About International Studies

The International Studies Program prepares students to be global citizens in an interdependent and interconnected world. International and intercultural knowledge is fundamental to contemporary life and work. The objective of this program is to prepare students to be contributing members of the international community.

The interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and the Minor in International Studies provide students with analytical skills and cross-cultural insight required of informed global citizens. Foundational courses introduce students to different modes of inquiry and provide the basis for comparative approaches to international and global issues. The program of study requires students to apply analytical skills and modes of inquiry across regions, societies and cultures. Students select either a regional emphasis that focuses on a particular language and location or a global social science emphasis that prepares students broadly to pursue professional opportunities in an international context.

To further develop their understanding and skills, students majoring in international studies are encouraged to study abroad or participate in other international or intercultural experiences.

Students who complete a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies or a Minor in International Studies gain an understanding of the challenges and complexities of cross-cultural interactions in an increasingly interconnected world.

The international studies program prepares students to be global citizens in an interdependent world. International and intercultural knowledge is fundamental to contemporary life and work. The objective of this program is to prepare students to be contributing members of the international community.

Admission Requirements Graduation Requirements
Foundational Courses
ENGL A200Global Literature and Culture3
HIST A101Western Civilization Before 16503
HIST A102Europe in the Modern World3
INTL/GEOG A101Local Places/Global Regions: An Introduction to Geography3
PS A102Introduction to Political Science3
SOC A101Introduction to Sociology3
Core Courses
HIST A390Themes in World History3
PHIL A301Ethics3
PS A311Comparative Politics3
SOC A307Demography3
Mastery Courses
Complete one of the following:3
ENGL A440
Topics in Comparative Literature
GEOG A390A
Selected Topics in Global Geography
PHIL A490A
Selected Topics in Ethics, Community, and Society
SOC A380
Sociology of Globalization
Choose an emphasis language from among the foreign languages offered at UAA and complete at least two semesters at the 200 level or higher. Students in the Regional Studies track must choose a language appropriate to one of the approved regions of study, as specified below.6-8
Complete either the Regional Studies or Global Social Sciences track listed below.12-15
Total51-56
Regional Studies Track12-15
Europe (Languages: French, German, Russian, Spanish)
Complete 12 upper-division credits in two subject areas:12
FREN A310
Selected Topics: Literary Trends and Traditions 1
FREN A490
Selected Topics: Studies in French/Francophone Literature and Culture 1
GER A310
Selected Topics: Literary Trends and Traditions 1
GER A490A
Topics in Literatures and Cultures of the German-Speaking Countries 1
HIST A314
Nineteenth Century Europe
HIST A316
Twentieth Century Europe
HIST A425
History of the Soviet Union
HIST A427
Post-Soviet Culture and Society
HIST A490
Selected Topics in History 1
PHIL A314
Abrahamic Religions
PS A333
History of Political Philosophy II: Modern
SPAN A320
Studies in Contemporary Hispanic Cultures 1
SPAN A490A
Selected Topics: Studies in Hispanic Literature and Culture 1
Northeast Asia (Languages: Chinese, Japanese)
HIST A121The Making of East Asian Civilization3
or HIST A122 East Asia in the Modern World
Complete 12 upper-division credits in two subject areas:12
HIST A321
 Modern China
HIST/INTL/PS A325
Northeast Asia in 21st Century
HIST A330
Russia in East Asia
JPN A390
Selected Topics: Studies in Japanese Culture and Society 1
JPN A390A
Selected Topics: English-Language Studies in Japanese Culture and Society 1
JPN A490
Selected Topics: Studies in Japanese Literature and Culture 1
PHIL A313
Eastern Philosophy and Religion
PS A324
Model United Nations 1
The Global South (Languages: French, Spanish)
Complete 12 upper-division credits in two subject areas:12
FREN A310
Selected Topics: Literary Trends and Traditions 1
FREN A490
Selected Topics: Studies in French/Francophone Literature and Culture 1
PHIL A314
Abrahamic Religions
PS A324
Model United Nations 1
SPAN A310
Selected Topics: Literary Trends and Traditions 1
SPAN A320
Studies in Contemporary Hispanic Cultures 1
SPAN A490A
Selected Topics: Studies in Hispanic Literature and Culture 1
Global Social Sciences Track12
Complete 12 credits in two subject areas from the following:
GEOG A475
Geospatial and Cartographic Techniques for the Sciences
JUST A365
World Justice Systems
PS A301
States and Markets
PS A321
International Relations
PS A324
Model United Nations
SOC A363
Social Stratification
SOC A377
Sociology of Gender
1

With approved topic.

International/Intercultural Experience

International studies students are encouraged to engage in an international or intercultural experience related to their program of study and the student learning outcomes of the program. Students may earn credits applicable to the degree program through a study abroad program, short-term study abroad, or an internship or service-learning project that involves a significant international or intercultural component. Students seeking to fulfill a degree requirement with credits earned through study abroad, internship or service-learning should consult an academic advisor and submit an academic petition in advance.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division. 

Honors in International Studies

Students majoring in international studies are eligible to graduate with honors if they satisfy the following requirements:

  • Meet the requirements for Graduation with Honors;
  • Meet the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies;
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.80 in courses applicable to the degree requirements;
  • Complete ENGL A440, GEOG A390A, PHIL A490A, or SOC A380 with a grade of A;
  • Complete the 8-credit language requirement at the 300 level.

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