International Studies Program

Contact Information
Harland Rall, Advisor
ACU Box 28275
Abilene, Texas 79699-8275
Administration Building, Room 134B

Phone: 325-674-2384
Fax: 325-674-6703
Email: rallh@acu.edu

Course Descriptions
Please see the Course Descriptions section of this catalog. Courses offered by the International Studies program include those with the following designation: INTS.

Page Links:

• International Studies (BA)

• International Studies (U.S. Track for
Non-U.S. Students) (BA)

• International Studies Certificate Program

International Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies, international studies with a separate track for non-U.S. students who wish to focus on the United States, and a Certificate in International Studies for interested students with related majors.

Introduction

In the 21st century with its “global village” interdependency among nations, students with a variety of career goals may wish to major in international studies or at least to complete the requirements for the certificate program.

Monolingualism and cultural isolation in the United States have had a negative effect on our national economy and our influence in world affairs. Therefore, students are required to include a Study Abroad experience, such as one of ACU’s programs, in their degree plan.

Today various career opportunities at home and abroad await graduates with a global world view who can demonstrate competence in performing tasks in a cross-cultural context:

Business. Multinational companies abound in the U.S. and abroad. Many hire graduates with an international studies background in order to train them in their specific jobassignment for future transfer abroad. The expanding world market and the shrinking national market suggest, as a minimum, the certificate program.
Civil Service. A variety of federal and state government agencies regularly hire individuals with international training for assignments in the U.S. and abroad. The State Department, the Diplomatic Corps and the U.S. Agency of International Development are a few examples. Other private agencies, some of a religious nature, seek graduates in the area of international studies. Furthermore, politicians of the future will face an ever-increasing need to handle international crises with sensitivity and depth of understanding.
International Organizations. A number of international organizations regularly hire innovative people who are capable of functioning in international affairs. The following are a few examples: the United Nations (UN), the Organization of American States (OAS), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the Peace Corps and the Red Cross.
Law. Attorneys hired by a company that secures contracts abroad will need an international studies background. International law is virtually a field of its own.
Media. Journalism, radio and television, the film industry, and publishing are areas that have openings for foreign assignments. Today’s global network of communication systems, which are facilitated by satellites, require some expertise in international studies.
Travel and Tourism. This is a growing industry in the United States. A background in international studies would certainly improve one’s chances for success.

Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to a program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.

Back To Top

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (BA)

BA: INTERNATIONAL STUDIES DEGREE PLAN (INTS)

UNIVERSITY Requirements

Please see the University Requirements section of this catalog (page 34).

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

International Core Courses

INTS 301 Language and Culture 3

INTS 499 International Studies Seminar

(writing-intensive course) 3

ECON 260 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)¹

ENGL 231 World Literature I (3)¹

ENGL 232 World Literature II 3

POLS 227 Introduction to International Relations (3)¹

TOTAL 9

¹Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements

and are not included in total major hours

REGIONAL FOCUS
Choose one of the following tracks:

East Asian Studies

BMIS 371 World Religions (3)¹

HIST 416 Near East in Modern Times 3

POLS 485 International Political Economy 3

East Asian Selections, Choose 6 courses from: 18

BMIS 245, 458 (when applicable); BUSA 419;

COMS 345, 383; ECON 438; GEOG 354; MKTG 419;

POLS 360, 385, 481, 484, 487, 488 (when applicable)

European Studies

HIST 474 Recent Europe 3

POLS 485 International Political Economy 3

Choose 3 hours from: HIST 472, 473, 476 3

European Selections, Choose 6 courses from: 18

BMIS 245, 371; BUSA 419; COMS 345, 383; FLSP 482;

ECON 438; GEOG 354; MKTG 419; POLS 360, 385, 481,

484, 487, 488 (when applicable)

Middle East Studies

BMIS 371 World Religions (3)¹

HIST 416 Near East in Modern Times 3

POLS 361 Politics of the Middle East 3

Middle East Selections, Choose 6 courses from: 18

BMIS 245, BUSA 419, COMS 345, 383, ECON 438;

GEOG 354; MKTG 419; POLS 360, 385, 481, 484,

485, 487, 488 (when applicable)

Latin American Studies

HIST 478 Latin American Colonial Experience 3

HIST 479 Latin American Modern Area 3

POLS 485 International Political Economy 3

Latin American Selections, Choose 6 courses from:

BMIS 245; BUSA 419; COMS 345, 383; FLSP 353, 483;

ECON 438; GEOG 354; MKTG 419; POLS 360, 385, 481,

484, 487, 488 (when applicable) 18

TRACK TOTAL (East Asian & Middle East) 24

TRACK TOTAL (European & Latin American) 27

¹Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements

and are not included in total major hours

STUDY ABROAD

Each student must include at least one “Study Abroad” experience related to the student’s chosen geographic region.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Junior level proficiency in a second language must be demonstrated by students whose first language is English.

