THE UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
The major in International Studies provides an interdisciplinary perspective on global issues, societies, and cultures. International Studies majors acquire twenty-first-century analytical skills and knowledge that will enable them to understand and contribute to shaping the rapidly evolving global community. The degree in International Studies prepares students for careers in a variety of fields such as international affairs and public policy, international business and finance, international organizations, and academic research and teaching.
Requirements for the major include: a three-course core sequence (Origins of Global Interdependence, Global Issues and Institutions, and Global Economy), three additional lower-division courses, four upper-division courses on a region, five upper-division courses on a theme, and foreign language competence. Faculty advising is an essential part of the major.
International Studies majors are also required to pursue some form of international experience, as explained in detail in requirement F below.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE
University Requirements: See pages 54-59.
School Requirements: See pages 388-389.
Requirements for the Major
A. International Studies 11, 12, and 13.
B. Three additional lower-division courses from the following list: Anthropology 2A, 2D, 20A, 30A; Economics 20A, 20B, 20C; History 11, 21C; Linguistics 1; Political Science 41A, 42A, 43D, 44A, 51A; Social Science 2A; Social Science (Geography) 5A, 5B, or 5D (one course only to count toward major); Sociology 2, 3, 44, 75, 77; Environmental Analysis and Design E8. (Students should be advised that these courses provide critical "stepping stones" to advanced study. Please consult with a counselor concerning appropriate course work for your chosen upper-division module and educational and career objectives.)
C. Five upper-division module courses, at least three of which must be from one module. The four modules are: Global Issues and Institutions, Global Conflict and Negotiation, Global Role of U.S. and California, and Global Society and Culture. The approved courses are:
Global Issues and Institutions: Anthropology 125A, 125B, 126N, 136M; Economics 148A, 148D, 152A, 161B, 161C; International Studies 111A, 112A; Political Science 141B, 141D, 143E, 144A, 147A, 147B, 148B, 151G, 154E, 155E, 156A, 157A, 172A, 173A; Sociology 173; Criminology, Law and Society J128; Environmental Analysis and Design E127, E146, E155U; History 135D, 190 (approval required as topics vary); Management 190 (when title is International Business).
Global Conflict and Negotiation: Anthropology 139 (when title is Conflict Management); Political Science 141D, 142G, 143B, 143C, 143F, 146A, 147A, 148B, 154G, 155E; Social Science 183B, 183C; Sociology 178, 179 (when title is Ethnicity in World Perspective); Environmental Analysis and Design E113; History 126A, 126B, 126C; Psychology and Social Behavior P161S.
Global Role of U.S. and California: Anthropology 125X, 161T; Economics 148A; Political Science 126C, 141E, 142D, 142E, 142F, 142G, 145A, 145B, 147B; Social Science 173I; Criminology, Law and Society J128; Environmental Analysis and Design E143U; History 140E, 142A, 158A, 158B, 158C, 166.
Global Society and Culture: Anthropology 121D, 121G, 121H, 121J, 125A, 125B, 125M, 129, 132A, 132B, 134E, 135A, 136A, 136G, 138P, 138S, 174A; Political Science 138A, 157A, 158A; Sociology 144, 146, 147A, 165A, 173, 178, 179 (when title is Ethnicity in World Perspective); Environmental Analysis and Design E102, E146; Psychology and Social Behavior P124D.
D. Four upper-division Regional Studies courses, at least three of which must cover one geographic region. These regions are: Europe, Middle East/Africa, Asia/Pacific Rim, and the Americas (excluding U.S.A.). Approved courses are: Anthropology 121E, 135H, 135I, 138O, 138P, 138Q, 138S, 138T, 141A, 160-169 (excluding 161T and 162B); Economics 162A; International Studies 179; Political Science 141C, 141D, 141E, 142C, 145A, 151A-151F, 153A-153F, 154A-154C, 154F, 155F, 155G, 156C; Social Science 172F, 172G, 176A; Sociology 175A, 175B, 175C; Criminology, Law and Society J106; History 110-129, 130A-B, 161-169, 170-175, 177-178.
The list of approved Regional Studies courses is available on the World Wide Web at http://hypatia.ss.uci.edu/ssrc/instud.htm.
