Interdisciplinary

International Studies is a truly interdisciplinary major. Drawing from history, political science, and economics, this major provides a balanced social science approach to global issues and trends. Substantial work in a foreign language reinforces and enhances the student's overall understanding of world events and problems.

The major is designed to allow the student to explore all the contributing disciplines while focusing more heavily on one of the three.

Versatile

The International Studies major is flexible in a number of ways.

First the major is flexible enough to allow students to design a course of study directed toward different career opportunities - academic, governmental, non-governmental organizations, and international service work.

Additionally, suitable course work is also flexible, allowing students to take advantage of opportunities that emerge. Topics courses, study abroad options, independent study, and the Washington semester are examples of such opportunities. International Studies majors often avail themselves of the wider range of course offerings available through the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC). Offerings at Hamline, Macalester, St. Catherine's and Augsburg significantly extend the range of options for majors.

The International Studies major also works well in combination with a second major or minor(s) for a strong broad-based knowledge of the world. Students may direct their choices within the major to focus on a particular region of the world. For example, a student interested in the Middle East may choose Arabic for language, study abroad in Egypt and choose courses in foreign policy or history of the region.

Core Courses:

• ECON 251: Principles of Macroeconomics (4 credits)
• GEOG 113: World Geography (4 credits)
• HIST 112: The Modern World (4 credits)
• IDSC 481: Seminar in International Studies(4 credits)
• POLS 104 American Government in Comparative Perspective (4 credits)

Plus 28 credits from the following list. A student must choose 16 credits from one discipline (their concentration), and the remaining 12 must include courses from each of the other two disciplines.

• ECON 252: Principles of Macroeconomics (4 credits)
• ECON 345: Economics of Growth and Development (4 credits)
• ECON 346: Country and Area Studies (offerings vary each year) (4 credits)
• ECON 348: International Economics (4 credits)
• ECON 349: Comparative Economic Systems (4 credits)
  
  
• HIST 210: Modern Latin America, 1800 to the Present (4 credits)
• HIST 220: Introduction to Japanese History and Culture (4 credits)
• HIST 313: Europe from 1750 to 1945 (4 credits)
• HIST 314: Modern Europe since 1945 (4 credits)
• HIST 340: Foundations of Chinese Civilization (4 credits)
• HIST 341: History of Modern China (4 credits)
• HIST 345: Family and Women in Chinese History (4 credits)
• HIST 347 The modernization of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China (4 credits)
• HIST 371: History of U.S. Foreign Policy (4 credits)
  
  
• POL 225: Introduction to World Politics (4 credits)
• POL 320: American Foreign Policy (4 credits)
• POL 326: International Law and Organizations (4 credits)
• POL 350: Comparative Politics of the New Europe (4 credits)
• POL 352: Third World Politics and Government (4 credits)
• POL 424: Seminar in International Politics (4 credits)
• POL 454: Seminar in Comparative Politics (4 credits)

GEOG- The Department of Geography, from time to time, offers courses on the geography of selected regions of the world. With the approval of the director of international studies, these courses may be elected to fulfill non-concentration requirements.

Plus study of a foreign language

At least 12 credits beyond the core curriculum requirement in a particular modern foreign language. St. Thomas offers extended study in French, Gaelic, German, Russian, and Spanish. ACTC offerings extend the possibilities to Arabic, Chinese, Italian, and Japanese.

Please consult undergraduate catalog for additional course offerings and information: http://www.stthomas.edu/catalog/current/default.html.

Typical Careers

For those who aspire to an internationally oriented career, International Studies is an excellent starting point. In recent years, majors have obtained a variety of internationally oriented positions. The following are examples:

• International Economist, U.S. Department of Treasury
• Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
• Officer, U.S. Intelligence Agency
• Volunteer, Peace Corps
• International Scheduling, Northwest Airlines
• Exporter, small business firm
• English Language Instructor, Japanese government
• Spanish Translator, Minnesota Department of Health
• Program Supervisor, White House Volunteers

Contact Us

If you have specific questions or would like to discuss this program, its requirements and benefits, contact:

Dr. Renee Burr

University of St. Thomas, Mail #JRC 432
2115 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105-1096

Phone: (651) 962-5722
E-mail: buhr6782@stthomas.edu