Liberal Arts: International Studies, AA

Room: B-Building, B-234

Phone: (718) 482-5640

About

The International Studies Option prepares students to become better-informed world citizens, helping them develop the competencies needed to succeed and excel in a global world. Students in the program learn about cross-cultural understanding, explore global perspectives on various world issues, become more familiar with distinct regions and cultures of the world and take at least two cycles of foreign language.

Are You Interested In...

  • Learning about different cultures or languages?
  • Traveling overseas or living abroad?
  • Interdisciplinary studies composed of art, sociology, literature, history, global studies, anthropology and/or gender studies?
  • Learning about global relations and globalization?
  • Careers related to public service?

Skills You Will Learn

  • Applying critical thinking to complex international issues
  • Comprehension and analysis of global affairs
  • Modern language(s)
  • Navigating environments that require cross-cultural understanding

What makes this major unique?

This major provides a broad liberal arts education while allowing students to custom-tailor a plan for studying a particular culture, region, or lens through which to understand our world. It’s an excellent major for any student with career interests in a range of fields that relate to our multicultural, global world.

Career Possibilities

The majority of careers for this major require at least a Bachelor’s Degree. Careers where modern language proficiency is in high demand include roles such as Foreign Service Officer, Court Interpreter, Diplomat, jobs in the DEA, FBI, CIA and other federal agencies and non-governmental agencies overseeing assignments abroad.

Passport Specialist

International Organizations (including entry level positions or internships at the UN and/or its affiliates)

Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), working on humanitarian aid, human rights, immigration, and education

Employee of local community organizations representing one of specific communities in NYC

Federal Government: USAID (Development Agency); State Department, etc.

Foreign Service Officer: diplomatic work, embassy and/or consulate, cultural affairs

United Nations

Public policy/office positions with elected officials

Journalist (focusing on International news and locations)

Attorney

Peace/Conflict Negotiator

Researcher for Think Tank or University

Editor for publishers working with authors writing about world events or other cultures/regions

Chief of Party for Overseas Missions

Transfer Possibilities

  • City College of New York – BA in International Studies
  • American University in Cairo – BA in Arabic Studies
  • BA in Area Studies (Arabic Studies, Latin American Studies, East Asian Studies, and other area studies)
  • BA in Global Development
  • BA in Public Policy
  • BA in Communications
  • BA in Journalism
  • BA in Political Science

Degree Requirements

A. REQUIRED CORE: 12 Credits

English: 6 credits

  • ENG101 English Composition I* – 3 credits (or ENA101 depending on placement)
  • ENG102 Writing through Literature – 3 credits


Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning: 3 credits

  • Select one of the following courses – 3 credits:
  • MAT107 Mathematics and the Modern World
  • MAT123 Modern Problem Solving (Depending on placement)
  • MAT115 College Algebra and Trigonometry
  • MAT117 Algebra and Trigonometry (depending on placement)
  • MAT119 Statistics with Elementary Algebra (depending on placement)
  • MAT120 Elementary Statistics


Life & Physical Sciences: 3 Credits

  • Select one of the following courses – 3 credits:
  • SCB101 Topics in Biological Sciences
  • SCB206 Introduction to Neuroscience
  • SCC101 Topics in Chemistry
  • SCC102 Chemistry of Photography
  • SCP101 Topics in Physics
  • SCP105 Life in the Universe
  • SCP140 Topics in Astronomy


B. FLEXIBLE CORE: 18 credits

Select one course from each of the five flexible core categories AND one additional course from any flexible core category.
Note: Students can select only two courses from any one discipline.

  • World Cultures and Global Issues
  • US Experience in its Diversity
  • Creative Expression
  • Individual and Society
  • Scientific World

 

To complete the degree requirements from the Flexible Core, students are advised to select courses from the recommended course selections listed in the program handbook.

Courses Credits
Liberal Arts: 6 credits
LIF101 First Year Seminar for Liberal Arts Social Science and Humanities 3
LIB200 Humanism, Science and Technology 3
English: 3 Credits
ENG 103 Preparing and Writing the Research Paper 3
ENG/ELA/Humanities: 3 credits
Select one of the following courses:
EIS216 International Schooling in Global Contexts
ENG295 World Literatures Written in English
ELF250 Modern French Literature in Translation
ELS250 Contemporary Latin American Fiction in Translation
ELA250 Modern Arabic Literature in Translation
ELC 250 Chinese Literature in English Translation
ELH250 Contemporary Hebrew Lit in Translation
ELI250 Italian Literature in Translation
ELJ250 Japanese Literature in Translation
ELK250 Modern Korean Literature in Translation
ELR250 20th Century Russian Literature in Translation
ELA260 Arab Cinema: Cultural Insights through Film
HUM107 Music of Latin America
HUM109 World Music
HUA167 Introduction to African Art
HUA191 Art of Eastern Asia
Education and Language Acquisition: 9 credits
EIS215 Language Issues in a Global World 3
Modern Language 6
Social Science: 9 credits
Select one of the following courses:
SSA106 Anthropology of Latin America
SSA120 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
SSH113 Modern Chinese History
SSH114 Modern Japanese History
SSH153 History of the United States and World Affairs
SSH110 East Asia Civilization and Societies
SSA100 Introduction to Anthropology
SSA101 Cultural Anthropology
SSE105 International Economics
SSE125 World Geography
SSH103 Western Civilization from Ancient Times to the Renaissance
SSH104 Western Civilization from the Renaissance to Modern Times
SSH105 World History from Ancient Times to 1500
SSH106 World History from 1500 to the Present
SSS100 Introduction to Sociology
Select two of the following courses:
SSH232 Survey of Latin American and Caribbean History
SSP220 Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean
SSP200 Global Politics
SSP250 Political Ideas and Ideologies
SSI210 Women in Society

Graduate in Two Years!

Review your Degree Map to stay on track.

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