International Studies

International studies is an interdisciplinary program that provides knowledge of major international or global issues including regional and global political economies; comparative cultural and political systems; ethnicity, identity and belief systems; peace, conflict and wars; gender, culture and politics; and global science and environmental issues (e.g., water management).

Overview

Students develop a working knowledge of a modern foreign language; experience living and studying abroad or working with an international organization focused on international issues; become knowledgeable about at least one major region of the world; become knowledgeable about significant global issues; and conduct research on an international regional or global issue in conjunction with a senior research seminar, or experience or work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The major prepares students for graduate study or international careers as specialists or representatives in international relations, international publications, cross-cultural training in educational and business fields, public affairs, government foreign service, export sales and international research.

Coursework for the Major

Students are required to designate a region of the world on which to focus. This region then determines the courses appropriate for the major's primary requirements (Category A) as well as the major's foreign language requirement. Ideally, students will have taken introductory courses in high school or at the college level that will help them choose the region of focus for their major.

All courses must be passed with minimum grades of C. A minimum of 15 credit hours of Category A or B courses must be completed at UF.

Required Coursework

• INS 3004 International Studies Perspectives (3 credits)
• INS 4930 International Studies Senior Research Seminar (3 credits)
  With approval, students may substitute: Study abroad with research paper; internship or work experience abroad with research paper; international studies research poster presentation with research paper; international studies-related service learning project with research paper; or independent study course with research paper. (Research papers will be graded by a common grading rubric.)
• Category A: 15 credits of international studies-approved courses in social science, humanities or professional courses that deal with a single region of the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean or the Middle East. Of these courses:
  • Twelve credits must be at the 3000/4000 level,
  • No more than three credits should be taken in courses that focus on a particular country or a single national language or literature (in translation).
• Category B: 15 credits of international studies-approved courses in social science, humanities or professional courses that deal with regions of the world other than the student’s regional focus and/or with global issues. Of these courses:
  • Nine credits must be at the 3000/4000 level, and
  • Nine credits should focus on global issues rather than on a single region.
• Four semesters minimum (0-20 credits) of a single modern foreign language or demonstrated proficiency equivalent to completion of the intermediate level. The language for which proficiency is demonstrated must be logically linked to the selected region (Category A).

Region Focus

The links below determine the region courses appropriate for Category A and Category B requirements as well as the region's foreign language requirement.

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Middle East

Critical Tracking

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required
• Complete 1 foreign language course and 1 international studies-approved course from with minimum grade of C and a 2.0 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 2

• 2.0 UF GPA required
• Complete 2 additional international studies-approved courses, 1 from Category A and 1 from Category B, with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 3

• 2.0 UF GPA required
• Complete 2 additional international studies-approved courses, 1 from Category A and 1 from Category B, with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 4

• 2.0 UF GPA required
• Complete 2 additional international studies-approved courses, 1 from Category A and 1 from Category B, with a 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5

• 2.0 UF GPA required
• Complete INS 3004 International Studies Perspectives with a 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

Depending upon the international studies courses chosen, students may meet some of their GE-H, GE-S and GE-N requirements through courses for the major. In that case, the student can substitute general elective credit.

** Majors are encouraged to use some of their electives to pursue a minor, combined degree, dual degree or double major.