International Studies, B.A.

Required courses INT 200 - Introduction to International Studies Credits: 3 and INT 300 - International Studies Seminar Credits: 3 introduce and reinforce knowledge of globalization and intercultural relations. Majors also are required to study abroad or engage in an off-campus internship that develops intercultural competency and international understanding.

Students must elect one Global Perspectives concentration (12 crs.) in:

Comparative & Global Cultures
Global Political Relations or
Global Business & Economics.

Global Perspectives courses explore globalization’s impacts on the cultures, economies, and political systems of the world that cause international interdependency and tensions.

Students also must elect one Area Studies concentration (12 crs.) and related foreign language (9 crs.) in:

African & Middle Eastern Studies,
Asian Studies,
European Studies or
Latin American & Caribbean Studies.

Area Studies and Foreign Language courses promote intercultural and linguistic competency essential to successful cross-cultural personal and professional relationships.

Majors must take a minimum of 21 credit hours of major courses, including INT 200 and INT 300 , at Shippensburg. Students declaring dual majors may double-count a maximum of 12 credit hours of courses between the first major and courses fulfilling International Studies Global Perspectives, Area Studies and Foreign Language requirements. Courses fulfilling general education requirements of both majors may be double-counted without restriction.

Note:

All students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree are required to attain proficiency in a foreign language. Proficiency may be satisfied by completing a language class at the 103 (intermediate) level or three years of any one foreign language in high school. Students may also meet this requirement through AP or CLEP testing.

39 crs.

Required Courses (6 crs.)

Note:

*HON 399 - Honors: Independent Study Credits: 3 may serve as a substitute for INT 300 with an appropriate international topic, interdisciplinary research project, and permission of the director.

Foreign Language Requirement (9 crs.)

Majors taking languages offered through Shippensburg University must complete 9 credit hours at the 200-level and higher. Students who study a language not offered through Shippensburg University–such as Korean, Russian or Swahili–are required to earn a total of 9 credit hours at the 100-level or higher. Language credits must be earned through Shippensburg University or with permission of the director another accredited institution of higher learning in the U.S. or abroad. Students are strongly encouraged to strengthen their qualifications for international employment by completing a modern language certificate (12 crs.) or minor (18 crs.).

Study Abroad or Internship Requirement

Majors are required to study abroad or engage in an off-campus internship. The study abroad or internship experience must satisfy a minimum of 3 credit hours of the major’s general education or course requirements. Students studying abroad at an approved program may take a maximum of 18 credit hours of major courses. Majors studying abroad to fulfill special academic needs may obtain exemptions from the minimum or maximum credit hour requirement with prior approval of the Director of International Studies.

General Education Requirements (12 crs.)

All majors must complete the following general education courses:

Comparative and Global Culture and Global Political Relations

Majors with concentrations in Comparative and Global Culture and Global Political Relations must take these two Category D courses:

Business and Economics Concentration

Majors with the Business and Economics Concentration must choose Category D courses from each of the following two choices:

Global Perspectives Concentration (12 crs.)

Students must choose one Global Perspectives Concentration. 6 credit hours should be at the 300-level or higher. Courses must be in at least 2 disciplines.

Comparative and Global Cultures Concentration

Global Political Relations Concentration

Global Business and Economics Concentration

Note:

**Students taking FIN 425 , MGT 349 , and MKT 360 are required to elect a Business Minor-18 crs. in order to meet required prerequisites.

Area Studies Concentration (12 crs)

Students must choose one Area Studies concentration. 6 credit hours should be at the 300-level or higher. Courses must be in at least two disciplines.

* Requires an appropriate topic and an Exception Form signed by Director of International Studies for approval.

African and Middle Eastern Studies Concentration

Arabic, French or another African or Middle Eastern language is required to fulfill the language requirement. Study abroad in Africa or the Middle East is highly recommended.

Note:

ENG 385 , GEO 415 and GEO 450 required approval of the Director

FRN 204 and FRN 331 -Only Modern Language courses that are not used to satisfy the B.A. language requirement or International Studies foreign language requirement may be counted toward the Area Studies Concentration requirement. See the course listings for language prerequisites

Asian Studies Concentration

An Asian language is required to fulfill the language requirement. Study abroad in Asia is highly recommended.

Note:

ENG 385 , GEO 415 and GEO 450 require approval of the Director

European Studies Concentration

French, German, Spanish or another continental European language is required to fulfill the requirement. Study abroad in Europe is highly recommended.

Note:

GEO 415 and GEO 450 require approval of the Director

FRN 204 , FRN 320 , FRN 330 , FRN 340 , FRN 380 , FRN 392 , FRN 400 , GER 151 , GER 215 , GER 320 , GER 322 , GER 400 , SPN 204 , SPN 330 , SPN 343 , SPN 360 , SPN 385 , SPN 400 -Only Modern Language courses that are not used to satisfy the B.A. language requirement or International Studies foreign language requirement may be counted toward the Area Studies Concentration requirement. See the Course Descriptions for language prerequisites

Latin American and Caribbean Studies Concentration

Spanish, French, or another Latin American or Caribbean language is required to fulfill the language requirement. Study abroad in Latin America or the Caribbean is highly recommended.

Note:

GEO 415 and GEO 450 require approval of the Director

SPN 204 , SPN 330 , SPN 361 , SPN 385 , SPN 400 -Only Modern Language courses that are not used to satisfy the B.A. language requirement or International Studies foreign language requirement may be counted toward the Area Studies Concentration requirement. See the Course Descriptions for language prerequisites.