UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

** Please note new format for undergraduate major effective Fall 2006 **

The interdisciplinary bachelor of arts degree offers students a rigorous education in the basic elements of the field. The program provides a sound general education for the student interested in the complex interrelationships (political, economic, social, and cultural) that exist among nations in the interdependent modern world. 

Advising

The role of the faculty advisor as mentor is central to the program. Students interested in applying to the program should suggest a faculty member with whom they have a common area of interest to act as their advisor and mentor, typically one of the committee members named above or a faculty member from the student's concentration areas. Advising about specific major requirements is available from the program's undergraduate advisors.

ISP Undergraduate Advisors
office: 346 PLC,  phone: 346-3122

Fall Term 2009 Advising Hours

Admission

Students who want to major in international studies should apply after two terms at the university and should have at least a 3.00 grade point average (GPA). Premajor advising and help with application procedures are available at the international studies office. Applicants must meet with an international studies undergraduate advisor to review the application before submitting it for consideration. Applications are due on Monday of the fourth week of fall, winter, and spring terms. 

Application materials include a detailed description of the application process, a cover sheet for your application materials, program planner, and an advisor selection form, all of which can be downloaded as Word files.

Major Requirements (for students admitted to the major Fall 2006 and later; for students admitted earlier, see below)

The major consists of work in three core blocks: international core foundation, regional cultures and area studies, and professional concentration area. A minimum of 52 credits, 24 of which must be upper division, are required in these blocks. Courses must be passed with grades of C- or better to satisfy the major requirements. In addition, three years of a second language or the equivalent is required.  

The major may include courses from a number of departments. The minimum requirement is 16 credits in each block, plus the 4-credit preliminary course. All courses taken for the major, with the exception of the language requirement and up to 8 credits in INTL 406 or 409, must be graded. 

A maximum of 12 credits in courses taken to fulfill the university group requirements may be applied toward the International Studies major. 

A maximum of 24 credits in courses taken in a single department (with the exception of International Studies) may be applied toward the International Studies major, exclusive of the language requirement. 

Preparatory Course: Students are required to complete Introduction to International Issues (INTL 199) as part of the major.  We recommend that students take this course as early as possible in their course of study, ideally before the Block A courses.

Block A: International Studies Core

Four courses are required from among these six options:

INTL 240, Perspectives on International Development
INTL 250, Value Systems in Cross-Cultural Perspective
INTL 260, Culture, Capitalism, and Globalization (formerly INTL 251)
INTL 199, International Environmental Issues
INTL 199, International Cooperation and Conflict
INTL 199, International Economy and Business

Block B: Professional Concentration Area (PCA)

Complete listing of Professional Concentration Areas

Students select one of fourteen professional concentration areas. The student's faculty advisor/ mentor should, ideally, be someone with a specialization in this area as well. The lists of electives are not comprehensive, and list courses which teach material relevant to the professional concentration. If students find other courses which may be appropriate electives in a given professional concentration area, please consult with ISP undergraduate advisor for approval.

Students may design their own professional concentration area if none of the predefined areas fits the student's professional goals. Students who choose this option must designate one of the core faculty members of the International Studies Program as an advisor and work with that individual in designing the concentration. 

Block C: Geographical Focus (GF)

Winter 09 Geographic Focus courses

This block pertains to groups of nations that share common cultural, historical, geographic, and linguistic experiences. In satisfying the Block C requirement, students concentrate on one cultural area. To satisfy the language requirement for the major, students should choose one that is relevant to their regional specialization. 

Areas of focus may include Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Pacific islands, Russia and Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. In developing a program of study, a student may want to consult the area studies sections of this catalog. 

Appropriate Block C courses should have significant course content on the region of study.

Honors Thesis

Students who have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher and want to graduate with program honors are required to write a thirty- to fifty-page thesis. An advisor must be selected and a proposal approved by the program faculty two terms prior to graduation. Students may apply up to 4 Thesis (403) credits toward the appropriate block of the 52 credits required for the international studies major. 

The completed thesis must be awarded a grade of mid-B or better by the advisor (P, or pass, for a Clark Honors College thesis) and be approved as meeting thesis guidelines by the director of the program. This includes addressing an international or cross-cultural topic and using second-language sources for all projects, including the honors college thesis.

