International Studies - BA

St. Kate's international studies majors will gain an understanding of political and economic structures in the various cultures of the world and in different historical periods. Students will study these structures from a variety of perspectives. Courses are designed to help students master the complexities of the contemporary, global world.

International studies major courses are drawn from the disciplines of economics, history and political science. Students are also required to complete a substantive, off-campus experience, including one of a study abroad experience for a semester, J-term, or even a year; intern with an approved, internationally-oriented organization (pending departmental advisor’s approval); or complete an internationally-related independent study with a fieldwork research component. This allows a student to experience the world or see the global connections in our own local communities.

Majoring in international studies at St. Kate's will prepare students for careers in government or international service; for law school, especially the study of international law; or for graduate study in social science disciplines like political science and economics. Combined with other appropriate courses, the international studies major can prepare students for careers in areas such as international business, as well.

Recommended minors for international studies majors are economics, history and political science.

See also:  Political Science

The International Studies major consists of 32 credits. 

Required Courses
ECON 1120Economics of Social Issues4
HIST 1160East Asia Since 16004
or HIST 2300 World History Since 1500
POSC 2200WIntroduction to Comparative Politics4
or POSC 2250 Introduction to World Politics
Select one of the following:4
Theory to Action
Theory to Action
Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone
Senior Seminar
Senior Seminar
Total Credits16
Select at least 16 credits in courses with an international focus, from the courses above (if not taken for a requirement) or the list below. At least 12 credits must be at the upper division (3XXX or 4XXX) level.
Off-Campus Experience 12-4
Internationally focused internship, approved by student's advisor4
COMM 3100Communicating across Cultures, Identities and Differences4
CRST 2250Critical Hmong Studies4
CRST 2350Asian American Identities4
ECON 2620Principles of Macroeconomics4
ECON 3000From Nudges to Nuclear War: Game Theory and Behavioral Economics4
ECON 3050Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills4
ECON 3170Discrimination and Disparities: The Economics and Politics of Race and Gender4
ECON 3250Healthcare Economics4
ECON 3450WHaves and Have Nots: Development, Poverty, and Inequality4
ECON 3460WGlobal Financial Issues4
ECON 3480WInternational Economics: Trade and Immigration4
ECON 3620Macroeconomic Theory4
ECON 3650Cost-Benefit Analysis4
ENGL 2120The Immigrant Perspective in Literature4
ENGL 2260Literature in Translation4
ENGL 3265Global Writers in English4
ENGL 3400WLanguage as Power4
HIST 3390Modern Middle East4
HIST 3550Revolution and Communist Rule in China4
HIST 3610Europe: from World War I to World War II4
HIST 3630Women in Asia4
HIST 3700History of Feminism in Western Society4
SOCI 3160Migration, Citizenship, Community4
SOCI 3450Women's Issues from Global Perspectives4
SOCI 3510Sociology of Race and Ethnicity4
POSC 2600Politics of Global Cities4
POSC 2994 Topics: Human Rights4
POSC 3150Women and Globalization4
POSC 3350Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict4
WOST 2050WFoundations of Gender and Women's Studies4
1

The International Studies major provides credit for students who choose to complete a substantive off-campus experience. The purpose of this option is to encourage student engagement with a community of their choosing, and to consider the international and global implications of their life-worlds, whether it be abroad or at home. Students may choose to study abroad for a semester, J-term, or even a year; intern with an approved, internationally-oriented organization (pending departmental advisor’s approval); or complete an internationally-related independent study with a fieldwork research component. Students may choose from an approved list of organizations, or may even suggest a new institution