International Studies, B.A.
Saint Louis University's undergraduate degree in international studies is offered through the College of Arts and Science's Political Science department. The program offers students the opportunity to focus both on a specific region of the world as well as a specific topic or theme (arts and culture, environment and health, economics and development, war and peace).
A wide variety of courses will fulfill program requirements, from economics, political science and sociology to art history, philosophy and theology.
As part of a degree program, students will demonstrate proficiency in a modern language and complete and a capstone experience. Students will also have the opportunity to study abroad and participate in international internships.
Curriculum Overview
The international studies major requires 36 credits and the curriculum includes the following requirements: students must demonstrate proficiency in a second language as well as complete required courses in international politics, international economics, and cultural anthropology. Beyond required courses, students will declare a regional focus (Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, Middle East) and complete 9 credits of coursework in that area as well as a thematic focus (arts and culture, environment and health, economics and development, war and peace) and complete 9 credits of coursework related to that topic. A list of applicable courses will be published prior to each semester. Students will complete an internship, field research experience, or elective course. Finally, all students must complete a 3-credit capstone seminar which includes a rotating selection of 4000-level seminars.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Although not required, students are encouraged to study and do internships abroad, and the international studies program includes a field research course which enables students to design and complete research projects relevant to their program of study. Students can study abroad at SLU’s Madrid campus or at any of the nearly 40 SLU-affiliated programs on six continents. Students can also gain practical experience in their field through an international internship that complements their major.
Careers
An undergraduate degree in international studies prepares students for a global career and can make students more attractive to future employers. Some examples of fields where a degree in international studies can be beneficial include:
- Public service with NGOs or governmental agencies
- Global health
- Education
- Immigration law
- Research
- Environmental
- Social reform
Admission Requirements
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file. College admission test scores (ACT or SAT) are used as an additional indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University and are used as qualifiers for certain University scholarship programs. To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the General Education Development (GED) test.
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
- Graduates will be able to analyze cultural, economic, political and social aspects of contemporary international issues.
- Graduates will be able to describe how culture and national identity affect a person’s perspectives.
- Graduates will be able to apply a variety of methodologies to answer empirical questions about international phenomena.
- Graduates will be able to assess analytical arguments.
- Graduates will be able to assemble evidence from reliable sources to support their arguments.
- Graduates will be able to estimate the global or transnational impact of local actions.
- Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of international phenomena to engage effectively as global citizens.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| College core requirements | 57-66 | |
| For additional information about core courses | ||
| Foreign Language | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Oral and Written Proficiency in Chinese II | ||
| Society, Nation & the Arts in Pre-Revolutionary France | ||
| Oral Communication in Italian II | ||
| Advanced Oral Communication | ||
| Fluency in German | ||
| Fluency in Russian | ||
| International Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Politics | ||
| International Economics | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Politics of Developing World | ||
| Introduction to International Political Economy | ||
| Economies of Latin America | ||
| Political Economy European Union | ||
| International Trade | ||
| Exchange Rates and Global Economics | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Regional Focus | 9 | |
Three classes covering a single region of the world. Ideally, these will match the student's language focus. Courses that meet this requirement either (1) focus on multiple countries in the region or (2) focus on a single country broadly across time. Some sample courses that fulfill regional requirements are listed below. 2 | ||
| Thematic Focus | 9 | |
Three classes pertaining to a single theme. Thematic foci and sample courses are described below. Courses in this category focus on contemporary implications of the phenomena being studied. 3 | ||
