International Studies | Academic Advising Handbook

Pacific University offers an International Studies major and a minor. 

Students have a number of different pathways to complete the International Studies major which consists of three parts: 1) a set of core courses, 2) an international experience, and 3) a second multi-disciplinary set of courses to support the student’s chosen international experience.

Many students combine an IS major with a second major or minor–languages, business, natural sciences, social sciences, and public health are all smart options with good career prospects. Students can think of IS as a way to internationalize any major.

Important tips:

• You should pursue a second language–start taking language classes as soon as possible in the language of your choice.
• You will be studying or working abroad as part of your major, so think ahead about your coursework schedule for all 4 years. Most students study abroad in their junior year.
• The courses you take while studying abroad may count toward your major requirements, so be sure to discuss your course choices with your advisor.
• You should plan to study abroad in a country where your chosen language is spoken. Please contact the International Programs Office to learn about your many options (intlprograms@pacificu.edu). 
• You will be taking courses in our Global Skills program (4cr) the semesters before, during, and after your study abroad semester.

Transfer Students

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of International Studies and the frequency with which new courses are available, the electives required in the IS major are flexible and students should speak with the IS Advisor or Chair to find out if additional courses might apply to the major. See below for electives list. 

Contact

• International Studies Advisor: Dr. Michael Miller 
• International Studies Chair: Dr. Jann Purdy

International Studies Major Requirements

A minimum of 16 (sixteen) credits of the major must be upper-division.

Core Courses

TOTAL CORE: 22 credits

*IS 220W fulfills the CAS Writing in the Disciplines (WID) Core requirement.  IS 401 can sub as WID for transfer students who enter with IS 220 equivalent credits. 

Language Proficiency 202-level or above

• Students proficient in a second language beyond the 202 level may waive these credits/courses. Approval of the Chair of the World Languages Department is required for a waiver.
• Students should plan to complete their 202 language course prior to study abroad. 

Global Skills and International Experience:

Students must Study Abroad for at least one semester.*

Any credits beyond the 12cr minimum can count toward elective credits in the major. Students unable to study abroad during a regular semester may request to substitute a summer international experience of at least 8 credits or an international internship for the study abroad requirement. The summer international experience or internship must be approved by the Chair of International Studies.

Interdisciplinary Coursework (choose 4 credits from the following list; ideally, these support the study abroad/internship experience):

• Any 300- or 400-level course in World Languages (CHIN, FREN, GER, JAPN, SPAN) except FREN 311/411, FREN 312/412, GER 315, SPAN 301, SPAN 315.
• Any international short-term travel courses. (Domestic short-term travel courses may be accepted with the approval of the IS Chair). Check the Office of International Programs website for available courses. Be aware that prep courses are required for travel courses and occur the semester prior to travel, so advanced planning is helpful. Check all pre-requisites. Examples from Summer 2021 include ENG 326 “Travel Writing in Italy”, IS 236 “Costa Rica Travel”, BIOL 366 “Galapagos and Ecuador.”
• Any courses from the following list (other courses not listed below must be approved by the Chair of International Studies):

International Studies Minor Requirements

Interdisciplinary Coursework (choose 4 credits from the following list; ideally, these support the study abroad/internship experience):

• Any 300- or 400-level course in World Languages (CHIN, FREN, GER, JAPN, SPAN) except FREN 311/411, FREN 312/412, GER 315, SPAN 301, SPAN 315.
• Any international short-term travel courses. (Domestic short-term travel courses may be accepted with the approval of the IS Chair). Check the Office of International Programs website for available courses. Be aware that prep courses are required for travel courses and occur the semester prior to travel, so advanced planning is helpful. Check all pre-requisites. Examples from Summer 2021 include ENG 326 “Travel Writing in Italy”, IS 236 “Costa Rica Travel”, BIOL 366 “Galapagos and Ecuador.”
• Any courses from the following list (other courses not listed below must be approved by the Chair of International Studies):

*POLS 340 or 345 can count towards electives if not taken for core credit.

Questions? Email Dr. Michael Miller at mjmiller@pacificu.edu or Dr. Jann Purdy purd6219@pacificu.edu .

You can also check out the IS website at http://www.pacificu.edu/as/internationalstudies

Annual Class Planning Guide

This planning guide shows the predicted offerings for certain courses in this major. Use the guide to help you think about future terms. For a list of classes currently offered and how they fulfill core requirements, please see BoxerOnline and cross-reference this page as needed. Meet with your advisor and/or reach out to the department if you have questions.

Sample 4-year schedule for IS Major

The following outline is a guide and lists only courses required for the major. Students must also take courses to fulfill all college core requirements.

First year

• IS 220W Introduction to International Studies
• IS 201 Intercultural Communication
• Language courses: 101 & 102 or above

Sophomore year

• IS/POLS 340 Security, Rights, Globalization or 345 International Political Economics
• IS/HUM 311 Global Skills 1--Prepare (taken the semester before study abroad/internship)
• Language courses: 201 & 202 or above

Junior year

• International Experience: study abroad program or international internship
• IS/HUM 312 Global Skills 2--Engage (taken during study abroad/internship semester)
• IS/HUM 313 Global Skills 3--Leverage (taken after study abroad/internship semester)
• One elective from the Interdisciplinary Coursework list

Senior year

• IS 401 Senior Seminar
• IS 402 Senior Seminar and Thesis
• One elective from the Interdisciplinary Coursework list

Sample 2-year schedule for IS Major

The courses that transfer students need to take in order to complete the International Studies major in 2 years will depend upon each student’s previous coursework. Please work closely with your IS advisor to plan carefully.

Junior year

Fall

• IS 201 Intercultural Communication
• Language course: 202-level or above (201-level if study abroad is completed fall of senior year).
• One elective from the Interdisciplinary Coursework list If IS 220 credits are already completed, IS/HUM 311 Global Skills 1--Prepare would ideally be completed in the fall in order to study abroad in the spring.

Spring

• IS/POLS 340 or 345
• IS 220W Introduction to International Studies
• IS/HUM 311 Global Skills 1--Prepare (taken the semester before study abroad/internship)
• Language
• If IS 220 credits already completed, International Experience (study abroad/international internship) should be completed in the spring; IS/POLS 340 or 345 would be completed the following spring.

Senior year

Fall

• IS/HUM 312 Global Skills 2--Engage (taken during study abroad/internship semester)
• International Experience: study abroad program or international internship 
• IS 401 Senior Seminar

Spring 

• IS 402 Senior Seminar and Thesis
• IS/HUM 313 Global Skills 3--Leverage (taken after study abroad/internship semester)
• One elective from the Interdisciplinary Coursework list