with its people.
The program is intended to prepare students either for graduate study or for careers which have an international component. International obligations are increasingly assumed by government agencies and a wide range of business, social, religious and educational organizations. Opportunities are found in the fields of journalism, publishing, communications, trade, banking, advertising, management and tourism. The program also offers flexible career preparation in a variety of essential skills, such as research, data analysis, report writing, language skills, and the awareness necessary for dealing with people and institutions of another culture. Preparation for related careers can be obtained through the guided selection of courses outside the major in the areas of business, economics, foreign languages and literatures, government, history and international relations or through a second major. Students should design their programs in consultation with members of the Committee on International Studies.
The International Studies program also encourages participation in study abroad programs such as the affiliate programs in England, France, Germany and Spain, as well as the Washington and United Nations semesters.
The Major consists of 10 courses, which comprise a core set of six required courses and four electives.
Core Courses: All students must complete ECON 343, HIST 116, PSCI 160, INST 449 and a Modern Language Studies sequence of 221 plus one course numbered 222 or above (excluding 311).
Electives: Students must complete the major by taking four electives in one of the following three areas: Transnational and Global Issues, Developed Countries or Developing Countries.
Option 1: Transnational & Global Issues
Choose four courses from at least two departments.
ANTH 229 Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 234 Economic Anthropology
BUS 333 Global Business Strategies
HIST 215 Conflict in Western Civilization
PHIL 334 Contemporary Political Philosophy
PSCI 242 Human Rights
PSCI 261 International Organizations
PSCI 361 International War
PSCI 362 Terrorism
REL 110 Introduction to World Religions
Choose four courses from at least two departments.