International Studies

The major in International Studies provides an interdisciplinary perspective on global politics, economics, cultures and history. International studies majors acquire twenty-first-century analytical skills and knowledge that will enable them to understand and contribute to shaping the rapidly evolving global community. The degree in international studies prepares students for careers in a variety of fields such as international public policy, international business and finance, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and academic research and teaching.

Requirements for the major include a core set of courses: Introduction to Global Studies, Global Cultures and Society, Global Political Ideologies, Global Political Economy, Human Rights and Global Governance, and Global Environmental Issues. Also required is an additional lower-division social science course, and the Global and International Studies Forum. Students also choose both a geographic focus and a global focus to enable them to broaden and deepen areas of knowledge and topics of particular interest. The final requirements are competence in a language other than English and an international experience or approved internship.

Requirements

All students must meet the University Requirements.

All students must meet the School Requirements.

Requirements for the Major

All International Studies majors must complete a minimum of 16 courses for a letter grade, with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Global Focus

Geographic Focus

1. Competency is established by college-level course work equivalent to UCI's fifth quarter of study (usually 2B).
2. Although some courses are listed in more than one focus, students may not double count a course for both their geographic and global focus areas.
3. Majors are encouraged to study abroad through the University’s Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) or the Independent Programs, which are available for periods of a quarter, year, or summer. When this is not possible, work overseas (through Independent Programs) or a domestic internship with the UCDC Internship Program, the UCI Washington D.C. Academic Internship Program, or Social Science Internship Program (SOC SCI 197) with an international focus may be substituted.

Honors Program

Honors Program in International Studies

The Honors Program allows International Studies majors to engage in research leading to the completion of an honors thesis. The topic for the honors thesis is selected by the student, in consultation with a faculty advisor, and should reflect a theme consistent with the student’s module in the International Studies major.

Admission

Admission to the program is based on a formal application submitted prior to the start of Fall quarter. Students looking for a faculty advisor can visit the Global and International Studies faculty page.

Requirements

The Honors Program is open to all International Studies majors who meet the minimum academic qualifications (3.5 GPA in International Studies courses and 3.0 GPA overall). Also, students must have completed the lower division writing requirement before being considered admission into the program.

During the winter quarter of the junior year or senior year, students formally apply to the honors program. Students will be notified of their selection to the honors program by June 19. In the fall quarter, students enroll in International Studies INTL ST H180, Honors Research Seminar. In this course, each student formulates a written research plan (i.e., prospectus) for the honors thesis. Students also select a faculty member who agrees to supervise the research, evaluate the written work, and approve the honors thesis. In the winter quarter, students enroll in International Studies INTL ST H190, Honors Thesis, with their faculty advisor. The faculty advisor supervises and evaluates data collection and analysis and reads and edits chapter drafts. In the spring quarter, students enroll in a second quarter of INTL ST H190, Honors Thesis, with their faculty advisor. The thesis is to be completed by the student and approved by the advisor prior to the end of the quarter.

Honors students must also demonstrate a high level of language proficiency by completing two courses beyond the 2A level in language, literature, or culture taught in their chosen international language.

International Studies majors are also required to pursue some form of international experience, as explained in major requirement H.