The international studies program is an interdisciplinary major designed to prepare students for work and life in an increasingly interconnected world. Students will gain in-depth understanding of international relations, conflict and change, and a heightened sensitivity to diverse cultures.
Major Requirements
View the 2017-2018 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.
Requirements for a B.A. in International Studies
1. Foundations in Politics, Economics and Culture (five courses):
- ECON1103 Principles of Macroeconomics Or
- POLSC2413 International Law and Institutions
- ECON2113/POLSC2409 The Politics of International Economic Relations
- POLSC1301 Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
- POLSC1401 Introduction to International Relations
- SOC2129 Cultural Geography
2. Research Methods (one course):
- HIST2701 Historical Records and Reserach OR
- POLSC2701 Research Methods in Political Science OR
- SOC2113 Methods of Social Research
3. Language Skills (two courses):
- Two language courses at the 2000-level or above. Study away or study abroad is strongly recommended.
4. Capstone (one course):
GLST4100 International Studies Senior Seminar
Electives (seven courses):
Two courses must be from the 3000-level.
5. History Elective (one course)
- HIST1108 World History to 1500
- HIST1109 Modern World History
- HIST1111 An Introduction to East Asian History
- HIST2104 Age of Atlantic Revolutions, 1763-1820
- HIST2120 Europe in the Era of World War
- HIST2125 History of Modern Latin America
- HIST2140 History of Modern Middle East
6. Theology & Religious Studies Elective (one course)
- THRS2105 Judaism
- THRS2108 Religion and the Environment: Ethical Explorations
- THRS2135 World Religions
- THRS2201 War, Peace and Religion
- THRS2202 Hinduism
- THRS2208 Global Christianity
- THRS2211 Islam
- THRS2212 Buddhism: Beliefs and Practices
- THRS2213 Liberation Theology
- THRS2217 Women in the World Religions
- THRS3133 Social Justice and Religious Tradition
- THRS3201 World Religions in Conflict and Dialogue
7. Thematic Electives (three courses)
- BIOL1211 Emerging Infectious Diseases And
- BIOL1215 Introduction to Nutrition Or
- PHYS1121 Energy and the Environment
- ECON2203 An Economic View of the World
- ECON3103 The International Economy
- ECON3115 Economics and the Environment
- POLSC2413 International Law and Institutions
- POLSC2417 Statecraft and Globalization*
- POLSC2419 The Geopolitics of Democracy*
- POLSC2421 Model United Nations
- POLSC2503 Revolution and Nationalism
- POLSC2705/SOC2705 Sustainable Development: Paradigms and Policies
- POLSC3301 Comparative Politics of Developing States
- POLSC3303 Street Democracy
- POLSC3403 Human Issues in International Relations
- POLSC3405 Strategies of War and Peace
- POLSC3407 People and Politics of the Middle East
- SOC2205 War and Peace
- SOC3115 The Sociology of Globalization
- SOC3201 Worlds in Motion: The Causes and Consequences of Migration
- SOC3205 Crimes Against Humanity
- THRS3133 Social Justice and Religious Traditions
- THRS3203 World Religions in Conflict and Dialogue
*Travel Course
8. Area/Regional Electives: (two courses)
It is recommended that students take two courses in the same region:
Europe
- ENGL2106 Irish Identities: Literature and Culture
- ENGL2417 Literature of the Black Atlantic
- HIST3119 The Individual and Society in European History
- HIST3504 From Lenin to Putin: A History of the Soviet Union and Its Collapse
- LANG2215 Darkness in the City of Lights: Contrasting Views of Paris in Modern French Literature and Culture*
- LANG2315 Today's Italy: A Journey Through Literature, Cinema and Everyday Life*
- LANG2418 The Art of Spain
- LANG2605 Spain: A Cultural Approach
- LANG3427 Contemporary Spanish American Women Novelists
- LANG3431 Contemporary Spanish Novel
- POLSC2302 European Politics: From Transition to Integration
- POLSC2415 In the Footsteps of Thucydides*
- POLSC2417 Statecraft and Globalization*
- POLSC2419 The Geopolitics of Democracy*
Latin America
- ENGL/LANG2105 Contemporary Latin American Fiction
- ENGL2417 Literature of Black Atlantic
- ENGL/LANG3421 Spanish Carribean Literature
- HIST2122 History of Colonial Latin America
- HIST3121 Surviving Columbus: History of Native Americans, 1492 to 1992
- HIST3225 Utopias, Dystopias and Revolution in Latin American History
- LANG3411 Latin American Literary Giants
- POLSC2301 Politics of Race and Ethnicity in Latin America
- THRS2013 Liberation Theology
Asia
- HIST1111 An Introduction to East Asian History
- HIST2126 History of Japan since 1600
- HIST2401 Modern China: Continuity and Change
- HIST3404 East Asia Migration and Diaspora in Global Perspective
- THRS2154 India: Religion, Culture, Justice*
- THRS2202 Hinduism
- THRS2212 Buddhism: Beliefs and Practice
Middle East
- HIST2140 History of Modern Middle East
- LANG2664 The Arab World Through Its Literature
- POLSC2411 The Contemporary Middle East: Challenges and Promise
- POLSC3405 Strategy of War and Peace
- POLSC3407 People and Politics of the Middle East
Africa
- HIST1107 African History: Themes
- THRS2305 South Africa: Religion, Gender and AIDS*
*Travel Course
Learning Goals & Outcomes
At the completion of the International Studies degree, the student will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the broad-based foundation of the major in world history, culture, politics, and economics.
- Demonstrate an understanding of international relations, conflict and change and a heightened sensitivity to diverse cultures defines international studies.
- Demonstrate a practical application of concepts and theories of the discipline of international studies.
- Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and effectively in the field of international studies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and the ability to apply them to international research topics.