International Studies Minor

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Affiliation: Interdisciplinary Studies
Degrees Offered: None
Minor Offered: International Studies

A student who chooses to pursue the International Studies Minor must seek advice and approval from a faculty member on the International Studies Minor Committee (listed on ois.truman.edu/international_studies_minor.asp) and from his or her major advisor. As part of this process, the student needs to fill out an International Studies Minor Plan of Study Worksheet, as well as an approximately one-page statement explaining 1) the student’s goals in pursing the minor and 2) how the courses selected help in achieving the goals. These two documents must be submitted to a member of the International Studies Minor Committee for approval; the worksheet must also be signed by the student’s major advisor before being submitted to the Registrar. This process should occur proactively, i.e., at a time when the student has completed no more than three of the courses in the plan of study. Students may refer to templates for models of appropriate plans, and talk with committee members about waivers and substitutions.

In addition to the course requirements, international studies students are encouraged (through not required) to attend events on campus that relate to international studies, such as “Global Issues” talks, other speakers talking about international affairs, or events sponsored by international student groups.

Program Requirements:

The International Studies Minor requires the successful completion of 15 credits of course work in International Studies, as well as demonstration of intermediate proficiency in a modern language.

Elective Component:

Completion of a minimum of 3 credits in each of two fields of the International Studies Minor: 1. Global Issues and 2. Area Studies
Select additional courses to specialize in either Global Issues or Area Studies
Students selecting the Area Studies emphasis may focus on a continent region, or a sub-continental region, such as East Asia, Central Europe, or Sub-Saharan Africa, or on a grouping that crosses continental boundaries. For example, it is possible to focus on Latin America and Spain because of the Spanish heritage in most of Latin America, or on the colonial and/or post colonial relationships between Europe and Africa. The student’s rationale for defining a region needs to be included in the statement of goals.
Students may substitute appropriate courses taken while studying abroad, provided such courses have been accepted for transfer credit by the University.
Some courses, such as topics courses within a particular discipline, vary in focus each time they are taught, or depending on who teaches them. On a case-by-case basis, such courses may be included in a student’s program of study.
JINS courses may also be used as appropriate to count toward this minor, upon consultation with a member of the International Studies Minor Committee.
In order to ensure that the minor is truly interdisciplinary, no more than two courses taken for the minor may double-count with a student’s major; no more than three courses may double-count with the student’s majors if the student has a double major; and the five courses taken for the minor should be selected from at least three different disciplines.

Modern Language

Intermediate proficiency in a modern language. For students whose native language is not English, proficiency in English counts as satisfying this requirement.

Students electing to specialize in Area Studies must complete a modern language appropriate to the geographic area specialization (subject to course offerings available at Truman). Waivers may be possible upon recommendation of the committee.

Global Issues

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following:

ART 224 - Non-Western Art Credits: 3
BSAD 430 - International Marketing Credits: 3
BSAD 453 - International Management Credits: 3
BSAD 455 - International Financial Management Credits: 3
COMM 420 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
ECON 402 - Economic Development Credits: 3
ECON 403 - International Trade Theory and Policy Credits: 3
ECON 412 - International Monetary Theory and Policy Credits: 3
ECON 414 - Comparative Economic Systems Credits: 3
ENG 225 - World Literatures: Chronology Credits: 3
ENG 226 - World Literatures: Topics Credits: 3
ENG 307 - Contemporary World Literature Credits: 4
ENG 322 - Studies in World Cinema: Topics Credits: 4
GEOG 410 - Environmental Geography Credits: 3
GEOG 415 - Political Geography Credits: 3
GEOG 417 - Economic Geography Credits: 3
HIST 133 - World Civilizations since 1700 Credits: 3
HIST 420 - Diplomatic History of the United States Credits: 3
JUST 409 - Comparative Legal Systems Credits: 3
LING 238 - Introduction to Linguistics Credits: 3
MUSI 205 - Perspectives in Music: World Musics Credits: 3
PHRE 185 - Exploring Religions Credits: 3
POL 250 - Introduction to International Relations Credits: 3
POL 251 - Peace and Security Credits: 3
POL 315 - Principles of Comparative Politics Credits: 3
POL 351 - International Organization and Law Credits: 3
POL 352 - International Political Economy Credits: 3
POL 357 - American Foreign Relations Credits: 3
SOAN 232 - Anthropology of Gender Credits: 3
SOAN 253 - Comparative Cultures Credits: 3
SOAN 260 - Social Institutions Credits: 3
SOAN 265 - Structured Inequalities Credits: 3

Area Studies

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following:

Global Issues or Area Studies

The following courses usually count for an International Studies Minor, but they may vary in their regional or global focus. Thus, they may be included as either a Global Issues or an Areas Studies course upon consultation with a member of the International Studies Minor Committee.

ENG 321 - International Literatures in English Credits: 4
POL 352 - International Political Economy Credits: 3
POL 370 - Current Issues in Political Science Credits: 1 to 3

Notes:

The above list of courses is not exhaustive, since it does not include ‘topics,” study abroad courses, or JINS courses. Any student interested in the minor who has taken a course that would logically fit into either the “Global Issues” or the “Area Studies” category, but is not listed here, is encouraged to consult with a member of the International Studies Minor committee as to whether it may be included in the course of study.

Some Templates for International Studies Minors

Each of these sample plans meets the criterion that the five courses come from three different disciplines. Prerequisites may apply, and is some cases enrollment in particular courses is limited to majors or minors in the disciplines.