International Studies, B.A.
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. Each undergraduate is also to specialize in a particular world area or a particular global theme. The learning outcomes of the program concern the student's ability to express this knowledge in formal essays and presentations of research projects and policy positions. To further these overarching goals, IS undergraduate program graduates will:
1. demonstrate sensitivity to the global diversity of cultural values, beliefs and worldviews;
2. demonstrate proficiency in the history, culture, and language(s) of a particular world region;
3. demonstrate knowledge of the interconnectedness of global phenomena;
4. critically approach social, political, and economic cultural issues of a global nature;
5. collect and analyze data on projects of a global scope or which relate to a particular world area;
6. produce and defend a scholarly paper (senior project), based on primary research, that focuses on a
single world area or links diverse world areas in a global theme;
7. demonstrate international competency, mastery of theory, and appropriate use of relevant literature, data, evidence, and argument in the scholarly paper (senior project).
A BA degree in International Studies prepares students for a range of career opportunities in 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:
| IS 225 | The World as a Total System | 3 |
and 6 credits from:
| IS 150 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
| GEOG 120 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| HIST 122 | World Civilization II | 3 |
| PS 104 | The World's Political Systems | 3 |
and 3 credits from:
Senior Project
| IS 475 | International Studies Senior Project | 3 |
and at least 3 credits
from an experience abroad (
IS 360,
IS 490, or other) or an internship (
IS 450).
| IS 360/HUM 360 | International Studies Through Travel | 3 OR 6 |
| IS 490 | Field Study Abroad | 3-6 |
| IS 450 | Internship in International Studies | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 18
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 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 | 3 |
| ANTH 424 | Peoples and Cultures of Africa | 3 |
| FR 305 | Introduction to Francophone Literature | 3 |
| FR 315 | Aspects of Francophone Cultures | 3 |
| GEOG 446 | Sub-Saharan Africa | 3 |
| HIST 271 | Introduction to African History and Culture | 3 |
| HIST 376 | History of Africa since 1800 | 3 |
| IS 461 | Topics in African Studies | 3 |
| PHIL 260 | African Philosophy | 3 |
| PS 421 | Government and Politics of Africa | 3 |
| PS 434 | Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
East Asia
Europe
| ENG 365 | The Modern European Novel | 3 |
| FR 304 | Introduction to French Literature | 3 |
| FR 305 | Introduction to Francophone Literature | 3 |
| FR 315 | Aspects of Francophone Cultures | 3 |
| FR 316 | Contemporary France | 3 |
| GEOG 448 | Russia and Neighboring Regions | 3 |
| GER 304 | Introduction to German Literature I | 3 |
| GER 305 | Introduction to German Literature II | 3 |
| GER 316 | German Civilization from 1800 to Present | 3 |
| HIST 234 | Modern Europe | 3 |
| HIST 342 | English History since 1688 | 3 |
| HIST 344 | History of Modern Germany | 3 |
| HIST 348 | History of Russia II | 3 |
| HIST 380 | Modern Poland | 3 |
| IS 463 | Topics in European Studies | 3 |
| ITAL 304 | Introduction to Italian Literature I | 3 |
| ITAL 305 | Introduction to Italian Literature II | 3 |
| ITAL 316 | Italian Civilization from 1861 to the Present | 3 |
| ITAL 488 | Italian Life and Culture | 3 |
| PHIL 330 | Early Modern Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 332 | 19th Century Philosophy | 3 |
| PS 336 | West European Governments | 3 |
| SPAN 304 | Introduction to Spanish Literature I | 3 |
| SPAN 305 | Introduction to Spanish Literature II | 3 |
| SPAN 315 | Spanish Civilization | 3 |
| SPAN 316 | Latin American Civilization | 3 |
| SPAN 451 | Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | 3 |
Latin America
| ANTH 428 | Cultures of Latin America | 3 |
| GEOG 434 | Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean | 3 |
| GEOG 436 | South America | 3 |
| HIST 281 | History of Latin America to 1823 | 3 |
| HIST 282/LAS 282 | History of Latin America since 1823 | 3 |
| HIST 383 | History of Brazil | 3 |
| IS 240 | Caribbean Cultural Patterns | 3 |
| IS 464 | Topics in Latin American Studies | 3 |
| PS 420 | Government and Politics of Latin America | 3 |
| SPAN 316 | Latin American Civilization | 3 |
| SPAN 375 | Introduction to Spanish American Literature I | 3 |
| SPAN 376 | Spanish American Literature II | 3 |
Middle East
| HIST 291 | Modern Middle East | 3 |
| HIST 292 | History of Judaism | 3 |
| IS 465 | Topics in Middle East Studies | 3 |
| PS 345 | International Terrorism | 3 |
| PS 434 | Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| PS 439 | U.S. Middle East Policy | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 21
2b. Global Studies:
Students will take 15 credits in a particular transnational theme, and 6 credits in one geographical area, or as approved by the advisor. 9 credits must be at the 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
Energy, Resources, and Environment
Governance, Security, and Human Rights
Population, Mobility, and Development
Total Credit Hours: 21
Modern Language:
Demonstration of competency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of a single modern language (in addition to English) equal to completion of the 226 level, as determined by a CCSU instructor of the language, the Chair of the Department of Modern Languages, or a CCSU faculty member designated by the Director of International Studies. The modern language should be appropriate to the area or theme and selected in consultation with the advisor.
Minor Requirement:
A minor is required of International Studies majors. Students who do not meet the language requirement must take an appropriate language minor. Students who meet the language requirement without doing a language minor may select a non-language minor in consultation with with the faculty advisor. For students with some language proficiency, but who do not satisfy the language requirement, additional language courses may be taken to satisfy the requirement without doing the language minor, if the student so chooses, The faculty advisor can guide the student in how best to satisfy both the minor and modern language requirements.
Total Credit Hours: 57