International Studies
Interdisciplinary Major and Minor
Director: Renato Corbetta
Faculty: Corbetta, Sharlach (Political Science and Public Administration); Kiper, Kyle, Verbeek (Anthropology); Liu, Van Sant, Ward, Wiesen (History); Biga (Sociology); Cummings (Art and Art History); Danielou (World Languages and Literatures)
The International Studies Program promotes a holistic appreciation of the different values and structures that characterize the world’s diverse societies, as well as an understanding of the institutions that produce economic, social, cultural, and political interdependence among nations.
A major or minor in international studies provides students with the background necessary to pursue a variety of public and private-sector careers. Employment opportunities are as numerous and varied as the interests and abilities of individual students. Majors may find employment in diplomatic or foreign service; international business, law, or labor relations; international development, social service, the travel industry, or health agencies and cultural organizations. Many of our students pursue graduate work in the fields of international relations, international development, peace studies, conflict resolution studies, public health, or law. We encourage all International Studies majors to study abroad, minor in a foreign language, and hope that they will pursue internship opportunities as well. The minor complements any major area by providing students with an international focus in their field.
The program is administered by the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, courses taught in other schools and professional programs at UAB may be relevant to the curriculum developed by a student in pursuit of his or her specific career goals.
International Studies is an interdisciplinary major. Courses eligible to apply to this major may vary with the emphasis that a student chooses. See your advisor for identifying an appropriate curriculum in your area of interest.
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in International Studies
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required International Studies | ||
| PSC 103 | Foundations of International Relations | 3 |
| ITS 470/PSC 402 | Seminar in International Studies | 3 |
| or ITS 471/PSC 403 | Seminar in International Studies | |
| WLL 120 | Foreign Cultures | 3 |
| ITS Internship | ||
| ITS 482 | Internship in International Affairs | 3 |
| Economic Awareness | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Economic Development and Indigenous Societies | ||
| Economics and Society | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Intermediate Microeconomics | ||
| Intermediate Macroeconomics | ||
| Economic Development and Growth | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Nonprofit Organization Mgmt/SL | ||
| Politics of Development | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Socio-Political | ||
| Select three of the following courses, from at least two different departments: | 9 | |
| Public Health and Medical Issues in African Communities | ||
| Peoples of the World:Mediterranean | ||
| Peoples of the World: Latin America | ||
| Nationalism, Ethnicity, and Religious Violence | ||
| Anthropology of Human Rights | ||
| Anthropology of Transitional Justice and Human Rights | ||
| Drugs and Culture | ||
| The Conquest of Mexico | ||
| Propaganda, Fake News, and Hate Speech | ||
| Advanced Peace Studies | ||
| Politics, Drugs and Society in Latin America | ||
| Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | ||
| The World Since 1945 | ||
| Introduction to Latin American History | ||
| Indians, Spaniards & Creoles | ||
| Modern Latin America | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Europe | ||
| Britain and the Third World | ||
| Introduction to Early Modern Spanish History | ||
| History of the Russian Empire | ||
| History of the Soviet Union 1917-1991 | ||
| Modern East Asia | ||
| History of Ancient Greece | ||
| History of the Roman Empire | ||
| Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages | ||
| The U.S. and Latin America | ||
| Sex & Latin American Society | ||
| Modern Latin America | ||
| British Origins of American Democracy | ||
| The Celtic Fringe: Ireland, Scotland, Wales | ||
| Modern East Asia | ||
| The Pacific War, 1931-1945 | ||
| Women Rogues, Radicals and Reformers | ||
| The Second World War | ||
| The Vietnam Wars, 1945-1975 | ||
| Nations of the Andes | ||
| Modern Mexico | ||
| Clash of Civilizations | ||
| Seventeenth-Century Europe: Absolutism, Revolution and Science | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Europe | ||
| Modern Europe | ||
| Ancient and Medieval Britain | ||
| English History: 1307-1660 | ||
| Early Modern Britain | ||
| Victorian Britain | ||
| Modern Great Britain | ||
| The French Revolution | ||
| Modern France 1815 - Present | ||
| Modern German History | ||
| Stalin and Stalinism | ||
| The Soviet Union Since 1953 | ||
| Russian Intellectual History | ||
| Terror and Terrorism from French Revolution to Present | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Japan to the 19th Century | ||
