This is an unofficial description for this program. For official information check the Academic Catalog.
International Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to build student expertise in particular world regions and/or about diverse international issues including globalization, diversity, migration, international law, conflict resolution, economic development, environmental policy, and the roles of gender, race, language, and class in international contexts.
The International Studies BA program is oriented to produce individuals competent to understand the interrelated nature of global phenomena and confident in their membership in a community of global citizens. At the same time, each undergraduate specializes in a particular world area or a global theme. Students enrolled in the International Studies BA program will:
1. describe histories, institutions, values, and norms of various cultures;
2. analyze issues from the perspectives of other cultural traditions;
3. apply theories in international studies to interpret current global issues;
4. defend views on international cultures or issues with clear and well-reasoned arguments.
A BA degree in International Studies prepares students for a range of career opportunities in education, government, in non-profit foundations and NGOs, in for-profit entities, and in a wide range of other institutions and enterprises offering services transnationally or otherwise working in global environments.
Major Requirements (39 credits):
1. Core Curriculum (18 credits)
Required Course:
and 6 credits from:
Research Methods Course
and at least 3 credits
from community engagement (IS 300), an experience abroad (IS 360, IS 490, or other) or an internship (IS 450).
Senior Capstone
Students are required to take either IS 498 Research in International Studies or IS 499 International Studies Senior Project.
2. Geographical Areas and Themes in Global Studies (21 Credits)
Students will select 21 credits from one of the programs below, in order to follow one of the following tracks: African Studies (2a), or Global Studies (2a), European Studies (2a), Latin American Studies (2a), Middle Eastern Studies (2a), or Global Studies (2b).
2a. Geographical Area Studies:
Students will take 15 credits in one regional specialization and 6 credits in one global theme, or as approved by the advisor. 9 credits must be at the 300- or 400-level. Not more than 9 credits may come from the same discipline (designator). Courses listed below are for advisory purposes only. Additional courses may be identified with the approval of the advisor.
Africa
ANTH 416 Archaeology of Africa 4 Credits
ANTH 424 Peoples and Cultures of Africa 4 Credits
FR 305 Introduction to Francophone Literature 3 Credits
FR 315 Aspects of Francophone Cultures 3 Credits
GEOG 446 Sub-Saharan Africa 3 Credits
HIST 271 Introduction to African History and Culture 3 Credits
HIST 376 History of Africa since 1800 3 Credits
HIST 432 History of South Africa 3 Credits
IS 461 Topics in African Studies 3 Credits
PHIL 260 African Philosophy 3 Credits
PS 421 Government and Politics of Africa 3 Credits
PS 434 Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa 3 Credits
East Asia
ANTH 423 Vietnam, A Country, Not a War 4 Credits
CHIN 304 Topics in Chinese Literature 3 Credits
CHIN 315 Topics in Chinese Culture 3 Credits
GEOG 435 Japan and Korea 3 Credits
HIST 252 East Asia since 1800 3 Credits
HIST 353 History of Modern China 3 Credits
HIST 354 History of Modern Japan 3 Credits
HIST 422 Topics in Japanese History 3 Credits
IS 462 Topics in East Asian Studies 3 Credits
PHIL 250 Introduction to Asian Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 275 Chinese Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 350 Philosophy East & West 3 Credits
PHIL 375 Japanese Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 376 Buddhist Philosophy 3 Credits
Europe
ENG 365 The Modern European Novel 3 Credits
FR 304 Introduction to French Literature 3 Credits
FR 305 Introduction to Francophone Literature 3 Credits
FR 315 Aspects of Francophone Cultures 3 Credits
FR 316 Contemporary France 3 Credits
GEOG 444 European Union 3 Credits
GEOG 448 Russia and Neighboring Regions 3 Credits
GER 304 Introduction to German Literature I 3 Credits
GER 305 Introduction to German Literature II 3 Credits
GER 316 German Civilization from 1800 to Present 3 Credits
HIST 234 Modern Europe 3 Credits
HIST 343 Modern Ireland: 1690-Present 3 Credits
HIST 344 History of Modern Germany 3 Credits
HIST 348 History of Russia II 3 Credits
HIST 356 History of East Central Europe since 1919 3 Credits
HIST 380 Modern Poland 3 Credits
HIST 415 The Cold War in the United States and Europe 3 Credits
HIST 442 Absolutism and Enlightenment in Europe 3 Credits
HIST 443 Revolution and Reformation in Europe 3 Credits
HIST 444 Mass Politics and Total War in Europe 3 Credits
HIST 447 History of the Soviet Union 3 Credits
HIST 448 Stalin and Stalinism 3 Credits
HIST 452 World War II in Europe 3 Credits
