2019-2020 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

International Studies M.S.

Program Rationale:

The Master’s of Science in the International Studies program educates students in several key areas of the world: Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Global Studies (focused on a global theme).  Students are grounded in theories of internationalization, history of diverse countries and regions, cross-cultural issues, and features of various international cultures and are provided programmatic, analytical, and practical skills to address international issues. The program prepares generalists to work in governmental and non-governmental organizations within and outside of the United States to address issues related to the global human experience.

The International Studies Master's program is designed to produce individuals competent in understanding the interrelated nature of global phenomena, confident in their membership in a community of global citizens, and capable of fulfilling various professional positions related to the field of International Studies.  To further these overarching goals, the learning outcomes of the IS graduate program concern the student's ability to express these competencies in formal essays (including a thesis or capstone project) and presentations of research projects and policy positions. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of the Master's program will:

  1.  demonstrate tolerance of and insights into the diversity of cultural values, beliefs and worldviews;
  2. demonstrate advanced proficiency in the history, culture, and language(s) of a particular world region;
  3. demonstrate detailed 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 several projects of a global scope or which relate to a particular world area;
  6. produce and defend an extensive scholarly paper (thesis or capstone 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, theoretical mastery, use of literature, data, evidence, and argument at an advanced level in the scholarly paper.

A MS 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 offering services trans-nationally or otherwise working in global environments.

Early applications are encouraged for full consideration.  The admission deadline for spring semester is November 1, and May 1 for fall semester.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Applicants must also have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 point scale (where A is 4.00), or its equivalent. Applicants with a GPA between 2.40 – 2.99 who demonstrate potential and whose coursework and/or experiences relate to International Studies can be considered for conditional admission.

The admissions application, application fee, and official transcripts from each college and university attended (except Central Connecticut State University) must be submitted to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office.

Additional Materials Required:

In addition to the regular admission requirements, an applicant for the MS in International Studies program must submit a resume and an essay that addresses his/her past experiences, career goals, and the area in which he/she wishes to specialize (select from Africa, East Asia, European Union/ Western Europe, Latin America, Slavic/ Eastern Europe, and Middle East). Instructions for uploading the resume and essay will be found within the graduate online application. Once the application is complete, it will be directed to the chair of the region in which the student seeks to specialize.

Early applications are encouraged. The admission deadline for spring semester is November 1; for fall semester the deadline is May 1.

Contact: 860-832-2617

Course and Capstone Requirements

30 credits in International Studies (Plan A or Plan C)

1. Common Core

IS 500Practicing International Studies

3

IS 570Modern World Issues

3

Total Credit Hours:6

2. Geographical Areas and Global Themes (18 credits)

Students will select 6-12 Credits from each of our program’s two focuses, for a total of 18 credits.

Total Credit Hours:18

Geographical Areas:

12 credits for students who wish to develop a primary focus in a particular world geographical area. 

9 credits for students who wish to balance area and global focuses.

6 credits for students who wish to complement their primary focus on a global theme.

Courses listed below are for advisory purposes only. Additional courses may be identified with the approval of the advisor. For example, IS 550 (Graduate Internship in International Studies), IS 590 (Course Abroad), IS 596 (Independent Studies in International Studies), IS 597 (Seminar in International Studies), HIST 580 (Seminar in Non-Western World History), and HIST 585 (Modern World History) could be included in each area depending on the topic of those courses when offered.

* For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.

2a. Geographical Areas:

Africa (6 to 12 credits)

ANTH 416Archaeology of Africa

3

ANTH 424Peoples and Cultures of Africa

3

GEOG 446Sub-Saharan Africa

3

PS 421Government and Politics of Africa

3

IS 596Independent Studies

3

IS 597Graduate Seminar in International Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:6-12

HIST 431 and HIST 476: For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.

East Asia (6 to 12 credits)

GEOG 435Japan and Korea

3

GEOG 437China

3

PS 425Asian Politics

3

IS 596Independent Studies

3

IS 597Graduate Seminar in International Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:6-12

Latin America (6 to 12 credits)

GEOG 434Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean

3

GEOG 436South America

3

HIST 583Seminar in Latin American History

3

PS 420Government and Politics of Latin America

3

IS 596Independent Studies

3

IS 597Graduate Seminar in International Studies

3

SPAN 545The Spanish-American Essay

3

SPAN 588Topics in the Contemporary Spanish-Speaking World

3

Total Credit Hours:6-12

HIST 455 and HIST 460: For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.

