Program Description
The International Studies BA and ICP MA offers students the opportunity to study international politics, economics, culture, and society at the undergraduate and graduate level, using up to nine hours of graduate work to count towards both degrees. The major encourages intensive study of a foreign language with an interdisciplinary curriculum of study chosen by a student in consultation with a faculty advisor.
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in International Studies consists of three parts: at least two years of study of one foreign language; the major core courses, which include introductory work in art history, economics, geography, history, political science, religion, and women, gender, and sexuality studies; and work in a specialized concentration.
The specialized concentrations in the International Studies major provide six options: International Diplomacy and Peace Studies, Regional Studies (African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, or Middle Eastern Studies), Comparative Cultures, International Economics, Global Gender Studies, and Research/Intelligence Analysis.
The International Diplomacy and Peace Studies concentration includes courses in Political Science, Communication, and History. The African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies concentrations allow students to focus on a global region and include classes in Anthropology, History, Humanities, and Political Science. The Comparative Cultures concentration includes courses from Anthropology, Classics, English, History, Humanities, Philosophy, and Religion. The International Economics concentration focuses on global economic concerns, with supporting course work in History, Political Science, and Sociology. The Global Gender Studies concentration incorporates a gender-analysis approach to diplomacy, area studies, comparative cultures, and international economics. The Research/Intelligence concentration combines course work in research methods, ethics, and a variety of disciplines to assist those interested in international affairs to work in data analysis.
Study abroad opportunities in Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malta, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, Thailand, and elsewhere are available through the University Studies Abroad Consortium, of which Wright State is a member. Study abroad and cultural exchange can be arranged through the University Center for International Education.
Although studying abroad is not a requirement for an international studies degree, students will find that it will greatly enrich their educational experience, as will exposure to a foreign culture and peoples. For adequate language preparation, students interested in studying abroad should design their course of study well in advance of their trip.
Students interested in careers in government, international business, teaching, or journalism should contact the director of the international studies major. The major also provides sound preparation for students interested in graduate work in law, the humanities, or the social sciences.
Admission Requirements
Students can be admitted into the International Studies major after completing ENG 1100 or ENG 1140 with a grade of C or higher OR by completing at least two other Wright State Core courses taught by the college with a grade of “C” or higher. Admission into the Combined Program requires applying to the ICP MA Program and alerting the Program Director of the intent to pursue the Combined program. This should be done prior to the senior year of undergraduate work.
Program Learning Objectives
Students in the International Studies BA will learn to :
- demonstrate an understanding of the value of diversity and multicultural competence in today’s global environment.
- communicate effectively in writing.
- Use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate global political, economic, or social issues.
BA Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with the BA in International Studies can:
- demonstrate an understanding of the value of diversity and multicultural competence in today’s global environment.
- communicate effectively in writing.
- Use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate global political, economic, or social issues.
MA Program Learning Outcomes
Students completing the program can:
- Apply knowledge of theory and methods from core courses to answer exam questions about the state of International and Comparative Politics
- Evaluate the literature in a chosen major field in response to exam questions from areas of International and Comparative Politics
- Demonstrate adequate grasp of the core and elective materials to merit a Masters Degree in International and Comparative Politics
- Accurately summarize materials from the coursework of the student’s designed Program of Study
MA Program Learning Objectives
Students will:
- demonstrate an understanding of the value of diversity and multicultural competence in today’s global environment.
- communicate effectively in writing.
- Use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate global political, economic, or social issues
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