| Modern Japan | ||
| Foundations of Comparative Politics | ||
| African Politics | ||
| European Political Systems | ||
| Latin/South American Political Systems | ||
| Asian Political Systems | ||
| International Security | ||
| North/South International Relations | ||
| Diplomacy | ||
| Nationalism in World Politics | ||
| Politics of the Middle East and Northern Africa | ||
| International Conflict & Conflict Management | ||
| Special Topics in Political Science | ||
| Revolution and Political Violence | ||
| Human Trafficking | ||
| International Law | ||
| Social Change | ||
| Our Interconnected World | ||
| Cultural Literacy | ||
| Select three of the following courses, from at least two different departments: | 9 | |
| Introduction to African History and Culture | ||
| African Identity/Personality | ||
| African Diasporic Traditions | ||
| African Aesthetics and Traditional Religion | ||
| The History of Haiti | ||
| Introducing Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Peace Studies | ||
| Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids | ||
| Food and Culture | ||
| World Religions | ||
| Anthropology of Gender | ||
| Peace through Global Governance | ||
| Peaceful Societies and Peace Systems | ||
| Religion, Reconciliation, and Forgiveness | ||
| Technological Monitoring of Cultural Resources, Human Rights and Conflict | ||
| Medical Anthropology & Health Disparities | ||
| Explorers, Mummies and Hieroglyphs | ||
| Advanced Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Intern in Peace, Justice and Environmental Study | ||
| The Art Experience | ||
| Ancient and Medieval Art | ||
| Early Modern-Contemporary Art | ||
| Survey of Asian Art | ||
| Italian Renaissance Art | ||
| Tomb Art in East Asia | ||
| Buddhist & Hindu Art in India to 1200 | ||
| Landscape and Image in East Asia | ||
| Piety and Power: Art in India after 1200 | ||
| Aspects of Contemporary Art | ||
| Post-Partition Identity in South Asian Cinema | ||
| Seminar: Buddhist Arts of East Asia | ||
| Study Abroad: Art & Culture of South Asia | ||
| World Literature I: Before 1660 | ||
| World Literature II: 1660-Present | ||
| African Women's Literature | ||
| African-American Special Topics | ||
| History of the Roman Empire | ||
| Middle East 550 BCE to 1453 CE | ||
| War in the Modern World | ||
| Mapping Our World | ||
| Roman Republic | ||
| Middle East 550 BCE to 1453 CE | ||
| Traditional East Asian History and Culture | ||
| Religion in Early Modern European History | ||
| Traditional East Asian History and Culture | ||
| End of the U.S.S.R. | ||
| The Holocaust on Film | ||
| Nazi Germany | ||
| Topics in Middle Eastern History | ||
| Spain and the Spanish Inquisition | ||
| French Enlightenment | ||
| Topics in European History | ||
| Music in World Cultures | ||
| Introduction to Ethnomusicology | ||
| Classical Political Thought | ||
| Modern Political Theory | ||
| Eastern Philosophy | ||
| History of Philosophy: From Kant to Nietzsche | ||
| Foundations of Political Theory | ||
| Classical Political Thought | ||
| Modern Political Theory | ||
| Songs of Social Change through World Cultures | ||
| World Literatures in English Translation | ||
| History of World Movies I: The Origins to 1960 | ||
| History of World Movies II | ||
| Electives | ||
| Students must take six semester hours from any of the above approved list of courses AND/OR from the list below: | 6 | |
| Language and Culture | ||
| Applied Anthropology | ||
| Archaeology of the Origins of Civilization in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean | ||
| Archaeology and History Bible Lands | ||
| Ecological Anthropology | ||
| Human Rights, Peace, and Justice | ||
| Peace Ethology | ||
| Conflict Resolution in Cross-Cultural Perspective | ||
| Peace & Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Intercultural & International Communication | ||
| The Holocaust in History and Literature | ||
| Ethnic Cleansing & Genocide 1912-2012 | ||
| Introduction to Public Health | ||
| Introduction to Global Health | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Human Rights | ||
| Population Problems | ||
| World Language Capstone Seminar | ||
| Total Hours | 39 | |
Grade and Level Requirement
A grade of C or better is required in all International Studies courses. Students must demonstrate second-year proficiency in a foreign language. Students must ensure that at least 9 hours are (a) taken in an approved geographic concentration. or (b) follow an approved global theme. Geographic areas currently include Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. At least 15 credits must be taken at the 300 level or above, including 9 hours at 400 level. Students must fulfill an international experience. This requirement may be satisfied by one of the following: participation in a study abroad program; participation in a course with a substantial international, applied component to it; or participation in an internship with an international organization or company or an entity offering an international component.
Additional Requirements
General Electives
Students must take general electives to reach the 120 semester hour requirement.
