Nov 27, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED]

International Studies Specialization


Go to specialization website

As the world moves toward the 21st century, people in all countries and cultures are increasingly interacting with each other. Many UW-Stout graduates find work in multinational businesses and international tourism. Others go into the Peace Corps or other types of international volunteer work. Many more use their leisure time to travel or study abroad. Even those who never venture abroad find their professional, civic and personal lives impacted by the expansion of international relationships. The  International Studies specialization at UW-Stout is flexibly designed to offer students an opportunity to better understand other cultures and international relationships, and to compete more successfully in the workplace. The specialization requires all students to complete six core courses or their equivalents, then select an option that best meets their interests and needs. All students in the specialization are strongly encouraged to plan work or study experience abroad.

Requirements for the Specialization


Intended Outcome


1.0 Demonstrate an understanding of international relations.
1.1 Show an understanding of concepts used to analyze international relations.
1.2 Identify participants and patterns of international relationships.
1.3 Identify and analyze global problems arising from international relations.
2.0 Demonstrate an understanding of cultural variation and analysis, or demonstrate an understanding of the modern world within its historical context.
2.1 Show an understanding of concepts used to analyze cultural variation or develop an introductory knowledge of the modern world based on its historical antecedents.
2.2 Identify and begin to understand the complexity of cultural and political variations that exist in the world.
2.3 Demonstrate a cross-cultural approach to analyzing international problems.  ANTH-220 Cultural Anthropology  or
3.0 Demonstrate an understanding of the geography and peoples of the world.
3.1 Illustrate an understanding of geographical concepts.
3.2 Identify the major components of the physical setting in which cultures exist and international relations occur.
3.3 Identify and analyze the relationships between the physical world, on the one hand, and cultural variation and international relations on the other.
4.0 Demonstrate an introductory knowledge of a second language.
5.0 Demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the history, culture and/or social institutions of a country or region other than one’s own.
6.0 Demonstrate an introductory knowledge of intercultural communications.

7.0 Demonstrate the integration of knowledge with experience in another country or culture.
7.1 Study or work in another culture.
7.2 Show an appreciation of the diversity in cultural values from culture to culture.
7.3 Demonstrate an integration of intercultural experiences with other knowledge about international relations.

Learning Activity


  • (3 cr.) *
  • (3 cr.) *
  • (3 cr.) *
  • XXX-XXX Language Studies (8 cr.) **
  • Equivalent of 8 credits of college-level study of one foreign language. High school language study may count towards this requirement. (International students consult with specialization adviser.)

  • XXX-XXX Area Studies (2-3 cr.) *
  • (See specialization advisor for a list of acceptable courses focusing on one country or cultural region of the world.)

  •  

  • (3 cr.) * or
  • (3 cr.) *
  •  

  • XXX-XXX Study Abroad/International Field Experience or Co-op or Internship (1-2 cr.) *
  • (Approved Independent Study/Practical International Experience.)

Specialized Learning Objectives


Option 1: International Business


1.1.0 Demonstrate an understanding of international business practices.
1.1.1 Demonstrate an understanding of international trade, development, marketing, finance business law, management and/or transportation.

Option 2: International Tourism


2.1.0 Demonstrate a knowledge of the international components of the tourism industry.
2.1.1 Identify the economic role of tourism in a global economy.
2.1.2 Identify the role of government in planning/development of tourism.
2.1.3 Analyze current issues related to international tourism.
2.1.4 Analyze/become familiar with hospitality and tourism publications.
2.2.0 Assess quality and quantity of selected tourism resources throughout the world.
2.2.1 Analyze spatial patterns of connection, circulation, interaction, transportation and communication associated with the geography of tourism.
2.2.2 Analyze international tourism’s locational trends.
2.2.3 Illustrate world map reading skills related in tourism
2.3.0 Analyze current tourism topics.

Option 3: Language Studies


3.1.0 Demonstrate the ability to communicate in a second language.

Select 16 credits from the following:

(8 additional credits in the same language as the core requirement.)
Equivalent of two years of college-level study in the same foreign language.

Option 4: Area Studies


4.1.0 Demonstrate an understanding of the history, cultural background and social institutions of a culture, country or region other than one’s own.

Select 8-9 credits from the following:

Option 5: International Education


5.1.0 Illustrate an understanding of the sociopolitical elements of education in a global context.
5.2.0 Demonstrate an understanding of the role of education in building a community of learners for a shared global future.
5.3.0 Show a receptivity to multicultural perspectives.
5.4.0 Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the global condition and of global developments and trends.

Select 8-9 credits in addition to the core area studies requirement:

Specialization adviser-approved courses focusing on one country, one ethnic/cultural group or cultural region of the world. (For example, the following courses could serve as an “area studies” grouping: HMON-121 and -122 Practical Hmong I and II;  SOC-350 Sociology of Hmong Culture ; and ANTH-240 Hmong Studies and Contemporary Life. These courses would total 8 credits.)

Option 6: Apparel Design and Development; Retailing


6.1.0 Demonstrate an understanding of international economic trends influencing textiles and apparel-related areas.
6.2.0 Illustrate an understanding of international historical influences on present day fashion
6.3.0 Analyze international sourcing and marketing strategies for apparel products and manufacturing.
6.4.0 Demonstrate an understanding of international business practices through formal course work.

Evaluation


*Exams, papers and reports - 2.0 grade point average.
**For Language Studies, certification of proficiencies may be obtained from the language faculty.