The B.A. in International Studies is a 4-year major built upon the foundations of world history and political science with coursework in areas related to language, culture, and religion. This breadth of coverage will give majors knowledge and skills for a variety of professional settings within an international context. Students are required to add a second major or a minor to this degree program to ensure that they have a broad knowledge-base for many different careers.
Who would be interested in the International Studies Major?
Earning a bachelor’s degree is an excellent option for anyone wishing for a successful career in a professional international context in a number of fields: business, law, relief and disaster work, diplomacy, etc. The major prepares professionals for successful careers in business, education, government (many areas such as the diplomatic corps, economic development, and military service), or in positions within community affairs.
The major is well-suited for students who plan to take advantage of Lander’s Study Abroad Program as well as those that are interested in pursuing a major or minor in a modern language, such as Spanish.
Why is there a need for the International Studies Major?
A changing world of business: Both within South Carolina and beyond it, employment needs for International Studies major grow due to the rising economic development across South Carolina, much of it driven by foreign investment and global trade as the state’s business community continues to be internationalized.
A changing world of politics: Globalization has made more parts of the government at all levels (local, state, and national) affected by international issues, thereby increasing the benefits of academic preparation in international studies.
The continuing world of international relief and development: With natural disasters and human conflicts continuing across the world, there continues to be a need for those who want to serve the poor, the hungry, and the homeless and for those who can do so with an empathetic understanding of diverse cultures, peoples, faiths, and systems of economy and governance.
What kinds of jobs can a major in International Studies major prepare me for?
The state’s global companies include BMW, Volvo, and Michelin as well as the many U.S. multinational corporations that call South Carolina home, such as Fluor and Sonoco. Employees with knowledge of others countries’ culture, history, politics, and economic systems can be of benefit to these organizations. The International Studies major provides the research and critical thinking skills that would allow graduates to be prepared for this kind of workplace.
Within government agencies at local, state, and national levels, international studies is good preparation for a career because globalization now impacts law and law enforcement, tourism and economic development, as well as public health and environmental protection. The International Studies major provides the research and critical thinking skills that would allow graduates to be prepared for this kind of workplace.
International organizations, non-governmental organizations (humanitarian or advocacy), and non-profit organizations are always in short supply of individuals who understand the contextual nature of aid and advocacy. The International Studies major through its coursework and international experiential requirement provides the research and critical thinking skills that would allow graduates to be prepared for this kind of workplace.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS1 | CREDIT HOURS |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Core Skills |
|
||
| ENGL 101 | Writing and Inquiry I | 3 | |
| ENGL 102 | Writing and Inquiry II | 3 | |
| MATH 211 |
Introduction to Statistical Methods I |
3 | |
|
B. Humanities and Fine Arts |
6 | ||
| C. Behavioral and Social Perspectives (6 hours selected from 2 different disciplines) |
6 | ||
| D. Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning | |||
| Approved Science/Mathematics | 3 | ||
| Approved Lab Science | 4 | ||
| E. Founding Documents of the United States | |||
| HIST 111R2 | United States History to 1877 OR HIST 112R2 United States History since 1877 OR POLS 101R2 American National Government |
3 | |
| F. World Cultures | 3 | ||
| G. LINK 101 | 1 | ||
| Total General Education Requirements | 35 | ||
1 For approved courses see the General Education section
2 If you already have credit for HIST 111, do not take HIST 111R; if you already have credit for HIST 112, do not take HIST 112R; if you already have credit for POLS 101, do not take POLS 101R
| MAJOR PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|
|---|---|---|
| HIST 121 | World Civilizations to 1600 | 3 |
| HIST 122 | World Civilizations since 1600 | 3 |
| POLS 103 | Introduction to World Politics | 3 |
| INTL 390 | The Politics of Globalization | 3 |
| INTL 499 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| MAJOR PROGRAM AREA REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|
|
Students must take one course in each of the three categories for a total of 9 hours, and three additional courses within one category for an additional 9 hours. |
18 |
| Language, Culture, & Religion (only one lower-level course can count within this category) ENGL 214, ENGL 221, FR 203, FR 301, FR 330, FR 340, FR 355, FR 360, HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 306, HIST 307, HIST 343, HIST 370, HIST 375, HIST 376, HIST 377, MUSI 333, PHIL 312, POLS 305, POLS 361, RELI 101, RELI 301, RELI 330, SPAN 203, SPAN 205, SPAN 217, SPAN 305, SPAN 320, SPAN 327, SPAN 330, SPAN 340, SPAN 350, SPAN 355, SPAN 357, SPAN 360, SPAN 367, SOCI 302, SOCI 321, SOCI 329, SOCI 351, SOCI 363, SOCI 389, SOCI 397 |
|
Policy & Practice BA 390, CHEM 381, EDUC 309, ES 314, ES 390, NURS 310, PHIL 325, POLS 303, POLS 325, POLS 361, POLS 366, POLS 391, POLS 445 |
|
Conflict & Cooperation HIST 307, HIST 346, HIST 347, HIST 365, HIST 383, HIST 391, HIST 392, POLS 325, POLS 366, POLS 391, POLS 445 |
| MAJOR PROGRAM ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|
|
All students must choose at least one of the following pathways as part of their program of study that requires approval from the Program Coordinator: 1 semester studying abroad in a university-approved programOR an overseas study tour led by a Lander faculty member OR 1 internship focusing on international studies (either HIST 490 or POLS 490) OR “C” or better in a 200-level foreign language |
|
| Total Major Program Requirements | 33 |
| Additional Electives* | 52 |
| TOTAL FOR BA DEGREE | 120 |
*Students are required to add a second major or a minor to this program of study.