International Studies
Overview
This degree provides an understanding of international issues and the impact of globalization on developed and developing economies. It covers a number of issues, including trade, economic development, war and conflict, and foreign relations and diplomacy.
Roadmaps
Roadmaps lay out all of the courses you need to take for a given degree or certificate.
- Dean Kathy Sorensen
- Department Chair Tressa Tabares
- HomeBase People, Culture, and Society HomeBase
- Phone (916) 484-8283
Associate Degrees for Transfer
A.A.-T. in Global Studies
This degree provides an understanding of international issues and the impact of globalization on developed and developing economies. It covers a number of issues, including trade, economic development, war and conflict, and foreign relations and diplomacy.
The Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. The Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by the completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program outlined below (earning a C or better in these courses) and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education‐Breadth Requirements.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2023
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| IS 301 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| IS 302 | Issues in Global Studies | 3 |
| A minimum of 15 units from the following: | 15 | |
| Select five courses from a minimum of four of the following areas: | ||
| CULTURE AND SOCIETY | ||
| ANTH 310 | Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| HIST 308 | History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3) | |
| ECONOMICS | ||
| ECON 302 | Principles of Macroeconomics (3) | |
| ECON 304 | Principles of Microeconomics (3) | |
| GEOGRAPHY | ||
| GEOG 300 | Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems (3) | |
| GEOG 310 | Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3) | |
| GEOG 320 | World Regional Geography (3) | |
| HUMANITIES | ||
| DEAF 314 | American Sign Language III (4) | |
| DEAF 316 | American Sign Language IV (4) | |
| ENGLT 340 | World Literature I (3) | |
| ENGLT 341 | World Literature II (3) | |
| GERM 411 | Intermediate German (4) | |
| GERM 412 | Intermediate German (4) | |
| ITAL 411 | Intermediate Italian (4) | |
| ITAL 412 | Intermediate Italian (4) | |
| SPAN 411 | Intermediate Spanish (4) | |
| SPAN 412 | Intermediate Spanish (4) | |
| POLITICAL SCIENCE | ||
| POLS 302 | Comparative Politics (3) | |
| POLS 310 | Introduction to International Relations (3) | |
| Total Units: | 21 | |
The Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- evaluate their role as a member of a global network of interdependent societies.
- formulate a cohesive understanding of world issues and events and incorporate that knowledge into their daily life and career.
- analyze various social-scientific perspectives that explain the causes and consequences of globalization.
- apply various social-scientific perspectives to daily life and work environment, recognize people's socio-economic, political, and geographical background.
- analyze local and societal issues and problems within a global context.
Associate Degrees
A.A. in International Studies
This degree provides an understanding of international issues and the impact of globalization on developed and developing economies. It covers a number of issues, including trade, economic development, war and conflict, and foreign relations and diplomacy.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2023
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 310 | Cultural Anthropology (3) | 3 |
| or ANTH 481 | Honors Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| ECON 302 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| HIST 308 | History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present | 3 |
| POLS 310 | Introduction to International Relations (3) | 3 |
| or POLS 480 | Introduction to International Relations - Honors (3) | |
| SOC 300 | Introductory Sociology (3) | 3 |
| or SOC 480 | Introductory Sociology - Honors (3) | |
| A minimum of 6 units from the following: | 6 | |
| IS 301 | Introduction to Global Studies (3) | |
| IS 302 | Issues in Global Studies (3) | |
| IS 305 | Introduction to Middle East Studies (3) | |
| IS 310 | Peace and Conflict (3) | |
| IS 312 | Current Global Development Issues (3) | |
| A minimum of 8 units from the following: | 8 | |
| GERM 401 | Elementary German I (4) | |
| GERM 402 | Elementary German II (4) | |
| GERM 411 | Intermediate German (4) | |
| GERM 412 | Intermediate German (4) | |
| ITAL 401 | Elementary Italian (4) | |
| ITAL 402 | Elementary Italian (4) | |
| ITAL 411 | Intermediate Italian (4) | |
| ITAL 412 | Intermediate Italian (4) | |
| RUSS 401 | Elementary Russian (4) | |
| RUSS 402 | Elementary Russian (4) | |
| SPAN 401 | Elementary Spanish (4) | |
| SPAN 402 | Elementary Spanish (4) | |
| SPAN 411 | Intermediate Spanish (4) | |
| SPAN 412 | Intermediate Spanish (4) | |
| Total Units: | 29 | |
The International Studies Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- evaluate his/her role as a member of a global network of interdependent societies.
- formulate a cohesive understanding of world issues and events and incorporate that knowledge into his/her daily life and career.
- analyze various social-scientific perspectives that explain the causes and consequences of globalization.
- apply various social-scientific perspectives to daily life and work environment.
- recognize people's socio-economic, political, and geographical background.
- analyze local and societal issues and problems within a global context.
Career Information
This degree provides career opportunities with local, state, federal agencies, and in the private sector. The core courses provide students with diverse knowledge to work in a variety of fields, including international business, law, government and non-governmental service, social services, natural sciences, health fields, and education.
