The B.S. degree in international studies trains students to demonstrate knowledge of international and global issues through a humanities and social sciences lens with greater emphasis on quantitative reasoning. Students will engage in debates about global citizenship and evaluate the historical context of current political, economic, cultural, health, and environmental decisions. 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.

Students in the major take two introductory courses 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 also 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:

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 ethnically (such as the Jewish diaspora) outside the United States.

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