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Major in International Studies

BAIS is based on the assumption that just as it is beyond the ability of one nation, or even a few nations, to solve trade, political, and environmental problems that have become transnational in character, it is also beyond the power of simply one or two academic disciplines to provide students with the comprehensive knowledge and experience required to function and lead effectively and creatively in the highly complex and rapidly changing environment we inhabit. Students collaborate closely with their academic advisors to select the functional and area tracks to correspond to their own academic and career interests.

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in program-sponsored internships and service learning in their areas of emphasis in the major and also to complement their major with a study abroad experience in countries where they can apply and expand their foreign language competency and enrich their study of international issues.

Graduates with a degree in International Studies will be in demand in such fields as government service, education, international business, international media and communications, law, nongovernmental organizations, international development organizations, and international consulting.

Requirements for the International Studies Major

Basic Courses (12 units)

Functional Track (16 units)

Students choose one of the following functional (disciplinary) tracks. (See below for specific courses in each track)

Regional Tracks (20 units)

All International Studies majors must complete a 20-unit

regional component from among the following existing regional Minors:

Language Requirement (12 units)

Students must fulfill the College's language requirement in a language specific to their chosen area.

Course Requirements for Functional Tracks

NOTE: Students may not "double count" elective or required courses within the International Studies major. The major requires the completion of at least nine (9) discrete courses totaling 36 units--twelve (12) units of Basic Courses plus sixteen (16) units of Functional Track courses)

Functional Track I: Global Politics and Societies (16 units)

The political world today comprises nearly 200 nation-states varying greatly in size, military and economic power, and foreign policy objectives. These states, though legally sovereign, function in the context of a growing body of international norms and rules, and participate in a variety of organizations, both global and regional in scope. Adding to the complexity of international relations, the governments of these many states reflect a wide diversity of political philosophies, cultures, and leadership styles. These manifold differences pose a constant challenge to the maintenance of global peace and harmony and, therefore, to the security and well-being of the world's citizens.

The Global Politics and Societies track seeks to provide students with a deep understanding of the manifold forces at work in today's world. All students begin by learning about international history, especially since 1945. In addition, they analyze leading theories of international relations, the foreign policy behavior of states, and the roles of international law and organizations. Students also explore the influence of divergent political cultures on contemporary international relations, both globally and regionally.

This track is designed to be fully compatible with any one of the four accompanying regional track choices---Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Latin America.

I. All students in this track are required to take the following course:

II. Two courses are required from the following list, all of which have a global scope:

III. One course from the following list of courses that focuses on regional issues and global politics:

Functional Track II: Environment and Development (16 units)

Environmental concerns were, for many years, regarded as local or national issues. However, with the recognition of phenomena such as acid rain, ozone depletion, and climate change, many concerns suddenly acquired a global perspective. Whereas defining the science underpinning these issues has been relatively straightforward achieving consensus on remediation or prevention has been a different matter.

The "Environment and Development" track in the International Studies major is designed to equip students to develop a critical appreciation of global environmental issues both from the point of view of the science underpinning the issues, and with regard to the longer-term social, economic and political implications.

I. Two from the following three courses focusing on the environment from the scientific perspectives of biology, ecology, the biosphere, atmosphere,hydrosphere,and geosphere are required of all students in the Environment and Development emphasis:

*This course must be taken as a prerequisite for ENVS 210 and ENVS 212.

II. Two courses from the following courses focusing on the interaction of the environment and other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences:

*ECON 311 is a prerequisite for this course

Functional Track III: World Religions and Spiritualities (16 units)

The World Religions and Spiritualities track enables students to understand the complex interplay between religion and economic, political and cultural realities. The track explores the ways religion is experienced and/or imagined by individuals, groups, and institutions in the context of globalization.

I. One but no more than two courses from the following list of courses that focuses on Region, Religion and Spiritualities:

II. One but no more than two courses from the following list of courses that focuses on Genealogies of Religious Traditions:

III. One but no more than two courses from the following list of courses that focuses on Social Issues in the Study of Religion:

Functional Track IV: International Economics (16 units):

Why are some countries so rich and why have many remained so desperately poor? Has globalization helped the rich and hurt the poor? What is the effect of outsourcing? Should we restrict international trade and investments or should we embrace globalization and push for free trade, capital flows and liberalized migration? These are some of the questions which confront every person in the world. These questions are often the root causes of international conflict but they may also be resolved to mutual benefit of the contracting parties.

Students that choose the International Economics track will study these issues, look at the empirical data and learn about answers economists have to these questions. This track providesa solid foundation in the economic side of international studies.

I. The following two courses are required of all students in the International Economics track:

II. Students select two (2) courses from the following list:

*Of the two courses required in category II, students may take only one of these courses (ECON 311, 312, and 318). Note that some of the courses in Category II require prerequisites.

Note: By selecting three (3) Economics courses from the list, (including ECON 311 or 312) students earn an Economics minor.

Functional Track V: Peace and Conflict Studies (16 units)

This track examines the forces producing war and violence at the local and the global levels, including disputes between nations, weapons proliferation, international terrorism, economic inequality as well as criminal and domestic violence, civil war, hate crimes and ethnic conflict. It also analyses domestic and international institutions and social, political, and economic arrangements that promote or undermine peace. Students consider the role of social movements and revolutionary ideas and learn how ordinary people have changed the course of the world.

The approach of Peace and Conflict Studies is multidisciplinary, drawing on the humanities as well as the social and natural sciences. Students are taught to think critically, to examine and incorporate conflicting perspectives, and to debate broader principles underlying attitudes towards peace and conflict. In short, students learn the tools necessary to become engaged global citizens that can contribute, directly or indirectly, to peace and justice in the world.

I. Required of all students choosing the International Peace and Conflict Studies emphasis:

II. Three (3) from the following list of courses that have to do with the origins of and means for addressing conflict:

(NOTE: See the specific department sections in this Catalog for individual course descriptions.)

Learning Goals/Outcomes for the B.A. in International Studies

Students who complete the B.A. in International Studies will be able to:


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