| Internship, field research, elective course | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Internship in International Studies | ||
Any course with an ISTD attribute or ISTD subject code | ||
| Capstone Seminar | 3 | |
A rotating selection of seminars designated ISTD 4960-4969. | ||
The capstone seminar take an interdisciplinary approach to the study of an international phenomenon or area. Students complete research projects and examine the contributions of various approaches. | ||
| General Electives | 30-21 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Regional Focus
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Asia (attribute ISTD-Asia) | ||
| ENGL 3180 | Film | 3 |
| HIST 2700 | China and Japan To 1600 | 3 |
| HIST 2710 | China and Japan since 1600 | 3 |
| HIST 3200 | China to 1644 | 3 |
| IB 3040 | Asian Business | 3 |
| POLS 2560 | The Politics of Asia | 3 |
| POLS 3660 | US Strategy in Asia | 3 |
| POLS 3500 | East Asian Political Economy | 3 |
| THEO 3710 | Arts of Hinduism and Buddhism | 3 |
| THEO 3720 | Intuition, Spontaneity, and Flow: Daoism in Comparative Context | 3 |
| THEO 3740 | Religions of Asia | 3 |
| Africa (attribute ISTD-Africa) | ||
| ARTH 2120 | Survey of Art in Africa since Prehistory | 3 |
| ARTH 2320 | Art of the African Diaspora | 3 |
| ENGL 3540 | Literature of the African Diaspora | 3 |
| FREN 2250 | Literature of French-speaking Africa & the Caribbean | 3 |
| FREN 4290 | Women and Global Issues | 3 |
| FREN 4640 | Studies in Francophone Literature | 3 |
| FREN 4670 | Postcolonialism and Violence, Issues of Representation in Francophone Culture, Literature and Film | 3 |
| HIST 3230 | Africa to 1884 | 3 |
| HIST 3240 | Africa since 1884 | 3 |
| HIST 3430 | African Economic History | 3 |
| POLS 2520 | Introduction to African Politics | 3 |
| POLS 3650 | International Relations of Africa | 3 |
| Europe (attribute ISTD-Europe) | ||
| ENGL 3170 | European Drama | 3 |
| ENGL 3250 | British Literary Traditions to 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL 3260 | British Literary Traditions after 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL 3300 | Eastern European Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 3390 | Literature and Film of World War II | 3 |
| FREN 4180 | French and International Relations: Global Simulation | 3 |
| FREN 4660 | Nation, Identity, Culture | 3 |
| FREN 4870 | Exoticism in French Literature | 3 |
| GR 3250 | German Culture Studies II | 3 |
| HIST 3130 | The Age of Industrialism and Democracy, 1815-1914 | 3 |
| HIST 3140 | Twentieth Century Europe: Era of World Wars, 1914-1945 | 3 |
| HIST 3150 | Europe since 1945 | 3 |
| HIST 3160 | Eastern Europe | 3 |
| HIST 3260 | Modern France since 1815 | 3 |
| HIST 3280 | Russia to 1905 | 3 |
| HIST 3290 | Russia Since 1905 | 3 |
| HIST 3310 | Modern European Diplomatic History, 1914-Present | 3 |
| HIST 3740 | The British Empire | 3 |
| HIST 3750 | Women in Modern Europe | 3 |
| ITAL 3300 | Madonnas, Witches, Rebels: Women and Gender in Italy | 0,3 |
| ITAL 3650 | All things Trans-: Modern Italy Across Borders, Cultures, and Disciplines | 3 |
| ITAL 3700 | Global Italy: Migration and Multiculturalism | 3 |
| POLS 2510 | West European Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2530 | Soviet and Post Soviet Politics | 3 |
| POLS 3567 | Political Development in Contemporary Spain | 3 |
| POLS 4500 | Russian Political Culture | 3 |
| POLS 4630 | The European Union: Politics and Political Economy | 3 |
| RUSS 2630 | Soviet Agents/Spies on Screen: Filming Espionage in the East and West | 1 |
| RUSS 3250 | Russia From Peter to Putin: Imperial, Soviet, and Post-Soviet Culture | 3 |
| RUSS 4510 | The Russian Orthodox | 3 |
| SPAN 4790 | Spanish Culture & Civilization | 3 |
| Latin America (attribute ISTD-LatAm) | ||
| HIST 3170 | Colonial Latin America | 3 |
| IB 3020 | Latin American Business | 3 |
| LAS 3000 | Introduction to Latin American Studies | 3 |
| POLS 2570 | Introduction to Latin American Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2580 | Politics of Mexico | 3 |
| POLS 3560 | Political Process - Latin America | 1,3 |
| POLS 3810 | Latin American-U.S. Relations | 3 |
| SPAN 2230 | Latin American Cult & Civil | 3 |
| SPAN 4240 | Short Stories: History, Histories. Deciphering Latin-American Societies and Cultures | 3 |
| SPAN 4280 | Early Latin American Novel | 3 |
| SPAN 4300 | Latin-American Thinkers | 3 |
| SPAN 4320 | The African Experience in Spanish America | 3 |
| SPAN 4380 | Cultural Stereotypes: Latin Am | 3 |
| SPAN 4400 | Strangers in a Familiar Land: Displacements in Latin America | 3 |
| THEO 3415 | Christ and Color: Liberation Theology | 3 |
| Middle East (attribute ISTD-MENA) | ||
| ARTH 2100 | Art of Jerusalem and Three Faiths: Past and Present | 3 |
| ARTH 2140 | Islamic Art and Society | 3 |
| ARTH 2350 | Excavating Culture of 3 Faiths | 3 |
| HIST 2730 | Crossroads of the World: The Middle East and North Africa Through History | 3 |
| HIST 3820 | Islamic Middle East | 3 |
| HIST 3830 | Modern Middle East | 3 |
| IB 3150 | Middle Eastern Business | 3 |
