International Studies B.A.

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies

This degree program will prepare BSU’s graduates with transnational competence for enrollment into graduate degree programs in international studies/affairs and/or entry level employment in international affairs, public (foreign) policy, management of social services delivery in worldwide contexts, intelligence and homeland security services, and professional careers in public schools.

Beyond the general studies requirements consisting of 40 hours, students in the International Studies degree program must complete 36 hours of International Studies core courses which include 6 hours of a foreign language, and 44 hours of International Studies specialization, which include compulsory one-to-two semesters of career-related internships and/or country- specific related study abroad. The capstone course, Projects in International Studies Specialization, is part of the International Studies core and is taken during the sixth and seventh semesters.

The International Studies major must complete a total of 120 credit hours and earn a 2.0 quality point average on all work applied to the general studies requirements, the International Studies core, including the capstone course, International Studies specialization, and the internship/study abroad.

Academic Plan of Study

First Semester

COSC 102 - Fundamentals of Computer Applications I Credit Hour(s): 3
MATH 101 - General Mathematics Credit Hour(s): 3
ENGL 101 - Composition I Credit Hour(s): 3
ARTS 101 - Introduction to Visual Arts Credit Hour(s): 3
HIST 101 - World Civilization I Credit Hour(s): 3

Total Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

ENGL 102 - Composition II Credit Hour(s): 3
HIST 102 - World Civilization II Credit Hour(s): 3
GEOG 150 - Introduction to Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
MUSC 150 - Introduction to Music Credit Hour(s): 3
ARTS 205 - Art History Credit Hour(s): 3

Total Credit Hours: 15

Third Semester

ENGL 201 - World Literature I Credit Hour(s): 3
ENSC 201 - Environmental Science I Credit Hour(s): 3
ENSC 203L - Environmental Science I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
COMM 201 - Basic Communications Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 210 - Introduction to Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
Foreign Language I Credit Hour(s): 3
or
LANG 190 Credit Hour(s) 3

Total Credit Hours: 16

Fourth Semester

ENGL 205 - World Literature II Credit Hour(s): 3
ENSC 202 - Environmental Science II Credit Hour(s): 3
ENSC 204L - Environmental Science II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
SOCI 210 - Principles of Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOSC 200 - The Study of Race in the Social Sciences Credit Hour(s): 3
Foreign Language II Credit Hour(s): 3
or
LANG 191 Credit Hour(s) 3

Total Credit Hours: 16

Fifth Semester

GEOG 301 - World Physical Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 300 - Political Thought Credit Hour(s): 3
COMM 340 - Intercultural Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
SOSC 230 - Social & Economic Processes Credit Hour(s): 3
INST 290 - Topics/Projects in International Studies Credit Hour(s): 3

Total Credit Hours: 15

Sixth Semester

POSC 312 - Comparative Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 350 - Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
SOCI 305 - Global Social Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
INST 492 - Soliya Connect Program Credit Hour(s): 2
INST 493 - International Studies Internship Program Credit Hour(s): 3

Total Credit Hours: 13

Seventh Semester

INST 491 - Study Abroad Program Credit Hour(s): 3
INST 492 - Soliya Connect Program Credit Hour(s): 2
POSC 405 - International Relations Credit Hour(s): 3
HLTH 101 - Personal Health and Wellness Credit Hour(s): 2
Elective Credit Hour(s): 6

Total Credit Hours: 15

Eighth Semester

INST 490 - Topics in International Studies Credit Hour(s): 3
SOSC 341 - Gender Studies Credit Hour(s): 3
Elective Credit Hour(s): 9

Total Credit Hours: 15

Total Credit Hours: 120

General Education Classes

ARTS 101 - Introduction to Visual Arts Credit Hour(s): 3
ARTS 205 - Art History Credit Hour(s): 3
COMM 201 - Basic Communications Credit Hour(s): 3
COSC 102 - Fundamentals of Computer Applications I Credit Hour(s): 3
ENGL 101 - Composition I Credit Hour(s): 3
ENGL 102 - Composition II Credit Hour(s): 3
ENGL 201 - World Literature I Credit Hour(s): 3
ENGL 205 - World Literature II Credit Hour(s): 3
ENSC 203L - Environmental Science I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
ENSC 201 - Environmental Science I Credit Hour(s): 3
ENSC 202 - Environmental Science II Credit Hour(s): 3
ENSC 204L - Environmental Science II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
HLTH 101 - Personal Health and Wellness Credit Hour(s): 2
MATH 101 - General Mathematics Credit Hour(s): 3
PSYC 103 - General Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3

Total Credit Hours: 40

International Studies Core Classes

COMM 340 - Intercultural Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
GEOG 150 - Introduction to Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
GEOG 301 - World Physical Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
HIST 101 - World Civilization I Credit Hour(s): 3
HIST 102 - World Civilization II Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 210 - Introduction to Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 300 - Political Thought Credit Hour(s): 3
SOCI 210 - Principles of Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOSC 200 - The Study of Race in the Social Sciences Credit Hour(s): 3
SOSC 230 - Social & Economic Processes Credit Hour(s): 3
Foreign Language I & II Sequence Credit Hour(s) 6
or
LANG 190 and LANG 191 Credit Hour(s) 6

Total Credit Hours: 36

International Studies Specialization Classes

INST 290 - Topics/Projects in International Studies Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 312 - Comparative Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 350 - Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 405 - International Relations Credit Hour(s): 3
SOCI 305 - Global Social Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
SOSC 341 - Gender Studies Credit Hour(s): 3
INST 490 - Topics in International Studies Credit Hour(s): 3
INST 491 - Study Abroad Program Credit Hour(s): 3
INST 492 - Soliya Connect Program Credit Hour(s): 2
INST 493 - International Studies Internship Program Credit Hour(s): 3
Restricted Electives Credit Hour(s): 15

Total Credit Hours: 44

Restricted Electives

LANG 290 - Topics Credit Hour(s): 3
LANG 291 - Topics Credit Hour(s): 3
HUMN 490 - Topics in Humanities Credit Hour(s): 3
ACCT 440 - Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting Credit Hour(s): 3
ENGL 302 - Major British Authors Credit Hour(s): 3
ENGL 321 - Teaching English as a Foreign Language Credit Hour(s): 4
EDUC 160 - Diversity and Education Credit Hour(s): 2
HLTH 309 - Diversity in Health Credit Hour(s): 3
HIST 401 - Diplomatic History of United States Credit Hour(s): 3
HUMN 223 - Introduction to Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
BUSN 375 - International Business Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 200 - American National Government Credit Hour(s): 3
POSC 218 - State and Local Government Credit Hour(s): 3

Note:

Foreign language study is a requirement of all International Studies majors.

INST 491 Study Abroad and INST 493 International Internship may be engaged in during the summer but will be scheduled in the fall/spring semesters.

INST 491 Study Abroad, which might include the study of a foreign language and other relevant courses, might be done during the summer at one of BSU’s partner institutions. The Transfer of Credits form must be completed prior to departure by faculty advisors and applicable Deans.
HUMN 490 Cultures and Tradition courses I & II
HIST 401 Diplomatic History of the United States