International Studies, BA BA
Students in UWM's International Studies program take courses in political science, economics, geography, anthropology, sociology, history, and foreign languages to build a program around their own specialized interests in international relations, politics, economics, development, and language. The International Studies (IS) major offers a number of special options designed to help students deepen their knowledge of international affairs.
Understanding how international relations and processes work is essential for living and working in the world today. The International Studies major gives students broad knowledge of people, places, and institutions, and cultivates the skills necessary to be adaptable and marketable in a fast-moving global economy. International studies majors learn to analyze problems across cultural and national boundaries, adapt to new and foreign situations, and problem-solve across different areas and formats.
With this background, students have job opportunities in many different industries and are prepared for many different roles. Career choices immediately after college are often influenced by the hands-on experiences obtained during the college years. Students are encouraged to explore all of their options through internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer experiences. Students may opt to complete an internship for credit as part of the International Studies major.
Similarly, a study abroad experience can open up new opportunities that would not have even been imagined prior to going abroad. UWM has programs at more than 70 sites around the world that vary in length from 2 to 3 weeks, to semester-long, to even a full year. Because of the complexities of planning a study abroad experience, students are encouraged to start planning early in sophomore year. Most students engage in study abroad during their junior year. Studying abroad is strongly encouraged for all International Studies majors, but not required.
Students often ask about the differences between International Studies and Global Studies at UWM. International Studies coursework is focused on the social sciences rather than on foreign languages, literature, and culture. International Studies seeks to understand and explain international political, economic, social, and cultural relations analytically, using the methods of social sciences. The foreign language requirements for the International Studies program are not as extensive as those in Global Studies. For International Studies majors, studying abroad and internships are optional rather than required.
Career Resources and Job Outcomes
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
Listed below are the requirements for the International Studies major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all university and college general degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. We encourage you to consult your advisor regularly to ensure you stay on track towards earning your degree. You can read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages.
International Studies Major Requirements
The major requires 4 semesters or the equivalent in one foreign language. Students must complete at least one college course to meet this requirement; high school work alone will not suffice. Students must attain a 2.0 GPA in all UWM credits attempted for the major. In addition, the College requires that students attain a 2.0 GPA in all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.
Students may receive credit toward the International Studies (IS) major for participation in study abroad programs or the United Nations Summer Seminar. Credit towards the major also may be obtained through a semester-long internship in an international business, a government office, or a private organization with an international focus, either in Milwaukee or abroad.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Requirements 1 | ||
| ECON 103 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 104 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| GEOG 110 | The World: Peoples and Regions | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology: Culture and Society | ||
| Lifeways in Different Cultures: A Survey of World Societies | ||
| East Asian Civilization Since 1600 | ||
| Latin American Society and Culture | ||
| Women and Gender in Europe: 1750 to the Present | ||
| The Modern Middle East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries | ||
| POL SCI 106 | Politics of the World's Nations | 3 |
| or POL SCI 102 | Introduction to International Relations | |
| Requirements for the Major | ||
| General | ||
| INTLST 550 | Senior Seminar in International Studies: (subtitle) (satisfies L&S research requirement) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Research Methods in Anthropology | ||
| Techniques and Problems in Ethnography | ||
| Economic Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Science | ||
| Seminar on Historical Method: Research Techniques | ||
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Political Science Research | ||
| Political Data Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology | ||
| Feminist Research and Practice | ||
| Options | ||
| Select one of the following: | 18 | |
Option A: International Politics and World Affairs | ||
Option B: International Economics and Development | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 11-12 credits from the list of electives for a total of 36 credits in the major | 11-12 | |
| Total Credits | 50-52 | |
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The introductory courses are required and should be taken during the first two years. Credits earned in the introductory courses do not count toward the 36 credits required for the major. They cannot be taken on a credit/no credit basis.