FLFR, FLGE, FLLA, or FLSP 0-15

TOTAL 0-15

ELECTIVES

Minimum (East Asian & Middle East) 24-39

Minimum (European & Latin American) 21-36

*Students are strongly encouraged to use electives to pursue a Business Minor.

TOTAL MAJOR HOURS 72

OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum GPA in major 2.70

Minimum GPA for graduation 2.00

Minimum advanced hours 33

Minimum total hours 128

Courses numbered 0** do not count in
minimum hours required for degree.

Back To Top

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES – U.S. TRACK FOR NON-U.S. STUDENTS (BA)

Primarily intended for students who have had at least 8 years of residence outside the United States and/or who have graduated from high school in a foreign country.

BA: INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (OPTION FOR NON-U.S. STUDENTS ONLY) DEGREE PLAN (INTU)

UNIVERSITY Requirements

Please see the University Requirements section of this catalog (page 34).

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

International Core Courses

INTS 301 Language and Culture 3

INTS 499 International Studies Seminar (writing-

intensive course) 3

Regional Focus/USA

HIST 222 American History II (3)¹

Choose 9 hours from: HIST 404, 405, 421, 451, 455, 482 9

Specialty Courses 18

Choose 18 hours from ≥3 areas:

Bible/Missions

BMIS 371 World Religions

COMS 345 Intercultural Communication

COMS 383 Communication in Multi-National Organizations

Geography
GEOG 354 Cultural Geography

    American Literature
         ENGL 362 American Literature Before 1860
         ENGL 363 American Literature After 1860
         ENGL 446 Topics in American Literature
         ENGL 464 American Novel
    Political Science
         POLS 381 American Political Process
         POLS 492 American Political Thought

English

ENGL 263 American Literature After 1900 3

Foreign Language

Students whose native language is not English are exempted 0-6

TOTAL 36-42

¹Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements

and are not included in total major hours

STUDY ABROAD

Each student must include a travel-study course in a region of the U.S. outside West Texas.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Students whose first language is English must demonstrate first semester junior level proficiency in a second language.

FLFR, FLGE, FLLA, or FLSP 0-15

TOTAL 0-15

ELECTIVES

Minimum 21-36

TOTAL MAJORS HOURS 72

OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum GPA in major 2.70

Minimum GPA for graduation 2.00

Minimum advanced hours 33

Minimum total hours 128

Courses numbered 0** do not count in

minimum hours required for degree.

Back To Top

      INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

CERTIFICATE: INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (INTS)

University Requirements

As part of, or in addition to, the university requirements of the chosen major, students must satisfy history of western civilization.


HIST 117 Civilization I* 3

HIST 118 Civilization II* 3
TOTAL 6

*Can meet University Requirement.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Students whose first language is English must demonstrate first semester junior level proficiency in a second language.

    FLFR,
FLGE, FLLA, or FLSP  0-15
TOTAL 0-15

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

International Core Courses

    INTS 301 Language and Culture 3

Specialty Courses with a Focus on One Culture Area 15

Choose 15 hours from ≥3 areas below:

    Business

         BUSA 419 International Business

    Communication

         COMS 345 Intercultural Communication

         COMS 383 Communication in Multi-National Organizations

    Geography

         GEOG 354 Cultural Geography

    History

         HIST 416 Near East in Modern Times

         HIST 474 Recent Europe

         HIST 479 Latin American Modern Era

         HIST 495 Far East in Modern Times

    Literature

         FLSP 482 Survey of Peninsular Spanish Literature

         FLSP 483 Survey of Latin American Literature

    Missions

         BMIS 245 Missionary Anthropology

         BMIS 371 World Religions

    Political Science

         POLS 345 Comparative Public Policy

         POLS 357 West European Politics

         POLS 358 CIS and East European Politics

         POLS 484 International Law and Organizations

         POLS 485 International Political Economy

TOTAL 18

Total additional hours required to receive the certificate vary depending on foreign language proficiency and requirements met by University Requirements 15-39

TOTAL ≥15-39

Course Descriptions
Please see the Course Descriptions section of this catalog (page 167). Courses offered by the International Studies program include those with the following designation: INTS.

Back To Top