International and Global Studies

470 Urban Center (URBN)

503-725-3455

www.pdx.edu/global-studies/
  • B.A. in International & Global Studies: Global Studies
  • B.A. in International & Global Studies: International Development Studies
  • B.A. in International & Global Studies: Asian Studies
  • B.A. in International & Global Studies: Latin American Studies 
  • B.A. in International & Global Studies: African Studies (Admission to the program is currently suspended)
  • B.A. in International & Global Studies: European Studies (Admission to the program is currently suspended)
  • B.A. in International & Global Studies: Middle East Studies (Admission to the program is currently suspended)
  • Minor in International and Global Studies
  • Certificate in African Studies
  • Certificate in Asian Studies
  • Certificate in European Studies
  • Certificate in Global Studies
  • Certificate in International Development Studies
  • Certificate in Latin American Studies
  • Certificate in Middle East Studies
  • Certificate in Contemporary Turkish Studies (Admission to the program is currently suspended)

The Department of International and Global Studies endeavors to foster a deep understanding of global issues, such as social justice and human rights, international development, environmental justice, health, international conflicts, gender and sexuality, and labor rights. We offer four B.A. concentrations: two thematic, interdisciplinary options, in Global Studies and International Development Studies, and two with regional specialization, in Asian Studies and Latin American Studies. The department also offers a minor and seven undergraduate certificates designed to add a global dimension to any degree. Our programs offer an excellent foundation for careers in which an understanding of global economic, political, social, historical, and cultural processes are important. Our students have also secured admission to top interdisciplinary and traditional graduate programs in the US and overseas.

 

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admissions Requirements

B.A. in International and Global Studies

Minor in International and Global Studies

International and Global Studies Certificates

Education Abroad

International and Global Studies Courses

International and Global Studies Certificates

The International and Global Studies department offers seven certificates that may be earned simultaneously with a B.A. or B.S. degree, or post baccalaureate. Certificates are available in: 

  • Global Studies,
  • International Development Studies,
  • African Studies, 
  • Asian Studies, 
  • European Studies, 
  • Latin American Studies, 
  • Middle East Studies,
  • Contemporary Turkish Studies (Admission to the program is currently suspended.)

Certificate in Global Studies (24 credits)

A Certificate in Global Studies may be earned simultaneously with a B.A. or B.S. degree, or post baccalaureate in any non-Intl major. The certificate offers students an opportunity to be recognized for their interest in and awareness of globalization and global studies in all of its aspects -- economic, cultural, political, environmental and social.

The Certificate in Global Studies consists of 24 credits of global studies or globalization-focused work. The 24 credits include two 4-credit Intl foundational courses and 16 credits of elective coursework.

Students completing an International and Global Studies major or minor are not eligible to receive a global studies certificate.

Required Courses

Students must take the following foundational classes. These courses introduce concepts including nationalism, globalization, colonialism, imperialism, etc. and explore how the world works in general economic, political, and social terms.

Intl 201Introduction to International Studies

4

Intl 296The United States and the World

4

Elective Courses

Students must select four elective upper-division global studies-oriented courses (16 credits) from the permanent approved list shown below. At least one of these courses must be an Intl course.
Intl 317UTopics in Asian Thought

4

Intl 321UAsia: Globalization and Identity

4

Intl 323UAsia: Tradition and Innovation

4

Intl 331U/WS 331UWomen in the Middle East

4

Intl 332UIslamic Social Movements

4

Intl 342UGlobalization and Conflict in Latin America

4

Intl 350UThe City in Europe

4

Intl 360UBollywood: Communicating Contemporary South Asia through Cinema

4

Intl 364UModern Brazil

4

Intl 365UDigital Globalization

4

Intl 366UCyberwar & Espionage

4

Intl 367UThe Global Drug Trade

4

Intl 380UGlobalization, Representation and Difference in Media and Film

4

Intl 391UMedia and International Relations

4

Intl 399Special Studies

0-12

Intl 407Seminar

4

Intl 415Global Studies Theories

4

Intl 452/PS 452The European Union

4

Intl 470Intercultural Leadership and Change

4

Intl 471/Ling 471Understanding the International Experience

4

Please see a faculty or CUPA advisor for approved non-Intl elective list.

All courses used to satisfy the departmental certificate requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above. Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling departmental certificate requirements.

Certificate in International Development Studies (24 credits)

A Certificate in International Development Studies may be earned simultaneously with a B.A. or B.S. degree, or post baccalaureate in any non-Intl major. The certificate offers students an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of international development and prepare for careers and graduate studies in this field.

The Certificate in International Development Studies consists of 24 credits including three core courses (12 credits) and three courses (12 credits) of elective coursework focused on international development.

Students completing an International and Global Studies major or minor are not eligible to receive an International Development Studies certificate.

