BA in International Studies

To receive the bachelor's degree with a specialization in international studies, a student must complete a minimum of 120 credits. These include all University proficiency and Core requirements, competency (to third-year level) in a foreign language, and 48 credit hours of coursework within the international studies program.

The 48 credits within the program must be distributed as follows:

• 24 credits taken from the list of approved courses (see program director) in one of the program's Core departments: political science, economics, history.
• 9 credits of approved courses in each of the program's other two Core departments. Note that at least two courses taken in economics must be at the 300-level; at least two courses in political science must be at the 200-level; and, in history, two courses other than Western Civilization I and II must be taken.
• 6 credits of approved courses taken in at least two of the other departments which participate in this program. INS courses, as well as certain COR courses (see program director), count toward this requirement as credit from one participating department.

In addition to the courses listed above, students must achieve competency in a foreign language through the third-year level. This competency may be achieved through coursework at USM, through transfer credits from another university, through some intensive summer study program at an American university, through study abroad, or through background (having lived abroad, being a foreign student, etc.)

In all cases of doubt, the final decision as to whether a student has completed the program's language requirement rests with the USM Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. Students who can show that they have achieved at least third-year level in some language other than English need take no foreign language courses at USM, although they may do so if they wish. Only courses above third-year level in any language will count toward the 48-credit requirement for this major.

Once a year, the director of the International Studies program will issue a mini-calendar listing all USM courses acceptable for requirements in this major. Students must refer to this calendar when choosing courses. The director may, in rare cases, decide that a course not listed in the mini-calendar could fulfill a particular student's major requirements. For example, a new COR course with an international focus might qualify as an exception, or some experimental offering under the 99 designation. Exceptions of this sort are unusual; they must be given by the director to the student in writing, with a copy placed in the student's files.

Those students who wish to undertake independent research projects may do so with INS 480 and INS 481. Exceptional students will be encouraged to do a senior thesis. This endeavor will provide 6 credits and will normally result in a sound, scholarly paper of fifty-plus pages. A final defense of the paper, involving three faculty readers, is required. Students awarded a grade of at least ninety on the thesis will be recognized as having graduated "With Honors in International Studies."

For admittance into the program, the student must have:

• completed a minimum of 30 credits in arts and sciences. Of these, at least 15 credits must be completed in CAHS courses at USM;
• achieved a GPA of 2.5 or better in USM courses, including a minimum of 2.8 or better in CAHS courses at USM;
• completed USM's minimum proficiency requirements.

To graduate from this program, the student:

• must have completed 48 credit hours of coursework, distributed in the manner described above;
• must have attained a GPA at USM of 2.5 or better, including a GPA of 2.8 or better in CAHS courses at USM;
• must have attained grades of C– or higher in all international studies courses, including courses in foreign language. No course taken on a pass/fail basis will count toward this major.

Students who wish to graduate with honors in this major must:

• maintain a GPA of 3.2 or better;
• be recommended by a faculty member who teaches courses within the program, one who is willing to supervise a thesis;
• be approved by the program's Council of Faculty Advisers;
• take six hours of coursework, beyond the 48-hour minimum, under the Independent Study and Senior Thesis designations;
• write a thesis of approximately 50 pages, then present it to, and defend it before, a committee composed of three faculty members approved by the director of the program;
• obtain a grade of 90 or better on the thesis, as determined by the three faculty members who read it and hear the student's defense.

In the special case of students who complete a thesis, but obtain a grade of less than 90 (or students who complete a thesis with a grade of 90 or better, but whose final GPA drops below 3.2), those students will still receive 6 credits for their thesis work, even though they will not be able to graduate with honors. A student's grade for those six credits of coursework will be determined by the thesis committee. A thesis grade of less than C– cannot count toward completion of any requirements within the International Studies program.

All students in this program are strongly encouraged to engage in a program of study abroad. A summer, a semester, or even a year or more abroad will greatly enhance any student's understanding of world affairs. The director will work closely with any student who wishes to explore this option and will make every effort to facilitate this possibility for the student.

Course Descriptions

INS 480 Independent Study I
This course is intended for advanced students in international studies who want to develop their research skills and knowledge of particular subjects in international affairs. The student must work with a faculty advisor in outlining and pursuing the proposed course of study. All proposals for Independent Study must be approved by the director of the program. Prerequisite: advanced standing in the program. Cr 3.

INS 481 Independent Study II
This course is intended for the exceptional student who wishes to carry out two independent study projects during an undergraduate career. The course description and prerequisites are identical to those given above for INS 480. Cr 3.

INS 485 International Studies Internship
Through internships in the International Studies program, students achieve the experience and background for understanding problems and practices of international scope. For internship arrangements and course responsibilities, consult the director of the program. This course is open only to advanced students in international studies and requires the permission of the program director. Cr 3-6.

INS 490 International Studies Seminar
The seminar focuses on theories of international relations and current methodology in the field. Students will engage in intensive analysis of classical and current works. Prerequisite: advanced standing in the program or permission of the instructor. Cr 3.

INS 495 Senior Thesis
Selected students in international studies program will be encouraged to write a senior thesis. The topic should be chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. Normally, it will be a two-semester project for the student's senior year. Extensive collaboration between student and thesis advisor is expected. The final paper should be approximately fifty pages in length and will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the thesis advisor and two additional faculty members appointed by the program director. Cr 3.