International Studies
International Studies
Taylor 120
541-552-6288
Magdalena Staniek, Coordinator
International Studies (IS) explores international events and conditions from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. The program seeks to educate students about global economic and political trends, complex international relations, and sociocultural issues worldwide. Students develop a sophisticated understanding of world affairs and contemporary global conditions through academic and experiential learning.
International studies majors are expected to seek personal experience of global conditions through participation in a study abroad or international internship program. Contact the Office of International Programs in SU 303 for current information.
IS majors are also expected to work closely with the program coordinator or an International Studies Committee advisor. Students must plan ahead to ensure optimal access to courses that match their interests and areas of desired expertise while also developing language proficiency and allocating time for study abroad. While many potential course combinations exist, upper division courses are usually available in rotation and include prerequisites. Careful advising is essential.
The international studies major suits students who envision themselves undertaking creative work in a globalized world. It provides the knowledge and perspectives needed to develop careers in such areas as government service, business, law, journalism, social science teaching, and other disciplines emphasizing global connections and understanding. The IS major also provides a foundation for graduate study in a social sciences discipline, area study program, or international studies program.
Requirements for Major
- Fulfill baccalaureate degree General Education requirements as stated beginning on page 21.
- Maintain a 2.5 GPA in all courses taken for the major. Note: Coursework in the major is to be taken for a letter grade (not P/NP).
- Complete the required core courses in the International Studies major; satisfy the language requirement; complete the International Political Economy Track; and complete an additional Topical Track.
| Required Core Courses | 20 |
| Language | 0–33 |
| International Political Economy courses | 20 |
| Topical Track | 16 |
| Total | 56 (plus language credits) |
Required Core
(20 credits)
| International Scene (IS 250) | 4 |
| Introduction to the International Economy (IS 320) | 4 |
| World Politics (IS 350) | 4 |
| Capstone (IS 498) (in two-quarter format) | 4 |
| Research Methods (PS 398) | 4 |
The Research Methods requirement is met by successful completion of one of the following courses:
| Qualitative Social Research Methods (Soc 326) | 4 |
| Quantitative Social Research Methods (Soc 327) | 4 |
| Ethnographic Research Methods (Anth 360) | 4 |
| Exploratory Data Analysis (Ec 232) | 4 |
| Quantitative Research Methods (Ec 332) | 4 |
| Quantitative Research Methods (Geog 386) | 4 |
| Research Methods (PS 398) | 4 |
Language
(0–33 credits)
Students must demonstrate proficiency in a second language equivalent to at least three years of instruction at the college level. For students whose first language is English, competency is demonstrated in one of the following ways:
- Three years of on-campus foreign language study in a single language.
- Two years of on-campus foreign language study, plus a year of immersion in a related foreign culture in a study abroad program.
- One year of on-campus language study, plus a one-year study abroad program with an intensive language component in the chosen language.
- Successful completion of an examination administered by the SOU Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.
For students whose primary language is not English, demonstrated competency in English fulfills the language requirement. Required language credits vary depending on language proficiency at time of admission to the major.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete 20 upper division credits in International Political Economy, plus one Topical Track. Within both of these groupings, no more than 8 credits may be drawn from a single disciplinary prefix.
Note: Many upper division courses have disciplinary prerequisites. Students must carefully plan ahead to ensure that they are able to meet them. Lower division prerequisites may include: Anth 213; Ec 201 and 202; Geog 107 or 206; ES 111, 112, or 210; Hst 110, 111; PS 110; Soc 204. Upper division prerequisites may also be required for some courses.
International Political Economy
(20 credits)
Select 20 credits from the list below:
| Cultural Change (Anth 450) | 4 |
| International Marketing (BA 447) | 4 |
| International Financial Management (BA 473) | 4 |
| International Business (BA 477) | 4 |
| International Trade and Finance (Ec 321) | 4 |
| Intermediate Microeconomics (Ec 358) | 4 |
| Intermediate Macroeconomics (Ec 376) | 4 |
| Economic Development (Ec 379) | 4 |
| Advanced Economic Geography (Geog 416) | 4 |
| Mass Media and Politics (PS 310) | 4 |
| Global Culture and Media (Soc 333) | 4 |
| Sociology of the Third World (Soc 345) | 4 |
| Social Inequality (Soc 434) | 4 |
| Social and Cultural Change (Soc 450) | 4 |
| Special Studies, Seminar, Reading/Conference with appropriate topic (399, 405, and 407 courses) | credit varies |
Topical Track
(16 credits)
Select 16 credits from the courses listed in one of the following tracks:
Track One: Regional and Country Studies
| Pacific Cultures (Anth 317) | 4 |
| Native North America (Anth 318) | 4 |
| Cultures of the World (Anth 319) (may be repeated if regional focus varies) | 4 |
| Native North America: Special Studies (Anth 334) | 4 |
| Gender Issues (Anth 340) | 4 |
| Geography of Europe (Geog 326) | 4 |
| Geography of the United States and Canada (Geog 329) | 4 |
| Geography of Latin America (Geog 330) | 4 |
| Geography of Australia and New Zealand (Geog 333) | 4 |
| Geography of Asia (Geog 336) | 4 |
| Geography of the Former USSR (Geog 339) | 4 |
| Latin America (Hst 352) | 4 |
| Africa (Hst 363) | 4 |
| Modern Europe (Hst 343) | 4 |
| Islamic Middle East (Hst 433) | 4 |
| Mexico (Hst 465) | 4 |
| Topics in Latin American History (Hst 485) | 4 |
| American Foreign Relations (Hst 453) | 4 |
| Sociology of Gender Roles (Soc 340) | 4 |
| Social Organization (Soc 444) | 4 |
| Contemporary Issues in Native North America (Soc 338) | 4 |
| Special Studies, Seminar, Reading/Conference with appropriate topic (399, 405, and 407 courses) | credit varies |
Track Two: Global Environmental Issues
| Ecology of Small-Scale Societies (Anth 451) | 4 |
| Environmental Economics (Ec 315) | 4 |
| Population, Development, and the Environment (Geog 360) | 4 |
| Topics in Human Geography (Geog 420) | 4 |
| Cultural Geography (Geog 411) | 4 |
| World Environmental History (Hst 421) | 4 |
| Law, Science, and the Environment (PS 340) | 4 |
| Environmental Law and Policy (PS 441) | 4 |
| People and Forests (Soc 350) | 4 |
| Environmental Studies II (ES 310) | 4 |
| History and Philosophy of the Environmental Movement (Sc 345) | 4 |
| Special Studies, Seminar, Reading/Conference with appropriate topic (399, 405, and 407 courses) | credit varies |
International Studies Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses
Upper Division Courses
| IS 401/501 Research |
| Credits to be arranged |
| IS 403/503 Thesis |
| Credits to be arranged |
| IS 405/505 Reading and Conference |
| Credits to be arranged |
| IS 407/507 Seminar |
| Credits to be arranged |
| IS 409/509 Practicum |
| Credits to be arranged |
| IS 450/550 U.S. Foreign Policy |
| 4 credits |
| Explores the formulation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy from World War II to the present. Prerequisite: IS 350. |