Curriculum
The International Studies Program embraces an interdisciplinary curriculum which emphasizes global awareness in preparation for careers in international service. It enhances the development of advanced foreign language and communication skills and offers crucial insights into the scope of international and global problems.The International Studies curriculum is designed for students interested in seeking employment with a U.S. agency or company involved in international affairs, or attracted to work experience overseas. Military and diplomatic service, commercial enterprises, educational agencies, and development and human rights organizations offer opportunities for persons well-versed in global concerns. In addition, the International Studies major provides a solid foundation for potential graduate study in the Social Sciences, the Humanities, Journalism, and International Business and Law. Because of the rigorous nature and the complexity of this curriculum, students are encouraged to contact the International Studies Coordinator during their freshman year to become familiar with the program and to discuss a feasible course of study.
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites for formal admission to the International Studies Program include having a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 and completion of the following courses:
RHET 1311 Composition I
RHET 1312 Composition II
HIST 1311 History of Civilization I
HIST 1312 History of Civilization II
GEOG 2310 World Regions or GEOG 2312 Cultural Geography
FREN, GERM, or SPAN 1311, 1312 (or equivalent)
ECON 2301 Survey of Economics
Additional prerequisites for students seeking an International Studies degree with a business emphasis include:
- ECON 2322 Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 2323 Principles of Macroeconomics
- MKTG 2380 Legal Environment of Business
- RHET 3300 Introduction to Research Methods
Upon being admitted to the program, students choose to concentrate their studies in the public or the private sector. While socio-cultural and geopolitical interaction will be part of both curricula, the private track deals more extensively with international market forces and economic systems.
Major in International Studies
The International Studies Program comprises a major/minor consisting of 45 - 48 hours (including 36 upper-level hours). The curriculum is divided into a set of International Studies foundation courses and an area of concentration.
Area of Concentration
In addition to the International Studies foundation courses the student will select an area of concentration. Options include Latin America, Europe, a private track emphasis, or an area designed by the student with the Advisor’s approval. Possible choices include, but are not limited to; East Asian Studies, International Women’s Issues, Middle Eastern studies, or a diplomatic, environmental, or a developing nations emphasis. The area concentration consists of 18 hours of closely related courses from various academic disciplines, an advanced foreign language course in culture or literature, an internship or cooperative education work experience, and a senior paper connected with the student’s specialization.
Minor in International Studies
The minor in International Studies is designed for students who have an interest in foreign cultures and global affairs and would like to complement their major or career related field with foreign language and international skills.The International Studies minor consists of 21 hours. Students must complete an intermediate foreign language course (2311 or above), INTS 2301 and 2302, and 12 hours of related upper-level courses chosen in consultation with the International Studies Coordinator.
University Core Requirements (44 hours)
International Studies Core (18 hours)
- 2 upper level courses (6 hours) in a foreign language or equivalent proficiency
- RHET 3300 Introduction to Research Methods
- INTS 2301 World Cultures
- INTS 2302 Global Issues
- SPCH 4312/5312 Intercultural Communication
- INTS 4350 Internship
- INTS 4101, 4102, & 4103 Senior Research Project: Proposal, Paper and Presentation
Area of concentration (24 - 21 hours)
Public Sector Track (24 hours)
- 1 upper level (3 hours) Political Science course in comparative or international politics, including, but not limited to: POLS 3360 Comparative Government: Western or POLS 3370 Comparative Politics: Developing Areas or POLS 4340 International Relations
- INTS 3231 Topics in Modern International Cultures or an equivalent course
- 4 upper level (12 hours) closely related courses
- 2 upper level (6 hours) designated electives
- 2 upper division (6 hours) courses in a foreign language or equivalent
- RHET 3300 Introduction to Research Methods
- INTS 3321 Topics in Modern International Cultures
- Four courses (12 hours) of cluster courses
- Two courses (6 hours) of designated electives
Private Sector Track (21 hours)
- 2 upper division (6 hours) courses in a foreign language or equivalent
- RHET 3300 Introduction to Research
- MKTG 3350 Principles of Marketing
- STAT 2350 Introduction to Statistical Methods or ECON 2310 Business Statistics
- Three courses (9 hours) of upper level International business electives from among the following:
- ADVT 4370 International Promotion Management and Public Relations
- ECON 4320 International Economics
- FINC 4330 International Finance
- MGMT 4377 International Business Management
- MKTG 4320 International Marketing
- MKTG 4381 International Business Transactions
- or ECON 2310 Business Statistics (requires MATH 1342 with a grade of C or better as a prerequisite)
- Two courses (6 hours) of upper level restricted electives (in cultural/political area)
- University Electives (11-20 hours) Note: These general electives, 11 hours for Private Track and 20 hours for Public track, do not include hours needed for pre-requisite courses. These hours are free elective hours that may be needed to reach the required 124 hours to complete this degree.
