International Studies
Department website: International Studies
Gonzaga University’s International Studies is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the interconnected and interdependent processes shaping the contemporary world. The International Studies program promotes the College of Arts and Sciences’ mission to engage in holistic, active learning and to connect our students’ passions and their academic disciplines through innovative and integrative educational experiences. While students will acquire historical and cultural knowledge, they will build linguistic proficiency relevant to a geographically defined region, and develop an understanding of the larger structures and mechanisms that organize the world.
Given its multidisciplinary orientation program encourages students to examine local and global issues through a diverse set of perspectives and methodologies. Students who major or minor in International Studies learn to reflect on the socio-economic and cultural position from which they engage local and global communities. The program challenges students to assume the ethical and social responsibilities associated with global citizenship, to cultivate global perspectives and enable global engagement, and to foster an ability to analyze and engage insightfully with local and global cultures to help create a more sustainable, participatory, and equitable world.
Mission Statement
The primary objective of the International Studies program is to develop students’ capacity to recognize the increasingly interdependent nature of today’s world and to assess the processes, systems, and structures that interconnect local and global communities. To this end, students must become knowledgeable about global systems as well as regional realities. They must also learn to examine complex issues through the application of interdisciplinary theories and methodologies and to communicate effectively the results of their independent research. Students are further expected to achieve proficiency in a language that augments their regional studies and are strongly encouraged to participate in experiential learning, especially through internships and study abroad/away programs. Ultimately, the program aims to prepare students to act and interact in social and professional settings with the intercultural awareness and social responsibility of global citizens.
The International Studies major and minor are composed of four main components: foundational courses; a Regional concentration; a Thematic concentration; and proficiency in a language spoken in the student's selected Regional concentration. Students should choose their language and concentrations with assistance from a faculty advisor to ensure a timely and appropriate degree completion.
International Studies (BA)
Program Requirements
42-58 credits1
- 1
(~depends upon starting point of required language study)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
International Studies Foundational Courses | ||
INST 201 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
ECON 201 | Microeconomics | 3 |
POLS 104 | Introduction International Relations 1 | 3 |
SOCI 101 | Introduction to Sociology (w/Global Focus) 2 | 3 |
INST 432 | CIS: (Global Migration) | 3 |
HIST 102 | The West and the World | 3 |
or HIST 112 | World History | |
Total Hours | 18 |
- 1
In exceptional cases of unresolvable scheduling conflicts, this requirement may with prior approval from the INST Chair be fulfilled by POLS 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics.
- 2
SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology with a Global Focus will be offered regularly. Students must consult their advisor to make sure that they register for the designated section. In exceptional cases of unresolvable scheduling conflicts or if the course is not offered, other sections of SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology may be accepted for the completion of this requirement.
Language Requirement for Pursuing a Major in International Studies
All International Studies majors are required to take (6) credits at the 300-level or higher in a modern language other than English. Students may need to take language courses at the 100 or 200 level, depending on their previous studies of the language and where they are placed in the sequence of courses.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Language Requirement | ||
300-level language courses | 6 |
Note: If a given language is only offered through the 202 level, students may, with prior approval from the International Studies Department Chair, complete their upper-division language courses abroad or at another approved domestic institution. If no such alternative is feasible, students may, with the Department Chair’s prior approval, take two semesters of a second language that is relevant to their course of study. Transfer students who have not previously studied a language will be required to complete courses through the 202 level.
Required Concentrations
Students must select two concentrations 18 credits
one Regional concentration and one Thematic concentration:
Regional Concentrations (select one Region)
9 credits
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Latin America
- Middle East
Thematic Concentrations (select one Theme)
9 credits
- International Political Economy
- Interconnections between political and economic forces; their influences of social, material resource distribution.
- War and Peace
- Militarized conflict context and causes and how people, states, civilizations are affected.
- Global and Intercultural Connections
- Examines aspects of global issues, from multiple views, comparisons, analyze intercultural connection framework.
