International Studies - BA

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science

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• For more information about International Studies, see the Department of Political Science website.
• Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
• Admitted students must meet with an academic advisor. Current students should also meet with an academic advisor and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Students desiring a (BA) Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the language proficiency requirements in one of the following ways:    

• American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (COMD 4920 ) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (COMD 4780 ), and by passing an exit interview  OR
• Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent)  OR
• Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.

For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

• Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students  OR
• TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.

Note:

• Students may count up to 6 credit hours toward the International Studies major that were also taken in pursuit of another major or minor.

 

Minimum University Requirements
Total Credits	120			Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)	2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better	100			Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above)	40
Total USU Credits	30			Upper-division USU Credits	20
USU Credits within the Major	10			Credits in Minor (if required)	12
Credits in Major	see below			Credits in American Institutions	3
General Education Requirements	see link			University Studies Depth Requirements	see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is Quantitative Literacy (QL)  course of the student’s choice.

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program
New freshmen	Admitted to USU in Good Standing			Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU	2.5 USU GPA and a 2.50 Overall GPA

First Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
ENGL 1010 - Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)	3			ANTH 1010 - Cultural Anthropology (BSS)  or  ANTH 2010 - Peoples of the Contemporary World (BSS)	3  or 3
HIST 1500 - Pre-Modern World (BHU)  or  HIST 1510 - The Modern World (BHU)	3  or 3			ECN 1500 - Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI)	3
POLS 2400 - Introduction of Geopolitics (BSS)  or  GEOG 1300 - World Regional Geography (BSS)	3  or 3			POLS 2100 - Introduction to International Relations (BSS)  or  POLS 2200 - Comparative Politics (BSS)	3  or 3
POLS 2500 - Introduction to International Studies (BSS)	3			Foreign Language 1020	4-5
Foreign Language 1010	4-5			Quantitative Literacy (QL) Course	3
TOTAL CREDITS:	16-17			TOTAL CREDITS:	16-17
Comments				Comments

Second Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
ENGL 2010 - Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)	3			Area Option Course	3
Breadth Requirement	3			Communications Intensive (CI) Course	3
Breadth Requirement	3			Breadth Requirement	3
Foreign Language 2010	4-5			Foreign Language 2020	4-5
Area Option Course	3			Breadth Requirement	3
TOTAL CREDITS:	16-17			TOTAL CREDITS:	16-17
Comments				Comments

Third Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
Area Option Course	3			Study Abroad Internship	15
Upper-Division Elective Course	3
Communications Intensive (CI) Course	3
Quantitative Intensive (QI) Course	3
Foreign Language Upper-Division Elective Course	3
TOTAL CREDITS:	15			TOTAL CREDITS:	15
Comments				Comments

Fourth Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
Area Option Course	3			Senior Thesis Course	3
Upper-Division Major Elective Course	3			Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC)	3
Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)	3			Upper-Division Major Elective Course	3
Upper-Division Elective Course	3			Elective Course	3
Upper-Division Elective Course	3			Elective Course	3
TOTAL CREDITS:	15			TOTAL CREDITS:	15
Comments				Comments

Overview

Problems of security, development, ethnic conflict, and human rights, as well as problems relating to the environment and natural resources, are increasingly confronted at a global rather than a national level. With its theoretical models and real-world application, the study of international studies is an exciting and highly relevant interdisciplinary major. This program cultivates the development of language and intercultural skills, develops understanding of global problems and circumstances, and expands the student’s capacity to make informed judgments regarding complex international and global issues.

Requirements

In addition to completing the necessary core courses listed below, students must also choose one area option from the four available area options. Through these options, students gain a level of expertise in their chosen area.

Each student must also complete a senior research project (3 credits). This project must fit within the area option chosen by the student. Under the direction of a faculty member, this project may be completed within the context of an existing course or may be completed independently under the guidance of the chosen faculty member.

In addition to the senior research project and the choice of one area option, students must also complete an international experience component. Students may choose a traditional study abroad experience in an accredited program, which must be approved by the international studies advisor. Students may also choose an internship. The internship may be based in a foreign country or the US, must have a clear international focus and must be supervised by the international studies advisor. All internships must be pre-approved by the international studies advisor. Students may count a total of 3 credits earned during an internship toward completion of the major.

Additional Information

For detailed information about requirements for the International Studies major and minor, see the major requirement sheet, which can be obtained from the Political Science  Department.

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International Studies Major Requirements

International Studies Major (39 credits minimum)

Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5, Career

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, major courses; 2.0, Career

Minimum Grade Accepted: C- in major requirements (courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis)