B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a International Studies Focus (New College)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Associate Professor Longmire, Adviser.
The International Studies Focus provides an interdisciplinary approach to global issues drawing on disciplines within the Social Sciences such as history, linguistics, political science, economics, sociology, psychology as well as those in the Humanities and Creative Studies, such as philosophy, anthropology, art history and literature.

In addition to satisfying the general requirements for graduation from New College, students in the International Studies Focus must design, with the Focus Adviser, a program of 40 semester hours, at least 20 of which are in advanced courses or projects, including a 4 s.h. Senior Project. Within the 40 s.h. of the Focus, students are also required to complete Introduction to International Studies, a four-credit course in which the historical, philosophical and methodological orientations of the Focus are presented. These 40 s.h. are augmented by a 4 s.h. Upper-Level Seminar emphasizing International Studies, taken in partial satisfaction of College graduation requirements.

A student’s program design must be submitted to the Focus Adviser by the end of the student’s sophomore year.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 40

40 semester hours as follows: (at least 22 of these 40 credits must emphasize or include the non-Western cultural experience)

4 s.h., Introduction to International Studies; Upper-Level Seminar (in International Studies), in partial satisfaction of College requirements;
4 s.h. Senior Project or Thesis (in International Studies);
32 s.h. of courses and projects approved by the Focus Adviser including at least one course in each of four different disciplines which have a comparative or international dimension.

Students in the International Studies Focus are also strongly encouraged to undertake the following projects:

Acquire competence in at least one foreign language;
study abroad which can be arranged independently or through Off-Campus Education;
participate in internships at international organizations and other appropriate forums dealing with global issues.

New College courses which can be used to fulfill International Studies requirements include:

Humanities and Creative Studies

Comparative Ethics
Constructed Languages & Interlinguistics
Myths & Legends
Modern European Comparative Literature
Comparative Religion: Mysticism

Social Sciences

Contemporary Economic Problems
Latin America: Peoples & Culture
Marx & 20th-Century Marxism
Politics & the Third World
Technology in the 20th Century
Human Rights
Islamic Resurgence
African Contributions to Western Civilization
Issues in International Relations
The Search for a Postmodern Politic
Environment & Society
Women in the Third World