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    Mar 18, 2025  
2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

International Affairs


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A student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences may major in International Affairs in anthropology, economics, foreign languages, history or political science.

The Bachelor of Arts program in International Affairs is designed to prepare students for careers or graduate training in international affairs. Globalization will present new employment opportunities in business and government that will require employees to understand the history, political economy, and culture of other nations. The International Affairs program recognizes the multiple dimensions of globalization by emphasizing a multi-disciplinary approach: a core set of courses that include anthropology, economics, foreign languages, history and political science, and a concentration in one of these fields. Students who complete the program will have obtained:

  • a broad familiarity with the field of international affairs;
  • a basic understanding of the analytical tools used by the disciplines represented in the program as these are applied to international issues or issues confronted by other nations;
  • an ability to understand the various facets of globalization in the context of a culturally diverse world.

Each student majoring in International Affairs is encouraged to devote at least one semester to study abroad. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities in international affairs. The program is administered by a director who works in conjunction with the International Affairs Advisory Committee, which consists of faculty representatives of the participating departments.

Core Requirements


International Affairs’ core requirements must be completed with grades of C or better.

Foreign Languages (6 credits)


Six credit hours in a foreign second language beyond the intermediate level. Students should discuss with the academic adviser how courses taken abroad might meet this requirement. International students whose native language is not English may count English as their second foreign language. They must have a minimum of 550 (written) or 213 (computer score) on TOEFL, or a similar level in any equivalent tests. For more information, all international students should consult with the Intensive English Institute (IEI), (207) 581-3821.

History (6 credits)


Political Science (6 credits)


Concentration Requirements


Twenty-one credit hours with minimum GPA of 2.0 beyond the core requirements above, including a Capstone course or experience, as stipulated by each department as follows. A minimum of 15 hours in residence in the major is normally required. The University requires a total of 30 hours in residence.

International Affairs / Anthropology


In addition to the International Affairs core requirements, students interested in the International Affairs / Anthropology major must complete 21 credit hours from ANT courses listed below. Students presenting a course to satisfy a core requirement may not also use that course toward their concentration requirement.

International Affairs / Economics


In addition to the International Affairs core requirements, the International Affairs/Economics major is expected to complete twenty-one hours of ECO courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0, a course in mathematics, and a course in statistics, as specified below.

A minimum of three courses chosen from the following courses with an international focus:


  • Additional ECO courses adding to a total of 21 credit hours of ECO courses beyond the core requirements, including an ECO capstone course.


  • International Affairs / Foreign Languages


    Students interested in International Affairs / Foreign Languages must select one of the following areas:

      International Affairs / French (IA/FRE)
      International Affairs / German (IA/GER)
      International Affairs / Spanish (IA/SPA)

    Students may combine a program of 21 hours above the introductory level in French, German or Spanish with 6 hours each in Anthropology, Economics, History, and Political Science from among appropriate courses with an international focus. No 100-level courses are applicable, and a maximum of six hours is allowed in 200-level courses. At least 15 hours in 300-level or above as well as the required Senior Capstone course are required. Study Abroad is very strongly recommended. Students wanting strong skills in a second language should consider combining the IA/French, German, and Spanish major with a minor in the second target language.
     

    International Affairs / German


    The following courses will count toward the degree in IA/GER:

    International Affairs / Spanish


    The following courses will count toward the degree in IA/SPA:

    International Affairs/Political Science


    In addition to the International Affairs core requirements, students interested in the International Affairs/Political Science major must complete 21 credit hours from POS courses listed below. Students presenting a course to satisfy a core requirement may not also use that course toward their concentration requirement.

    Study Abroad / Internships


    International affairs majors are encouraged to explore opportunities for study abroad. Living and studying in a foreign country enriches the undergraduate experience and prepares students for careers with an international dimension. Study Abroad programs vary in length from an intensive week to an entire academic year; summer programs are also available. A Study Abroad fact-sheet is available from the Office of International Programs.

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