Option A: International Politics and World Affairs
This option emphasizes political aspects of international studies. 18 credits are required as outlined below:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| ECON 351 | Introduction to International Economic Relations | 3 |
| HIST 434 | The United States as a World Power in the 20th Century | 3 |
| POL SCI 359 | Problems of American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| Select a minimum of three of the following: | 9 | |
| Economic Development | ||
| International Law | ||
| International Organization and the United Nations | ||
| Seminar in International Relations: (part of UN Summer Seminar) | ||
| Politics of Nuclear Weapons | ||
| History of International Political Thought | ||
| Theories and Methods in International Politics | ||
| International Conflict | ||
| Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Option B: International Economics and Development
This option emphasizes the political, economic, and cultural aspects of developing countries as well as the economic aspects of international studies. 18 credits are required as outlined below:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 302 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 353 | Economic Development | 3 |
| POL SCI 330 | The Politics of International Economic Relations | 3 |
| Select a minimum of two of the following: | 6 | |
| International Marketing | ||
| International Business | ||
| Introduction to International Economic Relations | ||
| International Trade | ||
| International Finance | ||
| International Law | ||
| International Conflict | ||
| Great Cities of the World: Their Growth and Guided Urbanization | ||
| Planning Local Economic Development | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFRIC 235 | African Americans and South Africa | 3 |
| AFRIC 311 | African Religious Thought and Social Organizations | 3 |
| AFRIC 320 | Black Cultures in Latin America and the Caribbean | 3 |
| AFRIC 325 | Africa/China Relations | 3 |
| AFRIC 334 | Survey of Black American and Black Brazilian Societies | 3 |
| AFRIC 418 | Race, Class, and Gender in Latin America and the Caribbean | 3 |
| ANTHRO 102 | Introduction to Anthropology: Culture and Society | 3 |
| ANTHRO 102 | Introduction to Anthropology: Culture and Society | 3 |
| ANTHRO 439 | Culture and Global Health | 3 |
| ANTHRO 449 | The Human Economy | 3 |
| ARABIC 111 | Cultures and Civilizations of the Muslim Middle East | 3 |
| ART 509 | Art & Design Seminar: | 3 |
| ARTHIST 205 | History of Film I: Development of an Art | 3 |
| ARTHIST 206 | History of Film II: Development of an Art | 3 |
| ARTHIST 382 | Chinese Art and Architecture | 3 |
| BUS ADM 456 | International Financial Management | 3 |
| BUS ADM 465 | International Marketing | 3 |
| BUS ADM 496 | International Business | 3 |
| CHINESE 150 | Contemporary Chinese Society and Culture | 3 |
| CHINESE 160 | A Taste of China: Learning Chinese Culture and Society through Cuisine | 3 |
| CHINESE 200 | Chinese Calligraphy | 3 |
| CHINESE 353 | Popular Culture, Entertainment, and China's Modernization | 3 |
| COMMUN 350 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMMUN 363 | Communication in Human Conflict | 3 |
| COMMUN 450 | Cross-Cultural Communication | 3 |
| COMMUN 550 | International and Global Communication | 3 |
| COMPLIT 231 | Literature and Religion: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| COMPLIT 232 | Literature and Politics: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| COMPLIT 233 | Literature and Film: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| COMPLIT 309 | Great Works of Modern Literature: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| COMPLIT 340 | Studies in Literary Genres and Modes: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| COMPLIT 350 | Topics in Comparative Literature: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| COMPLIT 360 | Seminar in Literature and Cultural Experience: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| COMPLIT 365 | Literatures and Cultures of the Americas: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| ECON 351 | Introduction to International Economic Relations | 3 |
| ECON 353 | Economic Development | 3 |
| ECON 454 | International Trade | 3 |
| ECON 455 | International Finance | 3 |
| ED POL 698 | Fieldwork in International Education | 1-6 |
| ENGLISH 210 | Global Englishes | 3 |
| ENGLISH 306 | Survey of Irish Literature | 3 |
| ENGLISH 316 | World Cinema: (all topics) | 3 |
| ENGLISH 325 | The Art of Fiction: (The Irish Short Story) 1 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 404 | Language, Power, and Identity | 3 |
| ETHNIC 255 | Migration and Gender: Starbucks, Sex Trafficking, and Nannies | 3 |
| FRENCH 324 | Contemporary French Language and Culture | 3 |
