International Studies (First Year and Transfer)

Information for Transfer Students

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 Business and Economics, History, Political Science, and World Languages and Cultures.
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	SWS 105 Most students should take SWS 105 in the Fall INTST 110 and POLSC 120 or 130 or ECON 100 or 101 Language course (via placement or beginning level entrance)	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 Global 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.