| LLC 3200 | Israeli Culture: From the Birth of Zionism to the 21st Century | 3 |
| POLS 2590 | Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| POLS 2650 | War & Peace in the Middle East | 3 |
| POLS 3670 | America and the Middle East | 3 |
| THEO 2715 | Jerusalem: Three Faiths, One City | 3 |
| THEO 2720 | Islam: Religion & Culture | 3 |
| THEO 3335 | Christians In Middle East | 3 |
| THEO 3725 | Sufism, Islam's Mystical Tradition | 3 |
Thematic Focus
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Culture in an Age of Globalization (attribute ISTD-Arts) | ||
Ideas move rapidly across boundaries. This information takes a variety of forms – words, images, sounds – and moves across a variety of media. Participating in this great cultural exchange requires students to transcend disciplinary boundaries – bringing together art and politics, music and religion, language and history – in order to understand the creation and global diffusion of shared meaning across time. | ||
| ARTH 1090 | Global Masterpieces in Art | 3 |
| ARTH 2120 | Survey of Art in Africa since Prehistory | 3 |
| ARTH 2320 | Art of the African Diaspora | 3 |
| ARTH 2100 | Art of Jerusalem and Three Faiths: Past and Present | 3 |
| ARTH 2140 | Islamic Art and Society | 3 |
| ARTH 2350 | Excavating Culture of 3 Faiths | 3 |
| ARTH 3720 | Modern Art in Spain and France | 3 |
| ASTD 2300 | Americans Abroad | 3 |
| CMM 4650 | International Public Relations | 3 |
| ENGL 3310 | World Literary Traditions I | 3 |
| ENGL 3320 | World Literary Traditions II | 3 |
| ENGL 3330 | World Literary Traditions III | 3 |
| ENGL 3500 | Literature of the Postcolonial World | 3 |
| ENGL 3540 | Literature of the African Diaspora | 3 |
| ENGL 4680 | Major Post-Colonial Writers | 3 |
| ENGL 4690 | Topics in 20th/21st Century British, Irish, & Postcolonial Literature & Culture | 3 |
| FREN 4220 | French and Francophone Media : Qu’est-ce qui se passe ? | 3 |
| FREN 4290 | Women and Global Issues | 3 |
| FREN 4670 | Postcolonialism and Violence, Issues of Representation in Francophone Culture, Literature and Film | 3 |
| FREN 4870 | Exoticism in French Literature | 3 |
| MUSC 1170 | World Music | 3 |
| RUSS 3440 | Art, Media, & Power in Post-Soviet Russia | 3 |
| SPAN 4060 | History of the Spanish Language | 3 |
| SPAN 4110 | Language and Linguistics | 3 |
| SPAN 4350 | Latin American Testimony | 3 |
| THEO 2710 | Religions of the World | 3 |
| WGST 4860 | Global & Transnational Feminism | 3 |
| Global Health and the Environment (attribute ISTD-Health) | ||
Many of the most critical contemporary issues – from climate change, to pandemics, to sustainable development – transcend national boundaries, and solutions must also transcend boundaries. Addressing these issues requires students to understand the scientific facts, the ways societies adapt to those realities, and the political process through which change could occur. | ||
| ANTH 2460 | Global Mental Health | 3 |
| BIOL 1090 | Biodiversity & Conservation | 4 |
| BIOL 1140 | Our Living Environment | 3 |
| BIOL 1200 | Ecological Issues and Society | 3 |
| BIOL 1340 | Diversity of Life | 3 |
| BIOL 1385 | Introduction to Ecology and Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 1400 | Biology of Health and Disease | 3 |
| BIOL 1640 | Microbes, History and Society | 3 |
| BIOL 3280 | Ethnobotany | 3 |
| BIOL 3410 | Concepts in Ecology | 3 |
| EAS 1080 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| EAS 1090 | Climate Change | 3 |
| EAS 1310 | Water-Our Precious Resource | 3 |
| EAS 1600 | Sustainable Energy | 3 |
| EAS 2530 | Fundamentals of Climate Systems | 3 |
| HIST 3350 | Plagues and Peoples: Disease and Society in the Pre-modern World | 3 |
| HIST 3660 | North American Environmental History | 3 |
| PHIL 3420 | Environmental and Ecological Ethics | 3 |
| POLS 4840 | Global Health Politics and Policy | 3 |
| PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health | 0-3 |
| PUBH 2300 | Contemporary Issues in Global Health | 3 |
| SOC 1180 | World Geography | 3 |
| SOC 2360 | Diversity & Health Disparities | 1-4 |
| SOC 2470 | Culture and Health | 3 |
| SOC 2500 | Social Ecology | 3 |
| SPAN 4150 | Spanish for the Health Professions | 3 |
| Global Economy and Economic Development (attribute ISTD-Economy) | ||
Trade links people and places that are very distant and sometimes different from each other. While global markets can be a force for progress and rising living standard, they can also be a source of conflict and forced homogenization, as some prosper at the expense of others. To participate effectively in this global economy, students need to understand its past, present, and potential from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. | ||
| ANTH 2080 | Urban Issues: Poverty and Unemployment | 3 |
| ECON 4300 | International Trade | 3 |
| ECON 4310 | Exchange Rates and Global Economics | 3 |
| ECON 4560 | Economic Development | 3 |
| FREN 4180 | French and International Relations: Global Simulation | 3 |
| FREN 4290 | Women and Global Issues | 3 |
| IB 3100 | Geopolitics of World Business | 3 |
| IB 3160 | Cultural Differences in International Business | 3 |
| IB 3140 | International e-Business | 3 |
