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2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
International Studies, B.A.
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 Return to: Programs of Study (A-Z)
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 124
Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0
Minimum number of credits to complete the major: 38
Interdisciplinary Program
Contact: Dr. Alison Russell, Director
The International Studies Major provides students with a rigorous interdisciplinary education that strongly positions its gradates for work in many fields while shaping them as global engaged citizens. The program provide students with an understanding of the political, historical, economic, and social forces that shape and influence the modern world, and the flexibility to focus their degree with courses in an area of concentration. This program prepares students for postgraduate study and careers in international business, law, media, education, governmental or non-governmental organizations, and a variety of other fields.
Students are encouraged to double major or minor in a related field appropriate for their interests and goals, essentially tailoring their academic preparation to their aims. For all students, experiential learning and foreign language studies are required in order to develop the skills and cross-cultural competence to engage effectively in the global community.
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Major Requirements
This bachelor’s degree program requires a minimum of 124 credits. As part of the overall 124 credit minimum, satisfying the requirements for the major in International Studies includes completing a minimum of 38 credits and a minimum of ten (10) courses, as specified below. Students will complete an interdisciplinary introductory core set of courses in history, political science, religion, and economics, then choose an area of concentration for their degree. Areas of concentration include: Global Governance, Global Economy, Global Peace, Justice, and Ethics, and Global Health and Environment. There is also the possibility for a self-designed concentration. In addition, International Studies majors must demonstrate proficiency in a modern foreign language at the second semester intermediate level. Finally, International Studies majors are required to participate in a program-approved study abroad experience, a Washington semester, or a relevant internship experience for credit.
The following courses are required of all International Studies majors:
Core Introductory Courses
(3 courses)
Advanced Core Courses
(3 courses)
Concentrations
Choose one concentration and take 3 courses within the concentration.
Global and Regional Systems of Governance and Societies
This concentration will focus on global, international, and regional history, politics, culture, and religion. This area allows students to examine global politics and how states have engaged with each other through diplomacy, laws, as well as war. Beyond governance, it allows students to study how human rights have been promoted and defended, the causes and consequences of mass violence, and the role of history, culture, and religion in shaping the world as we understand it today.
Global Economy, International Business, and Development
This concentration will focus on global economic issues, from international business and marketing, to economic development and the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality in the world. Students will be able to study globalization and its consequences through issues including trade, economic growth, and the stratifications of wealth.
Global Peace, Justice, and Ethics
This concentration will focus on global justice, ethics, and values as a source of meaning and direction globally and in societies. Students will be able to explore global themes of justice, peace, and cooperation, as well as learn about different belief and value systems, to appreciate how local and global communities have evolved and understand the differences and similarities in our global humanity and the meaning we give to life.
Global Health and Environment
This concentration will focus on science that serves the global and public interest. Students will study the causes and consequences of events that affect the global community through the lens of health care, medicine, science, and environment. It provides a holistic opportunity to see how global challenges ranging from disease, old age, pollution, and environmental degradation are being met by global initiatives of sustainability, technology, and medical care.
Foreign Language Requirement
Modern foreign language proficiency through the second semester of intermediate level is required of all International Studies majors.
Experiential Learning Requirement
International Studies majors are required to participate in a study abroad semester, a Washington semester, or a relevant internship experience for credit.
Senior Capstone Course
(1 course)
An integrative seminar or directed study in senior year that will involve a major original research paper.
International Studies Notes
No more than two courses or eight credits from another major or minor may double-count. Double-counting with all general education requirements is permitted.
Some courses in concentrations may require prerequisites. If students wish to use one of these courses to fulfill a requirement in International Studies, they are responsible for either taking the requisite(s) or obtaining a waiver from the professor teaching the course.
Additional Recommendations
International Studies majors are strongly encouraged to minor in a related discipline (such as economics, sociology, political science, communication, or business) that will enable them to gain additional disciplinary knowledge of special relevance to their individual career goals and/or encouraged to minor in language or cultural studies to develop their understanding of culture’s influential role in human behavior. Coursework in related fields also enables International Studies majors to approach issues and questions which are the focus of their major from novel perspectives, to discern unappreciated connections, and to develop an understanding of the many contextual factors that influence how individuals and societies relate across national boundaries.
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