Administered by the Department of Political Science, international studies is an interdepartmental major designed to provide students with an international perspective on current economic and political issues as well as with the historical knowledge necessary to understand the development of these issues.
Requirements for the Major in International Studies
Upon declaring the major, students will choose one of two tracks,
each of which requires 36 total hours: international relations or
comparative politics/area studies. Students will then be asked to
develop a coherent plan of study in consultation with their academic
advisor within one semester of declaring the major.
The student
with a double major should be aware that courses taken to satisfy the
first major will not be counted toward the second. Similarly, the same
course cannot count toward the major and minor. Specific requirements
are listed below for each of the two tracks.
Students are
required to minor in a foreign language and earn at least six credits
either in a study abroad program or in a foreign policy related
internship. Depending on the student’s choice of study abroad or
internship, these six credits may be counted toward either the foreign
language minor or the international studies major as appropriate.
Internship credit will not be counted toward a foreign language minor.
Students
should take into consideration that a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required
for participation in most of Mount Union’s study abroad programs and
internships. Certain programs require a minimum of 3.0 and others a
3.33.
Required Courses for All Majors
PS 120 Introduction to International Studies
EC 105 Introduction to Economics
(Students may substitute EC 200 and EC 201)
PS 350 Quantitative Political Analysis
Any Two from the Following Economics/International
Political Economy Courses
EC 327 International Trade
EC 328 International Monetary Economics
EC 375QW Development Economics
EC 380Q Comparative Economic Systems
EC 390 Economics of the Asian Pacific Rim
PS 340 International Political Economy
Any One from the Following History Courses
HI 101 Western Civilization
HI 102 Western Civilization
HI 110 Asian Civilization
Required Courses for the International Relations Track
Required Courses
PS 225 Introduction to International Relations
PS 400 SCE
PS 270 American Foreign Policy
PS 227 Model United Nations
PS 326 International Organizations
PS 470 National Security
IN 199 Special Topics
IN 299 Special Topics
IN 399 Special Topics
IN 499 Foreign Policy Internship
Any Two from the Following History Courses
HI 215 The Middle East
HI 220 East Europe
HI 225 History of Africa
HI 230Q Problems of Developing Nations
HI 310 Latin America
HI 315 United States since 1945
HI 345 Contemporary Europe
HI 357Q War and Society
HI 358 Topics in Military History
HI 363 Contemporary China
HI 364 China’s Partners in the 20th Century
HI 365 Southeast Asia
HI 370 Modern Japan
HI 380 South Asia
HI 385 Modern Russia
Required Courses for the Comparative Politics/Area
Studies Track
Required Courses
PS 245 Introduction to Comparative Politics
PS 400 SCE
Any Two from the Following Political Science Courses
PS 345 Comparative Politics: Europe
PS 346 Comparative Politics: Asia
PS 347 Politics of the Former Soviet Union
IN 199 Special Topics
IN 299 Special Topics
IN 399 Special Topics
IN 499 Foreign Policy Internship
Any Two from the Following History Courses
The choice of courses must reflect an area focus.
HI 215 Th e Middle East
HI 220 East Europe
HI 225 History of Africa
HI 230Q Problems of Developing Nations
HI 265 East Asia to 1800
HI 285 History of Contemporary Fundamentalism
HI 310 Latin America
HI 325 Early Modern Europe
HI 335 19th and 20th Century West Africa
HI 336 History of Southern Africa
HI 340 Revolutionary Europe
HI 345 Contemporary Europe
HI 355 Medieval Europe
HI 360 Modern China
HI 363 Contemporary China
HI 365 Southeast Asia
HI 370 Modern Japan
HI 380 South Asia
HI 385 Modern Russia
Requirements for the Minor in International Studies
Required Political Science Courses Semester Hours
PS 120 Introduction to International Studies
PS 225 Introduction to International Relations
or
PS 245 Introduction to Comparative Politics
One additional PS or EC course from the courses approved for the major.
Required History Courses
Two HI courses from the courses approved for the major
Any One from the Following History Courses
HI 101 Western Civilization
HI 102 Western Civilization
HI 110 Asian Civilization
Students minoring in international studies are strongly encouraged to develop proficiency in a foreign language.