Liberal Arts
International Studies
Director December Green
The international studies major offers students the opportunity to study international politics, culture, and society. The major combines intensive study of a foreign language with an interdisciplinary curriculum of study chosen by a student in consultation with a faculty advisor.
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in international studies consists of three parts: three years of study of one foreign language; the major core courses, which include introductory work in art history, economics, geography, political science, and religion; and work in a specialized track.
The specialized tracks in the international studies major provide six options: international diplomacy, area studies, comparative cultures, international economics, global gender studies, and research/intelligence analysis. The international diplomacy and peace studies track includes courses in political science, communication, and history. The area studies track allows students to focus on a global region (e.g., Africa or Latin America) and includes classes in anthropology, history, humanities, and political science. The comparative cultures track includes courses from anthropology, classics, English, history, humanities, philosophy, political science, and religion. The international economics track focuses on global economic concerns, with supporting course work in history, political science, and sociology. The global gender studies track incorporates a gender-analysis approach to diplomacy, area studies, comparative cultures, and international economics. The research/intellegence track combines course work in research methods, ethics, and a variety of disciplines to assist those interested in international affairs to work in data analysis.
Study abroad opportunities in Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malta, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, Thailand, and elsewhere are available through the University Studies Abroad Consortium, of which Wright State is a member. Sister universities in Brazil, China, and Japan also offer cultural exchange programs in the summer. Study abroad and cultural exchange can be arranged through the International Student Exchange Program, E190 Student Union.
Although this is not a requirement for an international studies degree, students will find that studying abroad will greatly enrich their educational experience, as will exposure to a foreign culture and peoples. In order to have adequate language preparation, students interested in studying abroad should design their course of study well in advance of their trip.
Students interested in careers in government, international business, teaching, or journalism should contact the director of the international studies major. The major program also provides sound preparation for students interested in graduate work in law, the humanities, or the social sciences.
Degree Requirements - International Studies
Bachelor of Arts Degree
| General Education Requirements | 57 |
| Foreign Language and Research Methods Requirements | 44 |
| Twelve hours minimum at the 300 level, or demonstrated proficiency at the level of 312, 322, or 325 and three research methods courses. | |
| Major Core Requirements | 18 |
| Art History, 1850 Comparative Economics World Geography International Politics World Religions | |
| Major Specialized Track | 28 - 58 |
Total course work in the core and specialized tracks may not exceed 76 hours. Course work numbered 300 or above should be emphasized. Close consultation with and approval of the major advisor is required.
Choose one:
International Diplomacy and Peace Studies
Area Studies
Comparative Cultures
International Economics
Global Gender Studies
Research/Intelligence Analysis
| Total (core and specialized track) | 46 - 76 |
| Electives | 15 - 45 |
| Total (minimum) | 192 |
National Honor Society
International studies majors may become eligible for election to Phi Beta Delta, the honor society for international scholars. For more information, interested students should see the director of the program..
