International studies degree overview

The world is a big place. A degree in international studies provides students with a greater understanding of it. It exposes them to key issues of debate in the international system.

By its very nature, international studies is an expansive subject. Therefore, programs in the field commonly offer concentration options in both geographic areas and specific topics such as diplomacy and foreign policy, international economics, global culture and gender studies, international public health, and intelligence analysis.

In short, the goal of international studies is to produce students of the world, global citizens, and individuals who think critically about global issues and problems.

Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies – Four Year Duration
A typical bachelor’s program in international studies consists of study of a foreign language, core courses in the major, and work in a specialized concentration. In most disciplines, specialization is not common at the undergraduate level. In international studies, however, this is not the case because the field’s subject area is so wide.

While studying abroad is not generally a degree requirement, many programs offer opportunities to do so and encourage the experience to expose students to a foreign culture and language.

Here is an example of how an international studies bachelor’s degree program might be structured:

Required Core Courses

• Themes in Visual Culture – introduction to the visual arts focusing on selected major works of art throughout history
• Global Economic, Business, and Social Issues – analysis of controversies and diverse opinions on global economic, business, and social issues; topics include social security, healthcare, poverty, labor discrimination, pollution, and business ethics
• Principles of Microeconomics – overview of microeconomics as an aid to understanding contemporary society
• Principles of Macroeconomics – overview of macroeconomics as an aid to understanding contemporary society
• World Regional Geography – the spatial characteristics that make up and connect regions of the world; environmental, cultural, political, and economic factors are addressed
• Global Encounters – examination of the social, cultural, economic, religious, and political interactions between Western Europe and the non-Western world since 1500
• International Politics – overview of the international political system; characteristics of the system, sources of conflict, approaches to peacekeeping, and other current issues
• Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies – introduction to feminist thought and activism; exploration of gender as a perspective from which to understand social, cultural, political, and economic forces

Possible Concentrations and a Sample Course Per Concentration

International Diplomacy and Peace Studies Concentration

• American Foreign Policy – the role of the United States in contemporary international politics and the relationship of the domestic political system to that role

African Studies Concentration

• Peoples and Cultures of Africa – survey of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa with focus on connections between communities, regions, and between Africa and the rest of the world

Asian Studies Concentration

• Non-Western Art – geographical and chronological study of the art of non-western cultures

European Studies Concentration

• Studies in Ancient and Classical Art – studies of the period, the movements, and the artists of the time

Latin American Studies Concentration

• The Hispanic World: Cultures in Motion – discussion of Hispanic cultures, with focus on Spain’s relationship with its ‘Others’ such as Muslims and Jews; the colonial legacies of Latin America, with focus on the portrayal of women, Indians, and Afro-Latinos; the Latino cultural impact in the United States

Middle Eastern Studies Concentration

• Introduction to Arabic Fiction – an introduction to the history and development of Arabic fiction through the study of classical and modern texts

Comparative Cultures Concentration

• Art History: Ancient to Renaissance – painting and sculpture in the Western world from antiquity to Renaissance; the concepts of visual and stylistic analysis

Global Gender Studies Concentration

• Political Economy of Women – feminist understanding of women’s economic roles and contributions in the context of globalization; the importance of race, gender, class, and nationality in economic processes shaping family life, paid employment, and international market relations

International Economic Affairs Concentration

• Economics of Diversity – using economic theory, students explore the implications of ethnic, racial, religious, and other kinds of diversity in the US and throughout the world

Research / Intelligence Analyst Concentration

• Politics of Intelligence Gathering – evolution of intelligence gathering, analysis, and application in US policy making; tensions that characterize the relationship between a democracy and a secret agency; the role of technology

Anthropology
Students of anthropology study the evolutionary history of people, how they interact, how they adapt to various environments, how they communicate and socialize with one another, and how their bodies and cultures have changed over time. The field attempts to answer big questions on many of the fundamentals of human culture, from gender to political systems to violence, religion, race, and economics.

Economics
Economics asks wide questions about world economies, how governments should respond to financial crises, how stock prices and exchange rates are set, and how to help people living in poverty. The degree field is focused on how to use the concepts and theories of economics to study and solve problems in business.

Geography
Students of geography study the earth’s surface; its climate, soil, and water; and the relationship between people and the land. Some typical courses in a geography program are cartography, climatology, geology, political geography, statistics, and spatial analysis.

History
History is the study of change over time. Degree programs in the field examine political history, diplomatic/international relations history, cultural/ideological history, social/living standards history, economic history, intellectual/philosophical history, and military/armed conflict history.

International Business
Students of international business study business from a global perspective. They learn how to work cross-culturally, how to manage multinational businesses, and how to turn local and national companies into international corporations. Coursework often includes some foreign language studies, as well.

International Relations
Students of international relations learn about international politics and institutions and the principles of diplomacy and foreign policy. They examine interactions between governments on several levels: political, economic, cultural, and militaristic.

In the current U.S. political climate, they may deliberate questions like: How has the Donald Trump presidency affected the world view of the United States? How have allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election impacted diplomatic and trade relations between the United States and Russia?

Graduates in the field of international studies come away from their studies with a particularly transferable set of skills:

• A Multidisciplinary Approach – understanding that perspectives on issues may vary from country to country, region to region, and individual to individual
• Appreciation for History
• Collaboration – capacity to listen and work with many parties: government officials, business and organization leaders, and diplomats
• Communication and Debating – knowing how to convey information and complex ideas to different kinds of audiences, both orally and in written form
• Compiling and Organizing Information
• Critical Thinking and Creativity – the ability to think critically leads to successful analysis, creativity, and ultimately to solutions
• Cross-Cultural Appreciation – appreciation for different political values and cultural expectations facilitates negotiation and collaboration
• Flexibility and Negotiation Skills – open-mindedness that will secure the most desirable outcomes
• Foreign Language Skills – the abilities to communicate in one or more foreign languages and understand cultural differences reflected in language are always valuable
• Understanding of Social Processes and Policies

The multifaceted nature of international studies makes graduates in the field ideally suited for a variety of careers in a variety of sectors. Working in some of these sectors and roles may require further education and/or on-the-job training.

International Business and Industry

Employers:

• Foreign Corporations
• International marketing and Trade Firms
• International Real Estate Firms
• Travel and Hospitality Industries
• Consulting Firms
• Foreign Financial Institutions

Jobs:

• Export Manager
• International Banker
• Cross-Cultural Relations Consultant
• Sales Coordinator
• Public Relations Officer
• Hotel Manager

Government and International Relations

Employers:

• Government Agencies
• United Nations
• Relief and Religious Organizations
• US Foreign Service
• National Security Councils

Jobs:

• Foreign Service Officer / Diplomat
• Foreign Area Specialist
• International Relations Specialist
• Translator
• Intelligence Agent