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Academic Bulletin

College of Arts & Sciences - Undergraduate

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES - Dept. Code: INS
www.as.miami.edu/international-studies

Major | Advising Notes | Minor

The International Studies major provides a focused educational experience aimed at familiarizing students with the key structural features and dynamics of the international system and preparing them to enter the growing international job market. Processes of globalization, in part driven by global capital flows, expanding trade and the unrelenting development of communication and information technologies, have affected virtually everyone in every country, often in ways we are just beginning to understand. These developments often pose serious problems for government and other societal institutions, while also creating a demand for individuals who understand international processes. Jobs in virtually all sectors have acquired a decidedly international dimension, whether in trade, tourism, finance, public policy, government, or education. INS Graduates have moved on to the corporate world, the public sector, started their own businesses, or have continued their studies at the graduate level (i.e. Law, Business, and International Studies).

Requirements for the Major in International Studies
(30 credits)

The International Studies major consists of three components:

I. Core Requirements
II. Thematic Core
III. INS Electives

1. Core Requirements (12 credits)
These courses must be completed before taking the Thematic Core courses and focus requirements. Some of these courses may simultaneously fulfill general education requirements.
INS 101*
Global Perspectives – Introduction to International Studies.
INS 102
Global Economics.
INS 201*
Globalization and Change in World Politics.
INS 202
Research Methods in International Studies.
*These courses must be completed before taking the Thematic Core courses.
2. Thematic Core (12 credits)
Students should choose at least one course from each of the following four fields. Additional classes will be counted toward the elective portion of the INS major, if taken. Other courses, including classes in other disciplines, may be taken with the approval of the INS Advisor.
International Politics, Foreign Policy and Peace Studies:
INS 341
Nationalism, Ethnicity and Conflict
INS 540
International Peace and Conflict Resolution
INS 542
Drug-Trafficking in the Americas
INS 560
US Foreign Policy
INS 561
Negotiation and Bargaining
INS 566
US-Latin American Relations
Comparative Studies of Politics and Societies in a Globalizing World:
INS 330
Introduction to Comparative Analysis
INS 335
Democratization
INS 533
Transnational Social Movements
INS 534
The Military, State and Society
INS 565
The World Before European Domination
INS 584
Latin American Thought
International Economics, Political Economy and Development:
INS 320
Global Economics II
INS 321
Global Political Economy
INS 322
Economics of Development and Environment
INS 420
Global Trade
INS 520
Environmental Economics and Policy
INS 571
International Development and Human Welfare
International Law, Organizations, and Global Governance:
INS 460
United Nations Seminar
INS 564
International Law
INS 570
Globalization and Health
INS 573
Disasters, Terrorism and Global Public Health
INS 591
The European Union
INS 595
European Social Movements
3. INS Electives and Interdisciplinary Options (6 credits):
Students are required to take a total of 6 additional credits of elective course work from INS courses at the 300 level or above. With the approval of the INS Advisor, students may take courses from other departments outside of INS such as Geography and Regional Studies, History, Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Religion, Art History, Foreign Languages, Environmental Science, et cetera. Appropriate study abroad courses, an approved internship (INS 519), or an honors thesis (INS 418 & 419) may also be used to fulfill elective credit requirements.
4. Honors thesis
Students with an appropriate GPA are eligible and encouraged to apply to the Honors Office for permission to write an honors thesis in order to graduate Magna (minimum 3.75+ GPA) or Summa Cum Laude (minimum 3.90 GPA). Upon approval by the Honors Office and by the involved faculty member (the thesis advisor), six credits (INS 418 and 419) may be earned with the writing of the honors thesis, and may partially substitute for the major requirements in the Thematic Core or INS Electives.

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Important Advising Notes for all International Studies Majors

1) Double Counting

Of the combined courses in the Thematic Core and the INS Electives, no more than 6 credits may count double towards a second major. A student may not count any course used to fulfill the requirements of the INS major toward a minor requirement.

2) Study Abroad

Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or an entire year, depending on the program. Study abroad at carefully selected institutions will complement the student’s curriculum and area of specialization, will enhance fluency in the foreign language, and will result in heightened affinity for a foreign culture. The study abroad experience need not result in credit overloads or extended time spent in the program.

3) Internship Credit

Students are encouraged to find a suitable internship during their undergraduate career. Upon approval by an advisor in the International Studies Undergraduate Program Office, 3 credits may be earned with an internship (INS 519), either toward the major or as elective credits (depending on the relevance of the particular internship to the INS major). The University’s Toppel Career Planning and Placement Center regularly advertises internships.

4) Academic Standing

Only courses in which a grade of C- or better is attained, may be counted towards the International Studies major and students must maintain a GPA of 2.75 or better in all major requirements (30 credits).

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Requirements for the Minor in International Studies (15 credits)

The International Studies Minor consists of two parts:

  1. A 6-credit set of introductory courses
  2. Six (6) credits in advanced courses
1. Base (6 credits)
Two of the following core requirements must be taken:
INS 101

Global Perspectives - Introduction to International Studies
INS 102
Global Economics
INS 201
Globalization and Change in World Politics
INS 202
Research Methods in International Studies
2. Advanced courses (9 credits)
In order to graduate with a minor in International Studies, students must take three INS courses at the 300-level or above. Advanced level courses from other departments may be taken if approved by the INS advisor.

Only courses in which a grade of C- or better is attained may be counted towards the minor in International Studies, and students must maintain a GPA of 2.75 or better in all minor requirements (15 credits).
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