International Studies, BA

Requirements for the Major

The major consists of 42 hours, 33 of which must be fulfilled at the 300 level or above.

Core (21 hours)

Introduction (A):

IS 101 - Introduction to International Studies Min Units: 3
OR
SW 270-IS - Understanding Global Issues Min Units: 3

One of the Following Courses:

PO 102 - Introduction to Peace Studies Min Units: 3
PO 141 - Introduction to International Politics Min Units: 3
PO 151 - Introduction to Comparative Politics Min Units: 3
SW 205-GE - Cultural Geography: Regions of the World Min Units: 3
SW 215-AN - Being Human – Anthropological Approaches to Life and Meaning Min Units: 3
SW 220-EC - The Economy and Society Min Units: 3
TI 250-RL - Religions of the World Min Units: 3

International Arrangements and Interactions (B):

IS 390 - The United Nations and Other International Organizations and an additional B course. Examples of B courses can be found below. Offerings vary by semester; a course cannot count for both B and D.

AN 304 - Medical Anthropology Min Units: 3
AN 315 - Gender and Colonialism Min Units: 3
BSHS 493 - Global Health Min Units: 3
CCM 482 - Voices of Dissent & Social Change Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
EC 433 - International Economics Min Units: 3
OR
IB 433 - International Economics Min Units: 3
JR 325 - Gender and News: Global Views Min Units: 3
JR 417 - Global Media Min Units: 3
MH 308 - Music and Movement Min Units: 3
ORG 359 - Intercultural Communication Min Units: 3
PL 345 - Contemporary Social and Political Philosophy Min Units: 3
PO 322 - International Conflict and Peace Building Min Units: 3 (can also count as a D)
PO 330 - Humanitarianism - The Politics of Policy and Practice Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
PO 352 - Comparative Political Economy Min Units: 3
PO 354 - Environmental Justice Min Units: 3 (can also count as a D)
PO 380 - Topics in Political Science Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
RL 391 - Seminar on Religion and Global Affairs Min Units: 1.5
OR
RL 392 - Seminar on Religion and Global Affairs Min Units: 1.5
SO 334 - Immigration Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
SO 355 - International Crime Min Units: 3
STR 405 - Global Strategic Communication Min Units: 3

Research Methods (C):

One of the following:

AN 352 - Ethnography Min Units: 3
AN 380 - Selected Topics in Anthropology Min Units: 3
HST 301 - Historiography Min Units: 3
MS 264 - Statistics Min Units: 3
PO 201 - Research and Analysis Min Units: 3
RL 381 - Theory and Method in the Study of Religion Min Units: 3
SO 393 - Research Methods Seminar Min Units: 3

International Relations and Diplomacy (D):

One D course is required. Examples of D courses can be found below. Offerings vary by semester; a course cannot count for both B and D.

CCM 482 - Voices of Dissent & Social Change Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
HST 353 - The American Empire Min Units: 3
PO 322 - International Conflict and Peace Building Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
PO 330 - Humanitarianism - The Politics of Policy and Practice Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
PO 352 - Comparative Political Economy Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
PO 354 - Environmental Justice Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
PO 357 - The Politics of Youth and Conflict Min Units: 3
PO 380 - Topics in Political Science Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)
PO 490 - Seminar in Political Science Min Units: 3
SO 334 - Immigration Min Units: 3 (can either count for B or D)

Capstone Course (to be taken in the junior or senior year) (E):

IS 410 - The Global Society Min Units: 3

International Studies Area Courses

18 hours from two of the following areas (9 hours in each area; two disciplines must be represented). Offerings vary by semester. Example courses for each of the areas can be found below:

Foreign Language:

Nine (9) hours at the 300-400 level in one modern foreign language. Classes in French, German, Spanish, and Chinese are offered at Butler University. Classes in other languages such as Arabic, Italian, and Japanese can be taken at other universities in the area. A language course counting for an area course other than Foreign Language cannot also count towards the Foreign Language area.

Electives:

One elective (3 hrs) required. Offerings vary by semester. Any course in an International Studies area above not used to fulfill another requirement, or additional examples below:

EN 394 - Special Topics in Film Min Units: 3
FN 451 - International Financial Management Min Units: 3
OR
IB 451 - International Finance Management Min Units: 3 (prerequisite or permission of the instructor)
IB 491 - International Marketing Min Units: 3
OR
MK 491 - International Marketing Min Units: 3 (prerequisite or permission of the instructor)

Special International Studies Courses (Recommended, but not required)

which may include:

IS 401 - Independent Study Min Units: 1
IS 402 - Independent Study Min Units: 2
IS 403 - Independent Study Min Units: 3
IS 404 - Internship in International Studies Min Units: 3
IS 405 - Internship in International Studies Min Units: 6
IS 470 - Selected Topics in International Studies Min Units: 3
IS 499 - Honors Thesis Min Units: 3

Study Abroad (Highly Recommended)

Experience abroad may be in the form of attendance at a foreign college or university, an international internship, independent travel connected with an approved independent study project, or participation in an approved foreign study tour. Credits from those experiences abroad usually count toward fulfilling the requirements of the major or minor.

Model United Nations, Model Arab League, and Model European Union (Highly Recommended)

International studies majors can participate in these three events, which play a very important role in the formation of students interested in international issues, because they learn the rules of negotiation and diplomacy as well as the workings of the United Nations, Arab League, and European Union.