Language Requirement

To satisfy this requirement, students must achieve proficiency in a second language at a level associated with three years of study. Proficiency in the language may be demonstrated by passing three terms of a 300-level language sequence with grades of mid-C or better, or by an examination. 

International Experience

Internship Agreement Form

Majors are required to have have a significant international experience in a geographic area that coincides with their Block C Geographic Focus. This is usually satisfied by at least one term of study or work in another country. For information about study abroad, see Study Abroad Programs. Advice is available from International Affairs, 330 Oregon Hall.

Students may receive passing (P) credit for work done as interns. Interested students should inquire with the Undegraduate Advisors, faculty advisors, or the IE3 Global Internships Program.

ISP Undergraduate Advisors
office: 346 PLC,  phone: 346-3122

Email: ispuga@uoregon.edu

Major Requirements (for students admitted to the major Spring 2006 or earlier)

The major consists of work in three core blocks: international core foundation, regional cultures and area studies, and professional concentration area. A minimum of 48 credits, 24 of which must be upper division, are required in these blocks. Courses must be passed with grades of C- or better to satisfy the major requirements. In addition, three years of a second language or the equivalent is required.  

The major may include courses from a number of departments. The minimum requirement is 16 credits in each block. All courses taken for the major, with the exception of the language requirement and up to 8 credits in INTL 406 or 409, must be graded. 

A maximum of 12 credits in courses taken to fulfill the university group requirements may be applied toward the international studies major. 

A maximum of 24 credits in courses taken in a single department (with the exception of International Studies) may be applied toward the International Studies major , exclusive of the language requirement. 

Block A: International Studies Core

Four courses are required: 

1. Perspectives on International Development (INTL 240)
2. Value Systems in Cross-Cultural Perspective (INTL 250)
3. Cooperation, Conflict, and Global Resources (INTL 251)
4. International Leadership (INTL 350) -- Note: course not offerred after Spring 2005; students should consult undergraduate advisors for an appropriate substitute

Block B: Professional Concentration Area (PCA)

Complete listing of Professional Concentration Areas

Students select one of fourteen professional concentration areas. The student's faculty advisor/ mentor should, ideally, be someone with a specialization in this area as well. The lists of electives are not comprehensive, and list courses which teach material relevant to the professional concentration. If students find other courses which may be appropriate electives in a given professional concentration area, please consult with ISP undergraduate advisor for approval.

Students may design their own professional concentration area if none of the predefined areas fits the student's professional goals. Students who choose this option must designate one of the core faculty members of the International Studies Program as an advisor and work with that individual in designing the concentration. 

Block C: Geographical Focus (GF)

This block pertains to groups of nations that share common cultural, historical, geographic, and linguistic experiences. In satisfying the Block C requirement, students concentrate on one cultural area. To satisfy the language requirement for the major, students should choose one that is relevant to their regional specialization. 

Areas of focus may include Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Pacific islands, Russia and Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. In developing a program of study, a student may want to consult the area studies sections of this catalog. 

Appropriate Block C courses should have significant course content on the region of study. 

Honors Thesis

Students who have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher and want to graduate with program honors are required to write a thirty- to fifty-page thesis. An advisor must be selected and a proposal approved by the program faculty two terms prior to graduation. Students may apply up to 6 Thesis (403) credits toward the appropriate block of the 48 credits required for the international studies major. 

The completed thesis must be awarded a grade of mid-B or better by the advisor (P, or pass, for a Clark Honors College thesis) and be approved as meeting thesis guidelines by the director of the program. This includes addressing an international or cross-cultural topic and using second-language sources for all projects, including the honors college thesis.

Language Requirement

To satisfy this requirement, students must achieve proficiency in a second language at a level associated with three years of study. Proficiency in the language may be demonstrated by passing three terms of a 300-level language sequence with grades of mid-C or better, or by an examination. 

International Experience

Majors are required to have have a significant international experience in a geographic area that coincides with their Block C Geographic Focus. This is usually satisfied by at least one term of study or work in another country. For information about study abroad, see Study Abroad Programs. Advice is available from International Affairs, 330 Oregon Hall.

Students may receive passing (P) credit for work done as interns. Interested students should inquire with the Undegraduate Advisors, faculty advisors, or the IE3 Global Internships Program.

ISP Undergraduate Advisors
office: 346 PLC,  phone: 346-3122

Email: ispuga@uoregon.edu