Courses in International Studies (INTS) Descriptions:
INTS 2301 World Cultures
A study of traditional culture of major world areas emphasizing values and systems that lead to cultural unity and cultural diversity, followed by a study of the modernization of each culture and the extent to which the cultures have interacted and changed as a result of intercultural contact during the 19th and 20th centuries. Three credit hours.
INTS 2302 Global Issues
A study of issues of concern throughout the modern world, the reaction of cultural entities to those issues, global dynamics, and the ways in which international assessments are made. Three credit hours.
INTS 3321 Topics in Modern International Cultures
Modern institutions and lifestyles in cultures selected from the major regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The course emphasizes different patterns of behavior found in cultural areas outside the U.S. The specific focus of the course will vary from time to time. It may be repeated for credit if the content is different. Three credit hours.
INTS 3350, 3351 Cooperative Education Work Experience I and II
Prerequisites: major in International Studies, INTS 2301, 2302, ECON 2321,
FREN, GERM, or SPAN 2312, at least six upper-level required International Studies hours, basic computer literacy, and consent of the International Studies Coordinator. Designed to complement and extend the classroom learning experience through application of theoretical concepts in a professional work environment with an international dimension. The exact number of work hours, activities, and responsibilities is dependent on the nature of the work experience and must be specified in a written
agreement between employer and student in coordination with the Office of Cooperative Education. Three credit hours.
INTS 4101 Senior Research Project Proposal
Required for International Studies majors. An independent research project that is completed over two semesters under the guidance of a faculty supervisor whose field is related to the proposed area of investigation. The project has three components, consisting of a proposal (4101), a formal paper (4102), and an oral presentation (4103), each providing one hour of academic credit. A student may enroll in INTS 4102 and 4103 only after completing an acceptable proposal (INTS 4101) in the previous semester. One credit hour.
INTS 4102 Senior Research Project Formal Paper
Required for International Studies majors. An independent research project that is completed over two semesters under the guidance of a faculty supervisor whose field is related to the proposed area of investigation. The project has three components, consisting of a proposal (4101), a formal paper (4102), and an oral presentation (4103), each providing one hour of academic credit. A student may enroll in INTS 4102 and 4103 only after completing an acceptable proposal (INTS 4101) in the previous semester. One credit hour.
INTS 4103 Senior Research Project Oral Presentation
Required for International Studies majors. An independent research project that is completed over two semesters under the guidance of a faculty supervisor whose field is related to the proposed area of investigation. The project has three components, consisting of a proposal (4101), a formal paper (4102), and an oral presentation (4103), each providing one hour of academic credit. A student may enroll in INTS 4102 and 4103 only after completing an acceptable proposal (INTS 4101) in the previous semester. One credit hour.
INTS 4300 Seminar
For International Studies majors. An integrative, in-depth study of a specified regional problem or global issue, related to the area of concentration, requiring analysis of traditional values and current issues and problems. Three credit hours.
INTS 4350 Internship
For International Studies majors or minors. Field experience with businesses, industries, and agencies involved in the international arena. Supervised by the company or agency and a faculty member. Students are expected to apply theoretical concepts to active world situations and develop appropriate working skills and experience. Credit, no credit grading available on request. Three credits.
