International Studies

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Administration
Fait Muedini, PhD, Program Director

The program cuts across traditional barriers between intellectual disciplines and draws on the resources of the Departments of English; History, Anthropology, and Classics; Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Philosophy and Religious Studies; Political Science; and Sociology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the Departments of Economics, Finance, and Management in the Lacy School of Business; and the College of Communication.

Program Website
www.butler.edu/arts-sciences/international-studies

Why Study International Studies?

The international studies major is an interdisciplinary program designed to give students an awareness of the diversity, complexity, and interdependence of the world community and to provide them with the necessary background to understand and analyze the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of current world problems and issues. The international studies major offers students the cultural competency necessary to be successful in an increasingly complex and global job market. It prepares students for careers in government, international organizations, journalism, international consulting, business, education, community development, and human rights work with nongovernmental organizations. It also provides a foundation for graduate work in such disciplines and programs of study as law, international studies, international relations, area studies, social sciences (anthropology, history, political science, sociology, etc.), comparative literature, religious studies, public policy, and public administration.

Why Study International Studies at Butler?

The curriculum of the international studies program at Butler is flexible; it can be adapted to meet the student’s individual interests and career plan. The following outlines some of the key characteristics and advantages of studying international studies at Butler University.

• Student-oriented program
• Large number of full-time faculty from various departments and areas of studies, rendering the curriculum truly comprehensive and global, and offering students a great variety of perspectives
• Curriculum that prepares students to work and be successful in an increasingly multicultural environment
• Curriculum that prepares students for interdisciplinary research
• Well-structured curriculum that gives students the fundamental knowledge in the field while allowing them to concentrate in regional foci and subfields of their interest
• Washington, DC, internship: Students can intern in many government agencies and in Congress, nongovernmental organizations, foreign embassies, think tanks, and international organizations such as the OAE, IMF, etc.
• International internships, where students can acquire hands-on knowledge of many countries around the world
• Comprehensive study-abroad program with opportunities for study in nearly every country of the world
• Concrete experiences in diplomacy by participating at the Model European Union, Model United Nations, and/or Model Arab League (financial support available from the program)
• Financial support for students conducting thesis research
• Financial support for travel for students presenting papers at conferences
• Active student-run international studies clubs

International Studies Student Learning Outcomes

This program provides students with the opportunities to acquire, develop, and demonstrate knowledge and understanding on a range of skills and abilities in relation to the international system and the process of globalization. When completing this degree, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the major dimensions of globalization, such as economic, political, and cultural globalization
• Describe the major functions of international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization
• Draw connections between social issues in their local community and the larger national and global context for such issues
• Describe and assess the main aspects of international relations, including the main aspects of U.S. foreign policy, colonialism, and nationalism
• Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate social scientific methods to compile and interpret data in assigned research projects or papers
• Understand the complexity of the contemporary world and demonstrate familiarity with the variety and relativity of cultures within one major region

Degree Programs

• International Studies (BA)
• Minor in International Studies

Programs

• International Studies, BA

• International Studies Minor

Courses

• IS 101 - Introduction to International Studies
• IS 301 - European Union Model
• IS 390 - The United Nations and Other International Organizations
• IS 401 - Independent Study
• IS 402 - Independent Study
• IS 403 - Independent Study
• IS 404 - Internship in International Studies
• IS 405 - Internship in International Studies
• IS 410 - The Global Society
• IS 430 - Islam and Human Rights
• IS 450 - The Middle-East and North Africa
• IS 470 - Selected Topics in International Studies
• IS 499 - Honors Thesis

Return to: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences