International Studies, BS

The major in International Studies provides the student with broad knowledge of world affairs through a curriculum drawn in large measure from history and political science. Students gain a full recognition and understanding of the multitudinous forces which shape the contemporary world, including nationalism, wars, political and economic ideologies, globalization, geographic factors, cultural differentials and modern technology.

Students majoring in International Studies are expected to conduct research regarding contemporary global issues, including the formulation of research questions and the ability to locate source materials. Students should also understand the role of credible sources in the field of world politics. They should understand the role of the United States in world affairs and have insight into the lives, cultures, economics and politics of other regions of the world. It is expected that students will be able to communicate effectively in writing and orally concerning global and contemporary issues, results of research, and analyses. In addition, International Studies students will have basic reading skills in a foreign language.

Students interested in completing an Asian Studies Concentration or a Latin American Studies Concentration within the International Studies Major should meet with the respective Directors of the Concentration and the International Studies Advisor early in their academic career in order to plan their course of study.

In order to further strengthen the student’s knowledge, a study abroad experience is encouraged; over half of International Studies students spend a semester or more studying in a foreign country.

For more information about the History department, visit its website.

International Studies Curriculum

	Department and Number - Descriptive Title of Course	Fall Cr.	Spr. Cr.
First Year
MAJOR	HIST 110 - (CH) History of the United States to 1877 – HIST 111 - (CH) History of the United States from Reconstruction to the Present	3	3
COGNATE	PS 130 - (S) American National Government I – PS 131 - (S) American National Government II	3	3
COGNATE	LANG 101–102 Elementary or 211–212 Intermediate	3	3
GE WRTG–SPCH	WRTG 107 - (FYW) Composition – COMM 100 - (FYOC) Public Speaking ^*	3	3
GE C/IL	C/IL 102 - Computing and Information Literacy ^*	3
GE QUAN	QUAN ELECT - Quantitative-Reasoning Elective		3
GE FSEM	First Year Seminar ²
		15	15
Second Year
MAJOR	HIST 120 - (CH) Europe: 1500 to the Present – HIST 121 - (CH) Europe: 1815 to Present	3	3
MAJOR	PS 212 - International Relations	3
MAJOR	HIST ELECT - History Elective or PS ELECT - Political Sci. Elective¹		3
MAJOR	GEOG 134 - (S) World Regional Geography		3
COGNATE	LANG - Intermediate or Advanced	3	3
GE PHIL–T/RS	PHIL 120 - Introduction to Philosophy – T/RS 121 - (P) Theology I: Introduction to the Bible	3	3
GE ELECT	FREE ELECT - Free Elective	3
		15	15
Third Year
MAJOR	HIST - History Electives or PS ELECT - Political Sci. Electives¹	3	3
GE S/BH	ECO 153 - (S) Principles of Microeconomics – ECO 154 - (S) Principles of Macroeconomics	3	3
GE NSCI	NSCI ELECT - Natural Science Electives	3	3
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT - Humanities Electives	3	3
GE ELECT	FREE ELECT - Free Electives	3	3
GE PHIL–T/RS	PHIL 210 - Ethics – T/RS 122 - (P) Theology II: Introduction to Christian Theology	3	3
		18	18
Fourth Year
MAJOR	IS 390 - (W) Seminar in International Studies	3	3
MAJOR	HIST ELECT - History Electives of PS ELECT - Political Sci. Electives¹	3	3
COGNATE	COGNATE ELECT - Cognate Electives	3	3
GE ELECT	FREE ELECT - Free Electives	3	6
GE PHIL or T/RS	PHIL - Philosophy or T/RS ELECT - T/RS Elective	3
		15	15
	Total: 126 Credits

¹ Major electives to be selected from PS 213 ,PS 217 , PS 218 , PS 219 , PS 221 , PS 222 , LAS 295 , PS 318 , PS 319 , PS 323 , PS 328 , PS 330 , PS 331 , PS 332 , PS 333 , PS 334 , PS 335 , PS 338 ; HIST 125 , HIST 126 , HIST 132 , HIST 133 , HIST 140 , HIST 211 , HIST 213 , HIST 214 , HIST 215 , HIST 219 , HIST 220 , HIST 226 , HIST 242 , HIST 295 , HIST 335 , HIST 338 , HIST 339 ; GEOG 217 or PS 240 recommended.

²The selection of a First Year Seminar is likely to fulfill requirements both for the First Year Seminar and a General Education Requirement. Thus, the First Year Seminar will not add to the total credits for the semester. Talk with your advisor if you have any questions.

*An approved 3-credit EP Foundation Course may be substituted for COMM 100 and C/IL 102 -C/IL 104 . In this case, the total needed for graduation in this major may be reduced. Consult with your advisor if you have questions.

International Studies, BS

International Studies Curriculum

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Total: 126 Credits