Mar 29, 2024  
2009-2010 Downtown Campus Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Downtown Campus Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

International Studies BA


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs

Program Requirements


The major consists of 48 to 51 semester hours, structured as follows:

  • complete 9 semester hours from a list of introductory courses listed below
  • choose three thematic concentrations from the following five:
    language and culture, international relations and comparative politics, economics and development, international commerce, and regional societies and history. Majors complete 12 hours in each theme (except international commerce, which requires 15). Below is a list of preapproved courses in each concentration. Students wishing to apply courses not on the list may do so with the approval of the program director.
  • a capstone seminar (3 semester hours) for students in their last year
  • the major is interdisciplinary, and students must take classes in at least three different disciplines (anthropology, economics, geography, history, international commerce/business, modern languages, political science or religious studies). No more than 18 hours in any one discipline will be accepted toward the major.
  • students are expected to develop a regional specialization. They must choose courses from the introductory and thematic concentration lists that contribute to an understanding of a world region.
  • all international studies majors must demonstrate a proficiency in a language other than English. This may be fulfilled with the fourth semester of a foreign language course sequence. Students must receive a grade of C or better in all language courses; they also have the option of testing out of this requirement.
  • majors must complete at least half (24 hours) of the semester hours at the Downtown Campus. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better is required, with a minimum grade of C- earned in all major courses to graduate.

Required Courses


Introductory Courses


Choose one course from each of the following three groups:

Thematic Concentrations


Students must take a minimum of four upper-division courses in each of three of the following five concentrations, for a total of 36 semester hours (12 hours in each concentration). Please note that the concentration in international commerce requires five courses rather than four, for a total of 39 semester hours. The list below does not include all the international courses applicable to the major, only the ones frequently taught. It is expected to change as departments develop new courses and hire new faculty in different areas.

Note: Concentrations are interdisciplinary and are not the same as academic departments. Students must take courses in at least three different academic departments and no more than 18 semester hours in any one department.

Language, Culture and Literature


This concentration aims at deepening the student’s understanding of the cultural underpinnings and worldviews of different societies.

Modern languages: any upper-division courses in the Department of Modern Languages except Methods of Teaching French/German/Spanish. We have not listed the courses individually because there are so many upper-division courses on world literature and culture available in modern languages.

International Relations and Comparative Politics


Courses in this concentration stress comparative approaches, diplomacy and conflict resolution. Students will have an understanding of how different societies make decisions and manage international relations. How do other cultures conceive of and practice power?

Economics, Development and Environment


Students taking this concentration will develop an understanding of economic processes in an international context. The courses offer comparative approaches and cultural perspectives on development and environment.

Note: Students in this concentration must take

  as one of their three introductory courses.

Required economics course


International Commerce


The objective of this concentration is to give students an introduction to international business practices.

ECON 2012 and ECON 2022 are prerequisites for most of these courses. Note that the first three courses are prerequisites for MGMT 4400 and MKTG 4200. Students opting for this concentration must take both MGMT 4400 and MKTG 4200. Students must meet Business School entrance requirements for the international commerce concentration, with a 3.0 GPA overall or in the last 24 hours.

Note: This concentration requires 15 hours, not 12.

Regional Societies and History


Students in this concentration are expected to develop a historical understanding of how nations and political systems develop. To understand why international actors behave in a given way, one needs to understand the historical background of those actors; this concentration will familiarize students with that background.

International Studies Capstone Course


All majors must take a 3-semester-hour seminar focusing on a global issue. Currently the designated capstone courses are:

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs