Department of International Studies

111 Mather House
Phone 368-2424; Fax 368-4681
Vincent E. McHale

• International Studies Steering Committee
• Undergraduate Program
• Approved Courses
• Undergraduate Courses

To attain this goal, students are introduced to the methods of conceptualizing international and global issues, as well as to study of a society other than their own. They will learn to think critically about contending and complementary methods and theories, developing an appreciation for both traditional disciplinary approaches and newer crossdisciplinary approaches. Students also will acquire skills that will allow them to recognize and deal with complexity; communicative and analytical skills in a language other than English (or other than their native language); and skills in statistics, in computer-based global analysis, or in negotiation. It is strongly recommended that all international studies students participate in at least one of several off-campus programs which will facilitate the international perspective: junior year abroad, summer internships in Washington, D.C., or professional practicum-type work experiences in Cleveland which involve an international context. It also is recommended that students have a solid foundation in economics.

In addition to forming the groundwork for an evolving understanding of and lifelong engagement with the modern world, a background in international studies provides excellent, practical preparation for careers that deal with the emerging needs of our world. International studies majors go on to careers in international marketing and management, diplomatic service, health, law, social services, and journalism, as well as careers within the academic disciplines. The professional schools of business, medicine, nursing, law, and applied social sciences at Case Western Reserve all have significant international foci, and our students can explore careers in these areas during their undergraduate years. The skills, analytic abilities, and critical approaches of international studies should equip students as well for new employment patterns which may not fit into existing career descriptions.

International Studies Steering Committee

Undergraduate Program

Each student will prepare a program of study, indicating specific course selections to meet the six area requirements below, which must be approved by a faculty advisor drawn from the steering committee membership. Students should also discuss the choice of their minor or a second major with their advisor. Among the courses chosen should be at least one course which involves the development of skills in computer applications, economic analysis, statistics, or other quantitative methods. Normally no more than two courses taken for international studies credit may simultaneously count toward a minor or another major. Courses taken to satisfy the language competency requirement are exempted from this rule, and several international studies courses contribute to the completion of the Western Reserve core.

1. Multidisciplinary Foundations (required courses, 12 credit hours):

   An introduction to four major disciplinary understandings of society and culture, principles of economics, change over time, and interactions among nations, simultaneously exposing students to a variety of world societies and issues. International studies majors will be expected to have completed the multidisciplinary foundations courses at CWRU before embarking on a study abroad program. These courses are:

   • ANTH 102 Being Human: An Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology (3)
   • ECON 102 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
   • HSTY 113 Introduction to Modern World History (3)
   • POSC 272 Introduction to International Relations (3)
2. Area Focus (6 credit hours):

   Two courses that concentrate on a single geographic or culture area. Examples include: Africa, North America, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

3. Topical Focus (6 credit hours):

   A related pair of courses to constitute a discrete perspective on global issues and to foster an appreciation for complexity through study of particular world issues and the methods appropriate to them. Examples include pairs of courses dealing with ethnicity, international health, international economics, global and environmental analysis, or international relations. Crossdisciplinary approaches are encouraged.

4. Elective Area or Topical Courses (6 credit hours):

   Two additional courses within the topical and area studies course listings, providing an opportunity to experiment or to tailor the program toward particular interests in international or global issues, methodology, or other cultures.

5. Senior Colloquium (required course, 3 credit hours):

   The integration of prior topical and area foci in a colloquium taken in the fall semester of the senior year, involving the writing of a substantial research paper. Selection of the topic and the research and writing are under supervision of a faculty tutor. Peer evaluation will be attained through regular sessions, supervised by the colloquium coordinator, at which students present their initial concepts, outlines, research, and drafts. Students will be expected to identify their faculty directors and topics by the end of their junior year.

6. Language Competency (0 to 16 credit hours):

   In addition to the 33 credit hours of international studies course work, students must demonstrate competence in a language other than their native language. This may be done by completing a language course at the 300 level or above, or by demonstrating to the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures a non-native language competency equivalent to the completion of a 300-level or above course, or by the completion of four semesters in a single language.

Approved Courses

• American Studies Program
• Asian Studies Program
• German Studies Program

International Studies (INTL)

Undergraduate Courses

INTL 396. International Studies Independent Study (1-3).

INTL 398. Senior Colloquium (3).

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