International Studies

341 East Hall (EH)

725-3455

www.pdx.edu/intl

  • B.A.
  • Minor
  • Certificate in Asian Studies
  • Certificate in European Studies
  • Certificate in Latin American Studies
  • Certificate in Middle East Studies
  • Certificate in Contemporary Turkish Studies

The International Studies program offers a B.A. degree based on an interdisciplinary curriculum that provides both a global perspective and a comprehensive view of a selected geographic region of the world. Students can select a regional studies or an international development focus for the degree. This degree affords an excellent foundation for careers in which an understanding of international economic, political, social, and cultural affairs is of importance; it also provides a solid foundation for graduate work in the field.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

International Studies B.A.

International Studies Minor

Certificates

Education Abroad

International Studies B.A.

Requirements

In addition to the general University requirements for a degree, majors must have third-year proficiency in an appropriate second language. Majors must complete a core curriculum of international studies courses; an individualized curriculum of connected learning courses; and courses in their areas of geographic concentration, to include:

International Studies (30 credits)

Intl 201Introduction to International Studies

4

Intl 2xxIntroduction to Regional Studies

4

Intl 390Foundations of Global Studies

4

Intl 396The United States and the World

4

Intl 407Seminar

4

Intl 471Understanding the International Experience

4

Intl 499Senior International Experience

6

Intl 2xx: Students may double count Intl 2xx for the major and University Studies Sophomore Inquiry; a mentor section is required.

Intl 396: Or Intl 397 for the Development Studies track. Substitutions for, or waivers of, all other Intl courses must be approved by the program director as well as the adviser.

Intl 499: The Intl 499 Senior International Experience requirement may be fulfilled by taking a UnSt 421 Capstone from the INTL list of approved courses having a significant international component.

For graduation, a minimum of 36 credit hours are required to be in INTL courses.

Connected Learning/Intl Development Studies (20 credits)

At least 20 upper-division credits from adviser-approved courses selected from departments and programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Business Administration, the Graduate School of Education, the College of the Arts, and the College of Urban and Public Affairs.

Regional Focus (20 credits)

At least 20 upper-division credits from adviser-approved, area-specific courses appropriate to the student’s regional focus. International Development Studies focus majors may, in consultation with an adviser, develop a bi-regional Focus.

Students with a focus on European Studies are required to take Intl 452 European Union as one of the courses satisfying the regional focus requirements.

Language (0-38 credits)

Three years, or equivalent proficiency, of language study in one language appropriate to the regional focus. For students taking courses at PSU, third-year proficiency is defined by successful completion of the terminal course in the third-year language sequence or completion of an upper division equivalent. The terminal course for most languages is 303.

Total Credit Hours: 70

All courses used to satisfy the departmental major requirements (and minor or certificate requirements), whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above.

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling department major requirements.

The approved elective courses which may be used to complete the above curriculum are determined according to the focus of study that a student selects. International Development Studies focus majors (IDS) complete advisor-approved IDS track courses and Intl 397.

Academic Adviser: Ari Douangpanya, 503-725-3455

Currently, five regions of concentration and a focus in International Development Studies are available:

Africa: Kofi Agorsah, adviser, 503-725-5080

Asia: Priya Kapoor, adviser, 503-725-3543

Europe: Evguenia Davidova, adviser, 503-725-8992; Chip Long, adviser, 503-725-3451

Latin America: Shawn Smallman, adviser, 503-725-9978;Stephen Frenkel, adviser, 503-725-5085

Middle East: Tugrul Keskin, adviser, 503-725-3455

International Development Studies: Stephen Frenkel, adviser, 503-725-5085

General Advising: Kimberly Brown (Applied Linguistics), 503-725-8194; Birol Yesilada (Political Science), 503-725-3257

Contemporary Turkish Studies: 503-725-3257

Information on recommended courses is available from advisers and at www.pdx.edu/intl/forms-lists. Majors should meet regularly with advisers beginning no later than the first term of their sophomore year; or first term after transfer.