International Studies | Academic Advising Handbook
Pacific University offers an International Studies major and a minor.
Students have a number of different pathways to complete the International Studies major which consists of three parts: 1) a set of core courses, 2) an international experience, and 3) a second multi-disciplinary set of courses to support the student’s chosen international experience.
Many students combine an IS major with a second major or minor–languages, business, natural sciences, social sciences, and public health are all smart options with good career prospects. Students can think of IS as a way to internationalize any major.
Important tips:
- You should pursue a second language–start taking language classes as soon as possible in the language of your choice.
- You will be studying abroad as part of your major, so think ahead about your coursework schedule for all 4 years. Most students study abroad in their junior year.
- The courses you take while studying abroad may count toward your major requirements, so be sure to discuss your course choices with your advisor.
- You should plan to study abroad in a country where your chosen language is spoken. Please contact the International Programs Office to learn about your many options (intlprograms@pacificu.edu).
- You will be taking courses in our Global Skills program (4cr) the semesters before, during, and after your study abroad semester.
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of International Studies and the frequency with which new courses are available, the electives required in the IS major are flexible and students should speak with the IS Advisor or Chair to find out if additional courses might apply to the major.
Contact
- International Studies Advisor: Dr. Michael Miller
- International Studies Chair: Dr. Jann Purdy
International Studies Major Requirements
A minimum of 16 (sixteen) credits of the major must be upper-division.
Core Courses
IS 220 | Introduction to International Studies | 4 credits |
IS 201 | Intercultural Communication | 4 credits |
ECON 102 | Economics of Governments and Markets | 4 credits |
POLS 345 or POLS 340 | International Political Economy or Security, Rights, and Globalization | 4 credits |
IS 401 | Senior Research | 4 credits |
IS 402 | Senior Thesis | 2 credits |
TOTAL CORE: 22 credits
Language: one (4 credits) of the following*:
CHIN 202 | Intermediate Chinese | 4 credits |
FREN 202 | Intermediate French | 4 credits |
GER 202 | Intermediate German | 4 credits |
JAPN 202 | Intermediate Japanese | 4 credits |
SPAN 202 | Intermediate Spanish | 4 credits |
SPAN 211 | Spanish for Heritage Speakers | 4 credits |
*Students proficient in a second language beyond the 202 level may waive these credits/courses. Approval of the Chair of the World Languages Department is required for a waiver.
**Note: Students should plan to complete their 202 language course prior to study abroad.
Global Skills and International Experience:
Students must Study Abroad for at least one semester.*
IS/HUM 311 | Global Skills 1 - Prepare | 2 credits |
IS/HUM 312 | Global Skills 2 - Engage | 1 credit |
IS/HUM 313 | Global Skills 3 - Leverage | 1 credit |
*Students unable to study abroad during a regular semester may request to substitute a summer international experience of at least 8 credits for the study abroad requirement. The summer international experience must be approved by the Chair of International Studies.
Interdisciplinary Coursework (choose 4 credits from the following):
ANTH/REL 140 | Intro to Comparative Religion |
BA 312 | International Business |
BA/ECON 452 | Global Finance |
ECON 329 | International Economics |
ECON 328 | Macroeconomics Gov/Central Banking |
ECON 341 | International Trade and Development |
MUS/ANTH 241 | Intro to World Music |
PH 325 | Global Public Health |
POLS 180 | The U.S. in World Affairs |
POLS 330 | National Systems and Global Citizenship |
POLS 331 | Modern Dictatorship |
SOC/PSJ 347 | Global Capitalism and Neo-Colonial Inequality |
Geographic Area Studies Coursework (choose at least two courses for at least 8 credits of the following, selected to support the student's chosen geographic area of study):
Asia
ARTHI 276 | Art & Architecture of Asia |
HIST 215 | Imperialism in East Asia |
HIST 216 | History of Modern Japan |
HIST 217 | Making of Modern China |
HIST 318 | The Business of Capitalism in East Asia |
HIST 415 | Pan-Pacific Histories |
HUM 204 | Chinese Cultural Study |
HUM 213 | Introduction to Japanese Literature |
HUM 215 | Modernity in Japanese Narrative |
IS/HUM 222 | Introduction to Asian Studies |
PHIL 305 | Asian Philosophy |
THEA/HUM 351 | Traditional Theatre of East Asia |
Europe
FREN 308/408 | France Today |
FREN 304/404 | French and the Francophone Theater |
FREN 320/420 | Women's Writing in the Francophone World |
FREN 309/409 | French Popular Culture |
GER 301 | Topics in German Culture |
GER 305 | Music, Modernism, and Megalomania |
GER 306 | From Ruins to Reunification |
GER 485 | Seminar in German Studies |
HIST 206 | France from Caesar to Napoleon |
HIST 208 | England from Rome to Revolution |
HIST 232 | The Holocaust |
HIST 235 | Europe Since World War II |
HIST 333 | History of the British Empire |
HIST 338 | The Era of the French Revolution |
Latin America
ANTH/REL 240 | Topics in Comparative Religion |
HUM 306 | Latino Fiction |
ENGL 227 | World Literature: Magical Realism |
ENGL 324 | Post-Colonial Literature: Tales of Conquest Retold |
POLS/HIST 239 | Latin America I |
POLS/HIST 241 | Latin America II |
SPAN 325 | Mexican-American Cultural Exploration |
International Studies Minor Requirements
IS 220 | Introduction to International Studies | 4 credits |
IS 201 | Intercultural Communication | 4 credits |
POLS 345 or POLS 340 | International Political Economy or Security, Rights, and Globalization | 4 credits |
Two Additional Courses |
8 credits, at least 4 credits at the 300 level or above selected to support the student’s geographic area of study as listed above. |
8 credits |
Questions? Email Dr. Michael Miller at mjmiller@pacificu.edu or Dr. Jann Purdy purd6219@pacificu.edu .
You can also check out the IS website at http://www.pacificu.edu/as/internationalstudies