Major in International Studies

Requirements:

In addition to the general University requirements and those for the B.A. degree, majors must complete an individualized curriculum in their areas of geographic concentration, to include:

International Studies Core Courses - 29 credits required (taken in any order)

Connected Learning - 24 credits required

These courses are topical (international, global) NOT regional in focus. At least 24 upper-division credits (with a grade C or above) from adviser-approved courses selected from departments and programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Business Administration, the Graduate School of Education, the School of Fine and Performing Arts, and the College of Urban and Public Affairs. Lists of appropriate Connected Learning and International Development Studies courses are available in EH 341, or by clicking on the Forms/Lists button.

Regional Focus

At least 24 upper-division credits (with a grade C or above) from adviser-approved, area-specific courses appropriate to the student's regional focus; selected from departments and programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Business Administration, the Graduate School of Education, the School of Fine and Performing Arts, and the College of Urban and Public Affairs. Lists of appropriate Regional Focus courses are available in EH 341 or by clicking on the Forms/Lists button.

Foreign Language:

Student must demonstrate competence in an appropriate foreign language either by completing the third year of the language in the final term or by passing a departmentally administered proficiency exam at the same level. ****

A common misconception is that globalization has reduced the value of knowledge of languages other than English.
[Read more.]

Total hours: 77 (plus from 0 to 42 depending on language study) - 77-119

All courses used to satisfy the departmental major requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above.

The approved elective courses which may be used to complete the above curriculum are determined according to the geographic region of study that a student selects. Currently, five regions of concentration are available:

Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East

For academic advice contact Ari Douangpanya, EH 341, (503) 725-3455 arid@pdx.edu

* Students may not substitute UnSt 299 for Intl 2xx (and vice versa); the appropriate mentor section is required.
** Students may substitute ECON 340, PS 345, PS 445, PS 454 or SOC 320 for INTL 396, with approval of adviser. Substitutions for, or waivers of, all other INTL courses must be approved by the Program Director as well as the adviser.
*** An International Senior Capstone will normally fulfill the INTL 499 requirement.
****Demonstration of three years' foreign-language equivalency may be through examination; three years' coursework includes a departmentally administered proficiency examination.

The approved elective courses which may be used to complete the above curriculum are determined according to the geographic region of study [and the focus for connected learning], that a student selects. Currently, five regions of concentration - Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East - and an International Development Studies Track are available for the major.

Recommended Foundation Courses

- ANTH 103: Intro to Social/Cultural Anthropology

- ECON 201: Contemporary Economic Issues

- ECON 202: Principles of Economics (Macro)*

- UNST/ESR 224: Environmental Sustainability

- GEOG 230: Environment and Society

- HST 103: History of Western City (Modern era)

- INTL 2--: Introduction to a regional area of study

- PS 103: State of the World

- SOC 200: Introduction to Sociology

- SP 215: Intro to Intercultural Communication

- UNST 220: Understanding Communities