Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 Previous Edition

International Studies, B.A.


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The International Studies major draws upon the faculty and courses of the Department of Global, International, and Area Studies , as well as a number of other departments, and is structured to give students skills and knowledge to understand and analyze societies outside the United States in the context of the rapidly changing and increasingly interdependent world.  By integrating courses on world affairs from a variety of disciplines, the program allows students interested in studying other cultures and societies to focus attention across traditional disciplinary boundaries.  International Studies is of particular value to those with career objectives in government, law, journalism, teaching, business, trade, or military service.  It also serves those who will seek employment with international organizations such as the United Nations or with non-governmental agencies with an international or cross-cultural focus.

International Studies graduates work for employers such as local, state, and federal governments; international organizations; private sector businesses; nonprofit organizations; colleges and universities; elementary and secondary schools; think tanks; the military; newspapers and magazines; law firms; financial institutions; public relations firms; and the travel industry. They also find careers as foreign service officers, policy analysts, international trade specialists, diplomats, United Nations staffers, lobbyists, intelligence specialists, translators/interpreters, US Customs officers, cultural liaisons, journalists, business managers, government or business consultants, ESL administrators/instructors, professors, teachers, travel/tourism promoters, military officers, and missionaries.

Degree Requirements


A Major in International Studies requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in courses approved for International Studies credit.  Majors must also complete related work in foreign language and an international experience as stipulated in the core curriculum.  Each student, in consultation with an advisor, will prepare a Plan of Study for completion of these requirements upon declaration of the major.

General Education Courses (37-43 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education program 

Foreign Language Courses


Students are expected to demonstrate competency in a foreign language appropriate to their selected concentration by completing the equivalent of two courses at the 3000-level or above.  Language courses at the 3000-level offered in English do not apply to the foreign language requirement.

Concentration Courses (15 credit hours)


Select one of the following Comparative Studies or Area Studies concentrations, and complete the designated required course and elective courses.  Twelve hours of elective credit from the list of approved courses for the selected concentration must be completed.  Other courses may be considered if approved by an advisor.  For Comparative Studies concentrations, at least two of the elective courses should have an INTL prefix.

Concentration in Comparative Studies: Development and Sustainability


Foundation Course (3 credit hours)

Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Select from the following:

Concentration in Comparative Studies: Peace, Conflict, and Identity


Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Select from of the following:

Concentration in Comparative Studies: Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights


Concentration in Area Studies: Europe


Additional Elective Courses (9 credit hours)


An additional 9 credit hours of International Studies electives consisting of three courses with an INTL prefix outside of the student’s concentration are required.

Seminar Course (3 credit hours)


Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed.

International Experience


Students are required to complete an international experience related to the area studies concentration they have selected.  This may be fulfilled through participation in a formal education abroad program or through foreign- based work, service, or internship activities.  This experience must be specified and approved by an advisor.  Academic credit hours earned may be applied to the requirements of the major.  A U.S.-based experience of an international nature or prior international experience may be considered in certain circumstances, subject to the approval of an advisor.

Second Majors


Students pursuing a second major may apply up to nine (9) hours of credit from courses in that major toward requirements for the major in International Studies.  Exceptions may be approved by an advisor upon consultation with the other program in question.  Without exception, courses that are used to fulfill the foreign language requirement for International Studies cannot be used to fulfill other requirements for the major.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Suggested Curriculum


For the suggested course sequence toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.  Consultation with an advisor is required.

Grade Requirement


A GPA of 2.0 is required.

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