Major Requirements
The major in International Studies requires 39 credit hours of which at least 21 hours (7 classes) must be at the upper division level. All students must take 9 hours in a foreign language and 9 hours of required core courses specified below. In addition, students must take 9 hours each in one of the thematic and areas studies concentrations described below. No more than 12 hours may be selected in any one department. Students will work closely with the Director of International Studies in planning their program of study and must receive approval for all course work in fulfillment of the major.
A. Foreign Language (9 hours).
Nine hours beyond the General Education requirement of one semester of language or demonstrated proficiency through the second year of any language other than English.
B. Core Courses (9 hours).
Select nine hours (three of which must introduce the student’s chosen thematic concentration) from the following three areas:
1. International Politics (3 hours): POLS 240
2. Humanities (3 hours): ARTH 201 or 202; ARTH 261 or 262; COMP 224; ENGL 264; ENGL 292 or 293; HIST 490; RELG 107
3. Social and Natural Sciences (3 hours): ANTH 130; CJ 115; CRP 181; ECON 203; ENVS 101; GEOG 140; GEOG 195; PHIL 102; POLS 220; SOC 221; WMST 200
C. Thematic Concentration (9 hours in upper-division courses).
Select one concentration from the following list:
1. Culture and Arts in Global Perspective
2. Environment and Society/Sustainability
3. Indigenous, National, and Transnational Identities
4. Global Markets, International Institutions, and Global Governance
5. Conflict, Peace, and Diplomacy
6. Rituals and Belief Systems
7. Women and Gender in the Contemporary World
D. Area Studies Concentration (9 hours).
Select one concentration from the following list:
1. Africa
2. Europe
3. Asia and Middle East
4. Russia and Eurasia
5. Latin America
E. International/Intercultural Capstone Experience (3 hours).
The most significant capstone experience for an International Studies major is to be able to study abroad. However, the program also recognizes that not every INTS major can take advantage of study abroad opportunities, so there are two options for a capstone experience.
Option 1: Study Abroad (International Studies/INTS 400, 1-3 hours). Requires permission of program.
This course is
conducted as an independent study or
as a
seminar and allows the student to design their own international
experience in consultation with the INTS advisor and faculty. Many
options exist for a study abroad experience, e.g., a short-term study
trip (2-4 weeks); a traditional semester abroad, or a summer language
program. Students are strongly encouraged to explore the possibilities
through UNM’s Office of International Programs and Studies (OIPS).
Option 2: Intercultural Experience (International Studies/INTS 401, 1-3 hours). Requires permission of program.
There are diverse opportunities on the UNM campus and throughout New Mexico for a student to gain intercultural understanding and experience. This option allows students to find and explore these opportunities. Like study abroad opportunities, these are varied and can earn the student 1-3 credit hours depending on the experience. Students are responsible for seeking out these opportunities and completing specific requirements for credit.
Opportunities might include but are not limited to:
· ISI annual lecture series (1-3 hours): Attending lectures and participating in post lecture discussions with ISI teaching assistant and faculty.
· Living among UNM’s international students in the residence halls for a semester or more (3 hours).
· World Affairs Delegation/Model United Nations Team (1-3 hours depending on participation).
· Student organizations engaged with global issues, culture, and/or international studies (1-3 hours depending on participation). See www.unm.edu/~sac/StudentOrganizations.html.
· Internships with organizations/institutions on campus or throughout New Mexico that deal with international/global issues (1-3 hours depending on length of internship). Students are encouraged to seek out or create their own internship opportunities in consultation with the Director of International Studies.
F. Honors in International Studies (International Studies/INTS 402, 3 hours)
Majors wishing to work for Honors in International Studies should contact the Director of the International Studies Program during their junior year. Honors students will need to sign up for two consecutive semesters of course work on the thesis.
The first semester consists of a readings course/independent study in the home department of their thesis mentor and counts as one of the student’s electives in either the area studies or thematic concentration. This course is the preliminary work and research for the honors thesis. The second semester consists of INTS 402 in which the student completes the research and writes the honors thesis under the direction of a committee of at least two ISI-affiliated faculty members.
Note: This option adds 3 hours to the major.