Dec 26, 2024

2013-2014 General Catalog (Spring 2014)

2013-2014 General Catalog (Spring 2014) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

International Studies - BA

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science

Contact: David Goetze
Location: Main 328D
Phone: (435) 797-1316
FAX: (435) 797-3751
E-mail: david.goetze@usu.edu
WWW: http://politicalscience.usu.edu/

Advising: Political Science Department, Main 320, (435) 797-1306

Degree offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Area Options: World Economy and Development, Peace and Security, Global Environment and Natural Resources, and Peoples and Nations

Admission Requirements for this Major

New freshmen admitted to USU in good standing qualify for admission to this major.
Transfer students from other institutions or from other USU majors need a 2.5 total GPA for admission to this major in good standing.

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 one of the four available 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 must have a clear international focus and must be supervised by the international studies advisor, who must approve proposals for internships. Students may count a total of 3 credits earned during an internship toward completion of the major.

Departmental Honors

Students who would like to experience greater academic depth within their major are encouraged to enroll in departmental honors. Through original, independent work, Honors students enjoy the benefits of close supervision and mentoring, as they work one-on-one with faculty in select upper-division departmental courses. Honors students also complete a senior project, which provides another opportunity to collaborate with faculty on a problem that is significant, both personally and in the student’s discipline. Participating in departmental honors enhances students’ chances for obtaining fellowships and admission to graduate school. Minimum GPA requirements for participation in departmental honors vary by department, but usually fall within the range of 3.30-3.50. Students may enter the Honors Program at almost any stage in their academic career, including at the junior (and sometimes senior) level. The campus-wide Honors Program, which is open to all qualified students regardless of major, offers a rich array of cultural and social activities, special classes, and the benefit of Honors early registration. Interested students should contact the Honors Program, Main 15, (435) 797-2715, honors@usu.edu. Additional information can be found online at: http://www.usu.edu/honors/

Sample Four-year Plan for International Studies Major

A sample semester-by-semester four-year plan for students working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies is available in Department of Political Science.

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

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.

Students must complete the General Education Requirements .

Students must also complete the University Studies Depth Requirements :

For most students, courses taken for the major will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) and the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement
Complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above courses from two of the following three categories: Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA), Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) and Social Sciences (DSS). Selection of depth areas depends upon the emphasis area of the major. Classes should be seleted in consultation with the major advisor. With current area options, the requirement is a DHA and a DSC. Courses taken for the depth categories (DHA) and (DSC) requirement may not also be counted in the major.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Language Requirement

Bachelor of Arts Degree

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree signifies proficiency in one or more foreign languages. Specifically, the BA requirement may be completed in one of the following ways:

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent).
Or
Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of COMD 4920 and 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.

Graduation Requirements

International Studies Major (39 credits minimum) (3.0 GPA)

Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5, Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 3.0, major courses; 2.0, Career
Minimum Grade Accepted: C- in major requirements

PRE-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Students who wish to become International Studies majors must apply for admission after completing the Department’s pre-major program. New freshmen in good standing are eligible to declare the pre-major. Continuing students and transfer students with a 2.5 GPA are eligible to declare the pre-major. When the pre-major courses are completed with a GPA of 2.5, the student will be able to declare the International Studies major. A student must be declared as an International Studies major in order to apply for graduation.

A. Complete the Following Core Courses (15 credits)

B. Complete two area option courses (6 credits) chosen with undergraduate advisor:

In an effort to support essential learning outcomes, careful selection of major courses will enhance a student’s undergraduate experience. As International Studies is an interdisciplinary degree with many options, careful planning will develop experience in the social sciences and foster critical and creative thinking skills of inquiry, analysis, and evaluation.

With the pre-major students may fulfill all but three of their general education breath courses: BAI (ECN 1500 ), BSS (ANTH 1010 , ANTH 2010 , GEOG 1300 ), and BHU (HIST 1500 , HIST 1510 ). The three remaining are the BLS, BPS and BCA. Two of those three must have a USU prefix.

Note: Advanced Placement credits are not used to fulfill major requirements. Credits taken for International Studies Major or Minor Requirements may not be used to fulfill requirements of other majors and minors without departmental approval.

Major Courses:

A. Electives (6 credits)

Students may earn these credits by taking any of the courses listed in the four area options: (1) World Economy and Development, (2) Peace and Security, (3) Global Environment and Natural Resources, and (4) Peoples and Nations.

B. Language Requirement

Students must acquire at least a basic knowledge of one foreign language. Students must successfully complete one course at the 3000 level or (if this is not possible) receive a waiver from the international studies advisor.

C. Area Option Requirement (15 credits)

Students must choose one option from the four listed below. Students must complete courses from at least two different departments within their chosen option, for a total of 15 credits.

D. Senior Research Project (3 credits)

Each student must complete a senior research project which must fit within the area option chosen by the student.

E. International Experience

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 must have a clear international focus and must be supervised by the international studies advisor, who must approve proposals for internships. Students may count a total of 3 credits earned during an internship toward completion of the major.

Area Options

World Economy and Development

Peace and Security

Note:

POLS 4890 and POLS 4990 may only be counted toward the major when the topic is appropriate.

Global Environment and Natural Resources

Peoples and Nations

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
USU Credits (30 USU credits, 20 of which must be upper-division courses, 10 of which must be courses required for student’s major)	30 USU credits
Completion of approved major program of study	See college advisor
Credits in minor (if required)	12
Credits in American Institutions (ECN 1500 ;HIST 1700 , HIST 2700 or HIST 2710 ; HONR 1300 ; POLS 1100 ; or USU 1300 )	3
General Education Requirements and University Studies Depth Requirements