Advising Handbook 2023-2024 
    
    Sep 08, 2024  
Advising Handbook 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

International Studies (First Year and Transfer)


International Studies
Academic Bulletin

Area of Study: Interdisciplinary Studies
Program: Major

Pathways to the International Studies (IS) Major

For all students majoring in International Studies:

  • Every IS major completes “introduction to International Studies” (INTST 110) as well as general coursework from the departments of Economics, History, and Political Science
  • Every IS major chooses a regional focus from East Asia (please consult with Chair if interested in this regional focus)*, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa. Majors can also self-design a regional focus (e.g. West Africa).
  • Every IS major gains proficiency in a second language and studies abroad (courses taken abroad most often count toward the regional focus coursework in the major).
  • IS counts AP credits toward the major if they fit to requirements in the major.

IS major in 4 years

  Fall Spring
First Year FS 101
INTST 110 and
POLSC 120 or 130
or
ECON 100 or 101

Language course (via placement or beginning level entrance)
 
FS 102
INTST 110 and
POLSC 120 or 130
or
ECON 100 or 101

Language course (if not taken in fall semester, via placement or beginning level entrance)

Second Year

*Declare the IS major
to begin working with a
major advisor

*Identify study abroad
options with the help
of the International
Education Office
 

Continue work on General Coursework; Economic Theory and Applications, Political Theory

Introductory-level regionally-focused history course

Language course
 
Continue work on General Coursework; Economic Theory and Applications, Political Theory

Introductory-level regionally-focused history course

Language course

–>Feb. 20 deadline for fall study abroad
Third Year

Semester Abroad OR
Historical Interpretation course

IS-approved Junior/Senior Seminar

Language course

–>Sept. 20 deadline for spring study abroad

In this academic year, one semester will typically be on campus, and one will be abroad
so the courses listed in the fall are valid for spring for students who studied abroad in the
fall. And students who were on campus in the fall will typically be studying abroad in the
spring. 
Fourth Year

INTST 600 (pre-senior project)

Any unfinished regional focus coursework

IS-approved Junior/Senior Seminar if not taken in Junior year

INTST 610 (senior project)
  • Advisor Selection: Students are encouraged to choos an advisor from among the IS Affiliated faculty list, and further encouraged to choose an advisor who is working in their regional area of focus or the chair of the program. Sometimes students choose as advisor the professor they took INTST 110 with (the intro class to the major).
  • IS students take the Junior Seminar either in the junior year, or first semester of the senior year: this depends on study abroad semester.
    • Students register for an open Junior Seminar sectoin: every semester we have IS-identified junior seminars across contributing departments.
  • IS students take a 2 semster Senior Project in the Fall and Spring. It is also sometimes spring and spring, depending on study abroad.

 

Information for Transfer Students


IS major in 3 years    

  • A transfer student may be able to transfer in “Introduction to International Studies” (INTST 110). This course introduces interdisciplinary study of regions of the world with particular emphasis on colonization and colonialism, Post WWII international institutions, regional alliances, and current thinking on international development and the environment/sustainability.
  • Ideally, a transfer student considering an IS major with one year of experience elsewhere will be able to transfer in introductory coursework in Political Theory and/or Economic Theory and Applications and/or language courses and/or an introductory regionally-focused history course.
  • Students transferring to Allegheny College are strongly encouraged to begin working with the IS Program Chair and/or an IS major advisor as soon as they know they will be coming to Allegheny College.


*Our language options are limited for the East Asia region. Students interested in East Asia as a focus region should contact the Chair upon matriculation.