| FRENCH 431 | Seminar in Literature of the Francophone World: | 3 |
| FRENCH 432 | Seminar in French and Francophone Cultures: | 3 |
| FRENCH 451 | Cinema of the French-Speaking World: (subtitle) | 3 |
| GEOG 213 | Geography of Asia | 3 |
| GEOG 309 | Nationalities and Nations of the World | 3 |
| GEOG 330 | Europe: East and West | 3 |
| GEOG 333 | Muslim Geographies: Identities and Politics | 3 |
| GEOG 443 | Cities of the World: Comparative Urban Geography | 3 |
| GERMAN 334 | Introduction to German Studies | 3 |
| GERMAN 415 | Topics in German Studies: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| GLOBAL 101 | Introduction to Global Studies I: People and Politics | 3 |
| GLOBAL 102 | Introduction to Global Languages and Cultures | 3 |
| GLOBAL 201 | Introduction to Global Studies II: Economics and the Environment | 3 |
| GLOBAL 202 | Introduction to Global Studies III: Globalization and Technology | 3 |
| GLOBAL 391 | Black Lives Matter: A Global Comparative Study | 3 |
| GLOBAL 446 | The Re-Configuring Global Order | 3 |
| HEBREW 301 | Modern Hebrew Literature I in Hebrew | 3 |
| HEBREW 302 | Modern Hebrew Literature II in Hebrew | 3 |
| HIST 282 | The Modern Middle East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (if not selected as one of the introductory courses) | 3 |
| HIST 343 | Russia Since 1917 | 3 |
| HIST 370 | Topics in the History of Religious Thought: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| HIST 372 | Topics in Global History: (all topics) | 3 |
| HIST 377 | Modern China | 3 |
| HIST 387 | Modern Africa | 3 |
| HIST 393 | History of Mexico | 3 |
| HONORS 200 | Honors Seminar: The Shaping of the Modern Mind: (topics with international content) 1 | 3 |
| INTLST 260 | Introduction to International Careers | 2 |
| INTLST 450 | Internship in International Studies | 2-6 |
| ITALIAN 256 | Introduction to Italian Food Studies: A Cultural History | 3 |
| ITALIAN 321 | Introduction to Italian Literature | 3 |
| ITALIAN 322 | Introduction to Italian Literature and Film | 3 |
| ITALIAN 342 | Italian Immigration: A Sociocultural History | 3 |
| ITALIAN 457 | Topics in Italian Literature and Culture in Translation: | 3 |
| JAPAN 345 | Japanese News Media | 3 |
| JAPAN 355 | Seminar in Japanese Literature and Culture: | 3 |
| JEWISH 328 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 |
| JEWISH 350 | Global Jewish Film and Television: (all topics) | 3 |
| LACS 101 | Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies | 3 |
| NURS 301 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| PEACEST 203 | Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies | 3 |
| PEACEST 460 | Systems Thinking, Mapping, and Sustainability | 3 |
| PEACEST 462 | Conflict Transformation: Negotiation and Mediation Skills | 3 |
| PEACEST 470 | Conflict Analysis and Restorative Practices | 3 |
| PEACEST 471 | Facilitation Skills for Peacebuilding | 3 |
| PHILOS 204 | Introduction to Asian Religions | 3 |
| PHILOS 237 | Technology, Values, and Society | 3 |
| PHILOS 271 | Philosophical Traditions: | 3 |
| PHILOS 304 | Buddhist Philosophy | 3 |
| POL SCI 335 | Comparative Political Systems | 3 |
| POL SCI 337 | International Organization and the United Nations | 3 |
| POL SCI 338 | Seminar in International Relations: | 3 |
| POL SCI 370 | International Conflict | 3 |
| PORTUGS 360 | Luso-Brazilian Culture: | 3 |
| RUSSIAN 245 | Russian Life and Culture | 3 |
| RUSSIAN 350 | Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy in Translation: Major Works | 3 |
| RUSSIAN 361 | Russian and Slavic Folklore | 3 |
| SOCIOL 324 | Race and Ethnicity in Global Contexts | 3 |
| SOCIOL 377 | Urbanism and Urbanization | 3 |
| SPANISH 225 | Understanding the Hispanic World: (subtitle) | 3 |
| SPANISH 350 | Understanding Literature and Culture | 3 |
| SPANISH 371 | Introduction to Latino Literature in English | 3 |
| SPANISH 373 | Topics in Latino Literature in English: | 3 |
| SPANISH 391 | Social and Historical Issues in the Hispanic World: | 3 |
| SPANISH 472 | Contemporary Literature and Culture of Latin America | 3 |
| SPANISH 474 | Contemporary Literature and Culture of Spain | 3 |
| URBPLAN 315 | Great Cities of the World: Their Growth and Guided Urbanization | 3 |
| URB STD 377 | Urbanism and Urbanization | 3 |
| URB STD 450 | Urban Growth and Development: A Global View | 3 |
| WGS 401 | Global Feminisms | 3 |
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For these courses with different subtopics, consult with the coordinator of the International Studies program to make sure the subtopic can count towards the major.
Current students with questions about the International Studies major can contact the Director, Shale Horowitz.
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
We encourage you to begin exploring career options when you declare your major or at the start of your sophomore year, whichever comes first.