2019-2020 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
International Studies, A.B.
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 Return to: Programs of Study
Program Director: Dr. Christopher W. Herrick, Professor of Political Science
Professors: Borick, Cragin, Hashim, Kish-Goodling, Marshall, Raymond, Tighe
Associate Professors: Bergenstock, Chi, Knox, Kushner, Mello, Nagy, Ouellette, Stein, Sullivan
Assistant Professors: Cronin, D’Haeseleer, Fadlon, Finkelstein, Miller, Ray-Chaudhury, Teng
IS Advisors: Herrick, Hashim, Mello, Ouellette
The international studies major integrates the perspectives of political science, economics, business, sociology, history, and a variety of other disciplines to provide the student with a structured approach to a comprehensive understanding of the complex and interdependent nature of political, social, and economic factors that shape behavior in the international system. Seven structured concentrations are offered which permit the student to focus in a given area of interest: (1) Conflict and Peace Studies; (2) Environmental Issues; (3) Global Trade and International Business; (4) Global Interdependence; (5) Development Studies; (6) Global Public Health Studies; and (7) an Area Studies concentration. In addition, students may develop a uniquely designed specialized concentration. The major prepares the student for careers in foreign service, the intelligence community, international business, the international policy-making community, positions with international NGOs concentrating on development and public health, related research fields, as well as law and teaching.
Special Programs
Honors in International Studies
A student may work for Honors beginning in the spring semester of his/her junior year. Students who fulfill the following conditions will be awarded honors at Commencement:
- A 3.70 grade point average in international studies.
- Enrollment in an independent study offered by a member of the departments participating in the international studies major during the Fall semester. The submission and approval of an Honors essay as the culmination of the independent study. This essay must be of substantial length (approximately 50 pages) and be based upon an appropriate volume of primary and secondary research.
- A grade in the independent study of no less than B+.
- Passing of an oral defense of the project conducted by members of the departments participating in the International Studies major.
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Recommendations for Study Away from Campus:
Students are strongly urged, in consultation with their faculty advisor, to plan their major early in their career at Muhlenberg so that space can be provided for important Study Abroad experience and/or out-of-classroom learning such as the Washington Semester and internships.
Recommended Language Courses:
International studies majors are strongly encouraged to demonstrate competence in a language other than English by double majoring or minoring in a language. Alternately, if schedules do not permit a minor, students are strongly encouraged to take courses in a language through Advanced Conversation & Composition. Students may complete one of the required writing intensive courses with one of the following:
In addition:
In addition, students may fulfill one general academic requirement in humanities with one of the following courses:
Finally:
Finally, International Studies majors may find the following courses useful:
Recommended Math and Science courses:
It is strongly recommended that students in International Studies use the following course toward their Reasoning requirement:
It is strongly recommended:
It is strongly recommended that students in International Studies use the following courses to meet their Natural Sciences and Mathematics requirement:
Major Requirements
The major consists of six core courses plus six courses in any one of the seven designated concentrations or a specialized concentration.
Core Course Requirements:
Two (2) Area Studies Courses from the following:
Concentrations:
Optimally, students will follow one of the designated concentrations. Where there is a compelling academic reason, students may make substitutions in any concentration or design a unique concentration (such as Indigenous Peoples in International Relations) in consultation with the faculty advisor and the director of the major.
Peace and Conflict Studies
Choose four (4) of the following courses:
International Environmental Problems
Choose four (4) of the following courses:
It is strongly recommended:
It is strongly recommended that students following the Environmental Issues concentration use any of the following toward their natural sciences and mathematics requirement:
Choose four (4) of the following courses:
Global Trade and International Business
Choose four (4) of the following courses:
It is strongly recommended:
It is strongly urged that students following the Global Trade and International Business Concentration meet the Reasoning requirement with:
Choose two (2) of the following courses:
Global Public Health
Requires participation in a study abroad program.
On Campus Required Courses:
Optional Courses:
Choose a total of four (4) from 1 and 2
1. Optional Courses at Muhlenberg:
(Choose at least 2)
- COM 334 - Health Communication 1 course unit
- ECN 243, 244 - Health Care Economics 1 course unit
- HST 347 - History of Public Health in America 1 course unit
- PHL 241 - Biomedical Ethics 1 course unit
- PSC 213 - Public Health Policy 1 course unit
- PSC 219, 220 - Public Administration & Policy Implementation 1 course unit
- PSC 254 - Globalization & Social Justice 1 course unit
- PSC 330, 331 - Comparative & International Environmental Policies 1 course unit
- SOC 317 - Sociology of Health 1 course unit
- PBH 960 - Public Health Internship 1 course unit OR
- PBH 970 - Public Health Independent Study/Research course unit OR
- Practicum, Internship, Independent Study/Research (with an emphasis on social, political, cultural, economic, psychological, environmental, or biological context of global public health)
- Appropriate MILA Course with permission of the Director
2. Off-Campus Options:
Choose 1 Site & at least 2 courses from Public Health offerings at that site
- A-Denmark International Studies (DIS)
- B- Maastricht University
- C-CIEE Botswana
- D-CIEE Thailand
- E-SIT Chile
- F-SIT South Africa
It is strongly recommended:
It is strongly recommended that students following the Global Public Health concentration use one of the following courses toward their natural science and mathematics requirement:
Area Studies
Choose one (1) of the following Area Study Combinations. All additional courses selected in consultation with the director of the major.
Self Designed Concentration
In consultation with the Director of the major, the student will develop an appropriate mix of eight (8) interrelated courses from multiple disciplines which in combination reflect a coherent sub area of the discipline of International Studies: examples of past self-designed concentrations include comparative political psychology, human rights, indigenous issues, etc.
A 2.00 grade point average in all required courses must be maintained to remain a major in the program. Majors may satisfy the writing intensive course requirement in political science; history; economics; or languages, literatures, and cultures.
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Return to: Programs of Study
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