Proposed Program of Study for a Major in International Studies
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| EH 101 | 3 | EH 102 | 3 |
| MA 110 | 3 | Core Curriculum Area II: Foreign Language | 4 |
| PSC 103 | 3 | Core Curriculum Area IV: History | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area IV: History | 3 | Core Curriculum Area IV: Social or Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| Core Curiculum Area II: Fine Art | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| International Studies Major Course | 3 | International Studies Major Courses | 6 |
| Core Curriculum Area II: Literature | 3 | Core Curriculum Area III: Natural Science with Laboratory | 4 |
| Core Curriculum Area II: Foreign Language | 4 | Core Curriculum Area II: Humanities | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area III: Natural Science with Lab | 4 | Foreign Language (200-level) | 3 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| ITS 470 | 3 | International Studies Major Course (300-level or above) | 3 |
| International Studies Major Course | 3 | International Studies Major Course (400 level) | 3 |
| Forgeign Language (200-level) | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | General Elective | 6 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| International Studies Major Course (300 level or above) | 3 | International Studies Major Course | 6 |
| International Studies Major Course (400-level) | 3 | General Electives | 9 |
| General Electives | 9 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 121 | |||
A minor is required for the International Studies major. All core courses must be from the approved list for Core Area I-IV. The number of minor courses and general electives may vary.
Minor in International Studies
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSC 103 | Foundations of International Relations | 3 |
| WLL 120 | Foreign Cultures | 3 |
| International Studies Electives | 12 | |
| Select twelve hours from the following courses, at least six hours must be taken at the 300 level or above: | ||
| The History of Haiti | ||
| Introducing Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Peace Studies | ||
| Archaeology of the Origins of Civilization in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean | ||
| Peoples of the World:Mediterranean | ||
| Peoples of the World: Latin America | ||
| Economic Development and Indigenous Societies | ||
| Food and Culture | ||
| World Religions | ||
| Anthropology of Gender | ||
| Ecological Anthropology | ||
| Peace Ethology | ||
| Conflict Resolution in Cross-Cultural Perspective | ||
| Peace & Environmental Sustainability | ||
| The Power of Nonviolence | ||
| Religion, Reconciliation, and Forgiveness | ||
| Villains, Victims, & Vigilantes | ||
| Advanced Peace Studies | ||
| Advanced Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Intermediate Arabic I | ||
| The Art Experience | ||
| Ancient and Medieval Art | ||
| Early Modern-Contemporary Art | ||
| Survey of Asian Art | ||
| Post-Partition Identity in South Asian Cinema | ||
| Seminar: Buddhist Arts of East Asia | ||
| Intermediate Chinese I | ||
| Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | ||
| Economic Development and Growth | ||
| International Economics | ||
| World Literature I: Before 1660 | ||
| World Literature II: 1660-Present | ||
| African Literature | ||
| African Women's Literature | ||
| Intermediate French I | ||
| Intermediate German I | ||
| The World Since 1945 | ||
| The Holocaust in History and Literature | ||
| Introduction to Latin American History | ||
| Indians, Spaniards & Creoles | ||
| Modern Latin America | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Europe | ||
| Twentieth Century Europe | ||
| Introduction to Early Modern Spanish History | ||
| History of the Russian Empire | ||
| Russian Revolution: 1917-1921 | ||
| History of the Soviet Union 1917-1991 | ||
| Traditional East Asian History and Culture | ||
| Modern East Asia | ||
| Mapping Our World | ||
| History of Ancient Greece | ||
| History of the Roman Empire | ||
| Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages | ||
| The U.S. and Latin America | ||
| Sex & Latin American Society | ||
| Modern Latin America | ||
| The Christians in History | ||
| The Reformation | ||
| Religion in Early Modern European History | ||
| End of the U.S.S.R. | ||
| Traditional East Asian History and Culture | ||
| The Pacific War, 1931-1945 | ||
| The Second World War | ||
| The Vietnam Wars, 1945-1975 | ||
| Ethnic Cleansing & Genocide 1912-2012 | ||
| Nations of the Andes | ||
| Modern Mexico | ||
| Clash of Civilizations | ||
| Topics in Middle Eastern History | ||
| Renaissance and Reformation | ||
| Seventeenth-Century Europe: Absolutism, Revolution and Science | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Europe | ||
| Modern Europe | ||
| Spain and the Spanish Inquisition | ||
| English History: 1307-1660 | ||
| Victorian Britain | ||
| Modern Great Britain | ||
| French Enlightenment | ||
| The French Revolution | ||
| Modern France 1815 - Present | ||
| Modern German History | ||
| Stalin and Stalinism | ||
| The Soviet Union Since 1953 | ||
| Russian Intellectual History | ||
| Terror and Terrorism from French Revolution to Present | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Japan to the 19th Century | ||
| Modern Japan | ||
| Intermediate Italian I | ||
| Internship in International Affairs | ||
| Intermediate Japanese I | ||
| Music in World Cultures | ||
| Introduction to Ethnomusicology | ||
| Eastern Philosophy | ||
| Foundations of Comparative Politics | ||
| Foundations of Political Theory | ||
| The United Nations | ||
| Classical Political Thought | ||
| Modern Political Theory | ||
| African Politics | ||
| Politics of Development | ||
| International Security | ||
| Diplomacy | ||
| Nationalism in World Politics | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| International Law | ||
| Introduction to Public Health | ||
| Introduction to Global Health | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Psychopathology and Culture | ||
| Social Change | ||
| Our Interconnected World | ||
| Human Sexuality: A Comparative Approach | ||
| Population Problems | ||
| Sociology of Health and Illness | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| WLL 121 | Songs of Social Change through World Cultures | 3 |
| WLL 220 | World Literatures in English Translation | 3 |
| WLL 485 | World Language Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
Grade & Residency Requirement
A C or better is required in all International Studies courses applied to the minor. At least half of the minor must be completed at UAB or through BACHE.
