International Studies
The International Studies major is an interdisciplinary program that combines courses in the social sciences, humanities, arts, and sciences that provide students with both a firm grounding in a discipline and the flexibility to permit exploration from alternative perspectives. Many faculty members who teach courses in the program are leaders in their fields as well as in interdisciplinary studies, both as educators and researchers.
Major themes presented in this program include globalization and development, global conflicts and issues of peace and justice, cross-cultural communication, international migration, postcolonial relations between the developing and developed countries, and the link between environmental and foreign policy issues.
Objectives established for students in this major include, among others: learn to connect local and global issues for agencies and companies; develop critical thinking and analysis to become responsible citizens in chosen profession; conduct research and communicate findings and ideas effectively.
Career Opportunities
The International Studies major will help students prepare for careers in business and with corporations involved in international trade, government agencies (Department of State, diplomatic services, and international aid agencies), non-profit and non-government organizations (NGOs), the United Nations and human rights organizations. Students may wish to pursue their studies at the graduate level and will be prepared for a variety of disciplines, including public administration, international relations, international law, and diplomatic and area studies.
See the Graduate section of this Catalog for more information on Graduate programs offered at Mount Mercy.
Study Abroad
Mount Mercy offers travel courses during the Winter Term. Study abroad for a semester or a year is also a possibility through exchange programs or through other colleges. With the prior approval of the academic advisor these programs may be taken and credits transferred toward the fulfillment of concentration requirements. See the Policies page for more information on requirements when taking courses at other institutions.
Major
| EC 376 | International Economics | 3 |
| HI 140 | History Of Western World Since 1648 | 3 |
| PO 313 | International Law and Organization | 3 |
| SO 330 | Global Race Relations | 3 |
| or SO 420 | Social Movements and Revolutions | |
| SO 215 | Methods Of Social Research | 3 |
| or PO 307 | Political Science Research Methods | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Senior Seminar | ||
| Seminar In Political Research | ||
| History Independent Study | ||
| Internship and 2 courses in foreign language at the intermediate level | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Students are required to write a proposal for their thesis during the semester preceding their enrollment in SO 441 Senior Seminar, PO 441 Seminar In Political Research or HI 445 History Independent Study. The proposal has to be approved by the International Studies Coordinator, and students will work on their thesis while taking the Senior Seminar (or the Independent Study option).
Concentration Requirement
Student must complete an additional nine semester hours in art, history, sociology or political science and at least six of these credit hours must be in courses numbered 200 or above. Suggested Art courses:
| AR 181 | Fiber Arts | 3 |
| AR 212 | Art History 1 | 3 |
| AR 213 | Art History II | 3 |
| AR 216 | History Of Non-Western Art | 3 |
| AR 245 | Relief Printmaking In Oaxaca, Mexico | 3 |
| AR 295 | Survey Of Mexican Culture Today | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Academic Requirements
A grade of C or above (C- does not count) in each required course for the major, including the Senior Thesis, internship, and study abroad courses.
International Studies Minor
| Four courses from the following six disciplines: | 12-13.5 | |
| Global Environmental Issues | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Art History 1 1 | ||
| History Of Non-Western Art | ||
| Survey Of Mexican Culture Today | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| International Economics | ||
| International Management | ||
| International Marketing | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Modern East Asia | ||
| Latin American History | ||
| Imperial Russia and the Soviet Era | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Politics of International Economic Relations | ||
| International Law and Organization | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Islam And Politics | ||
| Social Change and Technology | ||
| Global Race Relations | ||
| Social Movements and Revolutions | ||
| Internship and one foreign language course at the intermediate level | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 18-19.5 | |
Courses with Global Content:
| AR 101 | Introduction To Art | 3 |
| AR 181 | Fiber Arts | 3 |
| AR 212 | Art History 1 | 3 |
| AR 213 | Art History II | 3 |
| AR 216 | History Of Non-Western Art | 3 |
| AR 295 | Survey Of Mexican Culture Today | 3 |
| BI 210 | Biology And Human Culture | 3 |
| BI 225 | Global Environmental Issues | 4.5 |
| CO 260 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| EC 251 | Macroeconomics Principles | 3 |
| EC 376 | International Economics | 3 |
| BN 350 | International Management | 3 |
| BK 311 | International Marketing | 3 |
| EN 154 | Introduction to World Literature | 3 |
| GS 231 | Studies In Foreign Film | 3 |
| HI 120 | Origins Of The Western Tradition | 3 |
| HI 130 | Emergence Of The West, 800-1648 | 3 |
| HI 140 | History Of Western World Since 1648 | 3 |
| HI 213 | Recent China In Global Economy | 3 |
| HI 230 | Modern East Asia | 3 |
| HI 250 | Medieval Europe | 3 |
| HI 260 | Early Modern Europe 1450-1789 | 3 |
| HI 265 | Latin American History | 3 |
| HI 270 | Nineteenth Century Europe | 3 |
| HI 295 | History of Medicine and Disease in the West | 3 |
| HI 340 | Crime & Punishment in England 1550-1875 | 3 |
| HO 218 | Honors: Social Power & Architecture | 3 |
| MU 332 | Music History I: Medieval Times to Classical Period | 3 |
| MU 333 | Music History II: Romantic Period to the Present | 3 |
| PL 270 | Introduction to Asian Thought | 3 |
| PO 102 | Government and Politics Around the World | 3 |
| PO 103 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| PO 112 | Globalization and Human Survival | 3 |
| PO 311 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| PO 312 | Politics of International Economic Relations | 3 |
| PO 313 | International Law and Organization | 3 |
| PO 314 | Contemporary Political Ideologies | 3 |
| SO 183 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| SO 183 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| SO 235 | Social Inequalities | 3 |
| SO 240 | Medical Sociology | 3 |
| SO 285 | Islam And Politics | 3 |
| SO 290 | Urban Sociology | 3 |
| SO 320 | Sociology of Work | 3 |
| SO 327 | Social Change and Technology | 3 |
| SO 330 | Global Race Relations | 3 |
| SO 420 | Social Movements and Revolutions | 3 |
| SO 441 | Senior Seminar | 3 |