International Studies Minor

We have a flexible minor that includes 18-19 units of internationally-focused coursework and study abroad experiences. INTL 410W is the minor’s culminating course and should be taken after students have completed most of their coursework for the minor. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the minor advisor before completing courses in the program. In today’s globalized world, it is increasingly necessary for practitioners in any field to have a substantial background in international studies. Whether you’re majoring in business, politics, sciences, or humanities, this minor offers a customizable journey to fit your interests. A minor in International Studies supports the University’s mission of encouraging global citizenship and adds an international dimension to any program of study.

Requirements for the Minor (18-19 Units)

A minimum grade of C- must be earned for all courses in the minor.

International Studies Core Curriculum (5 Units)

The core includes a culminating course, where students engage in the interdisciplinary analysis of global issues, and one unit of international studies experiential learning.

Take the following culminating course after you have completed most of your electives for the minor:
INTL 410W - Global Issues Analysis Units: 4
Take 1 unit of international studies experiential learning from the following list (*a 3-unit short-format study abroad course taken in the elective section can fulfill this requirement):
FREN 390 - Topics in Cinema of the Francophone World Units: 1-2
INTL 320 - Career Workshop Units: 1
INTL 387 - International Education Week (IEW) Colloquium Units: 1 (or one of the other cross-listed courses)
PSCI 377 - Model United Nations Units: 1 (Prerequisite: PSCI 376 - Multilateralism and the United Nations System )
RS 394 - Religious Studies Workshop Units: 1-3 (specific RS topic must be appropriate to INTL - consult advisor)
SPAN 370 - Spanish Retreat/Seminar Units: 1
SPAN 396 - International Latino Film Seminar Units: 1 (or one of the other cross-listed courses, ES 396 or HIST 396 )

International Electives and Tracks (13-14 Units)

Complete 13-14 units of internationally-focused coursework and study abroad experiences. The following are suggested tracks.

General International Studies Track (14 Units)

Ideal for students seeking a comprehensive understanding of global affairs.

ECON 305 - International Economics and Globalization Units: 3
or
ECON 306W - Economics of the Developing World Units: 3
INTL 210 - Introduction to International Studies Units: 4
INTL 220 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Units: 3
PSCI 240 - Introduction to International Relations Units: 4

Development Studies Track (13-14 Units)

Perfect for those aiming to join the Peace Corps or work in developing regions.

ECON 306W - Economics of the Developing World Units: 3
PSCI 303W - Global Inequalities Units: 3
Take at least 2 courses from at least two different disciplines (min 7 units). 3 units may be a short-format study abroad course.
ANTH 316 - Anthropology and Development Units: 4
ANTH 317 - Gender and Development Units: 4
ENGR 305 - Appropriate Technology Units: 3
ENGR 308 - Technology and the Environment Units: 3
GEOG 300 - Global Awareness Units: 3
GEOG 301 - International Environmental Issues and Globalization Units: 3
HIST 328 - Women and Gender in Latin America Units: 4
PSCI 330 - Political Regimes and Political Change Units: 4
PSCI 343 - Global Governance Units: 4
PSCI 364 - Technology and Development Units: 4

Cultural Studies Track (13-14 Units)

Excellent for students looking to complement their major with language and cultural studies.

One semester of Language (Levels 1-5 or a heritage class) (min. of 3 units)

Choose ONE course from the following:
ANTH 104 - Cultural Anthropology Units: 3
INTL 100 - Thinking Critically About Globalization Units: 3
INTL 100S - Thinking Critically About Globalization Units: 3
INTL 220 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Units: 3
Take at least 2 courses from at least two different disciplines (min 7 units). 3 units may be a short-format study abroad course.
ANTH 302 - Anthropology of Religion Units: 3
ANTH 307 - World Heritage and Archaeology Units: 3
ANTH 340 - Language and Culture Units: 4
ANTH 390 - World Regions Cultural Seminar Units: 4
ART 302 - Topics in Global Art History Units: 3
ART 303 - Global Contemporary Art Units: 3
DANC 303 - Dance in World Cultures Units: 3
ES 306 - World Regions Cultural Studies Units: 3
FREN 300 - African Storytelling Units: 3-4
FREN 340 - Topics in Francophone Culture Units: 2-4
HIST 200 - World Cultures and History: Prehistory to 1500 CE Units: 3
HIST 201 - World Cultures and History: 1500 CE to the Present Units: 3
HIST 306 - Gods and Kings in the Ancient Near East Units: 4
HIST 322 - The Age of Knights and Monks Units: 4
HIST 323 - Gender and Sexuality in East Asian History Units: 4
HIST 342 - Musketeers, Witches and Kings Units: 4
HIST 343 - French Revolution and Napoleon Units: 4
HIST 349 - Renaissance and Reformation Units: 4
HIST 377 - Vietnam Wars Units: 4
MUS 302 - Music in World Culture Units: 3
PSCI 340 - Ethnicity and Nationalism Units: 4
SPAN 306 - Sex, Class and Culture: Gender and Ethnic Issues in International Short Stories Units: 3
(or the other cross-listed course, FREN 306 )
SPAN 345 - Hispanic Cinema Units: 3
SPAN 351 - Topics in Literature and Cultural Studies Units: 3
SPAN 403 - Topics in Hispanic Civilization Units: 3

Global Environment Track (13-14 Units)

Suited for students passionate about addressing global environmental challenges.

INTL 100 - Thinking Critically About Globalization Units: 3
or
INTL 100S - Thinking Critically About Globalization Units: 3
or
INTL 210 - Introduction to International Studies Units: 4
ECON 423 - Environmental and Natural Resources Economics Units: 3
PSCI 306 - Environmental Politics Units: 3
One course (3-4 units) for a total of 13-14 units:
ANTH 314 - Wicked Problems of the Anthropocene Units: 4
ANTH 334 - Anthropology, Ecology and Conservation Units: 4
GEOG 301 - International Environmental Issues and Globalization Units: 3 (can be taken as a study abroad in Costa Rica)
HIST 302 - Environmental History of China Units: 4
HIST 309 - Environmental History of Latin America Units: 3
PSCI 305W - Food Politics Units: 3
PSCI 365 - Political Ecology Units: 4
SOC 370 - Environmental Inequality and Globalization Units: 4

International Experience track (13 Units)

Designed for students eager to spend a semester or year studying abroad.

12 units of Study abroad (12 units)
One additional international experiential course from the Core Curriculum list above (1 unit)

NOTE: INTL 410W must be taken after you return from your study abroad program.

Program Learning Outcomes

the ability to gather information and use interdisciplinary analysis skills to critically evaluate regional and global issues;
proficiency in formal written and oral communication.