2021-2022 Academic Catalog

Offered in: Chicago

International Studies is a growing interdisciplinary field that offers students the opportunity to study politics, economics, history, sociology, anthropology, and communication as parts of a complex and evolving global system. Along with focusing on relations between states in the international system, the International Studies major affords students the opportunity to focus on particular geographic areas of the world, the evolution of the international system itself, and on global social movements including human rights and climate justice.
Majoring in International Studies lays the groundwork for students to pursue a wide array of careers in international affairs, from work with intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations or the World Bank to aid and development work with groups such as the U.S. Agency for International Development; democracy promotion for organizations such as Freedom House; international law at The Hague; advocacy groups such as Witness or Human Rights Watch; environmental groups such as the Sierra Club; or global solidarity campaigns, including the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women.

Downtown Chicago is an ideal location for those pursuing International Studies at Roosevelt University. A growing, bustling and vibrant global city, Chicago is host to numerous international organizations, government offices, advocacy centers, and think tanks, and plays host to countless international conferences. The program studies the international system with a focus on the pursuit and realization of social justice across national boundaries. International Studies graduates gain fluency in contemporary debates across multiple fields, with the moral and ethical foundation to be international leaders and global citizens.

Advising

Students should consult their advisor or the program coordinator, Bethany Barratt, before registration each semester to assure that requirements are met and that the electives constitute a coherent program that is tailored to the student’s interests.

Students who wish to pursue specialized topics may do so by independent study; however, no independent study may be undertaken until the core sequence has been completed. Each independent study course must have the approval of the program coordinator. Only one independent study course may be taken for credit in the major.

Students are strongly encouraged to undertake study abroad. Roosevelt’s Office of International Programs will assist students in selecting and applying for study abroad programs. The program coordinator will assist in selecting courses once the student has been admitted to a program. Study abroad courses and programs vary, so students should consult the program coordinator to see how study abroad courses fit into the International Studies curriculum.

Students are also strongly encouraged to supplement their International Studies education by learning a foreign language, though there is no formal requirement to do so.

Students may also deepen their learning and gain valuable work experience through internships with an agency or organization that deals with international issues and populations. Stipulations for internships are the same as for independent study.

Requirements

Students who major in International Studies must complete 11 courses (33 credit hours) in the program, each with a grade of C or higher. This includes a set of four required core courses and seven electives.

Students must complete 15 credit hours at the 300 level in the major. For their electives, students must take seven courses, at least 5 at the 300 level. At least five courses in International Studies must be taken at Roosevelt University.

Please note that not all International Studies courses are listed here. International Studies faculty members frequently add new courses that count toward the International Studies major. Other International Studies courses not listed in the catalog may only be offered once but can still count toward the major. You can find these courses by searching for classes in the online course schedule, using the International Studies attribute. Most study abroad classes can count for the major as well. In all cases, students should consult with the program coordinator or their academic advisor to discuss how these courses will be integrated into their major or minor.

CORE Requirements (General Education)

These quantitative requirements also apply to degrees.

• Students must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours.
• Students may apply no more than 60 credit hours of 100-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must apply no fewer than 60 credit hours of 200- and 300-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must have at least 18 credit hours (of the 60 credit hours above) at the 300 level.
• Students may transfer in no more than 70 credit hours from community colleges.
• Students earning less than 60 total hours in residence must take their final 30 hours at Roosevelt University. Note that some majors have additional requirements for RU hours.
• Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to graduate. Note that some majors have additional GPA requirements.
• Students may apply no more than 51 hours in the major (BA) or 57 hours in the major (BS)

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.