| IB 4120 | International Business Strategies | 3 |
| IB 4900 | Global Immersion in International Business | 3 |
| IB 4910 | International Business Internship | 1-3 |
| LAS 3000 | Introduction to Latin American Studies | 3 |
| POLS 1510 | Politics of Developing World | 3 |
| POLS 2560 | The Politics of Asia | 3 |
| POLS 2570 | Introduction to Latin American Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2580 | Politics of Mexico | 3 |
| POLS 2600 | Introduction to International Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 3500 | East Asian Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 3560 | Political Process - Latin America | 1,3 |
| POLS 3570 | Third World Development | 3 |
| POLS 3600 | Problems of Globalization | 3 |
| POLS 3800 | The Structure of Poverty: Globally and Locally | 3 |
| POLS 4630 | The European Union: Politics and Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 4840 | Global Health Politics and Policy | 3 |
| SOC 2180 | Cities and Space | 3 |
| SOC 3180 | Immigration | 3 |
| SPAN 4160 | Business & Prof Spanish | 0,3 |
| War and Peace in the Contemporary World (attribute ISTD-War) | ||
International conflict leaves untold human suffering in its wake, including refugees unable to return home, damaged social and political institutions, and environmental devastation. Understanding the roots and forms of conflict and the mechanisms that allow people to live together without violence enables students to work toward a more peaceful and just world. | ||
| ENGL 3390 | Literature and Film of World War II | 3 |
| ENGL 3400 | War in Literature | 3 |
| FREN 4180 | French and International Relations: Global Simulation | 3 |
| FREN 4670 | Postcolonialism and Violence, Issues of Representation in Francophone Culture, Literature and Film | 3 |
| HIST 3250 | World in Conflict Since 1945 | 3 |
| LLC 3250 | Migrants and Borders on Screen: The Cinema of Migration in Mediterranean Europe | 3 |
| POLS 2540 | Ethnicity and Internal War | 3 |
| POLS 2590 | Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| POLS 2640 | International Terrorism | 3 |
| POLS 2650 | War & Peace in the Middle East | 3 |
| POLS 2691 | Theory and Practice of Human Rights | 3 |
| POLS 3510 | Rebirth of Democracy | 3 |
| POLS 3530 | Comparative Revolutions | 3 |
| POLS 3610 | Multilateral Diplomacy | 3 |
| POLS 3620 | International Organization and the Management of World Problems | 3 |
| POLS 3630 | International Security and Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| POLS 3640 | International Law | 3 |
| POLS 3650 | International Relations of Africa | 3 |
| POLS 3660 | US Strategy in Asia | 3 |
| POLS 3670 | America and the Middle East | 3 |
| POLS 3810 | Latin American-U.S. Relations | 3 |
| POLS 4510 | Seminar: Democratization | 3 |
| POLS 4610 | International Relations: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| POLS 4630 | The European Union: Politics and Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 4650 | War, Peace, and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 4692 | Theories of World Politics | 3 |
| SOC 2220 | Peace and Conflict Studies | 3 |
| SOC 3180 | Immigration | 3 |
| SPAN 4350 | Latin American Testimony | 3 |
Study Abroad
International Studies majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. The program director will work closely with them to locate courses in study abroad programs that will fulfill International Studies requirements.
Continuation Standards
- Students must a 2.00 GPA in the major.
- Students must earn a 3.00 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation.
Bachelor of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Components and Credits | ||
| Foundations of Discourse | 3 | |
| Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | |
| Global Citizenship | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 0-9 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Literature | 6 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 6 | |
| Philosophy | 9 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Theology | 9 | |
| World History | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 57-66 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses [numbered below 1000]).
- Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
- Complete Major Requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
- Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or elective credits to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
- Courses listed under the intensive English program do not count toward graduation requirements. EAP 1500 College Composition for International Students (3 cr), EAP 1900 Rhetoric & Research Strategies (3 cr) and EAP 2850 Introduction to Literature for International Students (3 cr) count toward graduation requirements as equivalents to Department of English courses. In addition to those courses, six credits from EAP/MLNG courses at the 1000 level or higher may count toward graduation requirements
- Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
- Complete Dept/Program specific academic and performance requirements.
- Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.