Victoria Christman and Todd Green (program directors)

The international studies program develops international and intercultural awareness and understanding through interdisciplinary coursework. International issues are inherently interdisciplinary, and international studies majors specialize in understanding how the various methods of inquiry and fields of disciplinary knowledge combine to address issues in the international arena.

INTL Plan of Study: 

The major and the minor are built around an international theme that students identify during the INTL 230 course. It is strongly recommended that students take this course in the spring semester of their sophomore year. Working with the director, the student develops a plan of study that guides course selection and reflects intentional connections between courses.

The Major: The major is structured with courses in three categories: core courses that provide the tools to develop interdisciplinary thinking and research, global perspectives courses that connect diverse themes using an international frame,  and courses based on a regional or thematic track allowing students to delve deeper into a specific area of interest. During their early coursework, students completing the major identify an individual theme, which they develop and refine as a focus for study in later courses and study abroad.

Requirements for a major: Eleven courses, study abroad (one semester or equivalent), foreign language (at least one semester beyond the college's language requirement), and a required senior project (INTL 490). The courses are divided into three groups:

• Core (five courses): ANTH 101, ECON 130, and POLS 132; INTL 230 and INTL 485
• Global Perspectives (two courses)
• Regional Track/Thematic Track (four courses)

Of the six global perspectives and regional track/thematic track courses required for the major, students may count no more than two 100-level on-campus courses and must take at least two courses numbered 300 or above. No more than two courses counting toward another major or minor, excluding core courses, may be applied to the IS major. Writing requirement completed with INTL 485.

Language Requirement: Students must take a minimum of one course beyond the college language requirement. To complete this requirement students may continue their work on a language they already study on campus, or may take a new language. We strongly recommend, when possible, that students take a language course while studying abroad. If English is the principal language of the host country, a student must either take a different language spoken in the host country or an additional semester of language at Luther. There is no language requirement for the minor.

Study Abroad: Majors must complete at least a full semester of study abroad. If the student selected a regional track, the study abroad semester must be in their selected geographical region of study. The content of the study abroad courses should be taught from the perspective of the host country or region. Students are advised to take at least one course focused on the region's contemporary situation. At a minimum, students must have their major approved and complete introductory courses and INTL 230 prior to studying abroad.

Global Perspectives Courses: Students must take a minimum of two approved courses that address fields of study using a global perspective.  Approved courses regularly taught on-campus are listed below. Additional courses, including special topics courses of appropriate content, may be approved by the international studies director. Study abroad courses may also fulfill this requirement. Courses fulfilling this requirement should not come from the same discipline.

ANTH 103, 104, 203, 205, 208; ART 121; COMS 333 (COMS 130 prerequisite may be waived with instructor permission); DAN 352; ECON 262, 362; INTL 450; FCUL 142; HIST 126; LING 131, 250; MGT 360; MUS 248; POLS 242, 335, 363; REL 250; SOC 453; SOC/IDS 468; THTR 351, 352, and PAID 450 courses upon approval.

Regional Track Courses: Majors who select a geographical region take a total of four courses, ideally including at least one course from each of the three categories 1) history, social science and science; 2) language; and 3) culture: religion, literature, and fine arts. Approved courses taught on campus are listed below. Additional courses, including special topics courses of appropriate content, may be approved by the international studies director. Study abroad courses may also fulfill this requirement.

Sub-Saharan Africa
History/Social Science/Science: AFRS/HIST/IDS 171, 172, 371
Language: Any language spoken in the study abroad host country, preferably taken while studying abroad
Culture/Religion/Literature/Fine Arts: AFRS 221/ANTH 221; ENG/AFRS/IDS 147, 240; FREN 464; REL 224

South and East Asia
History Social Science/Science: HIST 161, 162, 361
Language: Any language spoken in the study abroad host country, preferably taken while studying abroad
Culture/Religion/Literature/Fine Arts: FCUL 142, 246; REL 220, 224, 228, 229, 236, 255

Latin America and Caribbean
History/Social Science/Science: HIST 271
Language: Any language spoken in the study abroad host country, preferably taken while studying abroad
Culture/Religion/Literature/Fine Arts: ENG/AFRS/IDS 240; REL 303; SPAN 346

Middle East and Northern Africa
History/Social Science/Science: HIST 163, POLS 237
Language: Any language spoken in the study abroad host country, preferably taken while studying abroad
Culture/Religion/Literature/Fine Arts: REL 224, 225

Europe
History/Social Science/Science: HIST 149, 150, 242, 250, 351, 352, 355; INTL 135, 136
Language: Any language spoken in the study abroad host country, preferably taken while studying abroad
Culture/Religion/Literature/Fine Arts: ART 290; ARTH 251, 252, 362, 364; ENG 260, 361, 362, 364, 365, 366, 367; FREN 342, 346, 347, 348; GER 460, 470; REL 201

Thematic Track Courses: Majors who select a thematic track complete one semester of foreign language above the college's requirement (preferably taken while studying abroad) and four courses that are pre-approved by the director to fulfill the track. At least one course should come from the "focus courses" list. Students also have the option to create their individualized track in consultation with the international studies director. Students may take no more than two courses in the same discipline to fulfill this requirement. Additional courses, including special topics courses of appropriate content, may be approved by the international studies director. Study abroad courses may also fulfill this requirement.

Development Studies Track: courses seeking to understand social, political, economic, and cultural aspects of societal change, particularly in developing countries; explain political and economic development and their impact in the world; understand the relationship between globalization, capitalism, and development (of individuals, groups, countries, or regions); provide the toolkit necessary to comprehend issues related to political, social, and/or economic development outside the United States.

Focus Courses: ECON 262; SOC/IDS 468

On-Campus Courses Include: AFRS/ENG/IDS 147; ANTH 208, 303; FCUL 142, ECON 255, 362; HIST 150, 241; PAID 450 courses upon approval.

Peace and Dialogue Studies Track: courses seeking to examine the process of peace-making in conflict and post-conflict situations; courses with a particular focus on peace-making methods grounded in some form of dialogue; courses examining dialogue, diplomacy, and mediation; courses seeking to understand the cultural, social, political, and religious contexts and intersections of dialogue, transitional justice, human rights, ecology, and peace-building.

Focus Courses: REL 252; FCUL 239 (Peace and Conflict Studies); INTL 250 

On-Campus Courses Include: AFRS/HIST 172; AFRS 271; ANTH 204, 264; HIST 243, 262; PAID 450 courses upon approval; POLS 237, 335, 363; REL 234, 236, 238, 240; SOC 242, 261, 453; IDS 101, 350.

Requirements for a minor: Study abroad (minimum of one January Term study abroad course or equivalent) and seven courses that consist of two of the three foundation courses (ANTH 101, ECON 130, POLS 132); INTL 230 and INTL 485; and three additional courses selected from one of the following tracks:

• Global Perspectives Track: three courses from this category.
• Regional Track: students select a geographical region and take three courses in that area.
• Thematic Track: students select or create a thematic track and take three courses approved by the director.

At least two of the three courses within the selected plan must be at the 200 level or above. No more than two courses from other majors or minors, excluding core courses, can count toward the IS minor.

Students minoring in an areas studies program (such as Chinese Studies or Nordic Studies), must secure approval of the International Studies Board to minor in International Studies with a focus on the same region.

View program learning goals for an explanation of learning outcomes in International Studies. 

International Studies Courses