B.A. in International Studies

Overview

The International Studies major provides a focused educational experience aimed at familiarizing students with the key structural features and dynamics of the international system and preparing them to enter the growing international job market. Processes of globalization, in part driven by global capital flows, expanding trade and the unrelenting development of communication and information technologies, have affected virtually everyone in every country, often in ways we are just beginning to understand. These developments often pose serious problems for government and other societal institutions, while also creating a demand for individuals who understand international processes. Jobs in virtually all sectors have acquired a decidedly international dimension, whether in trade, tourism, finance, public policy, government, or education. INS Graduates have moved on to the corporate world, the public sector, started their own businesses, or have continued their studies at the graduate level (i.e. Law, Business, and International Studies).

Curriculum Requirements

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These courses should be completed before taking the Thematic Core courses. 

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Additional classes will be counted toward the elective portion of the INS major, if taken. Other courses, including classes in other disciplines, may be taken with the approval of the INS Advisor.

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With the approval of the INS Advisor, students may take courses from other departments outside of INS such as Geography and Sustainable Development, History, Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Religion, Art History, Foreign Languages, Environmental Science, et cetera. Appropriate study abroad courses, an approved internship (INS 519), or an honors thesis (INS 418 & INS 419) may also be used to fulfill elective credit hour requirements.

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3 credits of the Thematic Core or the Interdisciplinary Elective must be at the 500 level.

Important Advising Notes for all International Studies Majors

1. Double Counting: Of the combined courses in the INS Electives, no more than 6 credit hours may count double towards a second major. Any course used to fulfill the requirements of a minor may not be used to fulfill the requirements of the INS major.
2. Study Abroad: Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or an entire year, depending on the program. UPrograms are recommended study abroad experiences designed to enrich students’ international learning.. In addition to UM programs, students may choose to participate in programs offered by carefully selected institutions. Study abroad will complement the student’s curriculum and area of specialization, will enhance fluency in the foreign language, and will result in heightened affinity for a foreign culture. The study abroad experience need not result in credit hour overloads or extended time spent in the program.
3. Internship Credit Hour: Students are encouraged to find a suitable internship during their undergraduate career. Upon approval by an advisor in the International Studies Undergraduate Program Office, 3 credit hours may be earned with an internship (INS 519), either toward the major or as elective credit hours (depending on the relevance of the particular internship to the INS major). The University’s Toppel Career Planning and Placement Center regularly advertises internships.  Internships are also offered through several U-semester-abroad programs. 
4. Academic Standing: Only courses in which a grade of C- or better is attained, may be counted towards the International Studies major and students must maintain a GPA of 2.75 or better in all major requirements (30 credit hours).

Suggested Plan of Study

Requirements for the additional major in International Studies are pending. 

Mission

The INS Program promotes, through its interdisciplinary reach, the exploration of various theoretical and analytical approaches and methodological techniques intended to offer students a broad program of study focused on the interaction between the local and the global, from the historical to the contemporary, while tracking possible alternative future scenarios and developments in the international system.

Goals

• International Studies seeks to provide students with the ability to understand international politics within the context of interstate relations and foreign policy.
• International Studies seeks to provide students with the ability to understand international economics and its sub-discipline international political economy, including such issues as trade and production, money and finance, and development.
• International Studies seeks to provide students with the ability to understand social science research methods including qualitative, quantitative, comparative case study and formal modeling.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of international studies within the context of interstate relations and foreign policy.
• Students will be encouraged to explore interdisciplinary options that further their understanding of international studies and will produce a paper project that demonstrates competencies in presenting interdisciplinary approaches to international studies. (This type of coursework can be taken in other disciplines offered at the university or taken outside the institution, either through exchange programs or other inter-institutional options provided by UM).
• Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of international economics and its sub-discipline international political economy. Specific issues such as trade and production, money and finance, and development are categories for students to demonstrate their level of knowledge.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to design and conduct social science research after an introduction to qualitative, quantitative, and comparative case study, and formal modeling methods.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to write critical essays (average 20 pages) in advanced classes.