The Certificate in International Studies is designed to supplement a student's major with a comprehensive introduction to the interdependence of nations, America's role in the world, and contemporary trends in the globalization of interdisciplinary knowledge, politics, institutions, and economics.
This program equips students with the interdisciplinary approach, critical thinking skills and international perspectives necessary to address real world challenges. Students will acquire a complementary approach to their discipline which explores contemporary globalization and its challenges, thus, grounding their knowledge of how comparative perspectives can be applied to the understanding of different cultural perspectives.
The purpose of the Undergraduate Certificate in International Studies is to educate students about critical political, economic and strategic issues that govern relations between nations with a special emphasis on American foreign policy. In addition, students will learn about various regions of the world, their international political institutions and systems as well as their impact on the international political process. Upon completion of the program, graduates of the program will be able to identify and analyze major trends in the formulation and conduct of international affairs, international security, diplomacy, intelligence, both in government and non-governmental agencies.
Without forsaking their major field, students may complement it with a distinction that prepares them for the global marketplace. In addition, they may select two elective courses from a variety of disciplines according to their individual academic interest:
- Business
- Geography
- History
- Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Journalism and Mass Communications
- Political Science
Curriculum Requirements
The program consists of 15-18 hours of course work. The curriculum will focus on educating students on international political systems and policies that shape the relationships between major regions of the world including both state and non-state actors. Students will gain an understanding of international political and economic trends, conflicts, treaties, diplomatic and strategic initiatives. Participants will be required to complete 9 credit hours of core and 3 in Area Studies. This is in addition to 3-6 hours of foreign languages. The core courses will introduce students to basic elements of international relations, a comparative analysis of different regions of the world, and in particular studies in American foreign policy. Additionally, the area studies requirement will allow students to specialize in any one of the predetermined regions of the world. The foreign language coursework will focus on fundamental elements (basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills) in order to give students an added advantage on communicating with foreign entities, should the need arise.
The Certificate in International Studies consists of eighteen (18) credits.
Group I: CIS Core Requirements - nine (9) credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POS 323 | Compartative Government | 3 |
| POS 325 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POS 360 | International Politics,International Relations, International Relations | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
** All CIS students must satisfy the following Core Requirements.
Group II: Area Studies Requirements - three (3) Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO 337 | Geography of Africa | 3 |
| HIS 320 | Independent Latin America | 3 |
| HIS 346 | Twentieth-Century Europe | 3 |
| HIS 365 | Caribbean History | 3 |
| HIS 371 | Modern African History & Cultures 1600-PRESENT | 3 |
| POS 463 | Politics of African Nations | 3 |
** Students must choose one course out of the following courses.
Group III: Foreign Language Requirements - three (3) credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARA 111 | Elementary Arabic I | 3 |
| CHI 111 | Elementary Chinese I | 3 |
| FRN 111 | Elementary French I | 3 |
| SPN 111 | Elementary Spanish | 3 |
** Students must choose one course out of the following courses.
Group IV: CIS Restrictive Electives - three(3) credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BUS 417 | International Business | 3 |
| FRN 112 | Elementary French II | 3 |
| HIS 100 | History of World Societies I | 3 |
| HIS 362 | Introduction to the Modern Middle East, Part 1 | 3 |
| INT 412 | Contemporary Globalization | 3 |
| MCM 390 | Global Media | 3 |
| POS 464 | African Crisis: Causes and Effects,African Crises | 3 |
| SOC 325 | Sociology of Business & Internationalism | 3 |
| SPN 112 | Elementary Spanish II | 3 |
** Students must choose three (3) credits out of the following courses.