Public Track
Students who decide to take the public track are expected to take their University Studies Core Curriculum courses during their freshman and sophomore years. As soon as possible, they should also start taking their International Studies prerequisites. Students are encourage to contact the International Studies Coordinator to come up with an individual plan of studies.
| University Core |
44 |
| INTS Prerequisites | |
| RHET 1311 Composition 1 |
3 |
| RHET 1312 Composition 2 |
3 |
| HIST 1311 History of Civilizations 1 |
3 |
| HIST 1312 History of Civilizations 2 |
3 |
| GEOG 2310 World Regions or GEOG 2312 Cultural Geography |
3 |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 1311(or equivalent) |
3 |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 1312(or equivalent) |
3 |
| ECON 2310 Survey of Economics |
3 |
| Total Prerequisite Credit Hours |
24 |
| INTS Core (Maximum 24, Minimum 18) | |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 2311 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 2312 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 3311 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| INTS 2301 World Cultures |
3 |
| INTS 2302 Global Issues |
3 |
| SPCH 4312/5312 Intercultural communication |
3 |
| INTS 4350 Internship |
3 |
| INTS 4101 Senior Project Proposal |
1 |
| INTS 4102 Senior Project Paper |
1 |
| INTS 4103 Senior Project Presentation |
1 |
| INTS Core Total |
24 |
| Concentration (public track) | |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 3334 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| FREN or SPAN 3335 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| Either POLS 3360, Comparative Governments: West, or POLS 3370, Comparative Politics. Developing Areas or POLS 4340 International Relations |
3 |
| INTS 3321 Topics in Modern International Cultures |
3 |
| Clustered elective 1 |
3 |
| Clustered elective 2 |
3 |
| Clustered elective 3 |
3 |
| Clustered elective 4 |
3 |
| Designated elective 1 |
3 |
| Designated elective 2 |
3 |
| Total concentration (public track) |
30 |
| Total Major |
54 |
| Total Major plus Prerequisites |
78 |
| Total Major plus Prerequisites plus non-repetitive elements of the core |
98 |
| Total hours required for graduation |
124 |
| Credits outside of the track |
26 |
| Total 300 level and above credits required |
45 |
| Total credits in residence required |
30 |
Private Track
Students who decide to take the private track are expected to take their University Studies Core Curriculum courses during their freshman and sophomore years. As soon as possible, they should also start taking their International Studies prerequisites. Students are encourage to contact the International Studies Coordinator to come up with an individual plan of studies.
| Elements of curriculum or courses for INTS major private track |
Credits: |
| University Core |
44 |
| Prerequisites | |
| RHET 1311 Composition 1 |
3 |
| RHET 1312 Composition 2 |
3 |
| HIST 1311 History of Civilizations 1 |
3 |
| HIST 1312 History of Civilizations 2 |
3 |
| GEOG 2310 World Regions or GEOG 2312 Cultural Geography |
3 |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 1311(or equivalent) |
3 |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 1312 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| ECON 2301 Survey of Economics |
3 |
| ECON 2322 Principles of Microeconomics |
3 |
| ECON 2323 Principles of Macroeconomics |
3 |
| MKTG 2380 Legal Environment of Business |
3 |
| Total Prereq. |
33 |
| INTS Core (Maximum 24, Minimum 18) | |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 2311 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 2312 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 3311 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| INTS 2301 World Cultures |
3 |
| INTS 2302 Global Issues |
3 |
| SPCH 4312/5312 Intercultural communication |
3 |
| INTS 4350 Internship |
3 |
| INTS 4101 Proposal |
1 |
| INTS 4102 Paper |
1 |
| INTS 4103 Presentation |
1 |
| INTS Core Total |
24 |
| Concentration (private track) | |
| FREN, GERM or SPAN 3334 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| FREN or SPAN 3335 (or equivalent) |
3 |
| MKTG 3350 Principles of Marketing |
3 |
| Business Electives: 3 courses (possible options) | |
| Clustered elective 1 |
3 |
| Clustered elective 2 |
3 |
| Clustered elective 3 |
3 |
| Restrictive elective 1 (in designated area) (Culture Block) |
3 |
| Restricted elective 2 (restrictive elective) (Culture Block) |
3 |
| STAT 4350 Statistical Methods or ECON 2310 Business Statistics (MATH 1342 with a C is a pre-requisite) |
3 |
| Total concentration (private track) |
27 |
| Total Major |
51 |
| Total Major plus Prerequisites |
84 |
| Total Major plus Prerequisites plus non-repetitive elements of the core |
104 |
| Total hours required for graduation |
124 |
| Credits outside of the track |
20 |
| Total 300 level and above credits required |
45 |
| Total credits in residence required |
30 |