International Studies (IS) Courses
IS 301 Introduction to Global Studies
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D; Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025); IGETC Area 4
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course introduces an interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional understanding of the process of globalization, including its history, socio-economic, political, and cultural causes and consequences. It focuses on how nation-states are increasingly becoming part of complex interconnected global economic, political, social, cultural, and ecological systems and structures. This course deals with how the actions of one nation state shapes trends and events in other nations. It also deals with how actions and events in one nation create a ripple effect across the globe and the extent to which nation-states are able to maintain a level of national autonomy and national identity within a global system. It utilizes globalization theories to provide a scientific framework for understanding various aspects of globalization including socio-economic, political, cultural, and ecological benefits and costs.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- identify and describe various definitions and meanings of globalization
- identify and define concepts and terms pertaining to globalization
- analyze various historical, political, socio-economic, and cultural causes and forces involved in the process of globalization
- compare and contrast the impact and consequences of globalization on different regions and across continents
- apply theories of globalization to examples from different regions of the globe to understand varied intended and unintended outcomes of globalization
- discuss the extent to which nation-states are able to act autonomously and maintain their national identity within an increasingly interconnected global system
IS 302 Issues in Global Studies
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025); IGETC Area 4
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course introduces the origins, current status, and future trends of major transnational issues confronting the global community. Topics include economic development and inequality, environmental issues and challenges, human rights, human security (food, water, and health care), international conflict and security issues, migration, and population trends. This course also focuses on global governance, including the study of collective global responsibility.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- identify major recurring and emerging global issues
- analyze one or more specific global problems of international or regional nature
- discuss approaches to global problems from an international perspective
- analyze the interconnections between and among global issues
- compare and evaluate the efficacy of national, regional, and international efforts to solve problems associated with global issues
- analyze the role of non-state actors and transnational organizations in causing, responding to, and resolving global issues
- evaluate the relationship between globalization and specific global issues
IS 305 Introduction to Middle East Studies
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D7; Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025); IGETC Area 4G
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course introduces the contemporary Middle East from global and interdisciplinary perspectives. It covers the major developments and events that have shaped the socio-economic and political institutions and structures within a distinct geopolitical area. This course examines processes of state formation, colonialism, independence movements, major power players in the region, and the modern challenges of globalization. It also covers the consequences for foreign policy. Countries may include but are not limited to: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Tunisia. This course provides a foundation in Middle East Studies in the context of a globally interconnected world system.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- explain current socio-economic and political dynamics in the Middle East in a global context.
- identify major economic and political actors/forces as well as political structures and systems in the Middle East.
- demonstrate knowledge of the region and the major ongoing domestic and global forces that shape Middle Eastern countries.
- analyze the significance of the Middle East in the context of United States, Western European, and other powers' interests in the region.
- examine and critique existing social scientific perspectives on the Middle East.
- construct a critical understanding of the complex nature of Middle Eastern politics and culture within global and interdisciplinary perspective.
- formulate a scientific understanding of the region, free of stereotypes and anecdotes.
IS 310 Peace and Conflict
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D7; Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025); IGETC Area 4G
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course examines the political and socioeconomic causes and consequences of peace and conflict from different theoretical views. It includes an analysis of inter- and intra-state conflicts and wars, terrorism, ethnic and sectarian conflicts, and gender issues and conflicts. Additional topics include war theory, "negative peace," post-conflict reconciliation, policy recommendations and proposed solutions for conflict resolution, and achieving peace through the engagement of the global community. This course is formerly known as SOCSC 310.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- compare and contrast various socio-economic, political, and cultural theories of the causes of conflict and war
- analyze the origins/causes, escalation, spread of conflict, violence, and war within various theoretical frameworks
- evaluate the termination, consequences, and future of both conventional and nonconventional wars
- analyze proposed conventional and nonconventional recommendations and solutions to conflict resolutions and attainment of sustainable peace including solutions such as arms control, alliances, economic development, and diplomacy
- apply problem-solving approaches to issues which include international law, international organizations, interdependence, global and regional integration, and prospects for world peace
IS 312 Current Global Development Issues
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D7; Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025); IGETC Area 4G
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course covers current socio-economic and political issues in developing countries in a global context. It presents alternative theories pertaining to the causes and consequences of development, underdevelopment, and uneven development with a particular focus on the issues of globalization including political and social change. It also includes proposed solutions to various development problems from various scientific perspectives.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- evaluate, compare, and contrast various theories of development and social change in a global context.
- explain internal and external causes and consequences of development, underdevelopment, and uneven development within the various theoretical frameworks.
- explain the relative usefulness of proposed solutions provided by different theories of development and social change in the context of a globally interconnected world.
- relate theories of development and social change to proposed development policies that are dictated by the forces of globalization and are implemented in developing economies.
- compare and contrast the effects of various development policies on developing countries and their people.
- define the role of agencies of social change and development both domestic and international within a globally connected world.
- assess the impact of actions taken by one nation on the global community.
Faculty
Programs and Majors
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If you're interested in a transfer degree (AA-T or AS-T), then check out Degree Planner, a tool that helps you complete your degree efficiently by mapping out what courses to take and when to take them.