E. Competency in an approved modern international language other than English. Competency is established by completion of one course beyond the 2A level. The language requirement may be met through: (1) language courses at UCI, (2) language courses taken during study abroad, (3) a proficiency examination, or (4) courses taken at another college-level institution when the language is not offered at UCI. The following languages will automatically be approved: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. Other languages will be considered on a case-by-case basis by petition. (Students are strongly encouraged to go beyond these minimal requirements with additional work in the language and literatures and culture courses taught in the language.)
F. International Studies majors are also required to pursue some form of international experience for a minimum of one quarter. Majors are encouraged to study abroad through the Education Abroad Program (EAP) or the International Opportunities Program (IOP), which are available for periods of a quarter, semester, year, or summer. When this is not possible, work overseas (through IOP) or a domestic internship with the UCDC Internship Program, the Washington D.C. Center Program, or the Social Science Internship Program (Social Science 197) with an international focus may be substituted.
HONORS PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
The Honors Program allows International Studies majors to engage in research leading to the completion of an honors thesis. The topic for the honors thesis is selected by the student, in consultation with a faculty advisor, and should reflect a theme consistent with the student's module in the International Studies major. The Honors Program is open to all junior and senior International Studies majors with an overall GPA of 3.0 and a 3.5 GPA in the major. Successful completion of a written senior thesis in the International Studies 190 course satisfies the upper-division writing breadth requirement.
During the spring quarter of the junior year or during the summer before the senior year, students formally apply to the Honors Program. Students will be notified of their selection to the Honors Program by September 1. In the fall quarter of the senior year, students enroll in International Studies H180, Honors Research Seminar. In this course, each student formulates a written research plan (i.e., prospectus) for the honors thesis. Students also select a faculty member who agrees to supervise the research, evaluate the written work, and approve the honors thesis. In the winter quarter of the senior year, students enroll in International Studies H190, Senior Thesis, with their faculty advisor. The faculty advisor supervises and evaluates data collection and analysis and reads and edits chapter drafts. In the spring quarter of the senior year, students enroll in a second quarter of Senior Thesis, with their faculty advisor. The thesis is to be completed by the student and approved by the advisor prior to the end of the quarter.
Honors students must also demonstrate a high level of language proficiency by completing two courses beyond the 2A level in language, literature, or culture taught in their chosen international language.
International Studies majors are also required to pursue some form of international experience, as explained in detail in major requirement F.
Courses in International Studies
11 Origins of Global Interdependence (4). Offers a general overview of the rise of global interdependence in political, economic, demographic, and cultural terms. Considers what drove people from relative isolation into intensified intercourse with one another, and investigates the consequences of this shift. Same as Anthropology 41A. (VII-B)
12 Global Issues and Institutions (4). Surveys recent developments in the nature of global interdependence. Examines the major political, economic, and military conflicts and recent problems of population growth, environmental decay, ethnic/national antagonism and violence, and post-Cold War politics. Same as Political Science 44A. (VII-B)
13 Global Economy (4). Acquaints students with the fundamental patterns and problems of the global economy. Emphasizes the historical roots and political implications of economic choices. Same as Economics 13. (VII-B)
111A Economic Development (4). Reviews the process of economic development across the globe. Topics include main theories of economic development, influence of domestic and international policies on economic development, and the effect of economic development on institutions and the environment. (VII-B)
112A International Business (4). Introduction to conducting business in the international arena, the process of decision making in the organization, and the globalization of markets and production.
120 Global Environmental Issues (4). While many agree that environmental problems threaten humankind, there is much disagreement over the nature of these threats and how to address them. This course examines global environmental issues from various perspectives in order to provide answers to these questions. Same as Environmental Analysis and Design E132U and Political Science 143D.
121 Social Ecology of Peace I (4). Examination of differing definitions of the problem of achieving peace and the special problems of seeking peace in the nuclear age. Same as Environmental Analysis and Design E113.
179 Regional Topics in International Studies (4). May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (VII-B)
H180 International Studies Honors Research Seminar (4). Designed to assist students prepare a thesis prospectus for the Honors Program in International Studies. The student identifies a thesis topic, reads on the subjects of writing and research methods, orally presents and defends the prospectus, and prepares a written prospectus/literature review. Prerequisite: acceptance into the International Studies Honors Program. Formerly Social Science H158A.
189 Special Topics in International Studies (4). May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (VII-B)
190 Senior Thesis (4). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. May be taken for credit twice. Formerly Social Science H158B.