Select nine (9) credits from one Regional concentration and nine (9) credits from one Thematic concentration from the following lists:
(within each concentration, select courses from at least two different departments, if available)
Regional Concentrations
Africa (Arabic, French Languages)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
African History Through Film (Select three of the following:) | ||
African Nationalism | ||
African Environmental History | ||
Colonial Africa | ||
African Health and Healing | ||
African Politics and Develpmnt | ||
Region Studies Abroad |
Asia (Chinese, Japanese, Tagalog Languages)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Post-Soviet Russia and China (Select three of the following:) | ||
Religions of Asia | ||
Buddhism | ||
The Politics of Eurasia | ||
Japanese Culture I | ||
Japanese Culture II | ||
China Past and Present | ||
Japan Past and Present | ||
Foundation of East Asian Civilization | ||
Politics of the Pacific Rim | ||
Chinese Philosophy | ||
Region Studies Abroad | ||
Internship in International Studies |
Europe (French, German, Italian, Spanish Languages)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Russia & USSR Since 1945 | ||
The Stalin Era | ||
Contemporary French Cinema | ||
20th Century Northern Ireland | ||
New Europe | ||
Comparative European Politics | ||
Nazi Germany | ||
Region Studies Abroad | ||
Spanish Cinema | ||
The Italian Cinema | ||
Internship in International Studies |
Latin America (Spanish Language)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Latin American Society | ||
Latin American Pre-Hispanic 19th Century Literature | ||
Latin American 19th to 21st Century Literature | ||
Revolutions in Mod Latin Amer | ||
Colonial Latin America | ||
Mexico | ||
Latin American Politics | ||
Latin American Civilization and Culture | ||
Modern Latin America | ||
Region Studies Abroad | ||
Narrative Fiction in Spanish America | ||
Latin American Cinema | ||
Imagining Columbia | ||
Internship in International Studies |
Middle East (Arabic Language)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
Islamic Civilization | ||
Region Studies Abroad | ||
Internship in International Studies |
Thematic Concentrations
International Political Economy
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Macroeconomics | ||
Global Economic Issues | ||
International Organizations | ||
International Law | ||
Topics International Political Economy | ||
Nazi Germany | ||
Model United Nations | ||
Internship in International Studies |
Global and Intercultural Connections
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Interreligious Dialogue | ||
Religion and Violence | ||
Global Gender Regimes | ||
International Ethics | ||
Model United Nations | ||
The Modern Pacific World | ||
Global and Intercultural Connections | ||
Global Social Change | ||
Internship in International Studies |
War and Peace
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
International Organizations | ||
International Law | ||
Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
Topics in War and Peace | ||
New Europe | ||
Nazi Germany | ||
Imagining Columbia | ||
Internship in International Studies |
International Studies Minor
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
INST 201 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
Select two of the following: 1 | 6 | |
Microeconomics | ||
The West and the World | ||
World History | ||
Introduction International Relations | ||
Introduction to Sociology | ||
Language Proficency Requirement: Students starting a language not studied previously are required to complete language courses 101 and 102. Students continuing in the study of a second language from high school are required to complete (or demonstrate proficiency at) the 201 level. | ||
Required Concentration: Select one Regional concentration OR one Thematic concentration. See concentration course lists in the International Studies major. 2 | 9 | |
Africa Regional Concentration | ||
Asia Regional Concentration | ||
Europe Regional Concentration | ||
Latin America Regional Concentration | ||
Middle East Regional Concentration | ||
International Political Economy Thematic concentration | ||
War and Peace Thematic concentration | ||
Global and Intercultural Connections Thematic concentration |
NOTE:
- Courses taken abroad or at other domestic institutions must be pre-approved by the Department Chair to count toward degree requirements.
- Students may double-count a maximum of three courses between International Studies and degree requirements for a second major or minor.
- Electives may not be used to fulfill any other degree requirement.
- 1
In exceptional cases of unresolvable scheduling conflicts, this requirement may with prior approval from the INST Chair be fulfilled by POLS 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics.
- 2
within each concentration, select courses from at least two different departments, if available.
Courses
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of First Year (0-25.99 credits) or Second Year (26-59.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Students with a semester level of First Year (0-25.99 credits) may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students in the College of Arts Sciences or School of Business colleges.
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).