This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 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
World cinema concentration-specific outcome
- Demonstrate knowledge in visual analysis and critique of international films
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 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 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 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 world cinema
| 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 |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
WRLD 230  Play course video for Introduction to World Cinema | Introduction to World Cinema (satisfies general education requirement BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry) | 3 |
| WRLD 495 | World ePass Portfolio | 0 |
| Experiential fine arts 1 | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement) | 0-6 | |
| Foreign language through the 202 or 205 level | 0-6 | |
| Concentration requirements | ||
| Select courses to complete the requirements described in the table below | 12 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 44-55 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Courses offered by the School of the Arts
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Concentration electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Public Culture: Anthropology Through Film | ||
| History of the Motion Picture I | ||
or ARTH 271 | History of the Motion Picture II | |
| Fiction into Film | ||
| International Studies Internship (select only one) | ||
or FRLG 493 | World Languages Internship | |
or WRLD 493 | World Cultures Internship | |
| Global Film Studies | ||
| World Cinema Cultures (course may be repeated with different themes) | ||
| Film and the City | ||
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 | |
| UNIV 101 | Introduction to the University | 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 |
| WRLD 210 | International Social Justice Studies | 3 |
| Experiential fine arts | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language 101 (ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GRMN, ITAL, RUSS, SPAN) | 3 | |
| General education course (select quantitative foundations) | 3-4 | |
| Term Hours: | 14-17 | |
| 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 |
| Foreign language 102 (ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GRMN, ITAL, RUSS, SPAN) | 3 | |
| General education courses | 6 | |
| 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 |
| WRLD 230 Play course video for Introduction to World Cinema | Introduction to World Cinema (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry) | 3 |
| Foreign language 201 (ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GRMN, ITAL, RUSS, SPAN) | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Concentration course (ARTH 270 or ARTH 271 History of the Motion Picture recommended) | 3 | |
| Foreign language 202 (ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GRMN, ITAL, RUSS, SPAN) | 3 | |
| General education course | 6 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INTL 375 | Interdisciplinary Methods for International Studies Research | 3 |
| Concentration course | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| On-campus or study abroad semester: | ||
| WRLD 302 | Communicating Across Cultures | 3 |
| Concentration course | 3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| 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, foreign language relevant to concentration or degree electives | 0-6 | |
| Term Hours: | 0 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| INTL 465 | Rethinking Globalization | 3 |
| WRLD 495 | World ePass Portfolio | 0 |
| Concentration course | 3 | |
| Experiential learning requirement (recommended) | 0-3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| INTL 490 | Senior Capstone in International Studies | 3 |
| Open electives | 12 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120-123 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.