Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

International Studies (INST)

Associate Professor: Payne (Coordinator)

  • Major: International Studies
  • Tracks: Transnational and Global, Developed Countries, Developing Countries
  • Courses required for major: 10
  • Language requirement: two FRN, GERM, or SPAN courses at the 221 level or above (excluding 311)
  • Capstone requirement: INST 449

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 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 from another culture. Preparation for related careers can be obtained through the guided selection of courses outside the major in the areas of business, economics, modern language studies, political science, 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 Semester.

Major Requirements

The major consists of ten courses, comprised of 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 two FRN, GERM, SPAN courses at the 221 level 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 103 - Cultural Anthropology
    • ANTH 334 - Economic Anthropology
    • BUS 333 - Global Business Strategies
    • HIST 329 - Empires and Resistance
    • 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

Option 2: Developed Countries
Choose four courses from at least two departments.

    • FRN 311 - Francophone Cultures
    • GERM 311 - Modern Germany
    • HIST 214 - Monarchy and Modernity
    • HIST 217 - 20th Century Europe
    • HIST 320 - Diplomatic History of Europe since 1789
    • PHIL 203 - Modern Philosophy
    • PSCI 140 - Comparative Politics
    • SPAN 311 - Hispanic Culture

Option 3: Developing Countries
Choose four courses from at least two departments.

    • ANTH 230 - Anthropology of Latin America
    • FRN 311 - Francophone Culture
    • HIST 120 - Latin American History
    • HIST 232 - The Rise of Islam
    • HIST 243 - Asia in a Global Context
    • HIST 246 - Africa and the World
    • PSCI 241 - Politics of Developing Countries
    • PSCI 342 - Civil Conflict
    • REL 211 - Judaic Studies: Talmud to Today
    • REL 212 - Islam
    • REL 225 - Asian Religions
    • SPAN 311 - Hispanic Culture

Capstone Requirement

All majors must successfully complete INST 449.

Diversity and Writing Courses

The following courses satisfy the Global Cultural Diversity Requirement: ANTH 103, 230, 334; BUS 333; ECON 343; FRN 221, 225, 311; GERM 221, 225, 311; HIST 232, 243, 246, 329; PHIL 203; PSCI 140, 160, 241, 242, 261, 342, 361, 362; SPAN 221, 225, and 311. The following courses satisfy either the Domestic or Global Diversity Requirement: PHIL 334; REL 110, 211, 212, 225, and SPAN 223. A list of courses that, when scheduled as W courses, count toward the Writing Requirement, can be found on the Registrar’s website and in the GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS section of the catalog.

INST 449
SENIOR SEMINAR
A one-semester seminar, taken in the senior year, in which students and several faculty members pursue an integrative topic in the field of international studies. Some independent work involved. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.