The International Studies major has been designed to prepare students for international leadership roles in the twenty-first century. The program encourages its majors to think both globally and across disciplines as they seek to understand the dynamics of a global society. The International Studies major has been designed to prepare students for careers in the most dynamic sectors of global governance, society and economy. The vitality behind this program comes from faculty in several disciplinary fields who offer courses and act as a steering committee for the program.

Students take a core of interdisciplinary courses, select a specialization, and complete a minor. The core courses in International Studies provide all students with a basis on which to build their individualized programs through one of six thematic specializations. Core courses ensure students will be introduced to international relations, global history, cultural issues, and the concerns and challenges facing developing and developed countries. Students also select a minor that complements the thematic specializations. The specializations offer students the opportunity for more individualized training within the framework of international studies. The six specializations are International Political Economy, Peace and Conflict, European Cultural Studies, Cultural Studies of the Americas, Advanced Industrial Societies, and the Developing World. The International Political Economy specialization prepares students for careers or graduate study in the area of economic and political analysis and policy-making. The Peace and Conflict specialization would be of interest to students who wish to pursue careers in diplomacy or national security. With the proliferation of international governmental and non-governmental organizations dedicated to cultural exchange and dialogue and the globalization of the entertainment industry, the European Cultural Studies and the Cultural Studies of the Americas specializations prepare students to seek careers in fields such as arts administration, global communication, and the championing of human rights. Advanced Industrial Societies and the Developing World lay the foundation for students to pursue regional specializations in international job settings or in graduate-level training. Proficiency must be demonstrated in a foreign language equivalent to a two-year course of study. More advanced study of a foreign language is strongly encouraged. Students must gain international experience through a study program abroad or an international internship.

This is an interdisciplinary major program; view Interdisciplinary Studies for specific degree requirements.