International Studies with a concentration in Peace Studies, BA

During the last few decades, companies and government agencies have increased their search for employees who understand world issues. A Bachelor of Arts with a major in international studies and a concentration in peace studies prepares you to work in conflict resolution.

This major is designed to prepare students for jobs in the public and private sectors, where globalization is increasing dramatically, or to enter a graduate degree program.

Degree requirements

Hours required and general/college requirements

A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the General University Requirements in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences requirements.

Major requirements

Majors need 42 hours from the list of approved courses below, including:

Peace Studies concentration, 36 hours

Twelve of the 36 hours must be advanced-level courses.

PSCI 3500 - Introduction to Peace Studies (3 hours)

Determinants of violence, 6 hours

ANTH 4701 - Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology (when approved)
CJUS 4330 - Domestic and International Terrorism
CJUS 4350 - Seminar on Violence *
EADP 4090 - Terrorism and Emergency Management *
HIST 4260 - Topics in History (when approved)
HIST 4262 - Topics in European History (when approved)
HIST 4263 - Topics in African-, Asian- or Latin American History (when approved)
HIST 4300 - The French Revolution, 1774–1799
HIST 4302 - Wars of Napoleon, 1792–1815
HIST 4335 - Age of Revolutions: Europe, 1700–1918
PSCI 4640 - Revolution and Political Violence
PSCI 4700 - Topics in Comparative Politics (when approved)
PSCI 4820 - Contemporary International Problems (when approved)
PSCI 4821 - International Conflict

Conflict management, 6 hours

COMM 3320 - Communication and Conflict Management *
HIST 4260 - Topics in History (when approved)
PADM 4000 - Mediation
PADM 4050 - Negotiation
PSCI 4660 - Democracy and Democratization
PSCI 4700 - Topics in Comparative Politics (when approved)
PSCI 4823 - International Criminal Tribunals and War Crimes
PSCI 4850 - Critical Issues in World Politics (when approved)

Issues of justice, 6 hours

Additional courses, 6 hours

Selected from approved courses below or in the three sub-areas listed above.

Regional choice, 9 hours

Students should select one region of the world relevant to their concentration and take 9 hours in that region. See “Regional choice” under the concentration in Regional Studies .

Note

* May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Some courses (e.g., INST 4850 and INST 4900 ) may be repeated for credit as topics vary and if the subject is appropriate.

Other course requirements

6 upper-division hours in a foreign language of the student’s choice. International students who attended high school in a non-native English speaking country and have been exempted from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences foreign language requirement can substitute 6 hours of advanced English writing courses with prior approval of the International Studies director or academic advisor.
Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of Study Abroad opportunities. Students are also encouraged to do an internship related to their area of concentration; only 3 hours will apply towards the major.

Minor

Optional.

Electives

Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum requirements . Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement (42) and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information, see an academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Other requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in international studies, a student must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of graduation.