What is the International Studies program?
International Studies provides interdisciplinary major and minor programs that helps students understand the realities of a globalized world and to prepares them to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Enrollement in the major is by competitive application at the beginning of the sophomore year of study, but the minor is open to enrollment by students at any time. (top)
How do I enroll in the IS minor?
Fill out an enrollment form on this website and bring it to our offices at Gasson 109. (top)
When do I apply to the IS major?
You apply to the IS major during the fall of your sophomore year. Applications change little from year to year and are available to download online. They are generally due the Friday before Columbus Day at the beginning of October. (top)
You may want to take a look at the application and begin to think about what you might say in your personal statement. It may also be fruitful to consider which faculty member you might be able to approach in the future to ask for a letter of recommendation..
Take courses towards the major during your freshman and sophomore years: consider taking EC 131 Principles of Microeconomics and EC 132 Principles of Macroeconomics which can fulfill both a few of the requirements of the International Studies core and the Social Science requirements of the University Core. In addition, you may choose to fulfill the two-course History, Culture, and Society requirements of the International Studies core by taking one of the two-semester course sequences listed below which can also fulfill either your theology or history University Core requirements: TH 161-162 The Religious Quest I and II; or HS 005-006 Asia in the World I and II; HS 055-056 Globalization I and II; HS 059-060 Islam and Global Modernities I and II; or HS 063-064 Latin America in the World I and II. (top)
How many people are accepted to the major?
Last year (2008-09) around 70 people were accepted to the major (class of 2011). Although the major is only open to a limited number of students, all students are eligible to enroll in the International Studies minor by filling out the enrollment form found on this website and dropping it off at the International Studies Program offices at Gasson 109. (top)
The international studies major is composed of 14 required classes. All IS majors must take the 7 core courses and the International Studies Seminar during their senior year, and each concentration is composed of 6 additional courses. IS students may also choose to write a senior thesis or to complete an internship, but doing so is not a requirement for majors. (top)
How many classes is the minor?
Six: IN 510-Globalization, a second foundation course, and four electives. Courses must be from at least three different departments and are chosen according to a thematic concentration selected by the student. (top)
Yes, as an international studies major you are able and encouraged to spend at least a semester abroad to compliment your study. Due to the large size of the major, it is suggested you begin planning for your semester or year abroad as soon as possible. (top)
The IS major has three different tracks that a student may choose from. You may concentrate in either Political Science, focusing on the political aspect of international studies; Economics, focusing on International Economics; or History, Culture and Society. Within the History, Culture, and Society track there is an additional choice to be made between Ethics and International Studies or Global Cultural Studies and you choose to study a certain theme or region of the world that particularly interests you. (top)
What would I do with a B.A. in International Studies?
Past IS majors have gone into a variety of different fields after graduating. These include working for the State Department or the government in some other capacity, working at NGOs, and going on to law school or other graduate programs. Take a look at the stories of some of our past IS majors in the “News” section of this website. (top)