International Studies, BA

Introduction

Students majoring in International Studies build the knowledge and skills needed to understand and work effectively in a global society. In addition to examining theories and practices of international relations and affairs, students engage in multi-disciplinary study in order to appreciate the politics, history, economy, language and culture of a particular region of the world.

Admissions

Program Length

Four years for a complete BA degree. Two years for students transferring in with an AAOT degree. Program length may vary depending upon the student’s course load and academic progress.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing Pacific University’s International Studies major will:

Demonstrate at least an intermediate-level competency in a second language (for most students at Pacific this means completing a 202-level language course).
Demonstrate interdisciplinary knowledge and critical thinking related to global issues, policies, processes and trends.
Clearly articulate, consider, and argue issues through the use of diverse frames of reference and engagement with concepts of cultural relativity.

Baccalaureate Degree Core

Baccalaureate Degree Core Requirements

Major Requirements: 38-42 Credits

A minimum of 16 credits of the major must be upper-level.

All of the Following: 18 Credits

Core Courses require a grade of C- or higher

IS 220W - Introduction to International Studies 4 credit(s) *
IS 201 - Intercultural Communication 4 credit(s)
POLS 345 - International Political Economy 4 credit(s)
OR
POLS 340 - Security, Rights & Globalization 4 credit(s)
IS 401 - Senior Seminar 4 credit(s)
IS 402 - Senior Seminar and Thesis 2 credit(s)
* Fulfills the CAS Writing in the Disciplines (WID) Core requirement. IS 401 can substitute in for WID for transfer students who enter with IS 220W equivalent.

Language Proficiency: 0-8 Credits

Students proficient in a second language beyond the 202 level may waive these credits/courses. Approval of the Chair of the World Languages Department is required for a waiver.

Note: Students should plan to complete their 202 language course prior to study abroad.

CHIN 202 - Intermediate Chinese 4 credit(s)
FREN 202 - Intermediate French 4 credit(s)
GER 202 - Intermediate German 4 credit(s)
JAPN 201 - Intermediate Japanese 4 credit(s)
AND
JAPN 202 - Intermediate Japanese 4 credit(s)
SPAN 202 - Intermediate Spanish 4 credit(s)
SPAN 211 - Spanish for Heritage Speakers 4 credit(s)

International Experience: 16 credits

IS 311 - Global Skills I: Prepare 2 credit(s)
OR
HUM 311 - Global Skills I: Prepare 2 credit(s)
IS 312 - Global Skills II: Engage 1 credit(s)
OR
HUM 312 - Global Skills II: Engage 1 credit(s)
IS 313 - Global Skills III: Leverage 1 credit(s)
OR
HUM 313 - Global Skills III: Leverage 1 credit(s)
Study Abroad for one semester (12 credits)
Any credits beyond the 12 cr minimum can count toward elective credits in the major. Students unable to study abroad during a regular semester may request to substitute a summer international experience of at least 8 credits or an international internship for the study abroad requirement. The summer international experience or internship must be approved by the Chair of International Studies.

Electives: 4 Credits

Take four credits from the following:

1) Any 300- or 400-level course in the World Languages (CHIN, FREN, GER, JAPN, SPAN) except FREN 311/411, FREN 312/412, GER 315, SPAN 301, SPAN 315.

2) Any international short-term travel courses. (Domestic short-term travel courses with IS Chair approval). Check Office of International Programs website for available courses. Be aware that prep courses are required and for travel courses and occur the semester prior to travel, so advanced planning is helpful. Check all pre-requisites. Examples from Summer 2021 include ENG 326 “Travel Writing in Italy”, IS 236 “Costa Rica Travel”, BIOL 366 “Galapagos and Ecuador.”

3) Any courses from the following list (other courses not listed below must be approved by the Chair of International Studies):

ANTH 240 - Comparative Religions 4 credit(s)
ANTH 241 - Introduction to World Music 4 credit(s)
ARTHI 276 - Art & Architecture of Asia 4 credit(s)
BA 312 - International Business 4 credit(s)
BA 452 - Global Finance 4 credit(s)
ECON 328 - Macroeconomics Found Govt/Cntrl Bank Policy 4 credit(s)
ECON 341W - International Trade and Development 4 credit(s)
ECON 452 - Global Finance 4 credit(s)
EDUC 308 - Learn Communities I: Personal Awareness 2 credit(s)
ENGL 227 - World Literature: Magical Realism 4 credit(s)
ENGL 324 - PostCol Lit:Tales of Conquests Retold 4 credit(s)
HIST 216 - History of Modern Japan 4 credit(s)
HIST 217 - Making of Modern China 4 credit(s)
HIST 232 - The Holocaust 4 credit(s)
HIST 235 - Europe Since World War II 4 credit(s)
HIST 239 - Latin America I: Conquest-Independence 4 credit(s)
HIST 241 - Latin America II: Independence-Present 4 credit(s)
HIST 333 - History of the British Empire 4 credit(s)
HIST 338 - Era of the French Revolution 4 credit(s)
HUM 204 - Chinese Cultural Study 4 credit(s)
HUM 207 - German Film in English 4 credit(s)
HUM 213 - Introduction to Japanese Literature 4 credit(s)
HUM 260 - U.S. Latinas/os & Pop Culture 4 credit(s)
HUM 306 - Latino Fiction 4 credit(s)
HUM 351 - Traditional Theater of East Asia 4 credit(s)
HUM 360 - Advanced Topics:U.S. Latina/o Studies 4 credit(s)
MUS 241 - Introduction to World Music 4 credit(s)
PH 312 - Comparative Politics of Healthcare 4 credit(s)
PH 325 - Global Health 4 credit(s)
PHIL 305 - Asian Philosophy 4 credit(s)
POLS 180 - The United States in World Affairs 4 credit(s)
POLS 232 - Current Events in the Middle East 2 credit(s)
POLS 312 - Comparative Politics of Healthcare 4 credit(s)
* POLS 340 - Security, Rights & Globalization 4 credit(s)
* POLS 345 - International Political Economy 4 credit(s)
REL 240 - Comparative Religions 4 credit(s)
SOC 347 - Global Cap Neo-Colonial Inequalities 4 credit(s)
THEA 351 - Traditional Theater of East Asia 4 credit(s)
*POLS 340 or POLS 345 can count toward elective if not taken for core credit.