The requirement in international politics and economics focuses upon aspects of international relations as conventionally conceived. The requirement called Approaches to Culture aims at enhancing sensitivities to other cultures. International Ethics and Cooperation addresses the question of how ethical considerations may come into play in international relations. The final segment of the program, area or comparative studies, asks students to make use of historical and cultural perspectives through the study of history, literature, the arts, and beliefs and social systems. While the adjunct major in International Studies is structured to achieve certain pedagogical ends, it is nonetheless a flexible program.
Students can tailor the major to their interests.
After the initial three-quarter Introduction to the World System, majors have considerable choice of courses that may fulfill the requirements of the major. Many different courses, for example, may be used in the study of international politics or economics and in approaches to culture. In the later stages of the program, students may choose to focus on an area of the world, or instead to undertake a broader comparative study. Finally, in the senior year, each student is expected to undertake one of several types of research experience either in an upper-level seminar or in an individual research project. In the latter case, the student is free to choose the topic of research, with International Studies faculty adviser approval as to its feasibility.