Washington College

International Studies

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Academic Requirements

International Studies offers an interdisciplinary major that may be combined with another major and/or a regional or functional concentration. There is no minor in International Studies, though non-majors are encouraged to pursue a regional or functional concentration offered in International Studies. Interested students should speak to their faculty advisor about how a concentration might enrich your particular course of study.

Major Requirements

A student majoring in International Studies is required to take at least five introductory and nine upper-level semester courses across multiple fields which include anthropology, business, economics, modern language, history, and political science. Moreover, majors must attain proficiency in one of the foreign languages taught at the College (through the 200 level), or pursue alternative language study in another foreign language abroad. Finally, majors are required to participate in two off-campus experiences during their undergraduate career—including at least one semester abroad (two encouraged) and at least one experiential learning activity (such as an internship, volunteer work, or an off-campus Model United Nations simulation).

To give additional focus to the program, majors may elect a concentration area in one or more of the following areas: African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, Global Business Studies, Latin American Studies, and Near Eastern Studies.

Course Component

Majors in International Studies are required to take the following five introductory courses in their freshman and sophomore years:

Prospective majors are strongly recommended to take History 103, 104 Modern World History unless their backgrounds are already adequate in these areas. Other preparatory electives recommended include Philosophy 111, 112 Comparative Religion, and Art 200 Introduction to the History of Western Art.

Among the nine upper-level courses required, all International Studies majors must take one upper-level course from each of the following four areas:

International Studies majors may select the remaining five upper-level courses in the major field under the guidance of the program director from among social science and humanities courses related to International Studies offered both at Washington College and in approved abroad locations. Students are strongly encouraged to choose several courses outside of one area of regional concentration to develop greater breadth in their understanding of the world.

In addition to courses offered as part of the international economics and international politics requirements, the following general upper-level courses are especially recommended:

Study Abroad Component

Students wishing to major in International Studies are required to pursue two off-campus experiences—including at least one semester abroad (two encouraged). Off-campus opportunities are available for qualified sophomores and juniors. Majors are not permitted to study off-campus in the fall semester of their senior year, and may study off-campus in the spring semester of their senior year only upon prior successful completion of their senior thesis. It is possible by consulting the listed program advisor and the Director of International Studies to arrange for an approved and credit-bearing study experience in many areas of the world, including those listed below. Additional areas also may be possible under consultation with the Director of International Studies and the Office of International Programs.

Experiential Learning Component

Students are required to pursue at least one practical application of their academic studies while enrolled at Washington College. This activity may take many forms, chosen under the guidance of the Director of International Studies. Options include: participation in one of the internship opportunities administered through an academic department or arranged independently in consultation with the Director of International Studies; participation in an off-campus Model United Nations simulation, together with the two-credit course component; volunteering with an internationally-focused non-governmental or service organization; or completion of an independent service-learning project that includes an on-campus presentation component.. Internship opportunities of particular interest to international studies majors include:

Senior Capstone Component

The Senior Capstone Experience in International Studies is a thesis. The SCE carries course credit toward the major requirements. By the beginning of the first semester of the senior year, each student must submit a research proposal to the director of the program for approval. A complete draft must be submitted by the end of that semester, in conjunction with the International Studies Seminar. Students should register for the SCE during the last semester of their senior year, when a final version of thesis will be due. The senior thesis should be interdisciplinary in scope, methodology and content. Theses will be assessed on the basis of Pass/Fail/Honors. Students who wish to be considered for honors should request permission to attempt an honors thesis prior to submission of the final draft, at which point they will be informed of additional requirements for an honors-level thesis. An oral defense is held at the end of the semester during which a student is applying for honors for the thesis by faculty members of the program.

Academic Requirements for Students Entering in 2007 or earlier

The requirements for the International Studies major and regional concentrations were altered in 2008. Students who entered Washington College prior to this time may follow the new requirements or complete the previous requirements.

Major Requirements

Students may substitute ECN 112. Introduction to Microeconomics for ECN 218. Economic Development.

Concentration Requirements

Students may satisfy one course of the lower-level course requirements by completing ECN 112. Introduction to Microeconomics.

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