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Degrees and Requirements

International Studies Minor

A minor in International Studies is meant to prepare students for career opportunities in international business, public services in international areas of government and diplomacy, international governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

To successfully complete the International Studies Minor, the following coursework is required:

Summary of Requirements

Minor Courses - Required: 12 credits

  • INST2013
    INTRO TO INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

    INST2013
    INTRO TO INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of international studies. It is designed to acquaint students with major trends and key themes in global and international issues today. Students will discuss the origins and development of the field, along with theories and concepts relevant to the study of international issues. There will also be an emphasis on the impact of globalization on various aspects of social, political, and economic life, including development, culture, health, food, security, and the environment.

    PREREQUISITES:

  • INST3011
    RESEARCH METHODS (SOCL3011)

    INST3011
    RESEARCH METHODS (SOCL3011)

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    This course introduces the student to the design of explanatory models in the field of international relations, methods for literature surveys and more commonly used quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques. Cross-listed with SOCL3011

    PREREQUISITES:

    MATH1040

  • INST3025
    DEVELOPMENT: POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES (POLI3025)

    INST3025
    DEVELOPMENT: POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES (POLI3025)

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    A study of the political, social, and economic realities of Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Emphasis is placed on ecological, racial, ethnic, and population problems, as well as on the legacy of colonialism, developmentalism, and dependency. Human rights and special problems of women will also be addressed. Cross-listed with POLI3025

    PREREQUISITES:

  • MATH1040
    PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS

    MATH1040
    PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    The study of the fundamentals of probability theory with applications to natural and social sciences as well as to mathematics. Discrete and continuous distributions, sampling theory, linear correlation, regression, statistical inference, estimation and analysis of variance are included.

    PREREQUISITES:

    MATH1010

Minor Electives (One course must be at the 3000-Level): 6 credits

  • GEOG3010
    CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY AND THE HUMAN MOSAIC (INST3010)

    GEOG3010
    CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY AND THE HUMAN MOSAIC (INST3010)

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    The many ways in which humans have changed the face of the earth in response to culture is known as the human mosaic. The course applies the major themes of cultural geography to population, language, religion, agriculture and urbanism. A basic knowledge of world geography is assumed. Cross-listed with INST3010

    PREREQUISITES:

  • INST2001
    GLOBAL POLITICS (POLI2001)

    INST2001
    GLOBAL POLITICS (POLI2001)

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    This is an introductory course in the field of international relations, providing an overview of major theories and concepts of international relations and an historical background for contemporary world politics. Major topics include the contemporary international system, economic development, foreign policy behavior, international conflicts and international institutions. Cross-listed with POLI2001

    PREREQUISITES:

  • INST3021
    COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT (POLI3021)

    INST3021
    COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT (POLI3021)

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    This course focuses on the government, policies and politics of different nation-states around the world, and investigates the political science approaches to studying government and politics in different parts of the world. The focus in not only on forms of governments, but also the major political and social factors that affect political change in different world areas, the relationship between states and societies, and the comparative study of democratic and non-democratic nations. Cross-listed with POLI3021

    PREREQUISITES:

  • SOCL2070
    CULTURE AND HUMAN SOCIETIES

    SOCL2070
    CULTURE AND HUMAN SOCIETIES

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    Sociological study of what we mean by culture is taken and critically applied to the discussion of global-historical transformations in human social development, from the period of simple societies to the present age of complex, industrial, and globalized societies.

    PREREQUISITES:

  • SOCL3081
    ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY

    SOCL3081
    ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    This course is designed to provide an approach to study and analyze the interactions between society and the environment, and the political economic impacts of environmental problems. Focus will be on both the social causes of and social responses to various environmental problems, at the local, national, and global levels.

    PREREQUISITES:

  • SOCL3082
    SOCIAL MOVEMENT AND RESISTANCE (POLI3082)

    SOCL3082
    SOCIAL MOVEMENT AND RESISTANCE (POLI3082)

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    This course examines the origin, growth, and dynamics of social movements as forms of social protest and resistance against state and global injustices. Discussions include case studies of various social and political groups, non-government organizations, and liberation and revolutionary movements in the US and throughout the world. Cross-listed with POLI3082

    PREREQUISITES: