Course Descriptions

INTS 210 Introduction to International Studies (3 credit hours)
The course draws from history, anthropology, political science, sociology, and literature.  It focuses on ways of looking at the world, an investigation of issues that arise as we try to study the world from an international perspective.  It is largely a course on who we are as individuals: how we fit into the "global society" as individuals, institutions, groups of peoples, communities, networks and nations; what are our most important concerns; and who defines and controls all of this.

INTS 250 Diversity in Africana Studies (3 credit hours)
This course explores the lived experiences of groups connected to the African diaspora in a complex changing world.  It examines how the African presence has impacted life, culture and history in our multicultural world.  While the course focuses on persons of African descent in the Americas and other parts of the world, it provides some discussion of various groups of non-African descent and how they have had to come to terms with their presence.  This course examines historical and contemporary issues.  (May substitute for GED 200).
 

INTS 399 Special Topics in International Studies (3 credit hours)
Whether as a special topic course on campus, a study abroad experience, or an independent study, this course will use readings, lectures, group activities, travel, and hands-on experiences that will move the student along a journey that views subject matter from a global perspective. Thus stated, the course seeks to enable a student to develop a better understanding of various areas of study, e.g. culture, identity, language, economics, communication, as seen through a global prism.

INST 400 International Studies Senior Seminar (3 credit hours)
INST 400 is the International Studies’ senior capstone experience designed to complete the requirements for a B.A. in International Studies at WVSU. International Studies majors from all specialization areas are required to take the course. All majors must successfully complete the course, normally taken in the final semester of coursework. Prerequisite(s): Students must be senior International Studies majors in order to take INST 400, or obtain permission of the instructor.
 

 

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is an interdisciplinary degree program designed to prepare students for the multicultural global village in which we live. In a modern world of increasing interdependence and rapid change, the need is critical. Knowledge of the world broadens the mind, challenges prior biases and limitations, and fosters an appreciation of diverse societies and cultures.
 
The interdisciplinary degree consists of five concentration areas: Africana Studies; Communication; International Business; International Relations; and Foreign Language. Students in each concentration will follow General Education (35-41 hrs) and Core Requirements (36 hrs) and will be required to participate in a Study Abroad  experience.
 
Students who fulfill the requirements of the International Relations, International Business, or Africana Studies concentration areas will also
earn a minor in either Spanish or French, as these concentrations require a minimum 15 credit hours of one of the two aforementioned languages. Students in the Foreign Language concentration will be required to take additional classes in one of the following areas. This will result in a minor in one of the selected areas:
 
Accounting               18 hrs
Finance                    18 hrs
Management            18 hrs
Marketing                 15 hrs
Political Science       15 hrs

Graduates of the International Studies program will be able to:

• Demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to the traditions, values, aspirations and concerns of people throughout the world.
• Demonstrate competency in a world language (Spanish or French) that will broaden communication capabilities and offer insight into other cultures attainable only through the study of a language.
• Provide a foundation for careers in government, non-governmental organizations, and businesses with international interests and programs.

 
The demand for the skills acquired in an International Studies degree is increasing in the private sector and  in government. Job opportunities include international, government and non-government organizations, foreign trade, diplomacy, international law, marketing, foreign affairs, defense, intelligence, foreign aid, humanitarian services, politics, education, language services and journalism.
 

BACHELOR OF ARTS

IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
120 hours required for graduation in all concentrations.
 
GENERAL EDUCATION 35-41 HOURS MAJOR Varies according to Concentration

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION (SELECT ONE)

Option A – Foreign Language
Spanish or French: (Spanish) SPAN 101, 102, 201, 202,
305, 306, 307, 311, 312, 401, 402. Optional: SPAN 303,
399. (French) FREN 101, 102, 201, 202, 305, 306, 307,
311, 312, 401, 402. Optional: FREN 399.
 
