This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2026-2027 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
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
Global religions and spiritualities concentration-specific learning outcome:
- Upon completing the concentration, students will be able to use the concepts of the academic study of religions to analyze relationships among religions, ethics, societies and cultures.
Special requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, students must complete 120 course credits, at least 30 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 languages such as FREN, GRMN, ITAL, RUSS, SPAN).
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 are encouraged to fulfill an experiential learning requirement through an approved internship, service-learning course or study-abroad program. International studies majors 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 global religions and spiritualities
| 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 |
| Concentration requirements | ||
| Select courses to complete the requirements described in the table below. | 12 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| HUMS 204 | AI Literacy | 3 |
| RELS 108 | Human Spirituality (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement) | 6 | |
| Foreign language through the 202 or 205 level | 6 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 45 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Concentration courses
The concentration in global religions and spiritualities requires a total of 12 elective credits of interdisciplinary course work. Courses marked “when appropriate” require preapproval from the School of World Studies advising office.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following. | 12 | |
| RELS 300 | What is Religion? | 3 |
| RELS 306 | Judaism | 3 |
| RELS 317 | Islam | 3 |
| RELS 321 | Buddhism | 3 |
| RELS 338 | Eastern Religions | 3 |
| RELS 339 | Western Religions | 3 |
| RELS 340 | Global Ethics and the World's Religions | 3 |
| RELS 350 | World Religions’ Classics | 3 |
| RELS 371 | Women and Gender in Islam | 3 |
| RELS 391 | Topics in Religious Studies | 3 |
| RELS 409 | Modern Islamic Thought and Global Trends | 3 |
| RELS 412 | Zen Buddhism | 3 |
| RELS 414 | Incarceration and Spirituality: _____ | 3 |
| RELS 425 | Religion, Magic and Witchcraft | 3 |
| RELS 441 | Islamic Mysticism: the Sufis | 3 |
| RELS 450 | Religion, Globalization and Social Justice | 3 |
| RELS 451 | Religion, Racism and Social Justice | 3 |
| RELS 458 | Religion and Ecojustice | 3 |
| RELS 459 | Gender, Sexuality, and Religion | 3 |
| RELS 460 | Contemporary Issues in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies: ____ | 3 |
| RELS 491 | Topics in Religious Studies | 3 |
| RELS 354 | Religion and Film: ____ | 3 |
Courses taken through an accredited study abroad program must be preapproved through the School of World Studies advising office.
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.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| RELS 108 | Human Spirituality (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for diversities in the human experience ) | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | Introduction to the University (recommended) 1 | 1 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Foreign language 101 (FREN, GRMN, ITAL, RUSS, SPAN) | 3 | |
| General education course (select quantitative foundations) | 3-4 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| WRLD 210 | International Social Justice Studies | 3 |
| Concentration course (HIST 101 or HIST 102 recommended) | 3 | |
| Foreign language 102 (FREN, GRMN, ITAL, RUSS, SPAN) | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INTL 215 | International Studies in the Professional World | 3 |
| Foreign language 201 (FREN, GRMN, ITAL, RUSS, SPAN) | 3 | |
| General education courses | 6 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| HUMS 204 | AI Literacy | 3 |
| Concentration course | 3 | |
| Foreign language 202 (FREN, GRMN, ITAL, RUSS, SPAN) | 3 | |
| General education courses | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INTL 375 | Interdisciplinary Methods for International Studies Research | 3 |
| Concentration courses | 6 | |
| General education courses | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| On-campus or study abroad semester | ||
| WRLD 302 | Communicating Across Cultures | 3 |
| Open electives | 12 | |
| 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 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INTL 465 | Rethinking Globalization | 3 |
| Experiential learning requirement (recommended) 1 | 0-3 | |
| Open electives | 12 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| INTL 490 | Senior Capstone in International Studies | 3 |
| Open electives | 12 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
Recommended course to apply as open elective; credits currently not included in displayed semester total credit hours. Open elective credits required in later semesters will need to be adjusted accordingly.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.