IS 463 Topics in European Studies 3 Credits
ITAL 304 Introduction to Italian Literature I 3 Credits
ITAL 305 Introduction to Italian Literature II 3 Credits
ITAL 316 Italian Civilization from 1861 to the Present 3 Credits
ITAL 488 Italian Life and Culture 3 Credits
PHIL 330 Early Modern Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 332 19th Century Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 366 Existentialism 3 Credits
PS 336 West European Governments 3 Credits
PS 435 Central and Eastern European Politics 3 Credits
SPAN 304 Introduction to Spanish Literature I 3 Credits
SPAN 305 Introduction to Spanish Literature II 3 Credits
Latin America
ANTH 428 Cultures of Latin America 4 Credits
GEOG 434 Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean 3 Credits
GEOG 436 South America 3 Credits
HIST 281 History of Latin America to 1823 3 Credits
HIST 282 History of Latin America since 1823 3 Credits
HIST 383 History of Brazil 3 Credits
HIST 384 Portugal in Brazil 3 Credits
HIST 455 Topics in Latin American History 3 Credits
HIST 460 African Enslavement in the Americas 3 Credits
IS 240 Caribbean Cultures 3 Credits
IS 464 Topics in Latin American Studies 3 Credits
PS 420 Government and Politics of Latin America 3 Credits
SPAN 316 Latin American Civilization 3 Credits
SPAN 375 Introduction to Spanish American Literature I 3 Credits
2b. Global Studies:
Students will take 15 credits in a particular global theme, and 6 credits in one geographical area, or as approved by the advisor. 9 credits must be at the 300- or 400-level. Not more than 9 credits may come from the same discipline (designator). Courses listed below are for advisory purposes only. Additional courses may be identified with the approval of the advisor.
Communication and Diversity in the Global Context
ANTH 170 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 Credits
ANTH 200 Dimensions of Diversity and Inequality 3 Credits
ANTH 239 Economic Anthropology 3 Credits
ANTH 240 The Supernatural 3 Credits
ART 200 Introduction to Global Art 3 Credits
COMM 216 Introduction to Intercultural Communication 3 Credits
ENG 214 Studies in International Literature 3 Credits
ENG 367 Global Novel 3 Credits
ENG 465 Global Cinema 3 Credits
ENG 486 World Literature and Film 3 Credits
IS 470 Topics in Global Studies 3 Credits
JRN 370 Global News in Context 3 Credits
LING 230 The Study of Language 3 Credits
MUS 111 Music of the World's People 3 Credits
PHIL 350 Philosophy East & West 3 Credits
PSY 420 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 Credits
Energy, Resources, and Environment
COMM 451 Environmental Communication 3 Credits
GEOG 270 Geography of Hazards 3 Credits
GEOG 433 Issues in Environmental Protection 3 Credits
GEOG 445 Environmental Planning 3 Credits
GEOG 473 Geography of Natural Resources 3 Credits
GEOG 475 Energy Resources and Climate Change 3 Credits
ESCI 131 Environmental Earth Science 3 Credits
GSCI 450 Environmental and Engineering Geology 3 Credits
IS 470 Topics in Global Studies 3 Credits
Governance, Security, and Human Rights
GEOG 333 Political Geography 3 Credits
HIST 420 Imperialism 3 Credits
IS 470 Topics in Global Studies 3 Credits
PES 202 Peace Psychology 3 Credits
PES 345 Philosophy of War and Peace 3 Credits
PHIL 211 Philosophy & Global Justice 3 Credits
PHIL 344 Topics in Philosophical & Social Justice 3 Credits
PS 235 International Relations 3 Credits
PS 338 International Organization 3 Credits
PS 339 International Law 3 Credits
PS 380 International Conflict and Security 3 Credits
PS 445 Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation 3 Credits
Population, Mobility, and Development
ANTH 352 Ethnicity and Ethnic Identity 3 Credits
ANTH 401 City Life & Culture 4 Credits
ECON 320 Globalization Issues 3 Credits
ECON 430 International Economics 3 Credits
ECON 435 Economic Development 3 Credits
GEOG 160 Geography of Global Contemporary Migration 3 Credits
GEOG 220 Human Geography 3 Credits
GEOG 244 Economic Geography 3 Credits
GEOG 439 Urban Geography 3 Credits
IS 470 Topics in Global Studies 3 Credits
MKT 295 Fundamentals of Marketing 3 Credits
MKT 321 International Marketing 3 Credits
Language Requirement:
The International Studies BA program requires that all students have a level of proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of a single world language relevant to the Concentration, equal to the completion of the 126-level (226-level for French, Italian, or Spanish). Fulfillment of this requirement will be determined by a CCSU instructor of the language, the Chair of the World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department, or a CCSU faculty member designated by the Director of International Studies.
Minor Requirement:
A minor is required of this major. International Studies majors are encouraged to minor in a world language relevant to their Concentration, however, any minor may be selected. Double majors are exempt from a minor.
Total Credit Hours: 57