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 two introductory core courses (Global Interdependence: Origins, and Global Interdependence: Recent Developments) and an introductory Economics course, as well as three lower-division courses in essential aspects of International Studies (political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, or history) that prepare students for more advanced work. Upper-division course work focuses on two aspects of International Studies: study of a particular geographical region, and investigation of specific features of the global arena (e.g., Global Issues and Institutions; Global Conflict and Negotiation, Global Role of California and the U. S., and Global Society and Culture). Faculty advising is an essential part of the major.
In addition to these requirements, International Studies majors are strongly encouraged to take advantage of opportunities for education or work abroad that are available through the Education Abroad Program (EAP) and the International Opportunities Programs (IOP).
University Requirements: See pages 54-59.
School Requirements: See page 346.
Requirements for the Major
A. Social Science 11, 12, and Economics 1.
B. Three additional lower-division courses from the following list: Anthropology 2A, 2D; Economics 20A, 20B; History 11, 21C; Political Science 41A, 51A; Social Science 1A; Social Science (Geography) 5A, 5B, 5C, or 5D (one course only to count toward major); Sociology 2, 3; Environmental Analysis and Design E8. (Students should be advised that these courses provide critical "stepping stones" to advanced study. Please consult with a counselor or faculty advisor 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, 129; Economics 148A, 161A, 161B, 161C; Political Science 126C, 141A, 141B, 141D, 143A, 144A, 145B, 147A, 147B, 154E, 172A, 173A; Sociology 141, 155, 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 128B, 134H, 141D, 142G, 143A, 143B, 143D, 146A, 147A, 155E; Social Science 184A, 184B; Sociology 141, 174, 176, 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 125A, 126C, 142D, 142E, 142F, 142G, 145A, 145B, 147B; Social Science 173I, Sociology 176; 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, 125A, 125B, 125M, 129, 132A, 132B, 134E, 135A, 136A, 136G, 138P, 138S, 174A; Economics 168A, 168B, Political Science 128A, 138A; Sociology 144, 155, 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:
Europe: Anthropology 164P, 169 (approval required as topics vary); Political Science 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D, 152E, 152F, 154C, 171C; Criminology, Law and Society J106; History 118A, 118B, 118C, 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 122A, 122B, 122C, 124A, 124B, 126A, 126B, 126C, 127, 128, 190 (approval required as topics vary).
Middle East/Africa: Anthropology 130A, 138O, 158B, 158C, 164A, 164K, 164L, 169 (approval required as topics vary); Criminology, Law and Society J106; History 130A, 130B, 177, 178, 190 (approval required as topics vary).
Asia/Pacific Rim: Anthropology 135H, 163A, 163G, 163H, 163K, 169 (approval required as topics vary); Economics 162A; Political Science 151A, 151B, 151C, 151D, 151E, 151F, 154C, 171C; Sociology 175B, Criminology, Law and Society J106; History 170A, 170B, 170C, 171A, 171B, 171C, 172, 173, 174, 175, 190 (approval required as topics vary).
The Americas: Anthropology 121E, 169 (approval required as topics vary), Political Science 153B, 153D, 154C, 171C; Social Science 172F, 172G; Criminology, Law and Society J106; History 161A, 161B, 161C, 162, 169, 190 (approval required as topics vary).
E. Competency in an approved modern international language other than English. An international language is spoken in at least two countries. Competency is established by one of the following: (a) completion of at least the equivalent of UCI's 2A in the language, or (b) passing a proficiency examination in an approved international language at the 2A level. The following languages will automatically be approved: Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Russian. Other languages will be considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the faculty advisor. (Students are strongly encouraged to go beyond these minimal requirements with additional work in language, literature and culture courses taught in the language.)
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 honors thesis in the Social Science H158C 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 Social Science H158A, 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 Social Science H158B, Honors Thesis Research, 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 Social Science H158C, Honors 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. A list of acceptable courses is available from faculty advisors and the counseling office.
Students are also strongly encouraged to complete at least two quarters of study, work, or internship abroad in a geographic region where their chosen language is spoken.