Middle East (6 to 12 credits)

PS 434Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa

3

PS 439U.S. Middle East Policy

3

IS 596Independent Studies

3

IS 597Graduate Seminar in International Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:6-12

HIST 431 and HIST 474: For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.

Europe (6 to 12 credits)

GEOG 444European Union

3

GEOG 448Russia and Neighboring Regions

3

HIST 540Seminar in European History

3

IS 596Independent Studies

3

IS 597Graduate Seminar in International Studies

3

ITAL 57120th-Century Italian Literature

3

SPAN 571Generation of '98

3

SPAN 57220th-Century Spanish Literature

3

Total Credit Hours:6-12

HIST 444, HIST 445, HIST 446, HIST 447, HIST 448 and HIST 481: For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.

2b. Global Themes (6 - 12 credits)

12 credits for students who wish to develop a primary focus on a particular global theme.

9 credits for students who wish to balance global and area focuses

6 credits for students who wish to complement their primary focus on a geographical area.

Total Credit Hours:6-12

Courses below are for advisory purposes only. Additional courses may be approved by your advisor. For example, IS 550 (Graduate Internship in International Studies), IS 590 (Course Abroad), IS 596 (Independent Studies in International Studies), IS 597 (Seminar in International Studies), HIST 580 (Seminar in Non-Western World History), and HIST 585 (Modern World History) could be included in each Transnational theme category depending on the topic.

* For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.

Global Themes

Communication and Diversity in the Global Context (6 to 12 credits)
COMM 543Intercultural Communication

3

EPS 528Comparative and International Education

3

ENG 486World Literature and Film

3

IS 596Independent Studies

3

SPAN 441Cross-Cultural Communication

3

WGSS 469Readings in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:6-12
Energy, Resources, and Environment (6 to 12 credits)
COMM 451Environmental Communication

3

GSCI 450Environmental and Engineering Geology

3

GEOG 433Issues in Environmental Protection

3

GEOG 473Geography of Natural Resources

3

SUST 500Social, Political, and Ethical Dimensions of Global Sustainability

3

SUST 501Contemporary Challenges in Environmental Sustainability

3

SUST 502Science for Sustainability

3

IS 596Independent Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:6-12
Population, Mobility, and Development (6 to 12 credits)
ANTH 401City Life & Culture

3

ANTH 475Topics in Anthropology

3

ECON 430International Economics

3

ECON 435Economic Development

3

IS 596Independent Studies

3

GEOG 544 The Geography of World Economic Development

3

Total Credit Hours:6-12
Governance, Security, and Human Rights (6 to 12 credits)
CJ 510Law, Criminal Justice, and Issues of Inequality

3

COMM 454Communication and Social Change

3

PS 445Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation

3

PS 501Advanced Studies in International Law

3

IS 596Independent Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:6-12

HIST 420: For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.

3. Research and Capstone Requirements (6 credits)

Total Credit Hours:6

Plan A:

IS 598Research in International Studies

3

IS 599Thesis in International Studies

3

Plan C:

IS 595Special Project in International Studies

3

IS 598Research in International Studies

3

4. Language and/or Study Abroad Requirements

The International Studies program requires that all students have a level of proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of a single modern language, preferably relevant to the area of geographical specialization, equal to the completion of the 226 level. Fulfillment of this requirement will be determined by a CCSU instructor of the language, the chair of the Modern Language Department, or a CCSU faculty member designated by the director of International Studies.

In addition to the language requirement, IS students without significant life or study experiences abroad are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad program, whether a course abroad or a semester or summer exchange. Information about study abroad programs is available at the Center for International Education in Barnard Hall.

NOTE: No more than nine credits at the 400 level, as approved by the graduate advisor, may be counted toward the graduate planned program of study. Initially, on acceptance to the program, students are assigned to the International Studies Curriculum Coordinator for advice. As soon as possible, students will be assigned an advisor appropriate to their area or global specialization. This advisor will normally serve as the faculty member supervising the student's thesis or special project.

Total Credit Hours: 30