Center for International Studies
Derrick Hall Room 101
T: 512.245.2339
www.txst.edu/internationalstudies
Demand for globally aware graduates with knowledge of international affairs, cultural and area studies, and language skills continues to increase. Globalization has created a need for people with cultural understanding and international perspective in business, law, diplomacy, communications, NGO's, and other fields. The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (B.A.I.S.) prepares students for these and other opportunities.
In addition to its academic programs, the Center offers students marketable and transferable skills through internships, service learning, and study abroad.
Peace Corps Prep
Peace Corps Prep is a certificate program for undergraduates who wish to build on the four competencies that Peace Corps looks for (training/experience in a work sector, foreign language skills, intercultural competence, and professional and leadership development). The certificate gives students a competitive edge when applying for Peace Corps service and is applicable to any future work in related industries. The program is open to all majors. The program does not guarantee acceptance into the Peace Corps, but provides undergraduates with skills that are an advantage in the application process, as well as in other international development work. Being part of the program demonstrates to any future employer that participating students value global understanding and cultural awareness.
Academic Advising
Majors receive advising assistance from the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center, and a full-time academic program coordinator at the Center to ensure timely graduation. The Center strives to prepare students for internationally focused careers.
Graduation Requirements
All B.A.I.S. majors are required to maintain a TXST GPA of 2.75, a major GPA of 3.00, complete the Texas State general education core curriculum, the International Studies Core, and the International Studies major courses. All majors are required to complete a global academic experience, which can be fulfilled by an education abroad course or, under extenuating circumstances, may be approved to substitute an internship that entails work related to the student’s major concentration. The Center’s director and academic program coordinator will work closely with majors to find the best options for international study. Majors are not required to complete a minor. Students must meet all course prerequisites. Please see the College of Liberal Arts, and the Degrees and Programs sections of this catalog for specific information on the general education core curriculum, and special requirements for the B.A.I.S.
B.A.I.S. majors are required to complete the special requirements in science and English Literature. The below list of approved additional science courses under that section include statistics.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANLY 2333 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| SOCI 3307 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| GEO 3301 | Research Methods in Geography | 3 |
| PS 3315 | Quantitative Research in Political Science | 3 |
| CJ 3347 | Statistics For Criminal Justice | 3 |
| HP 3302 | 3 | |
| MATH 2358 | Discrete Mathematics I | 3 |
| MATH 3305 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
International Studies Core
All B.A.I.S. majors are required to complete 41 hours of core courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PS 3351 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
| IS 4380 | International Studies Seminar | 3 |
| GEO 1310 | World Geography | 3 |
| GEO 3303 | Economic Geography | 3 |
| HIST 2310 | History of Western Societies to the Early Modern Era | 3 |
| or HIST 2311 | History of World Civilizations to the Early Modern Period | |
| HIST 2312 | History of World Civilizations from the Early Modern Era to the Present | 3 |
| or HIST 2320 | History of Western Societies from the Early Modern Era to the Present | |
| The below courses are core classes dependent on the student’s chosen concentration. | 6 | |
International Business & Travel and Tourism | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
All other Concentrations | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Theories of International Politics | ||
or PS 3353 | Issues in World Politics | |
| 1410, 1420, 2310, 2320, and one advanced (3000- or 4000-level) course in the same language as approved for each concentration. | 17 | |
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Major in International Relations
- Major in International Studies (Asian Studies Concentration)
- Major in International Studies (European Studies Concentration)
- Major in International Studies (Global Security Studies Concentration)
- Major in International Studies (International Business Concentration)
- Major in International Studies (Latin American Studies Concentration)
- Major in International Studies (Middle East/African Studies Concentration)
- Major in International Studies (Russian/East European Studies Concentration)
- Major in International Studies (Travel and Tourism Concentration)
Minor
Courses in International Studies (IS)
IS 4380. International Studies Seminar.
This course is a senior-level seminar as well as the capstone course of Texas State’s International Studies Undergraduate Program. The course explores topics related to major global issues in international affairs. Emphasis is placed on mastering research techniques, assessing evidence, and constructing analytical arguments. Through discussions, source analysis, and a major writing assignment, students gain proficiency in applying historical and contemporary methodology to the study of international contexts. Specific content and focus vary by section. This course is a requirement for all International Studies majors and should be taken in the senior year of undergraduate study.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Multicultural Content|Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
IS 4387. International Studies Internship.
This course is a semester-long, supervised work experience for undergraduate students in a local, national, or foreign setting. Internship placements include regional and international organizations, businesses, and think tanks in sectors including, but not limited to, law, medicine, art and culture, philanthropy, public policy formulation, civic engagement, global affairs, hospitality, media, education, and community outreach. Internships must be approved by the director of the Center for International Studies. The course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 10 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
IS 4388. Diplomacy Seminar.
This course is a senior-level seminar as well as the capstone course of Texas State’s minor in Diplomacy. It explores overarching topics in Diplomacy, including intelligence, negotiation, speech and report writing, and media and risk management, through reading, writing, research and group discussion. Emphasis is placed on mastering research techniques, assessing evidence, constructing analytical arguments, and supporting students in gaining proficiency in the study of international diplomatic contexts. This course is a requirement for all Diplomacy minors and should be taken in the last semester of their minor coursework.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
IS 4390. Problems in International Studies Research.
This course provides an individualized, faculty-supervised learning experience allowing undergraduate students to pursue an in-depth topic, problem, or applied project not fully addressed in regularly scheduled coursework. Working with an instructor, students develop a written learning contract defining the scope, readings/resources, methods of inquiry or practice, deliverables, and a timeline for completion. The course emphasizes self-directed learning, scholarly or professional-level work products, and regular consultation with the faculty supervisor to ensure rigor and accountability. Outcomes may include a research paper, project portfolio, technical report, or other discipline-appropriate product. This course may be repeated for credit, but a student may not exceed six hours of credit in Independent Study.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
IS 4687. International Studies Internship.
This course is a semester-long, supervised work experience for undergraduate students in a local, national, or foreign setting. Internship placements include regional, national, and international organizations, businesses, and think tanks in sectors including, but not limited to, law, medicine, art and culture, philanthropy, public policy formulation, civic engagement, global affairs, hospitality, media, education, and community outreach. Internships must be approved by the director of the Center for International Studies. The course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Minimum 3.0 Texas State GPA.
6 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 10 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
