Program Description
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| International Studies Senior Seminar with Prof. Lillian Trager and Visiting Scholar Dr. Carla Freeman. |
UW-Parkside provides both a major and minor in International Studies. Drawing on courses from departments throughout the University, the major (36 credits; minor, 18 credits) is a broad, interdisciplinary program with a flexible curriculum that emphasizes the development of knowledge and analytical approaches needed to understand the contemporary global system.
International Studies provides excellent training for persons interested in careers with private and governmental organizations that operate in a global context, as well as for individuals interested in law or graduate school. It is an especially appropriate double major or minor for business students, language majors, and majors in economics, political science, history, sociology-anthropology and the fine arts.
Students interested in majoring or minoring in International Studies, or in completing the Global Skills Certificate, should see the Director of International Studies, Prof. Lillian Trager.
For descriptions of individual courses, please see the department catalog (PDF).
Major in International Studies
Students who enrolled in the CIS major before 2005 should click here for information about the old program requirements.
Students majoring in international studies must complete a total
of 42 credits, of which 15 credits are introductory or pre-requisite
courses. The requirements are:
1. Fifteen credits of introductory courses, most of which also
satisfy general university requirements
2. Twelve credits of core courses
3. One of four 12-credit options: Globalization and
Development, International Relations, Comparative Cultures
and Societies, and International Commerce. When appropriate,
with steering committee approval, an individually
designed option may be elected
4. INTS 495 Senior Seminar in International Studies
Recommended for the Major in International Studies
Study abroad or other experiential learning activity in international
studies is strongly recommended.
Each student planning to major in international studies must
consult regularly with an international studies faculty adviser to
schedule a coherent program consonant with his/her interests.
This is particularly important when selecting options. Students
are cautioned to match pre-requisite classes with higher level classes
within the major.
Required courses
Fifteen (15) credits of introductory courses are required of all majors. These courses provide students with the introductory background knowledge for the wide range of disciplinary perspectives that comprise the International Studies Program. In some cases, these courses are required for upper level work in a discipline that is related to international studies. In many cases, these courses fulfill university general education requirements
Required introductory course
- INTS 100 Introduction to International Studies 3 cr
Other introductory courses
Twelve credits from at least three of the following groups of courses.
Group I
ECON 120 Principles of Microeconomics 3 cr
ECON 121 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr
Group II
GEOG 105 Contemporary to Human Geography 3 cr
GEOG 110 Introduction to Geography- World Regions 3 cr
Group III
HIST 118 Pre-Modern Western World: Ancient and Medieval Civilizations 3 cr
HIST 126 World History from Antiquity to 1450 3 cr
HIST 127 World History from 1450-1800 3 cr
HIST 128 World History from 1800-Present 3 cr
Group IV
HUMA 101 Introduction to the Humanities- World Cultures to 1500 3 cr
HUMA 102 Introduction to Humanities- World Cultures 1500-Present 3 cr
Group V
POLS 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 cr
POLS 104 Introduction to International Relations 3 cr
Group VI
SOCA 100 Introduction to Anthropology 3 cr
SOCA 101 Introduction to Sociology 3 cr
Languages
The International Studies Program faculty strongly encourages students to gain additional language competence beyond the introductory level.
Core courses
Twelve credits of core courses from at least three groups are
required of all majors. These courses provide the broad
comparative and global perspective and theoretical background
essential to a major in international studies.
Group I
ENGL 246 Survey of World Literature 3 cr
ENGL 247 Survey of Modern World Literature 3 cr
Group II
POLS 304 Theories of International Relations 3 cr
POLS 350 Theories of Comparative Politics 3 cr
Group III
INTS 210/
SOCA 202 Cultural Anthropology 3 cr
SOCA 379 Sociology and Environment 3 cr
Group IV
INTS 310/
ECON 310 International Economics -Trade 3 cr
ECON 308 Economic Development 3 cr
Group V
HIST 313 Colonialism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 cr
Options
Each major in international studies is required to complete a
minimum of 12 credits of work in one of the following
options. Selection of an option allows a student to focus on
an area of interest within the broad scope of international
studies. The courses in the option should be selected in consultation
with the student’s faculty adviser from the
International Studies Program and must be from at least two
different departments. A list of currently approved courses
for each option is available from the Center for International
Studies office and the department website. Students may
propose an individually designed option, subject to approval
of the International Studies Steering Committee.
Option A - Globalization and Development
Focus on the processes of political, economic and socio-cultural
change that accompany globalization and development,
with an emphasis on developing nations.
Option B - International Relations
Focus on the major interactions among nations, including
politics, trade and intercultural communication. Also
includes consideration of international organizations and
non-governmental organizations.
Option C - Comparative Cultures and Societies
Focus on cross-cultural and comparative study of societies
and cultures, including the arts, literature, politics and social
organization.
Option D – International Commerce
Focus on commercial and economic economic relations
among nations, including a business perspective as well as
national economic policy.
Elective (3 Credits)
All majors are required to take an additional 3 credits from an option other than the one selected for emphasis.
Senior Seminar INST 495 (3 cr)
The Senior Seminar is a capstone course in which students
are expected to integrate their studies, especially from their
selected option, and to carry out original research as the
basis for a research paper. The Senior Seminar is required of
all majors and minors in international studies. It is expected
that students will have taken a research methods course in
another department such as history, political science, communication,
English, business, sociology-anthropology or
another discipline relevant to international studies. This
research methods course should be completed prior to taking
the Senior Seminar so that students are appropriately
equipped to carry out the research required for their senior
project. Check with your International Studies adviser
regarding an appropriate research methods course.
INTS 495 Senior Seminar in
International Studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 cr
Research methods
The program can arrange for internships and service learning agreements
with domestic and international organizations. Summer
research fellowships are available through the program on a competitive
basis. The center has also developed an internship for office
experience in study abroad and international students.
Experiential Learning Activities
All majors in international studies are strongly encouraged to take
part in experiential learning in international studies. This may be
accomplished through study abroad, participation in UWParkside
study tours, or working/volunteering with an international
agency or non-governmental organization in the international
arena.
Minor in International Studies
The international studies minor consists of 18 credit hours. The
following courses are required:
INTS 100 Introduction to International Studies 3 cr
Nine credits of core courses from at least three of the groups
I-V above
One 3-credit option/elective course from any option of the
student’s choice.
INTS 495 Senior Seminar in
International Studies 3 cr
Global Skills Certificate
The 13-credit certificate in global skills is designed to assist students
to understand and appreciate the impact of international
affairs on their daily lives. Students completing the certificate will
be expected to value different cultures and political/economic systems,
as well as become familiar with the numerous international
connections that exist between countries through trade, diplomacy,
international organziations and communication technology.
The certificate requirements include the following:
INTS 100 Introduction to International Studies 3 cr
The following 1-credit courses:
INTS 201 Global Skills Practicum – Basic Global Skills 1 cr INTS 202 Global Skills Practicum - Internationalization vs. Globalization 1 cr
INTS 203 Global Skills Practicum - Political and Economic Systems 1 cr
INTS 204 Global Skills Practicum - Culture and Language 1 cr
One core course from any of the groups 1-V above.
One options course from any of the options courses.
Students are strongly encouraged to keep in mind that both core and options classes may have prerequisites.
