Interdisciplinary Studies: International Studies Bachelor of Science degree
(Interdisciplinary major housed in the Department of Political Science)
Office: E388 Thompson Hall
(716) 673-3887
Ivani Vassoler, Coordinator
Email: international.studies@fredonia.edu
Website: http://www.fredonia.edu/department/polisci/
The International Studies major has been designed to prepare students for international leadership roles in the twenty-first century. The program encourages its majors and minors to think both globally and across disciplines as they seek to understand the dynamics of a global society. The International Studies program prepares students for careers in the most dynamic sectors of global governance, society and economy. The vitality behind this program comes from faculty in several disciplinary fields who offer courses and act as a steering committee for the program.
Students take a core of interdisciplinary courses, select a specialization, and complete a minor. The core courses in International Studies provide all students with a basis on which to build their individualized programs through one of six thematic specializations. Core courses ensure students will be introduced to international relations, global history, cultural issues, and the concerns and challenges facing developing and developed countries. Students also select a minor that complements the thematic specializations. The specializations offer students the opportunity for more individualized training within the framework of international studies. The six specializations are Advanced Industrial Societies, Cultural Studies of the Americas, Developing Nations, European Cultural Studies, International Political Economy, and Peace and Conflict. The International Political Economy specialization prepares students for careers or graduate study in the area of economic and political analysis and policy-making. The Peace and Conflict specialization would be of interest to students who wish to pursue careers in diplomacy or national security. With the proliferation of international governmental and non- governmental organizations dedicated to cultural exchange and dialogue and the globalization of the entertainment industry, the European Cultural Studies and the Cultural Studies of the Americas specializations prepare students to seek careers in fields such as arts administration, global communication, and the championing of human rights. Advanced Industrial Societies and the Developing World lay the foundation for students to pursue regional specializations in international job settings or in graduate-level training. Proficiency must be demonstrated in a foreign language equivalent to a two-year course of study. More advanced study of a foreign language is strongly encouraged. Students must gain international experience through a study program abroad or an international internship.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies - International Studies
I. Core Requirements (23 credit hours)
Plus two of the next three courses listed below:
II. Foreign Language (3 to 12 credit hours)
The foreign language requirement may be completed via any of the following options:
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Completion of course work through the 216 level (second-semester intermediate).
Important note about this requirement:
If a language is offered by SUNY Fredonia at the elementary (115-116) level only, then, after completing these two courses, a student has the following options for completing the foreign language requirement, with the approval of the program advisor:
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With courses taken during a study-abroad program in a country where that language is spoken;
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With intermediate-level language courses taken at an approved institution in the U.S., including courses offered online through the SUNY Learning Network;
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By taking an additional foreign language sequence at the 115-116 level.Students with demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language must take a minimum of one course (3 credit hours) at the college level.
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Students may complete this requirement at SUNY Fredonia, in a program at an approved institution in the U.S., or in a foreign country.
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Additional foreign language coursework at the 300- and 400-levels is strongly recommended.
III. International Experience (6 credit hours)
Students must enroll in 6 credits of "international experience" course work that has been approved by the International Studies Curriculum Committee. This requirement may be fulfilled via enrollment in a short- or long-term study abroad program or completion of internships with international agencies.
IV. Specializations (21 credit hours)
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Students select one of the six specializations listed below:
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Advanced Industrial Societies
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Cultural Studies of the Americas
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Developing Nations
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European Cultural Studies
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International Political Economy
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Peace and Conflict
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International Studies Specializations Guidelines:
With the exception of the International Political Economy Specialization, no more than 9 credit hours may be taken from the same discipline. Within each specialization, the student must complete a minor related to that specialization, and take seven (7) of the courses listed, with at least three not counting toward the minor.
International Political Economy (21 credit hours)
The student must complete a minor in Economics or Political Science, and take seven (7) of the following courses, subject to the specialization guidelines:
Advanced Industrial Societies (21 credit hours)
The student must complete a minor in Economics, History, or Political Science, and take seven (7) of the following courses, subject to the specialization guidelines:
Cultural Studies of the Americas (21 credit hours)
The student must complete a minor in Art History, Communication, English, French, History, Music, Philosophy or Spanish, and complete seven (7) of the following courses, subject to the specialization guidelines:
Developing Nations (21 credit hours)
The student must complete a minor in Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, or Sociology, and complete seven (7) of the following courses, subject to the specialization guidelines:
European Cultural Studies (21 credit hours)
The student must complete a minor in Art, Communication, English, French, History, Music, Philosophy or Spanish, and complete seven (7) of the following courses, subject to the specialization guidelines:
Peace and Conflict (21 credit hours)
The student must complete a minor in History or Political Science, and complete seven (7) of the following courses, subject to the specialization guidelines: