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Undergraduate Catalog | 2015-2016 Previous Edition

International Studies, B.A.

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International Studies draws upon the faculty and courses of a number of departments and is structured to give students skills and knowledge to understand and analyze societies outside the United States in the context of the rapidly changing and increasingly interdependent world. By integrating courses on area studies and world affairs from a variety of departments, the program allows students interested in studying other cultures and societies to focus attention across traditional disciplinary boundaries. International Studies is of particular value to those with career objectives in government, law, journalism, teaching, business, trade, or military service. It also serves those who will seek employment with international organizations such as the United Nations or with non-governmental agencies with an international or cross-cultural focus.

International Studies graduates work for employers such as local, state, and federal governments; international organizations; private sector businesses; nonprofit organizations; colleges and universities; elementary and secondary schools; think tanks; the military; newspapers and magazines; law firms; financial institutions; public relations firms; and the travel industry. They also find careers as foreign service officers, policy analysts, international trade specialists, diplomats, United Nations staffers, lobbyists, intelligence specialists, translators/interpreters, US Customs officers, cultural liaisons, journalists, business managers, government or business consultants, ESL administrators/instructors, professors, teachers, travel/tourism promoters, military officers, and missionaries.

Degree Requirements

A Major in International Studies requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in courses approved for International Studies credit.  Majors must also complete related work in foreign language and an international experience as stipulated in the core curriculum.  Each student, in consultation with an advisor, will prepare a Plan of Study for completion of these requirements upon declaration of the major.

General Education Courses (37-43 credit hours)

For details on required courses, refer to the General Education program . 

Foreign Language Courses

Students are expected to demonstrate competency in a foreign language appropriate to the area studies concentration they have selected by completing the equivalent of two courses at the 3000-level or above. Language courses at the 3000-level offered in English do not apply to the foreign language requirement.

Major Courses (12 credit hours)

Economic Awareness Course

Select one of the following:

Geo/Political Awareness Course

Select one of the following:

Social/Cultural Awareness Course

Select one of the following:

Note:

*INTL 3111  may be used for either the Geo/Political Awareness requirement or the Social/Cultural Awareness requirement.

Concentration Courses (15 credit hours)

Select an Area Studies Concentration or the Comparative Studies Concentration. 

Area Studies Concentration

Select an area of concentration and complete the required and elective courses designated.  While there is no formal requirement as to the distribution of Elective Courses across departments, the Plan of Study for area studies must address issues that will further economic, geo/political, and social/cultural awareness.

African Studies
Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Select from the following:

Asian Studies
Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Select from the following:

European Studies
Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Select from the following:

Latin American Studies*
Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Select from the following:

Note:

*No new students admitted to Latin American Studies concentration.

Note:

Lists are subject to additions and deletions.  Other courses may be considered, subject to approval of an advisor.

Comparative Studies Concentration

Students seeking to focus their study around the comparative analysis of a particular issue or theme may do so with the advice and permission of an advisor.  Students seeking to pursue this option must submit a written proposal describing the intended course of study.  Approval is based on the merit of the proposal and the anticipated availability of sufficient courses on a regular basis.  A total of 15 credit hours from courses approved for the concentration must be completed.  An international experience appropriate to the concentration is required.  Competency in a foreign language appropriate to the concentration equivalent to the completion of two courses at the 3000-level or above is also required.

International Experience

Students are required to complete an international experience related to the area studies concentration they have selected. This may be fulfilled through participation in a formal education abroad program or through foreignbased work, service, or internship activities. This experience must be specified and approved by an advisor. Academic credits earned may be applied to the requirements of the major. A U.S.-based experience of an international nature or prior international experience may be considered in exceptional circumstances, subject to the approval of an advisor.

Seminar Course (3 credit hours)

Unrestricted Elective Courses

As needed.

Second Majors

Students pursuing a second major may apply up to nine (9) hours of credit from courses in that major toward the requirements for the Major in International Studies. Exceptions may be approved by an advisor upon consultation with the other program in question. Without exception, courses that are used to fulfill the foreign language requirement for International Studies cannot be used to fulfill other requirements for the major.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours

Suggested Curriculum

For a suggested curriculum progression toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.

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