May 09, 2024

Xavier University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

International Studies, B.A.

International Studies is an interdisciplinary program that is inspired by Xavier’s Jesuit tradition to prepare men and women for others as informed, ethically aware citizens who can thrive in today’s global society. By majoring in international studies, you will:

Learn to assess international developments, trends, dilemmas and policy issues.
Develop critical thinking skills and tools necessary for successful engagement with an increasingly interconnected world.
Engage in interdisciplinary study in language, history, political science and economics to shape an informed and comprehensive world view.

Majors choose one of the following concentrations:

Global Environment and Sustainability
Global culture and Societies
International Politics, Development and Economy
Population and Migration

International studies majors take a variety of courses from many disciplines, including:

Language courses that emphasize culture, history and literature
Political science courses in comparative politics and international relations
History courses that provide in-depth analysis of an area of the world
Microeconomics and macroeconomics

Study abroad or an internship in an international business or non-governmental organization is a required component in the program. Students are encouraged to study abroad through one of Xavier’s many programs. They may also participate in Xavier’s academic service learning semesters.

Requirements for the International Studies Major

Requirements in the Core Curriculum:

Undergraduate Core Curriculum , including:

Economics:

Language:

Intermediate proficiency plus 6 hours of 300 level courses

Mathematics:

Required courses for all concentrations: (13 credits)

INST 100: Introduction to International Studies (to be taken by the end of the sophomore year)
INST 201 (to be taken the Spring of their sophomore year)
Study Abroad: You may study in the country of your choice. A minimum of three credit hours must be taken

Choose one of:

POLI 120 - Comparative Govt and Politics
POLI 277 - International Relations
Choose one of:
ECON 300 - Int’l Trade & Bus Environment
POLI 372 - International Political Econom

Electives (18 credits)

As electives, students need to take 4 elective courses in a thematic concentration. These courses need to be in at least two different disciplines. In addition, students need to take two courses about a specific regional area, with at least one of them historical in scope (and preferable in modern/contemporary history of the region).

Global Environment and Sustainability:

Note: It is highly recommended to take BIO 120/136 as Natural Science elective or Scientific Perspectives.

BIO 250/251 - Ecology
HIST 199 - Global Environmental History
ECON 341 - Economy of Developing Countries
ECON 320 - Natural Resource, Ecological and Environmental Economics
HIST 398 - History of Agriculture (US, Europe and Africa)
HIST 362 - Global Culture & Publics
POLI 372 - International Political Economy (cannot double count)
SOCI 240 - Population and Globalization
SUST 301 - Cultural Studies & Sustainability
SUST 401 - Sustainable Development
SPAN 359 - Community Engagement in Peru (tied to XU study abroad program in Peru)
ENGL 319 - Writing as Social Action
Selected ENGL 205/GERM 205/FRENCH 205/ SPAN 205/ PHIL 200 by permission (cannot double count for Core)

Global Culture and Societies:

HIST 199 - History of Modern Civil Resistance (focuses on US, Gandhi, South Africa, Polish Solidarity)
HIST 231 - Transatlantic Slave trade
HIST 362 - Global Culture & Publics
HIST 481 - US-Mexico Borderland
SOCI 180 - Culture & Society
SOCI 240 - Population and Globalization
POLI 320 - Global Islamic Politics
SUST 301 - Cultural Studies & Sustainability
ENGL 302 - Modern Literary Theory
ENGL 352 - African Literature
ENGL 319 - Writing as Social Action
GERM 350/351 - German Culture I/II
SPAN 309 - Contemporary Issues in the Spanish speaking World
SPAN 352 - Latin American traditions and popular culture
ITAL 258 - Italian Culture and Civilization
FREN 325 - Global Food
FREN 350/351 - French Culture & Civilization I & II
THEO 306 - Liberation Issues and Theology
THEO 355 - Introduction to Islam
THEO 345 - The Challenge of Peace
HIST 199 - Capitalism and its Discontents
HIST 199 - Imperialism
Selected ENGL 205/GERM 205/SPAN 205/FRENCH 205/PHIL 200 by permission (cannot double count for Core)

International Politics, Development and Economy

ECON 300 - International Trade and Business Environment (cannot double count)
ECON 341 - Economy of Developing Countries
ECON 320 - Natural Resource, Ecological and Environmental Economics
HIST 398 - History of Agriculture (US, Europe and Africa)
POLI 374 - US Foreign Policy
POLI 372 - International Political Economy (cannot double count)
POLI 120 - Comparative Government and Politics (cannot double count)
POLI 277 - International Relations (cannot double count)
SUST 401 - Sustainable Development
HIST 199 - Capitalism and its discontents
HIST 199 - Imperialism
HIST 422 - The Experience of Modern War
POLI 275 - Politics of War and Peace
POLI 368 - Politics in Dictatorship
POLI 390 - Seminar: International Relationships
POLI 234 - Chinese Politics
SPAN 309 - Contemporary Issues in the Spanish Speaking World
ENGL 319 - Writing as Social Action
THEO 345 - The Challenge of Peace
Selected ENGL 205/FRENCH 205/GERM 205/SPAN 205/PHIL 200 by permission (cannot double count for Core)

Population and Migration:

HIST 199 - Immigration to America
HIST 199 - Africans in the Americas
HIST 362 - Global Culture & Publics
SOCI 240 - Population and Globalization
SPAN 331 - Latino Voices in the Community
ENGL 319 - Writing as Social Action
HIST 231 - Transatlantic Slave trade
HIST 481 - US-Mexico Borderland
POLI 320 - Global Islamic Politics
SPAN 309 - Contemporary Issues in the Spanish Speaking World
HIST 422 - The Experience of Modern War
ENGL 319 - Writing as Social Action
THEO 358 - Immigration Theology and Ethics
Selected ENGL 205/GERM 205/FRENCH 205/SPAN 205/PHIL 200 by permission (cannot double count for Core)

TOTAL Minimum Hours Required for Degree: 120 Semester Hours

B.A. International Studies

This block serves as a guideline for progress toward a degree. See your academic advisor.

Freshman Year

First Semester

Comparative Government and Politics (POLI 120) or International Relations (POLI 277)
PHIL 100
Second Language I
Composition 101
First Year Seminar (CORE100)
CORE 101

Total (15)

Second Semester

Introduction to International Studies (INST 100)
MATH 116/MATH 156
Second Language II
THEO 111
ECON 200
CORE 102

Total (15)

Sophomore Year

First Semester

ECON 300 or POLI 372
ECON 201
Historical Perspectives
Second Language III
Scientific Perspectives

Total (15)

Second Semester

ENGL 205/SPAN 205/FRENCH 205/GERM 205
Creative Perspectives
Quantitative Reasoning Flag
Second Language IV
Theological Perspectives
INST 201

Total (16)

Junior Year

First Semester

Concentration Elective I
Concentration Elective II
Philosophical Perspectives
Second Language V
Natural Science + Lab Elective

Total (15)

Second Semester

Concentration Elective III
Concentration Elective IV
Second Language VI
ER/S Elective
Oral Communications Elective

Total (15)

Senior Year

First Semester

Concentration Elective V
Concentration Elective VI
Diversity Curriculum Flag
Writing Intensive Flag
General Elective

Total (15)

Second Semester

CORE 499
General Elective
General Elective
General Elective
General Elective
General Elective

Total (15)

Scheduling Notes:

Consult the “Undergraduate Core Curriculum ” requirements of the Catalog.
A 2.000 cumulative average must be attained in these required and concentration courses.
Concentration courses need to be in at least two different disciplines. In addition, students need to take two courses about a specific regional area, with at least one of them historical in scope