Required Courses

Students must take three core courses:
Intl 201Introduction to International Studies

4

Intl 296The United States and the World

4

Intl 397Theory and Policy in International Development

4

Intl 201 and Intl 296 are required prerequisites for Intl 397

Elective Courses

Students must select four elective upper-division international development studies-oriented courses (12 credits) from the permanent approved list shown below. 
Intl 341UEnvironment and Development in Latin America

4

Intl 343UCommodity Chains in Latin America: From Silver to Cocaine

4

Intl 349U/WS 349UGender and International Development

4

Intl 362U/Hst 362UAmazon Rain Forest

4

Intl 372U/BSt 372UPost-colonial Studies of Africa

4

Intl 375UGlobal Migration

4

Intl 445/USP 445Cities and Third World Development

3

Intl 460/PS 460Political Development in Modern Turkey

4

Intl 461/PS 461Politics of Economic Reform in Modern Turkey

4

Intl 490Global Sustainable Development

4

BSt 467African Development Issues

4

Ec 345Marxist Political Economy

4

Ec 350UEconomics of Developing Countries

4

Ec 443/ESM 443Global Environmental Economics

4

Ec 448East Asian Economic Development

4

Ec 450Economics of Development

4

Geog 346UWorld Population and Food Supply

4

Geog 348UCultural and Political Ecology

4

PS 319UPolitics of the Environment

4

PS 373Violence, Rebellion, and Civil War

4

PS 477Global Food Politics and Policy

4

USP 317UIntroduction to International Community Development

4

All courses used to satisfy the departmental certificate requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above. Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling departmental certificate requirements.

Certificate in African Studies (28 credits)

The African Studies certificate allows students to explore themes related to the continent’s history, politics, people, economy, and culture from a multidisciplinary perspective.

For the African Studies certificate students must take:

  • 28 credits of advisor-approved courses: discuss the options with an International & Global Studies advisor.  
  • Two years, or equivalent proficiency, of a foreign language appropriate to the regional focus. For students taking courses at PSU, second-year proficiency is defined by successful completion of the terminal course in the second-year language sequence, or demonstrating proficiency through the Department of World Languages and Literature.
All courses used to satisfy the departmental certificate requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above. Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling departmental certificate requirements.

Certificate in Asian Studies (28 credits)

The Asian Studies certificate focuses on the interdisciplinary study of political-economy, cultures and religions, communication and media, gender and sexuality, migration, development, and environmental change in South, Southeast, and East Asia. 

For the Asian Studies certificates students must take:

  • 28 credits of advisor-approved courses: discuss the options with an International & Global Studies faculty advisor.  
  • Two years, or equivalent proficiency, of a foreign language. For students taking courses at PSU, second-year proficiency is defined by successful completion of the terminal course in the second-year language sequence, or demonstrating proficiency through the Department of World Languages and Literature.

All courses used to satisfy the departmental certificate requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above. Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling departmental certificate requirements.

Certificate in European Studies (28 credits)

The European Studies certificate allows students to explore themes related to the continent’s history, politics, people, economy, and culture from a multidisciplinary perspective.

For the European Studies certificate students must take:

  • 28 credits of advisor-approved courses: discuss the options with an International & Global Studies advisor.  
  • Two years, or equivalent proficiency, of a foreign language appropriate to the regional focus. For students taking courses at PSU, second-year proficiency is defined by successful completion of the terminal course in the second-year language sequence, or demonstrating proficiency through the Department of World Languages and Literature.
All courses used to satisfy the departmental certificate requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above. Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling departmental certificate requirements. 

Certificate in Latin American Studies (28 credits)

The Latin American Studies certificate allows students to explore themes related to the continent’s history, politics, people, economy, and culture from a multidisciplinary perspective.

For the Latin American Studies certificate students must take:

  • 28 credits of advisor-approved courses: discuss the options with an International & Global Studies advisor.  
  • Two years, or equivalent proficiency, of a foreign language appropriate to the regional focus. For students taking courses at PSU, second-year proficiency is defined by successful completion of the terminal course in the second-year language sequence, or demonstrating proficiency through the Department of World Languages and Literature.

All courses used to satisfy the departmental certificate requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above. Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling departmental certificate requirements.

Certificate in Middle East Studies (28 credits)

The Middle East Studies certificate allows students to explore themes related to the continent’s history, politics, people, economy, and culture from a multidisciplinary perspective.

For the Middle East Studies certificate students must take:

  • 28 credits of advisor-approved courses: discuss the options with an International & Global Studies advisor.  
  • Two years, or equivalent proficiency, of a foreign language appropriate to the regional focus. For students taking courses at PSU, second-year proficiency is defined by successful completion of the terminal course in the second-year language sequence, or demonstrating proficiency through the Department of World Languages and Literature.

All courses used to satisfy the departmental certificate requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above. Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling departmental certificate requirements.

Certificate in Contemporary Turkish Studies (not accepting applications)

Admission to the program is currently suspended.

Academic Advisors

Information on courses and requirements is available from CUPA and faculty advisors. Students should see an advisor as soon as they declare their minor and meet regularly with advisors as they pursue their degree.

CUPA Advisors:

CUPA Advising website; 503-725-9210

Faculty Advisors: 

Kimberley Brown, brownk@pdx.edu, 503-725-8194;
Evguenia Davidova, evguenia@pdx.edu, 503-725-8992; 
Priya Kapoor, cgpk@pdx.edu, 503-725-3543; 
Pronoy Rai, rai@pdx.edu, 503-725-3451;
Leopoldo Rodriguez, leopoldo@pdx.edu, 503-725-8245;
Shawn Smallman, smallmans@pdx.edu, 503-725-9978;
Gerald Sussman, sussmang@pdx.edu, 503-725-5176.