International Studies

The International Studies major is offered through an interdisciplinary program which integrates social, economic, political, geographic, and historical perspectives in the examination of the dramatic trends toward increased interdependence among nations. It seeks to develop an awareness of the fact that many problems or issues which have been regarded as primarily domestic can no longer be understood or resolved without consideration of the global context. The program also aims to provide majors with a recognition of the importance of cultural diversity, through grounding in a specific foreign culture and language, as an essential complement to the international courses in the curriculum.

Students who major in International Studies have the opportunity to pursue a course of study that focuses on a particular aspect of global affairs. Examples of topical focuses might include (but are not limited to) subjects such as international economics and trade, international security, foreign aid and development issues, globalization, international cultural institutions, religion in world affairs, European history and politics, Latin American society, and Asian culture and religion. Each student, in consultation with his or her major advisor, prepares a unique course of study that integrates the various disciplinary perspectives in the major into an individually designed topical focus.

The International Studies major is prepared to enter graduate training in various fields of international relations and area specialization. Careers in international business and government are often sought as well as careers in teaching, journalism and related fields. The major is good preparation for entry into law school.

Requirements for the International Studies Major (11-11.5 Credits)

Core courses (4)

• ECON 122  Principles of Microeconomics 
• ERTH 230 World Geography
• INTST 499 (W) Seminar in International Studies
• POLI 214 International Politics

3rd Year Foreign Language (2)

• CHNSE 331/ 332
• FREN 331/ 333 (W)
• GERM 331 (W)/ 333
• JAPN 331/ 332
• RUSS 330/ 333
• SPAN 331 (W) and 333 or 335

Elective Courses from Economics, History and Politics (6)

Economics (2)

• ECON 351 Comparative Economic Systems (1)
• ECON 352 The Economics of Developing Countries (1)
• ECON 353 International Economics

History (2) (at least one above 100-level)

• HIST 116 Western Civilization Since 1650
• HIST 118 East Asia Civilization Since 1800
• HIST 119 Intro to Modern African History 
• HIST 254 20th Century Europe
• HIST 258 (4th Sem Lang Req) Modern Latin America
• HIST 273 Africa Since 9145
• HIST 282 (TH) China in Revolution
• HIST 372 History of Modern Russia
• HIST 373 History of Modern France
• HIST 381 (TH) History of Modern Japan
• HIST 383 Mao's China
• HIST 390 (W; 4th Sem Lang Req) Germany from Bismarck to Hitler
• HIST 391 (4th Sem Lang Req) Germany Since 1945
• HIST 445 Postwar Japan (HIST 118 or 281 or consent

Politics (2) (at least one 300 level)

• POLI 216 (US) Politics of Advanced Industrial Societies
• POLI 218 (US) Politics in the Developing World
• POLI 326 (W) Globalization and Equity
• POLI 362 Latin American Politics
• POLI 370 (W) Europe and the International System
• POLI 372 American Foreign Policy
• POLI 373 International Security and Cooperation
• POLI 374 Asia and the International System  OR
• POLI 380 Asian Politics and Development
• POLI 382 Capitalism, & Democracy
• POLI 384 Transnational Feminist Politics
• POLI 386 Political Ecology

Courses taught on a one-time basis, or special topics courses, in Economics, History, or Politics, that contain significant international content may be counted towards the relevant elective set.

Faculty

• Sarah Clovis Bishop, Assistant Professor of Russian
• Maria Blanco-Arnejo, Professor of Spanish
• Kimberlee Chambers, Assistant Professor of Environmental & Earth Sciences, & Assistant Professor of Latin Amercian Studies
• Gaetano DeLeonibus, Professor of French
• Rebecca J. Dobkins, Professor of Anthropology
• Carol Ireson-Doolittle, Professor Emerita of Sociology
• William Duvall, E. J. Whipple Professor of History
• Peter Eilers, Professor of Environmental & Earth Sciences
• Greg Felker, Associate Professor of Politics; Chair of International Studies
• Ludwig Fischer, Professor of German
• Amadou Fofana, Assistant Professor of French; Department Chair
• Miho Fujiwara, Associate Professor of Japanese; Department Chair
• Françoise Gœury-Richardson, Professor of French
• James S. Hanson, Professor Emeritus of Economics
• Jonneke Koomen, Assistant Professor of Politics
• Yan Liang, Assistant Professor of Economics
• Ronald Loftus, Professor of Japanese Language and East Asian History
• Raechelle Mascarenhas, Assistant Professor of Economics
• Michael Marks, Professor of Politics
• Cecily McCaffrey, Assistant Professor of History
• Ana Montero, Assistant Professor of Spanish
• Pamela Moro, Professor of Anthropology
• April Overstreet, Associate Professor of Spanish; Department Chair
• William T Smaldone, Professor of History
• Laura Taylor, Assistant Professor of Economics; Department Chair, International Studies Chair
• John Uggen, Professor of Spanish
• Patricia Varas, Professor of Spanish
• Huike Wen, Assistant Professor of Chinese
• Juwen Zhang, Associate Professor of Chinese Language and Culture
• Aili Zheng, Assistant Professor of German
• Xijuan Zhou, Associate Professor of Religious Studies