Major in International Studies

The major in international studies provides an interdisciplinary perspective on contemporary global issues, societies, and cultures. International studies majors acquire twenty-first-century analytical skills and knowledge that will enable them to understand and contribute to shaping the rapidly evolving global community. The degree in international studies prepares students for graduate study and professional careers in a variety of fields in the national and international job markets such as international affairs and public policy, international business and finance, international organizations, and academic research and teaching.

Requirements for the major include a core set of courses: an introductory sequence (Global Cultures and Society, Global Politics, World History and Global Economics), basic economics (micro and macro), one additional lower division social science class (either World Geography or International Sociology) and two quarters of the International Studies Public Forum. Students then choose both a regional focus (four upper-division courses on Europe and Eurasia, Africa and the Middle East, the Americas, or Asia) and a functional focus (four upper division courses on Global Security, Conflict and Conflict Resolution, International/Comparative Law, International/Transnational Organizations and Movements, Global Ethics and Human Rights, Global Identities, Global Trade, Investment and Finance, Global Development, Public Health, & Environment, or Global Population, Migration, and Diaspora).  The final requirements are competence in a language other than English and an international experience.

Major in Global Cultures

Learn more about the global cultures major offered through the School of Humanities at UCI.