Honors Program in International Studies
Purpose
The ITS Honors Program is designed for qualified, self-motivated international studies majors. Through special course distribution and credit hours requirements, as well as a directed honors thesis, students are prepared for in-depth ITS research and related graduate or professional opportunities.
Eligibility
Students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- 3.0 cumulative GPA at UAB, 3.3 GPA in ITS (and maintenance of these minima).
- Junior standing.
- Declaration of ITS as student’s major.
- Letter of Intent to the Director. The Director approves admission into the program in consultation with the ITS faculty.
Requirements
Students are required to successfully complete the following:
- Completion of ITS 470 or ITS 471 Seminar in International Studies (3 credits).
- Enrollment in ITS 497 Honors Research in International Studies (3 credits) after completion of the Seminar.
- Following completion of ITS 497, preparation of an advanced research project which will lead to the development of a substantial research paper and, in some cases, a senior thesis under faculty supervision (all faculty affiliated with ITS are eligible to supervise the paper).
- Defense of paper/thesis in colloquium, composed of ITS faculty and other ITS 497 students
- Participation in SIR, the international studies honor society.
Benefits
Honors students will benefit from one-on-one mentoring with faculty in the program, which will lead to a more thorough understanding of the field and practice of international studies. This is particularly useful as students choose career goals, such as graduate school, international public service, the U.S. Foreign Service, or other opportunities. Additionally, students who complete the program will receive a certificate at the annual UAB Honors Convocation and will graduate “With Honors in International Studies.”
Contact
For more information and/or admission to the International Studies Honors Program, contact the ITS Director, 560 Heritage Hall, UAB, Birmingham, AL 35294-1152; Telephone (205) 934-5643.
Courses
ITS 101. Introduction to International Studies. 3 Hours.
A survey of the problems and practice of global cooperation and conflict. Particular attention is paid to issues of global power, wealth and social justice. This course meets the Core Curriculum requirements for Area IV: Social and Behavioral Sciences.
ITS 110. Directed Readings in International Studies. 1-3 Hour.
Critique of current popular works in International Studies. Prerequisite: permission of ITS director.
ITS 223. International Study Abroad. 3 Hours.
Independent study done in International setting in conjunction with non-UAB academic program. Prerequisite: permission of ITS Director.
ITS 229. International Study Abroad. 3 Hours.
Current events in international setting. Part of program supported by UAB Education Abroad. Permission of ITS director and UAB Education Abroad director.
ITS 250. Special Topics. 3 Hours.
Topics in world geography and international issues. Prerequisite: permission of ITS director.
ITS 299. Problems in International Studies. 1-3 Hour.
Study of international relation and world culture subjects.
ITS 470. Seminar in International Studies. 3 Hours.
International Studies exit seminar that draws together program themes and summarizes main threads of current global issues. Prerequisite: permission of ITS director.
ITS 471. Seminar in International Studies. 3 Hours.
Analyzing and writing in depth about the ethics and rationale for using and abusing the film medium to relate to, undermine, or support political authority. Writing, Ethics and Civic Responsibility are significant components of this course.
ITS 480. Advanced Problems in International Studies. 1-3 Hour.
Independent study. Prerequisite: permission of ITS director.
ITS 482. Internship in International Affairs. 1-3 Hour.
Individually arranged assignments in international companies or organizations, monitored and evaluated by the director of international studies. Prerequisite: permission of ITS director.
ITS 497. Honors Research in International Studies. 3 Hours.
Directed research by international studies honors students under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: open only to International Studies Honors students by permission of ITS director.
ITS 499. Advanced Seminar in International Studies. 3 Hours.
Special-topic seminar treating major current event or international problem.