Option B—International Business
BA 209, 215, 216, 301, 305, 310, 313, 416, 465; ECON
201, 202, 410
 
Option C – International Relations
Required: POSC 100, 101, 210. Select 24 hours from
the following: CJ 370; HIST 403, 404, 421, 444,  FREN
205; MS 399; POSC 302, 304, 311, 399, 402, 410, 415;
PSY 200; SOC 270, 305; SOCW 207; SPAN 205;.
 
Option D – Africana Studies
Required: BSS 101; HIST 311, 444: INTS 250; SOC
270, 311, 312, 420. Select 18 hours from the following
(2 courses must be 300-400 level): ART 202; BA 115,
416,425, 460, 465; ECON 201/301, 202/302, 310, 330,
404, 406, 410,; ENGL 337, 338, 339, 340; GEOG 201,
306; HIST 301, 312, 313, 316, 317, 318, 403/404,
POSC 210, 302, 401/402, 410, 420; SOC 201, 208, 212,
305, 406; SWK 200, and 205.
 
Option E – Communications  
Required: Comm 101; Comm 162; Comm 205; Comm 241, Comm 261; Comm 307; Comm 400; Comm 446;
Select 12 hours from the following (One must be an Advanced level course 341, 360, 362, 405, or 470.  All prerequisites must be met);  Comm 170; Comm 240; Comm 285; Comm 305; Comm 341; Comm 343;Comm 345; Comm 360; Comm 362; Comm 382; Comm 299 or 399; Comm 405; Comm 470
 
 
COGNATES – 21 HOURS
All concentrations: INTS 210 and SPAN/FREN-201, 202, and 1 class at 300/400 level
 
All concentrations select 9 hours from the following: ART 202; ENGL 350 or 351; FREN 205; GEOG 201;
HIST 403, 404; HHP 310; PHIL 210, 304, 308; POSC
302 SOC 270, 305, SOCW 202; SPAN 205; SPAN/FREN 300-400; International Experience Abroad
 

MINORS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

(These minors are designed for non-business majors.)
 
MINOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION— ACCOUNTING—18 HOURS
BA 210, 215, 216, 308, 314, 315
 
 
MINOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION—FINANCE—18 HOURS
BA 209, 210, 215, 216, 313, 414
 
  
MINOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION—
MANAGEMENT—18 HOURS
BA 210, 215, 301, 305, 310, 320

 
 MINOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION— MARKETING—15 HOURS
BA 210, 301, 305, 335, 405
 
Note: Some of these courses require MATH 120, ECON 201, and ECON 202 as prerequisites
 
MINOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE—15 CREDIT HOURS
POSC 100; 101; 204 or 210; and six hours from any 300- or 400-level political science course.
 
 
 MINOR IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES—15 HOURS
 
Core Courses: INTS 210 Introduction to International Studies; three credit hours in a language at the 300 level, or foreign language proficiency as tested by the Modern Foreign Language Department. Electives: nine credit hours from the following list of courses approved for the minor (this list may be expanded):
 
ART 202, 317, 320, 350; BA 460; COMM 446; ECON
310, 406, 410; ENGL 340, 350, 351, 440; FREN 205, 443,
444-26; HIST 421, 304, 444; PHIL 308; POSC 210,
302, 304, 410, 415; SOC 305, 445; SPAN 205

The Office of International Studies has had several international partnerships over the years. These partnerships include:

• Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
• University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa
• University of Benin, Benin, West Africa
• Univeridad Chapingo, Mexico
• Universidad del Valle de Mexico, Queretaro, Mexico
• University of Exeter, England
• The Commonwealth of the Bahamas
• Universidad Cesar Vallejo, Peru
• Universidad Autonoma del Caribe, Colombia
• Universite Laval, Canada

West Virginia Development Office
http://www.wvcommerce.org/business/default.aspx

Study West Virginia
http://studywv.org/

West Virginia Department of Commerce--Global Engagement
http://westvirginia.gov/global-engagement.html