The objective of the International Studies major is to prepare students—through the study of foreign languages, cultures and international events—to understand and deal with foreign cultures and global affairs. The program is intended for those who want an international emphasis in the following academic fields of interest: teacher education, business, political science, public and organizational administration, management, pre-law, journalism, etc. International Studies also serves as suitable preparation for advanced study in doctoral programs and graduate professional programs such as law and business.
The International Studies major is composed of four elements:
1. Courses providing a common “core” introduction and overview of international relations, global issues, social patterns, political affairs, economic forces, and contemporary problems.
2. Courses from the liberal arts, social sciences and related fields that concentrate within one of two emphases: Global Cultures (GC) or Global Politics and Processes (GPP).
3. One year of additional, preferably modern, language study at the intermediate level.
4. Participation in a study abroad program.
The number of jobs in both private and public sectors with an international component is increasing rapidly. Furthermore, bilingual ability and cross-cultural experience is an increasingly valuable commodity when searching for career opportunities. The International Studies major provides a strong diversified liberal arts education. The emphasis on different disciplines allows students to customize their own major while supporting intellectual development applicable to many careers in education, law, private industry, tourism, international organizations, journalism and media, military and various government agencies.
The International Studies Major (12 course credits):
The International Studies major draws its courses from numerous departments throughout Monmouth College. Students can choose courses from a large number of disciplines including history, economics, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, religious studies, political science, business, women’s studies and modern foreign languages.
Required Core Courses
(6 course credits):
ANTH 103 Introduction to Anthropology
HIST Consult with the coordinator of International Studies
POLS 200
Introduction to Comparative Politics
ECON 200
Principles of Economics
POLS 270
Introduction to International Relations
One of the following two courses:
SOAN 420 Research Seminar
POLS 415
Senior Seminar
Elective Courses by Concentration
(4 course credits):
Four courses from a respective concentration (e.g., Global Cultures = Course Groupings A
and C; Global Politics and Processes = B and C), at least two of which must be upper division
(300- or 400-level). Maximum of two courses from any one department, no more than two bridge courses.
Global Cultures*
(GC)
SPAN 324
Spanish American Literature
SPAN 326
Topics in Spanish
FREN 252
Culture, Folklore, and Historical Background of the French-Speaking World
FREN 325
Business French
FREN 332
Perspectives in French Literature
FREN 424
Francophone Literature
MFLG 220/
320/420 Individualized Study
PHIL 225 Philosophy and Feminism
PHIL/
RELG 300
Philosophy and Religions of Asia
PHIL/
RELG 310
Environmental Ethics
RELG 150
Religion and Religions
RELG 210
Judaism and Islam
RELG 220
Women and Religion
RELG 244
Religion and Politics
ANTH 362 Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective
ANTH 364 Cities in Global Perspectives
Global Politics and Processes* (GPP)
ECON 331
Political Economy of Development
ECON 351
Comparative Economic Systems
ECON 360
International Trade
BUSI 345 Globalization and Organization Change
POLS 202
Modern Japan
POLS 244
Religion and Politics
POLS 245
The Politics of Developing Nations
POLS 333
U.S. Foreign Policy
POLS 366
International Organizations
POLS 375
Environmental Politics
POLS 397
States and Markets
SOCI 247 Race and Ethnicity
SOCI 343 Sociology of Development
SOCI 344 Sociology of Work
SOCI 345 Social Inequality: Local and Global Perspectives
Bridge Courses* (may apply to either GC or GPP)
COMM 261
Mass Media and Modern Society
HONR 210
Selected Topics
WOST 201
Feminism
PHIL/
RELG 310 Environmental Ethics**
Language Courses
(2 courses):
One year or equivalent additional foreign language experience at the intermediate level
(e.g., 201 and 210). May be taken in conjunction with study abroad experience.
Study abroad is strongly encouraged for International Studies majors and Monmouth College credit is easily available for study abroad programs. In special circumstances where upper division language courses are not available, sufficient study abroad language experience may be substituted.
Elective Courses (in alphabetical order):
ANTH 362 Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective
ANTH 364 Cities in Global Contexts
BUSI 290 International Business Praticum
BUSI 409 International Business Strategy
BUSI 345 Globalization and Organization Change
COMM 261
Mass Media and Modern Society
ECON 331
Political Economy of Development
ECON 351
Comparative Economic Systems
ECON 360
International Trade
FREN 252
Culture, Folklore, and Historical Background of the French-Speaking World
FREN 325
Business French
FREN 332
Perspectives in French Literature
FREN 424
Francophone Literature
HONR 210
Selected Topics
INTG 315 Cosmology and Creation
MFLG 220/
320/420 Individualized Study
PHIL 225 Philosophy and Feminism
PHIL/
RELG 300
Philosophy and Religions of Asia
PHIL/
RELG 310
Environmental Ethics
POLS 202
Modern Japan
POLS/
RELG 244
Politics of Islam
POLS 245
The Politics of Developing Nations
POLS 333
U.S. Foreign Policy (pending)
POLS 366
International Organizations (pending)
POLS 375
Environmental Politics
POLS 397
States and Markets
RELG 150
Religion and Religions
RELG 210
Judaism and Islam
RELG 220
Women and Religion
SOCI 343 Sociology of Development
SOCI 344 Sociology of Work
SOCI 345 Social Inequality: Local and Global Perspectives
SOCI 247 Race and Ethnicity
SPAN 324
Spanish American Literature
SPAN 326
Topics in Spanish
WOST 201
Feminism
* Topics Courses and Directed Study. Departmental Topics courses, Directed Study, and courses with variable subject matter may be used to fulfill the requirements for the elective concentration, subject to approval of course content. Permission of the major adviser is required prior to taking the course.
**Some INTG courses may be allowed if they are taken in addition to what is required for the General Education requirement and if the specific course is pre-approved by the International Studies coordinator.