International Studies

Minimum credits required: 31-59 depending on prerequisites and language proficiency

Required courses

(1) All students are required to complete

(2) In order to provide an interdisciplinary basis for understanding global issues all students will complete:

a. one course from

If a student desires a concentration in one of the areas listed below, at least four courses must be chosen from one concentration area with no more than three from one discipline.

International Business and Economics: ECN 358, ECN 360I, ECN 362I, ECN 365I, BUS 310I, BUS 329, BUS 351I, BUS 436I, BUS 444I

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy: POL 311I, POL 314I, POL 315I, POL 322I, POL 326I, HIS 381I

History, Society and Culture: POL 311I, POL 321I, POL 329I, HIS 345I, HIS 346I, HIS 348I, HIS 349I, HIS 356, HIS 363, HIS 389I, ENG 335I, SOC 302I, SOC 303I

Latin American and Caribbean Studies: ECN 362I, SPN 311I, SPN 376IF

Asian Studies: ECN 362I, HIS 391I, POL 327I, SOC 350I

European Studies (including Russia): POL 314I, POL 322I, ENG 335I (when focus is European), HIS 345I, HIS 346I, HIS 348I, HIS 349I, ART 432IF, GER 310I, GER 375IF, GER 376IF, FRN 310I, FRN 311I, FRN 375IF, FRN 376IF, SPN 310I, SPN 375IF

(4) International Studies majors are required to exhibit competence in at least one foreign language, that is, a language other than their native language. International Studies majors must take foreign language courses to a level equivalent to 2 semesters above 202. Students enrolled in CHI and ARA at Baldwin-Wallace can satisfy the requirement by completing 4 semesters of CHI or ARA up to and including Intermediate Chinese/Arabic II.
FRENCH: 201, 202 and any two courses above FRN 202
GERMAN: 201, 202 and any two courses above GER 202
SPANISH: 201, 202 and any two courses above SPN 202
CHINESE: 101, 102, 201, 202
ARABIC: 101, 102 and Intermediate Arabic I & II

Note: If for any reason Baldwin-Wallace does not offer enough courses in a student’s chosen language to reach the required level for that language, then courses in one other foreign language may be combined to achieve the requirement. Students are, of course, also encouraged to continue their language study through any other available opportunities (i.e. study abroad, independent study, summer programs, etc. Please consult your International Studies or Foreign Language advisor for information on alternatives).

Non-native speakers of English complete the International Studies foreign language requirement by using English to attain a degree from Baldwin-Wallace. Students presenting competence in other languages must see the Chairman of the Department of Foreign Languages for requirements.                                                                                                                                                   

Students should begin language study as soon as possible. The Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages is available for help in establishing a program that insures timely completion of the language competence requirement. International Studies students are strongly urged to study abroad.

(5) Finally, each student must take an interdisciplinary capstone seminar intended to help students achieve an ability to deal with complex problems in International Studies requiring an integration of knowledge from diverse fields of study. Methodological concerns will be of great importance; a research paper may be among the products of this seminar. The seminar, which may be team-taught, will be offered each spring semester by professors in the departments associated with the International Studies major, and will deal with selected topics chosen by the professors offering the course. Consult the course schedule for relevant departments, time and topics.

A student may repeat the seminar provided the topics covered are different. It is suggested that students register for the seminar in the junior or senior year after completing the basic requirements, though they may do so at any time with the consent of the instructor(s) involved. (NOTE: All International Studies majors would benefit by taking a research methods class in one of the departments responsible for basic requirements courses in the International Studies major. Students who plan to attend graduate school or law school are strongly encouraged to do so.)