2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 22, 2024  
2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

International Studies: Disciplinary concentration in Global Political Systems [IST_GPS]


In this International Studies Interdisciplinary Degree Program  concentration, students will gain an understanding of both the political life of areas of the world such as Latin America, Europe and Africa but also to the dynamics of international politics.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and reproduce historically based knowledge of global processes that shaped the world over the last 500 years such as world system theories, colonialism, nationalism, the age of 'discoveries', the age of revolutions, the age of empires, political ideologies, modern forms of government, capitalism, the rise of the modern nation-states, Enlightenment, Reformation etc.                                                               
  2. Understand and be capable to explain the major international political/economic theories and global processes in 20th /21st centuries, such as mercantilism, liberalism, communism, socialism, the creation of international organizations, orientalism, colonization, decolonization, regional wars and conflicts, the rise of political Islam, revolutions and coup d'etats, globalization etc.                                                                                    
  3. Analyze the impact of global processes, developed during the 20th /21st centuries, on cultures and nations outside the "West".                                       
  4. Be fluent in one foreign language or have competency in two foreign languages. Students should be able to successfully negotiate cross-cultural contexts.
  5. Integrate inter-disciplinary knowledge and conduct innovative studies through advanced research papers (research question, formulation of sophisticated hypothesis, appropriate data presentation and argument, sophisticated research methods).                                                                         
  6. Offer clear, concise, and effective public presentations. Write essays and research papers effectively using proper grammar, punctuation, and paragraph structure.               

A. Required Courses: IST Core: 15 credit hours


Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124


Example of the B.A. in International Studies over four years


First Year


Second Year


Fall Total credit hours: 18


  • Foreign language
  • IST concentration
  • GE course
  • GE course
  • GE course
  • Elective

Spring Total credit hours: 15


  • Foreign language
  • IST concentration
  • GE course
  • GE course
  • GE course

Third Year


Fall Total credit hours: 15


  • IST concentration
  • IST concentration
  • Foreign language/Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Spring Total credit hours: 15


  • Study Abroad

Fourth Year


Fall Total credit hours: 15


  • IST concentration
  • IST concentration
  • Foreign language/Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Spring Total credit hours: 15


  • IST concentration
  • Foreign language/Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective