The international studies program offers a varied interdisciplinary humanities curriculum, global in scope and designed to increase students’ knowledge about the cultures and traditions, languages, literature and media, history, values, concerns, and aspirations of peoples in different countries and regions of the world. The goal of the program is ultimately also to both broaden students’ comparative intercultural perspectives and develop their cross-cultural communication abilities. Within each chosen concentration, the interdisciplinary range of offerings allows for flexibility in configuring each individual’s course of study, which can be organized in a manner that best suits a student’s particular needs.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:
International studies core learning outcomes
- Critically analyze culturally specific as well as global issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives
- Demonstrate knowledge of universals and differences in worldviews and ethical systems (values) across a range of cultures
- Demonstrate cross-cultural communication skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively in international and/or multicultural settings, and engage with cultural difference in an informed and compassionate fashion
- Demonstrate intermediate college-level proficiency in a second language in each of the four modalities: speaking, listening, reading and writing
General studies concentration-specific learning outcome:
- Demonstrate knowledge in their proposed area of study
Experiential learning and study abroad
Each student completing a degree program within the School of World Studies is required to complete a World ePass as part of their experiential learning requirement; students are also encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. For more information on the ePass portfolio and study abroad opportunities, students may visit the overview page for the School of World Studies.
Special requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, students must complete 120 course credits, at least 36 of which must be in the major, with a minimum GPA of 2.25. Students must take at least 21 credits total of upper-level (300- or 400-level) courses within the major, with a minimum of nine credits at the upper level earned at VCU (not through transfer credit). The focus of a degree in international studies is interdisciplinary and should reflect a well-rounded mix of courses completed in a variety of disciplines (e.g. ANTH, HIST, POLI, SOCY, WRLD and foreign language).
International studies majors are encouraged to complete the course requirements for a minor that will broaden their international studies perspectives. Minor options are varied and may be chosen from a broad range of subject areas. Students also may want to consider a second major. Advisers will work with students to explore the benefits of a double major and a minor.
Students must fulfill an experiential learning requirement through an approved internship, service-learning course or study-abroad program. Within the core requirements, students must complete six credits of foreign language study through the advanced level (300 level or higher). Native speakers of a language not taught at VCU can demonstrate fluency through evaluation to meet the requirement and then substitute six credits of additional course work chosen from the concentration electives to complete the degree. For students studying a foreign language not taught at VCU, or for which no upper-level courses are offered on campus, the School of World Studies advisers will assist the student in identifying appropriate language study options at other U.S. institutions or abroad. International studies majors also must fulfill the college general education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
To major in international studies, students must take course work that fulfills the requirements for the concentration chosen.
Degree requirements for International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in general studies
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| INTL 215 | International Studies in the Professional World | 3 |
| INTL 375 | Interdisciplinary Methods for International Studies Research | 3 |
| INTL 465 | Rethinking Globalization | 3 |
| INTL 490 | Senior Capstone in International Studies | 3 |
| WRLD 210 | International Social Justice Studies | 3 |
| WRLD 302 | Communicating Across Cultures | 3 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| Foreign language courses (300 level or higher) | 6 | |
| • Concentration requirements | ||
| Select courses to complete the requirements as described below. 1 | 12 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| INTL 101 | Human Societies and Globalization (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| WRLD 495 | World ePass Portfolio | 0 |
| Experiential fine arts 2 | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement) | 0-6 | |
| Foreign language through the 202 or 205 level | 0-6 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 38-52 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Students pursuing the general studies concentration in international studies are required to complete the core requirements (24 credits, including foreign language) and, in consultation with a School of World Studies adviser, to design a cohesive interdisciplinary academic plan compatible with the program’s specified learning outcomes to complete the remaining/additional required 12 credits of course work.
Course offered by the School of the Arts
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| INTL 101 | Human Societies and Globalization (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | Introduction to the University | 1 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Foreign language 101 | 3 | |
| General education course (select quantitative foundations) | 3-4 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16-17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| WRLD 210 | International Social Justice Studies | 3 |
| Foreign language 102 | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INTL 215 | International Studies in the Professional World | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Foreign language 201 | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| INTL general curriculum course (based on proposal) 1 | 3 | |
| Experiential fine arts | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language 202 | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Minor electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 16-18 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INTL 375 | Interdisciplinary Methods for International Studies Research | 3 |
| INTL general curriculum course (based on proposal) 1 | 3 | |
| Foreign language (300, 305, 320 or 321) | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| INTL general curriculum courses (based on proposal) 1 | 3 | |
| Foreign language (300, 305, 320 or 321) | 3 | |
| Minor electives | 6 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Summer semester | ||
| Optional study abroad (recommended); credits completed during study abroad will decrease open electives needed in subsequent semesters: | ||
| In consultation with an academic adviser, 0-6 credits in INTL, a foreign language relevant to concentration or degree electives | 0-6 | |
| Term Hours: | 0-6 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INTL 465 | Rethinking Globalization | 3 |
| INTL 490 | Senior Capstone in International Studies (or open INTL elective) | 3 |
| INTL 493 | International Studies Internship (or other course fulfilling experiential learning or open INTL elective) | 3 |
| WRLD 495 | World ePass Portfolio | 0 |
| Minor electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| INTL 493 or INTL 490 | International Studies Internship (or other course fulfilling experiential learning or open elective) or Senior Capstone in International Studies | 3 |
| INTL general curriculum course (based on proposal) 1 | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Total Hours: | 120-129 | |
To complete the major credit requirements in international studies, students propose course work comprising a coherent set of courses deepening their knowledge in a particular area. Students must formulate and seek pre-approval of their course plan through the SWS Advising Office. A minimum of 21 credits within the major must be earned through upper-level course work (300- and 400-level).
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.