The mission of the International Studies Program (both the major and minor programs) is to provide high-quality in-depth education in international affairs, to cultivate foreign language and inter-cultural communications skills, to provide opportunities for study abroad, to enhance students' vocational skills in an increasingly interconnected world, and to provide an intellectual climate that cultivates curiosity, tolerance and an eagerness to learn about the world.
The International Studies major, Bachelor of Arts degree, is a multi-disciplinary major, incorporating a variety of disciplines across colleges and departments within the Pittsburg State University community. Its core is Political Science, History, Geography and Sociology with substantial contributions made by Economics, Management and Marketing, and Communication. In addition, a variety of other disciplines, such as Family and Consumer Sciences, English and the Fine Arts provide important contributions. The major is designed to give students a core body of knowledge and basic skills necessary to live and work successfully in an increasingly interconnected world. The development of students' foreign language skills is a key component of the program. Students are encouraged to enroll in internships and practica.
Students who wish to complete the International Studies major with Departmental Academic Honors can complete a total of nine hours of courses designated "may be taken for honors" from the 33 hours of required courses for the major.
Major Requirements |
Hours |
Core Requirements |
21 |
| HIST 102 World History from 1500 |
3 |
| POLS 324 Introduction to Comparative Politics |
3 |
| POLS 530 International Relations |
3 |
Environmental Issues (Choose one): |
|
| BIOL 330 Principles of Ecology |
3 |
| GEOG 502 Global Environmental Change |
3 |
Economic Issues (Choose one): |
|
| GEOG 507 Geography of the Global Economy |
3 |
| POLS 630 International Political Economy |
3 |
Cultural Issues (Choose one): |
|
| SOC 200 Introduction to Anthropology |
3 |
| PHIL 231 World Religions |
3 |
| GEOG 304 Human Geography |
3 |
| COMM 601 Intercultural Communication |
3 |
| SOC 676 Global Sociology |
3 |
| INT 699 Senior Seminar in International Studies |
3 |
Elective Courses** |
12 |
Area Studies |
|
| MLL 427 French Culture and Civilization |
3 |
| MLL 457 Hispanic Culture and Civilization |
3 |
| HIST 505 African Civilizations |
3 |
| HIST 507 Modern Africa |
3 |
| HIST 510 Modern Middle East |
3 |
| HIST 526 Japan Since 1700 |
3 |
| HIST 527 China Since 1700 |
3 |
| HIST 545 English History since 1660 |
3 |
| HIST 546 The Age of Empire |
3 |
| HIST 605 Africa and the Middle East |
3 |
| HIST 668 United States as a Superpower |
3 |
| POLS 526 Latin American Politics |
3 |
| SOC 676 Global Sociology |
3 |
Business, Economics and Technology |
|
| ECON 640 International Trade |
3 |
| GT 350 Technology and Civilization |
3 |
| MGMKT 611 International Marketing |
3 |
| MGMKT 439 International Business |
3 |
| MLL 526 Business French |
3 |
| MLL 556 Spanish for International Business |
3 |
| POLS 630 International Political Economy |
3 |
Comparative and International Institutions |
|
| COMM 785 International Communication |
3 |
| GEOG 508 Geography of Hazards and Disasters |
3 |
| JUST 511 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems |
3 |
| SOC 534 Political Sociology |
3 |
| POLS 587 U.S. Foreign Policy |
3 |
| POLS 680 War: The Politics of Violence |
3 |
Literature, Fine Arts and Design |
|
| ART 688 History of Modern Art |
3 |
| ART 689 Contemporary Issues in Art |
3 |
| COMM 405 Drama Studies (___)* |
3 |
| ENGL 220 World Masterpieces |
3 |
| ENGL 570 International Literatures Genre (____) |
3 |
| ENGL 571 International Literatures Theme (____) |
3 |
| FCS 154 Dress and Culture |
3 |
| FCS 312 History of Design I |
3 |
| FCS 455 History of Costume |
3 |
| MLL 428 Surveys of French Literature I |
3 |
| MLL 429 Surveys of French Literature II |
3 |
| MLL 430 Survey of Francophone Literature |
3 |
| MLL 452 Survey of Spanish-American Literature I |
3 |
| MLL 453 Survey of Spanish-American Literature II |
3 |
| MLL 454 Survey of Spanish Literature I |
3 |
| MLL 455 Survey of Spanish Literature II |
3 |
| MLL 458 Spanish American Drama |
3 |
| MLL 459 Spanish American Short Fiction |
3 |
| MLL 527 Translation of French |
3 |
| MLL 550 Hispanic Film |
3 |
| MLL 551 Hispanic Art |
3 |
| MLL 557 Translation of Spanish |
3 |
| MLL 651 Spanish American Poetry |
3 |
| MUSIC 120 Music Appreciation (World Music)* |
3 |
General |
|
| INT 505 Topics in International Studies (____) (Maximum of two if topics are different) |
3-6 |
| INT 510 Readings in International Studies (Maximum of two) |
2-6 |
| INT 690 Study Abroad (____) |
3-6 |
| INT 695 Internship/Practicum |
3 |
| TOTAL |
33 |
*Counts for International Studies major only when designated as covering an international topic. Student must receive written permission to count course on major from the director of the International Studies program prior to enrolling in course.
**Courses from the Core may also be used as electives if they are not used to meet core requirements. (Note: The list of elective courses published here is not exhaustive. Additional offerings will be available as electives when departments add new courses appropriate to International Studies to their own curricula and when appropriate "special topics" classes are offered. Students should refer to the International Studies section in the on-line class schedule to see what electives courses are available for the current semester. Majors and minors can also consult their International Studies adviser.)
