International Studies Courses

Intl 201 Introduction to International Studies (4 credits)

A survey of the main concepts, analytical tools, fields of study, global problems, and cross-cultural perspectives that comprise international studies.

Be sure to register for a corresponding mentored inquiry section:

• Intl 211 Introduction to African Studies
  

• Intl 216 Introduction to Asian Studies
  

• Intl 226 Introduction to European Studies
  

• Intl 240 Introduction to Latin American Studies
  

• Intl 247 Introduction to Middle Eastern Studies

In-depth interdisciplinary or topical study of one of the regional foci in the International Studies degree program: Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East.

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the study of diverse cultures and societies in Asia through a variety of disciplinary approaches including history, literature, anthropology, the arts, and geography. Students will focus first on the origins of Asia's major cultural traditions, and then on the way in which these traditions have transformed and been transformed by the powerful forces of imperialism, industrialization, and globalization.

Through written assignments and oral presentations, students will develop their critical, analytical, and communication skills.

Intl 317 Topics in Asian Thought (4 credits)

Study of the religious and ethical traditions of Asia including, but not limited to, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, and Islam, their social and cultural importance, and their ties to political thought and history.

Intl 321 Globalization and Identity: Humanities (4 credits)

Examines how U.S. and Asian societies define the meaning of globalization vis-á-vis themselves and each other using source materials from the humanities.

Intl 322 Globalization and Identity: Social Science (4 credits)

Examines how U.S. and Asian societies define the meaning of globalization vis-á-vis themselves and each other using source materials from the social sciences.

Intl 323 Tradition and Innovation: Humanities (4 credits)

Examines how U.S. and Asian societies employ the meanings of "tradition" and "innovation" to define themselves and view each other. Looks at tradition and innovation in both societies through plays, film and Asian and American literature

Intl 324 Tradition and Innovation: Social Science (4 credits)

Examines how U.S. and Asian societies employ the meaning of "tradition" and "innovation" to define themselves and view each other. Looks at tradition and innovation in both societies through historical. economic. and political science perspectives.

Intl 331 Women in the Middle East (4 credits)

 Aims to explore the role and status for women in the contemporary Middle East with respect to institutions such as the family, law, education, work, and politics - areas which intersect and overlap with broader cultural questions about women and their place in tradition, modernity, nation-building, Islam, and the West. This course is the same as FL 331 and WS 331. May only be taken for credit once.

Intl 332 Islamic Movements in the Contemporary Muslim World (4 credits)

An overview of Islamic political movements in the contemporary Muslim world. Examines the roots and development of Islamic movements in Muslim-populated societies in the context of Social Movement Theory and globalization. Particular attention to the rise of Islamic political movements from their position as a local and regional force to a global political movement. 

Intl 341 Environment and Development in Latin America (4 credits)

Examines the interrelationships between environment and development in Latin America from a interdisciplinary perspective. Explores issues of sustainable development including agriculture, deforestation, trade, urbanization, ecotourism and migration. 

Intl 342 Globalization and Conflict in Latin America (4 credits)

Examines issues of globalization and its impacts on regional conflict in contemporary Latin America. Topics include political systems, trade, poverty, inequality and human rights.

Intl 351 The City in Europe: Social Sciences (4 credits)

Examines the challenges of modern urban life since the eighteenth century in Europe and the various intellectual, political and social responses to industrialization and modernity that shape European indentity. Organized around three broad topics: the city as a locus of power and forms of resistance; multifaceted urban culture; and globalization's impact on city life.

Intl 352 The City in Europe: Humanities (4 credits)

Examines the challenge of modern urban life since the eighteenth centure in Europe through the lens of place and character in major European novels. Authors identified with specific cities (eg. Orwell and Barcelona, Mann and Venice, Isherwood and Berlin, Woolf and London) are chosen to explore the evolution of European identity and major historical, political, and cultural developments of the modern period. 

Intl 395 Colloquium (1 credit)
Lectures by PSU and visiting scholars on major world issues.

Note: INTL 395 must be taken three times to meet the major requirement.

Intl 396 The United States and the World (4 credits)
Interdisciplinary study and analysis of the role of the United States in world affairs with emphasis on the twentieth century, relations between the U.S. and the Third World, the era of the Cold War, American globalism, diplomatic, economic, and geopolitical issues.

Intl 397 The United State and International Development (4 credits)

Exploration of the relation between U.S. domestic and foreign policy on the formulation of the concept of development, its theoretical evolution and application in developing nations. A historical approach is utilized starting with colonialism and ending with topics of contemporary salience such as trade, financial liberalization and sustainability.

Intl 399 Special Studies (Credits to be arranged)

Intl 401 Research (Credits to be arranged)

Intl 404 Cooperative Education/Internship (Credits to be arranged)

Intl 405 Reading and Conference (Credits to be arranged)

Intl 407 Seminar (4 credits)

Reading and discussion about an interdisciplinary topic in international affairs. Restricted to seniors with an International Studies major or minor. 

Intl 410 Selected Topics (Credits to be arranged)

Intl 452 The European Union (4 credits)

Focuses on how the EU has evolved since its beginnings in the 1950s, on its present-day organization and functions, and on how the member countries interact in making EU policies for jointly regulating their internal economies and societies as well as how the EU members also try to manage their relations with the rest of the world. This course is same as PS 452; course may only be taken once for credit

Intl 460/560 Political Development in Modern Turkey (4 credits)
Designed to provide students with an in-depth study of political development literature with a focus on modern Turkey. Examines how modern Turkish republic emerged from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire and evaluate stages of political development during the first, second and third republic. Finally, assesses the implications of Turkey's new geopolitics (since the end of the Cold War) on Turkish political and economic development in a global perspective. This course is the same as PS 460/560. May only be taken once for credit.

Intl 461/561 Politics of Economic Reform in Modern Turkey (4 credits)
Course examines the politics of planned economic growth under the Republic Peoples Party, transition to the import-substituting growth model during the post WWII era, problems associated with economic stagnation in the 1970s, and transformation of the Turkish economy during the 1980s and 1990s. The last two decades provide important insight into how politics and economics (domestic as well as international) converge in shaping Turkey's economic growth strategies. This course is the same as PS 461/561. May only be taken once for credit.

Intl 462 Amazon Rain Forest (4 credits)
Examines different ways in which the Amazon has been perceived through time. This course is the same as HST 462. May only be taken once for credit.

Intl 463 Modern Brazil (4 credits)
Examines such topics as slavery, abolition, messianism, banditry, the Amazon, race, military rule, and democratization in the making of modern Brazil. This course is the same as HST 463. May only be taken once for credit.

Intl 471 Understanding the International Experience (4 credits)
Examination of communication-based, cultural, economic, emotional, physical, political, religious, and social aspects of an overseas or community-based international/intercultural experience. Presentation of strategies for development of an appropriate level of preparation to meet challenges of working and traveling in an international/intercultural setting. Emphasis on general methodology and process required to develop personal awareness and resources for successful field experience. Also offered as BST 471 and LING 471.

Intl 490 Global Sustainable Development (4 credits) An examination of key concepts of global sustainable development, international policies associated with sustainable development, and the power relations inherent to these policies. The subject matter is approached from an interdisciplinary perspective. Expected preparation: Intl 397.

Intl 499 Senior International Experience (6 credits)
A service learning and/or community-based learning experience in an international or inter-cultural setting, in a group-supervised, team-centered format, within either a study-abroad program or a local project (or both) with an appropriate international agency, business, community, or nonprofit organization.