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:
and at least 3 credits
from an experience abroad (IS 360, IS 490, or other) or an internship (IS 450).
Senior Project
| IS 475 | International Studies Senior Project | 3 |
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 |
| HIST 432 | History of South Africa | 3 |
| HIST 476 | African History through Film | 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 444 | European Union | 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 1715 | 3 |
| HIST 343 | Modern Ireland: 1690-Present | 3 |
| HIST 344 | History of Modern Germany | 3 |
| HIST 348 | History of Russia II | 3 |
| HIST 356 | History of East Central Europe since 1919 | 3 |
| HIST 380 | Modern Poland | 3 |
| HIST 415 | The Cold War in the United States and Europe | 3 |
| HIST 444 | Mass Politics and Total War in Europe | 3 |
| HIST 447 | History of the Soviet Union | 3 |
| HIST 448 | Stalin and Stalinism | 3 |
| HIST 452 | World War II in Europe | 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 | The Age of Ideology | 3 |
| PHIL 366 | Existentialism | 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 451 | Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | 3 |
Latin America
Middle East
| HIST 291 | Modern Middle East | 3 |
| HIST 292 | History of Judaism | 3 |
| HIST 470 | Topics in Middle-Eastern History | 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 |
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
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