International Studies (ITS)

Interdisciplinary major taught by faculty from several departments. International Studies Committee: Professors Bing, Fors and Rennie; Associate Professor Lepeley; Assistant Professor O’Reilly (Chair).

The International Studies Major is intended both for students who:

(1) want to study patterns of relationships between nations, international organizations and the
political, social and economic environment in which these occur; or
(2) desire to study the diverse historical, social and cultural experiences of contemporary human societies.

Therefore, students who declare an International Studies Major are required to select EITHER
Track One (International Relations) OR Track Two (Crosscultural Studies).

        Major:

  1. All students must achieve proficiency in a language other than their native tongue. This requirement can be met by  taking a third year course in the second language, or by demonstrating language proficiency through a method determined by, and acceptable to, the International Studies Committee.
  2. All students must complete ITS 409 a three-credit research seminar in International Studies. This will fulfill the Capstone requirement.
  3. International Experience Requirement - Majors are required to take part in an international experience that is approved in advance by the International Studies Committee and meets the following conditions:

A. Students who have lived primarily in the United States take part in an academic program or internship which is at least three months in duration, and in a country other than the United States. Students are strongly encouraged to spend a full academic year abroad.

B. Students who have lived primarily in countries other than the United States take part in an off-campus academic experience or internship worth 6 or more credit hours. Acceptable options include the Washington Semester program, a study abroad program or an internship in the United States.

Track One: International Relations

Required Courses: HIS 106, 121; ANT 200; POL 121; ECO 251, 252; ITS 409 (Senior capstone experience) plus three courses selected from: ECO 352, 364; ENS 101; HIS 105, 114, 118, 252, 305; POL 240, 250, 263, 270, 360, 376, 377; REL 204.

To fulfill the Junior Written and Oral requirement, students will take either POL 376 or HIS 030 taken concurrently with HIS 305.

Track Two: Crosscultural Studies

Required Courses: HIS 106, 121; POL 121; ANT 200; ITS 409 (Senior capstone experience); plus five courses to be selected from: (Three of the courses must be at the 300 or 400 levels and no more than three from the same department.) ENS 101; ECO 251, 252, 352, 364; ENG 382; GEO 201; GER 317 or 318, 417 or 418; HIS 105, 114 or 118 , 251 or 252, 305, 330, 332, 333, 341 or 342, 346, 358; MUS 247 or 248; POL 200, 360; NDI 340; REL 204; SPA 321 or 325, 330.

To fulfill the Junior Written and Oral requirement, students will also complete one of the following: SPA 290 and 489, GER 489, or HIS 030 concurrently with one of the following:
HIS 305, 330, 332, 333, 342, 346, or 358.

        Minor: International Studies

  1. All students must achieve 3 semesters (3 courses) in a language other than their native tongue. Equivalent proficiency will be evaluated by the Language Department using transcripts, exams, or other methods approved by the Language Department Chair.
  2. The minor requires a short-term, academic experience outside of the United States (of one week or longer), approved in advance by the ITS Committee. Current College programs that would fulfill this requirement include the “Border Trip,” Belize, Oxford, Seville, and Cuernavaca. Non-Heidelberg academic programs can be accepted, but must be approved in advance by the ITS Committee. Academic travel undertaken prior to admission to Heidelberg will under no circumstances be accepted as a fulfillment of this requirement.
  3. Required Courses (21 hrs.): One from HIS 106, 114, 251; One from HIS 252, 305, 330, 332, 333, 342, 358; ECO 251 and 252; POL 121 and one from: POL 240, 250, 263, 270; ITS 409 (Prerequisites).

370. Internship (1-15 sem. hrs.). Qualified students may receive credit for off-campus experience. Approval of ITS Committee Chair is required.

409. Capstone Research Seminar. (3 sem. hrs.). A seminar experience for seniors majoring in International Studies that closely examines the contemporary global milieu. Each student will work closely with an academic advisor on a research project and a written research paper. Prerequisite: ITS major, or minor, or permission of instructor. Open to juniors and seniors. (With permission, this course may be accepted as meeting the capstone requirement for either International Studies and Political Science.)