The B.A. major in international studies provides an intellectual foundation that enables students to communicate, collaborate, and work across national, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic boundaries. By incorporating extensive foreign language study and mandating an overseas experience, this degree fosters competencies that students need in order to function successfully in a global environment. Flexible major requirements encourage depth and breadth of regional and thematic knowledge. Students explore the major by taking two introductory courses chosen from the following thematic concentrations: global health and environment; global development; human rights and international law; international communication and the arts; identity and conflict; and diplomacy, security, governance. They are also required to complete 300- and 400-level courses that focus directly on their chosen thematic concentration. Students must choose a regional concentration area with the approval of the departmental advisor. This area can be defined as either:

1. An area defined geographically (either broadly defined, such as the Pacific Rim, or with a concentrated focus, such as Egypt or Germany); or
2. An area defined linguistically, religiously, and/or ethically (such as the Jewish diaspora) outside the United States.

Optimally, the regional concentration chosen will relate to the student’s foreign language study.