Chatham’s major in International Studies emphasizes cultural texts and histories, both classical and contemporary, in combination with practical experience and firsthand intercultural interaction. The core courses draw on humanistic intellectual traditions, in order to develop nuanced understandings of particular texts, topics, and problems within a broad and relevant historical, political, and cultural context. Completion of a regional concentration ensures practical grounding in language, historical and geographical understanding, and experiential learning; it also qualifies a student for financial and programmatic support for study abroad.

Likely career fields for an International Studies major include civic and non-profit work, international outreach, media and communications, and education. Careers in government and business are also achievable, especially if this major is complemented by additional study and experience. The major offers a foundation for graduate work in a variety of fields, including humanities, social sciences, and law.

The International Studies major has a common core of six courses (including Capstone) that combines with an additional six-course (18 credit) regional specialization requirement. Within each regional specialization, students are required to demonstrate mastery through the intermediate level of an appropriate language. Students may count language courses and study abroad toward the 18 credits. If the language requirement is met through testing, other courses may be substituted, with the department chair's approval, to bring the credit total to 18.

Certificates in International Studies: Students not majoring in International Studies may earn certificates in one of five regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East). These areas (and the certificate requirements) match the 18-credit regional concentrations of the majors (but do not include the core courses required of majors).

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the International Studies major will be able to:

• Demonstrate a knowledge of specific facts, concepts, and generalizations regarding the geography, history and culture of a particular world region: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or Middle East
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the economic, historical, political and cultural factors that inform cross-border relations among nation-states and between nation-states and other actors on the international stage
• Demonstrate an intermediate level of fluency in a language appropriate for the chosen regional concentration
• Demonstrate an ability to prepare for, undertake, and reflect on a period of residence abroad
• Locate and evaluate the perspective, quality and accuracy of information resources with particular reference to international affairs
• Demonstrate ability to clearly communicate knowledge via oral and written means
• Demonstrate an ability to construct essay arguments using evidence from the appropriate disciplines

Chatham University International Studies

Curriculum

+Major Requirements

HIS100	Introduction to World History This course is an introduction to world history from the rise of civilization to the present. It establishes and compares major themes in the leading civilizations of today’s world. It investigates the development of the modern world system and interpretations of its impact on these civilizations.	3
POL100	Introduction to Comparative Politics Introduction to politics, policies, and political institutions outside of the United States. Includes concepts such as electoral systems, party systems, parliamentary and presidential systems, democratization, and political change in both Western and non-Western settings.	3
OR
POL104	Introduction to International Relations A survey of significant patterns and trends in 20th-century world politics, modes of conducting relations among nations, instruments for promoting national interests, and current problems of economic and political interdependence.	3
FDT160	World Film History This course presents an overview of the history of film by focusing on key countries, both Western and non-Western, whose film industries have made important contributions to world cinema and/or whose filmmakers have pioneered important film movements. The course places film industries and movements in the context both of cinematic history and history of the societies in question.	3
ENG204	World Literature A critical and imaginative approach to major themes and genres in literary works from different places and periods in human history. Emphasis on interconnectedness of culturally diverse efforts to make sense, via literary representation, of personal and community experience. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: ENG100 Introduction to Literary Studies ENG105 First-Year Writing	3
POL311W	Selected Topics in Social Science Research The course introduces methods and approaches used to describe, explain, and evaluate social science research. Students will get an introduction to an instructor chosen research topic. Students will learn to formulate questions, create a literature review, gather and evaluate evidence and provide feedback on outside research concerning the selected course topic.	3
HIS490	Integrative Capstone The integrative capstone, undertaken by the student during the senior year, is an extended project that helps the student complete their transition from an undergraduate student to a world-ready professional. The study usually centers on the student's major and may be conducted, at least in part, in the context of a group experience. Such programs are crafted to meet the unique needs of each major, and could include, for example, fieldwork, theater production, creative work in the arts, independent research, or independent readings. The integrative capstone in an interdisciplinary major must have the approval of both academic programs. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: POL311 Selected Topics in Social Science Research POL311W Selected Topics in Social Science Research	3

