When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s) and the Academic Planning Tool.
International Studies
International studies is an interdisciplinary major that combines several fields of study to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to approach complex global challenges and devise responses. While there are several distinct focus areas, the common link in the international studies education is the global perspective used to address social, cultural, economic, political and scientific issues and the interdisciplinary approach to tackling large-scale subjects that cross national boundaries.
Off-Campus Study Opportunities
Students majoring in international studies are required to participate in a semester-length off-campus international experience, and those who minor in the program are strongly encouraged to do so. Whether domestic or abroad, programs appropriate for international studies students include but are not limited to those that expose participants to conflict resolution, international organizations, sustainable development, public health and diplomatic work. In recent years, international studies students have traveled to countries such as the United Kingdom, Senegal, India, Jordan, France, Australia, Germany, Turkey, Austria, Japan, South Korea, and China.
Internships
Because it is critical to gaining professional opportunities and placement post-graduation, students are strongly encouraged to pursue internships in the wide field of international studies. International studies majors have interned while abroad in Belgium, France, Austria, Senegal, India, Britain and other locations. Others have interned domestically in the field. The program adviser works with students to identify internship opportunities.
Regional focus
Students in the major are also encouraged to develop a specialization in the study of a particular world region (e.g. Africa, Asia, Latin America, or Europe) as part of their coursework and study abroad experience.
Learning goals
- Students will possess factual knowledge and in-depth understanding of their chosen focus area.
- Students will be able to compare theoretical and methodological frameworks for understanding and to critically read scholarly work.
- Students will develop strong research skills - including the ability to frame research questions for analysis and apply theoretical knowledge to study real-world events.
- Students will understand the global diversity of populations and societies, as well as the political, social and economic effects of different categories of diversity.
- Based on their international experiences, students will understand the breadth of human interactions, and that problems often elicit complex, conflicting and ambiguous responses.
Requirements for the International Studies Major
International studies majors must complete a minimum of 46-48 semester hours of approved coursework in the major, all with grades of C- or better and an overall average of at least 2.00 in courses for the major. No more than 16 semester hours in the major may be taken at the 100 level, and at least 14 semester hours must be taken at or above the 300 level. All majors must take INTD-201 International Studies Theory and Practice.
All international studies majors must complete the 202 level of a relevant modern language. All majors must take a capstone course in a relevant department. Some departments, such as anthropology/sociology, history and political science, require the research methods preparation courses the year before the capstone. The preparation courses may also have prerequisites that should be taken in advance of the methods course. Students should begin planning their capstone path well prior to their senior year.
Students in the major must engage in an off-campus, internationally focused educational experience, preferably consisting of a semester or year abroad. Shorter-term experiences, such as focus programs offered by Susquehanna University or an internship with an international-based organization, also qualify when approved by the adviser.
All majors maintain a cumulative portfolio of their academic work in international studies. Materials in the portfolio include research papers, essays or other assignments representative of the student’s work; a resume; and other relevant materials evidencing the student’s academic performance and growth. The portfolio is to be updated each semester in accordance with program requirements.
Double-counting restriction
No more than 12 semester hours may be double-counted between the international studies major and any other major or minor. The capstone requirement is fulfilled for majors who have already successfully completed an approved capstone requirement from another degree program.
Honors
To graduate with honors, international studies majors must do the following:
Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the program and 3.25 overall,
Request admission to the program at the beginning of the senior seminar/capstone course, and
Complete and publicly present an honors-quality project in the spring of their senior year.
Focus Areas
Students choose one of three focus areas for the international studies major: diplomacy, comparative cultures, and trade and development. Course requirements vary, depending on the focus area.
46-56 Diplomacy
4 INTD-201 International Studies Theory and Practice
4 POLI-131 International Relations
4 POLI-121 Comparative Government and Politics
4 POLI-205 Research Methods
8 Non-U.S. history (two courses)
8 Upper-level (non U.S.-based) political science (2 courses)
4 Non-U.S. literature or Religious Studies course
4 ECON-201 Principles of Macroeconomics
or ECON-338 International Political Economy
or ECON-335 Economic Development
4 Relevant electives (one course)
4 Senior seminar/capstone
Completion of the equivalent of 8SH at the 200-level of a world language
46-56 Comparative Cultures
4 INTD-201 International Studies Theory and Practice
4 Introductory Anthropology
4 ENGL-250 World Literature
or ENGL/JWST-255 Jewish Literature
or ENGL-240 Literary Themes (when specific topic has been approved)
4 Non-U.S. upper-level anthropology
4 Non-U.S. literature or art history (one course)
4 RELI-105 World Religions
4 Additional religious studies or world philosophy
4 Non-U.S. history
4 POLI-205 Research Methods
8 Relevant electives (two courses)
4 Senior seminar/Capstone
Completion of the equivalent of 8SH at the 200-level of a world language
48-56 Trade and Development
4 INTD-201 International Studies Theory and Practice
4 POLI-131 International Relations
4 ECON-201 Principles of Macroeconomics
4 ECON-202 Principles of Microeconomics
4 ECON-338 International Political Economy
or ECON-335 Economic Development
or POLI-333 Development, Globalization and Society
4 History of any non-U.S. region
8 Upper-level internationally-focused courses in economics, management, marketing, or luxury brand marketing and management, ecology, earth and environmental science, or environmental studies
4 One upper-level, non-U.S.-based course in political science, sociology or anthropology
4 POLI-205 Research Methods
4 Relevant electives (one course)
2-4 Senior seminar/capstone
Completion of the equivalent of 8SH at the 200-level of a world language
