International Studies Program

The Global 21st Century: how to find your place in it?

The Program in International Studies provides you with a wide array of knowledge and skills thanks to a strong team of faculty from across campus. 

*Explore our new Peace Corps Prep Program to consider a career In the Peace Corps or another international NGO (non-governmental organization, e.g., Doctors Without Borders; Human Rights Watch, World Wildlife Fund, …).  

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Issues you can study through an international Focus:

  • Environmental Justice;
  • Experiments in Democracy around the Globe;
  • Conflict Resolution through Cultural Studies;
  • International Development;
  • Social Justice, to name a few.

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How can you become a part of the international community?

  • Experience Abroad (4-week minimum requirement);
  • Connection with others through a second language (2 courses at the 3000 level or minor or double major in WRLD);
  • Core Courses that develop your skills in the Humanities [World Languages & Cultures) & the Social Sciences [Political Science; History; Geography; Economics; Communication];
  • Interdisciplinary Seminars [to problem-solve by drawing on the discipline-based skills & strategies];
  • Focus Area [select 3 courses to add depth to your awareness of International Studies to by focusing on an issue or region or your choosing].

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What can you do with a major in International Studies? 

  • International Relations: Foreign Service, International Law, Public Service …
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs: Peace Corps, Disaster/Disease Relief, Policy Development, Program Administration...
  • Journalism & Media: Foreign News Correspondence, Investigative Journalism, Photography…
  • Language Services/Education: Teaching, Interpreting, Translating, International Student Support Services…
  • International Business:  Management, Human Resources, Banking and Finance, International Development, Marketing, Agricultural Economics…

…  Actually, what CAN’T you do?

Click here to check out Zoom News' story on the new Peace Corps Prep Program!

Check out our International Studies Program Publications

Check out our new International Studies Newsletter: International Wire!
International ResearchScape Journal, Vol 8 Issue 1, 2023
International ResearchScape Journal, Vol 8 - Issue 1, 2023

FEATURED

Why students need a global awareness and understanding of other cultures

From trips to Normandy beaches to language blogs, José Picardo explores the growing importance of offering students international experiences

ICS Team Teaching Courses

Jun 2, 2022 Learn from BGSU faculty and students as they talk about their experience with ICS Team Teaching program and team-taught classes from Dr. Kristie Foell and Dr. Neal Jesse as well as Dr. Margaret Weinberger and Dr. Nathan Hensley.

News and Stories

BGSU Expands its Peace Corps Connections

Reviewing Peace Corps materials are (left to right) Margaret Booth, V Rosser, Beatrice Guenther and Molly Kosnak.

International Studies 3800, Intro to International Service-Learning, Receives Kurt E. Hofmeister Outstanding Undergraduate Group Award

Dr. Beatrice Guenther's Service Learning course was awarded the award by the Center for Public Impact as part of the 2017 Community and Civic Engagement Awards. Find more information here:

Travels and Internships Provide Perspective

Recent alumna Toni Smith interned with Women at Risk, International, a nonprofit organization that creates safe havens for at-risk women and children in more than 30 countries. She also had study abroad experiences in France and Burkina Faso in West Africa. "It is not only a great way to build your resume and see the world, but also a catalyst for personal development and awareness," she said.

MODEL UN TEAM RECEIVES HONORABLE MENTION

The BGSU Model UN team this year received an Honorable Mention Delegation award at the Model UN conference held in late March in New York City. The 14 students all enrolled in the political science course Model UN to participate in the conference, where they represented Latvia in a role-playing simulation of the UN.
International Studies Students participating include majors Tyler Way, Rachel Zarick, Courtney Keeney and Renee Wott as well as minor Brandon Willinger.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in International Studies are expected to be able to:

  • Understand the connections between countries;
  • Describe the impact of international events or arrangements at the regional, national, and local levels in at least one major area of the world;
  • Articulate how historical processes, such as colonialism, post-colonialism, and globalization, have led to our current situation in general, and to specific conditions in at least one area of the world;
  • Analyze and describe global issues both qualitatively and quantitatively, using approaches from both the humanities and the social sciences;
  • Demonstrate a basic command of at least two appropriate disciplinary approaches, such as economics, sociology (demographics), political science, history, literature, popular culture, environmental studies, cultural studies, or regional studies;
  • Apply interdisciplinary approaches, including foreign language skills and international experience, to research and present specific global issues.

Accreditation and/or Program/Cluster Review
Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The International Studies program went through Program/Cluster Review during the Academic Year 2016-17.

Professional Licensure (If applicable)
Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The International Studies program does not lead to professional licensure.

Gainful Employment (If applicable)
    

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The International Studies program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.

Updated: 09/15/2023 03:50PM