+Asia Concentration/Minor Requirements

CST204W	East Asian Studies An exploration of East Asian geography, history, language, and culture from the Zhou Dynasty (ca. 1,000 BCE) to present times. Focus on China, Korea, Japan with reference to neighboring regions and discussion of Taiwan. Emphasis on arts, ideologies, and East Asian cultural sites in Pittsburgh area.	3
One (1) 200-level regional elective approved by program director
One (1) 200- or 300-level regional elective approved by program directory
Study Away Experience or internship abroad approved by program advisor (6-12)
An approved Asian language through the intermediate level

+Africa Concentration/Minor Requirements

HIS205W	Africa, Past and Present This course is an interdisciplinary examination of the problems and promises of African development. It investigates the historical development of pre-independence society, culture, political institutions, and economic structures, and their interaction with post-independent economic problems and development strategies.	3
One (1) 200-level regional elective approved by program director
One (1) 200- or 300-level regional elective approved by program directory
Study Away Experience or internship abroad approved by program advisor (6-12)
An approved African language through the intermediate level

+Europe Concentration/Minor Requirements

HIS202W	Modern Europe The impact of World War I on Europe, the crisis of democracy and rise of totalitarian ideologies in the interwar period, and the decline of European influence in the world after World War II provide the focal points of the course. It then explores the slow resurgence of Europe, prospects for European unity, and revived European influence in international relations as a "third force."	3
One (1) 200-level regional elective approved by program director
One (1) 200- or 300-level regional elective approved by program directory
Study Away Experience or internship abroad approved by program advisor (6-12)
An approved European language through the intermediate level

+Latin American Concentration/Minor Requirements

HIS200W	Revolutions in Latin America This course surveys Latin American history from colonization through the present with an emphasis on world history themes. While the legacies of the colonial period will be briefly examined, the course will focus primarily on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Global themes will include the spread of European religions among indigenous populations; reverberation of liberal revolutionary ideas in the western hemisphere; the incorporation of Latin American and its populations into the world economy; the influence of race on society; and the spread of Marxism and resulting revolutions.	3
One (1) 200-level regional elective approved by program director
One (1) 200- or 300-level regional elective approved by program directory
Study Away Experience or internship abroad approved by program advisor (6-12)
Spanish (or other approved language) through the intermediate level

+Middle East Concentration/Minor Requirements

HIS201	Modern Middle East This course introduces students to the cultural, religious, social, economic and political landscape of the Middle East. It provides an in-depth look at 'traditional' society, state and culture and then highlights change and resistance to change in the period since the First World War, when European imperialism redrew the political map and westernization threatened to redraw social, cultural and religious maps.	3
One (1) 200-level regional elective approved by program director
One (1) 200- or 300-level regional elective approved by program directory
Study Away Experience or internship abroad approved by program advisor (6-12)
Arabic (or other approved Middle Eastern language) through the intermediate level

+French Minor

In a dynamic and increasingly interactive and interdependent world, a student’s education must include a knowledge of other languages and cultures. By teaching language within a framework of intercultural understanding, the modern languages program at Chatham prepares students to experience the richness of other languages, literature, and cultures. Students who declare a minor in French will study the language as well as the cultural contexts of the language.

Requirements (8 courses, 20 credits):
LNG231	Intermediate French Language and Culture I This course is designed for students with one year of college-level French and follows LNG132. Emphasis is on deepening linguistic and cultural knowledge to further build language proficiency. This course counts towards the International Certificate and International Studies major. It fulfills a global general education requirement.	3
LNG231L	Intermediate French Language and Culture I-Lab A deepened understanding of the cultural values of the target language culture is a critical component of language learning and "world readiness." This course provides a platform oriented toward social and cultural experience, in order to enhance linguistic knowledge gained through in-class language learning. This course complements LNG 231.	1
LNG232	Intermediate French Language and Culture II This course expands upon content learned in LNG231. It allows students to review grammar and transition from basic communication to more in-depth spoken and written discussions of the French-speaking world. This course counts towards the International Certificate and International Studies major. It fulfills a global general education requirement.	3
LNG232L	Intermediate French Language and Culture II-Lab A deepened understanding of the cultural values of the target language culture is a critical component of language learning and "world readiness." This course provides a platform oriented toward social and cultural experience, in order to enhance linguistic knowledge gained through in-class language learning. This course complements LNG 232.	1
One (1) grammar and composition course (taken at a partner institution and identified by International Affairs)
Three (3) additional upper-level language and culture electives (two of which may be taken in English to as to accommodate culture and literature courses; can be taken at a partner institution and identified by International Affairs)

