International Studies, B.A. (Madrid)
Â鶹´«Ã½'s international studies program offers students a cross-disciplinary approach to historical, political and socioeconomic issues in our global society. Addressing topics of contemporary culture and society, the program is designed for students who are keen to grapple with the complex interrelationships of 21st-century international affairs and seek to bring an international dimension to their studies.
Major in International Studies
Key competencies developed through the international studies program are proficiency in a foreign language, facility with key disciplinary approaches, knowledge of world regions and exposure to a thematic area central to the contemporary world. International studies students also have the opportunity to integrate practical work experience and field research into the major.
Due to its interdisciplinary nature, the international studies major allows students considerable choice among a wide variety of courses that fulfill degree requirements. Courses that fulfill the regional and thematic foci can be located by their Banner attributes (ISTD).
For information about the assessment of student learning in this program, please see the University-wide website.
The international studies major requires the completion of 36 credit hours, consisting of four required core classes, a three-class regional focus, a three-class thematic focus, an internship or elective class and a capstone seminar. No class can fulfill more than one requirement in the major.
Major Requirements (36 credit hours)
Core classes (12 credit hours)
- SPAN 3020 Eloquent Communication in Spanish (Fluency in a language other than English can substitute for this requirement, as demonstrated via standard language proficiency protocols of the College of Arts and Sciences).
- POLS 1600 Introduction to International Politics.
- ANTH 2200 Cultural Anthropology.
- One course with a focus on international economics: POLS 1510, POLS 2600, ECON 3850, ECON 4300, ECON 4310 or ECON 4560.
Regionally focused classes (9 credit hours)
- Three classes covering one or several regions of the world (Europe, the Americas, Middle East, Asia).
Theme-focused classes (9 credit hours)
- Arts and Culture in an Age of Globalization.
- Global Economy and Economic Development.
- Global Health and the Environment.
- War and Peace in the Contemporary World.
Internship, field research or elective classes (3 credit hours)
- ISTD 4910 Internship in International Studies.
- ISTD 4911 Field Research.
- Any class with an ISTD attribute.
Capstone seminar (3 credit hours)
- A rotating selection of seminars designated ISTD 4000-4099.
The capstone seminar takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of an international phenomenon or area. Students complete unique research projects.
Minor Requirements
The International Studies minor requires students to complete 18 credit hours of coursework.
Core classes (12 credit hours)
- SPAN 3020 Eloquent Communication in Spanish (Fluency in a language other than English can substitute for this requirement, as demonstrated via standard language proficiency protocols of the College of Arts and Sciences.)
- POLS 1600 Introduction to International Politics
- ANTH 2200 Cultural Anthropology
- One course with a focus on international economics: POLS 1510, POLS 2600, ECON 3850, ECON 4300, ECON 4310 or ECON 4560
International studies elective classes (6 credit hours)
Qualified students may choose to earn up to three credits toward their degree by doing an internship. These students learn to implement the skills they study while gaining valuable professional experience in international organizations.
Daniel Blanch, Ph.D., program coordinator
Faculty across disciplines participate in the delivery of SLU-Madrid's international studies program.
SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.
If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu.
To be admitted to the major, you must have at least a 2.00 cumulative average and complete a declaration of major form, available in the Office of the Registrar. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be assigned a departmental advisor.
To be certified for graduation, you are required to:
- Have at least a 2.00 cumulative average, a 2.00 average in the major and a 2.00 average in the minor or related elective hours.
- Complete 30 of your final 36 credits at Â鶹´«Ã½ (either the Madrid or St. Louis campus).
- Submit the online application for degree before the beginning of the semester in which you intend to graduate.
Join Sigma Iota Rho
SLU's chapter of Sigma Iota Rho, an honor society for international studies, provides students with programs such as faculty research presentations and social service events, as well as other fun, internationally oriented activities.