International Studies (INTL)
Associate Professor Pamela Chasek,
Director of the Program
International Studies is an interdisciplinary program founded on the premise that world events can only be understood by employing a variety of disciplinary perspectives, such as political, economic, historical, cultural, etc., and that they must be understood in both a regional and a global context. This interdisciplinary and international perspective will prepare students for graduate school or law school, or for careers in business, government, non-governmental organizations, or international organizations. Students who have specific graduate work or careers in mind may want to take a second major, or a minor, to further their program.
Requirements for a major in International Studies: All students shall 1) complete fifteen credits in the core curriculum (see below), 2) complete fifteen credits in the chosen area of concentration, and 3) acquire a satisfactory reading and speaking ability in at least one foreign language. Areas of concentration are Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East, and Global Issues. This last category focuses on transregional issues such as the environment, technology, ethnicity, and international organizations. The Department of Modern Foreign Languages offers courses in Arabic, French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Russian is available through a cooperative program with Lehman College. International Studies majors should take 6 credits at the 200-level or above in any language, at a minimum. All International Studies majors are strongly encouraged to spend one or two semesters of their junior year abroad. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses used to fulfill the requirements for a major or minor in International Studies and for all courses taken abroad.
Requirements for a minor in International Studies: Students shall complete the 15 credits of the core International Studies requirements (see below). Students are encouraged to advance their linguistic competency. No area of concentration is required for a minor in International Studies.
Core Curriculum
INTL 201. Global Issues. This course highlights the interrelatedness of political, economic, ecological, and cultural events as they affect nations, regions, and the global community. The course is designed to illuminate the complex nature of world events and the nature of international studies. (Cr.3)
INTL 405. Senior Seminar. A study of one specific international problem seen from the viewpoint of different disciplines. Student research and class discussions on the origins and nature of, and possible solutions to, the problem. Open to International Studies majors and by permission of the Director. (Cr.3)
ECON 334. International Economics. A study of international trade and financial relationships. Topics covered include theory of international trade, public and private barriers to trade, commercial policy of the U.S., regional economic integration, foreign exchange market, balance of payments, disequilibrium and the adjustment process, international monetary systems, the economic development of the developing nations. Prerequisite: ECON 202 or by permission of instructor. (Cr.3)
GOVT 351. International Relations. Analysis of various factors underlying war, peace, diplomacy, economic policy and other means by which international actors conduct their relations with one another. (Cr.3)
OR
GOVT 357. United States Foreign Policy. Ideology, decision-making processes, instruments and major issues of contemporary United States foreign policy. (Cr.3)
OR
GOVT 352. International Organizations. A study of the nature, functions, operations, and politics of the United Nations, and regional or specialized international bodies. (Cr.3)
HIST 326. Diplomatic History of Europe, since 1815. The international relations among the European states from the Congress of Vienna through the era of Imperialism and the 20th century’s two World Wars. (Cr.3)
OR
HIST 362. American Foreign Relations, 1900 to the Present. “The American Century.” The rise of America to world power. Relations with other countries before, during, and between the world wars, in the Cold War, and in the post-Soviet era, including politicals toward Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and (Cr.3)
Area of Concentration
Students take 15 credits in their area of concentration, with no more than three courses, or 9 credits, in a single discipline. Special topics courses and Model United Nations courses may be included in concentrations, when relevant, and at the discretion of the Director. Courses for the concentration are chosen in consultation with the Director of the Program, including those listed below:
Europe: ART 323; ENGL 280; FREN 340, 341; GOVT 330, 331, 332, 348, 374, 440, 473; HIST 307, 326, 342, 352, 353, 354, 355, 390; INTL 315; ITAL 303, 340, 341; PHIL 374; RELS 331, 346; SPAN 303, 340; any 400-level Modern Foreign Language class.
Latin America and Caribbean: ENGL 265; GOVT 344, 345; HIST 316, 318; INTL 315; RELS 359, 436, SOC 328; SPAN 300, 303, 320, 341; Any 400-level Spanish class.
Africa and Middle East: ARAB 101, 102; ART 431; ENGL 265; GOVT 343, 346; HIST 314, 390; INTL 315; RELS 331, 353, 355, 436, 442.
Asia: ECON 421; ENGL 265; GOVT 340; HIST 312, 313; INTL 315; JAPN 301, 302; PHIL 342; RELS 354, 355, 357, 358, 361, 442.
Global Issues: ECON 332, 335; ENGL 347, 348; GOVT 205, 207, 223, 309, 351, 352, 357, 420, 450, 452, 455, 457, 458; HIST 307, 362, 377, 390; INTL 310, 312, 315; PHIL 238; RELS 434, 436; SOC 317, 335.
International Studies Courses
(Open to Majors and Non-Majors)
INTL 310. Technology and Society. How gadgets and techniques, hardware and software, interact with people for better and occasionally for worse, and how governments consider difficult trade-offs in their policy-making. (Cr.3)
INTL 312. Ethnicity in the Modern World. Study of several sub-national and trans-national ethnic and cultural movements. Their impact on local governments and international relations. (Cr.3)
INTL 315. Special Topics in Area Studies. Course description will be announced when courses are offered. (Cr.3)
INTL 450. Tutorial. A course of study for students with particular interdisciplinary research interests not covered in the college’s offerings. Research under supervision of a faculty member. Written permission of the Director and the supervising professor has to be secured before registration. Majors only. (Cr.3)
INTL 490. Internship. Participation in an off-campus work experience in an agency, organization, or corporation with international interests. Consultations with faculty advisor and written report. Permission of the Director of International Studies required. Majors only. (Cr.3)