+German Minor

In a dynamic and increasingly interactive and interdependent world, a student’s education must include a knowledge of other languages and cultures. By teaching language within a framework of intercultural understanding, the modern languages program at Chatham prepares students to experience the richness of other languages, literature, and cultures. Students who declare a minor in German will study the language as well as the cultural contexts of the language.

Requirements:
LNG241	Intermediate German Language and Culture I This course is designed for students with one year of college-level German and follows LNG142. Emphasis is on deepening linguistic and cultural knowledge to further build language proficiency. This course counts towards the International Certificate and International Studies major. It fulfills a global general education requirement.	3
LNG241L	Intermediate German Language and Culture I-Lab A deepened understanding of the cultural values of the target language culture is a critical component of language learning and "world readiness." This course provides a platform oriented toward social and cultural experience, in order to enhance linguistic knowledge gained through in-class language learning. This course complements LNG 241.	1
LNG242	Intermediate German Language and Culture II This course expands upon content learned in LNG241. It allows students to review grammar and transition from basic communication to more in-depth spoken and written discussions of the German-speaking world. This course counts towards the International Certificate and International Studies major. It fulfills a global general education requirement.	3
LNG242L	Intermediate German Language and Culture II-Lab A deepened understanding of the cultural values of the target language culture is a critical component of language learning and "world readiness." This course provides a platform oriented toward social and cultural experience, in order to enhance linguistic knowledge gained through in-class language learning. This course complements LNG 242.	1
One (1) grammar and composition course (taken at a partner institution and identified by International Affairs)
Three (3) additional upper-level language and culture electives (two of which may be taken in English to as to accommodate culture and literature courses; can be taken at a partner institution and identified by International Affairs)

+Spanish Minor

In a dynamic and increasingly interactive and interdependent world, a student’s education must include a knowledge of other languages and cultures. By teaching language within a framework of intercultural understanding, the modern languages program at Chatham prepares students to experience the richness of other languages, literature, and cultures. Students who declare a minor in Spanish will study the language as well as the cultural contexts of the language.

Requirements:
LNG261	Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture I This course is designed for students with one year of college-level Spanish and follows LNG162. Emphasis is on deepening linguistic and cultural knowledge to further build language proficiency. This course counts towards the International Certificate and International Studies major. It fulfills a global general education requirement.	3
LNG261L	Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture I-Lab A deepened understanding of the cultural values of the target language culture is a critical component of language learning and "world readiness." This course provides a platform oriented toward social and cultural experience, in order to enhance linguistic knowledge gained through in-class language learning. This course complements LNG 261.	1
LNG262	Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture II This course expands upon content learned in LNG261. It allows students to review grammar and transition from basic communication to more in-depth spoken and written discussions of the Spanish-speaking world. This course counts towards the International Certificate and International Studies major. It fulfills a global general education requirement.	3
LNG262L	Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture II-Lab A deepened understanding of the cultural values of the target language culture is a critical component of language learning and "world readiness." This course provides a platform oriented toward social and cultural experience, in order to enhance linguistic knowledge gained through in-class language learning. This course complements LNG 262.	1
One (1) grammar and composition course (taken at a partner institution and identified by International Affairs)
Three (3) additional upper-level language and culture electives (two of which may be taken in English to as to accommodate culture and literature courses; can be taken at a partner institution and identified by International Affairs)