Academic Programs

Interdisciplinary Programs: International Affairs

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Mission
The major in international affairs provides an interdisciplinary understanding of foreign cultures and societies, the dynamics of world politics, and other nations’ world views and their consequent actions. A liberal arts program (B.A. degree), the international affairs major combines interdisciplinary, intercultural and multilingual education. It offers students a choice between two concentrations: international politics and comparative study. The courses for these concentrations stem from a broad variety of traditional liberal studies disciplines. The major also allows students to incorporate a minor in Asian, Latin American or Russian studies as well as the Studies Abroad programs. Because of limited course offerings, specializations in Asia or Africa and the Middle East may require language training from another university. International affairs is a 50-credit hour major, with a 32 credit common core and 18 credits of concentration study.
Back to top of page Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs
International affairs is a 50-credit hour major, with a 32 credit common core and 18 credits of concentration study. For further information and a complete list of the distribution requirements and eligible courses, contact the coordinator.
  Degree Requirements
General Education1
41
Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required)2
0-14
Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses)3
3
University electives
12-26
Major requirements (listed below)
50
120

1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232), or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Language’s placement test. The international affairs major requires an additional year of language study. That is, students must have three years of a foreign language appropriate to their course of study in the major. Students majoring in international affairs who use proficiency in a native language to meet the INTA language requirement must make the following substitutions for the two 300-level foreign language courses: GAMST 200 AND one of the following courses: GHIST 225, GENG 247 or GENG 248.
3 If students have taken a GPHIL course to meet their General Education requirements, they must take an additional course to meet the B.A. degree philosophy requirement.
  Major Requirements
Students may choose either the comparative study or international politics concentration. The international affairs major requires that all students complete a common core. Students should be aware that it is not always possible to offer courses on their regular rotation and that new courses may be added and existing ones deleted. Therefore, key requirements should not be left until just before graduation. Any course substitutions must be approved by the international affairs coordinator in consultation with other faculty members.
Core Courses
Credit Hours

ECON 201. Principles of Economics (Micro)

3
ECON 270. International Economics1
3
GECON 200. Introduction to Macroeconomics
3
INTA 295. Cross-National Research Skills2
4
INTA 489. Seminar in International Affairs3
4
POSC 230. International Relations
3
POSC 240. Comparative Politics
3
Choose one of the following:4
3

HIST 330. U.S. Diplomatic History

POSC 370. U.S. Foreign Policy
FL 300. Grammar and Communication5
3
FL 320. Oral and Written Communication5
3
32
1 Students should complete these core economics requirements before enrolling in upper-level economics courses. Students double-majoring in Economics and International Affairs may substitute ECON 370 for ECON 270 to meet their core requirement.
2 Students should note that MATH 220 is a prerequisite for INTA 295.
3 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major. Prerequisite: Completion of all courses in the core requirement of the major and senior standing.
4 Students in the IP concentration must count POSC 370 in the core. HIST 330 must be taken as an international relations requirement (listed under the IP concentration requirements. In other words, students who are following the IP concentration must take both POSC 370 and HIST 330.
5 Students must be proficient at the third-year level of a foreign language. In most languages this will require the completion of courses numbered 300 and 320. Some languages may not use this course numbering. In this instance, students must take two 300-level courses that focus on grammar, oral and written communication. The second 300-level course may not be a literature, cinema or civilization course. Many languages (including Russian, Japanese and Chinese) cannot be completed through the 300 level at JMU. Students studying these languages may have to complete course work during the summer or abroad at a specialized language program. Students should consult with the foreign language department on this point. Students’ foreign language must be appropriate for their track. French is acceptable for the Africa and Middle East tracks.
Back to top of page Concentrations
  International Politics Concentration
The following international relations, cross-area and area courses are required in addition to the core courses listed under Major Requirements. Students in the international politics concentration must complete the requirements for all four areas.
International Relations Courses
Credit Hours
Complete four courses:1
12

(These courses must come from at least three fields of study. One of these courses must be HIST 330. The potential fields are listed below.)

Economics
4

ECON 365. Economic Development
4

ECON 370. International Trade and Trade Policies
4-8

ECON 372. International Finance and Payment
9
Geography  

GEOG 475. Political Geography

  
History  
HIST 330. U.S. Diplomatic History2  

Justice Studies

  
JUST 300. Gandhi, Nonviolence and Global Transformation  

Political Science

  
POSC 361. Topics in International Politics3  

POSC 395. International Law

  

POSC 396. International Organizations

  

POSC 397. The Politics of International Economic Relations

  

POSC/JUST 392. Peace Studies

  

POSC 435. Seminar in International Terrorism

  
POSC 493. Simulations3  

1 No course taken for this requirement may be used to fulfill a requirement elsewhere in the major.
2 HIST 330 must be one of the course taken to fulfill the international relations courses for the IP concentration.
3 When course topic is appropriate for the chosen concentration. Students should consult with the INTA coordinator about the suitability of a particular course.
Cross-area Courses
Credit Hours
Complete one course:
3

Communication Studies

SCOM 248. Intercultural Communication
Economics

ECON 312. Comparative Economic Systems
Geography

GEOG 280. Introduction to Cultural Geography

GEOG 300. Population Geography
Political Science  

POSC 340. Political Development in the Third World

  

POSC 347. Comparative Public Policy

  
POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics1  
Sociology  

SOCI/SOWK 348. Introduction to Developing Societies

  
1 When course topic is appropriate for the chosen concentration. Students should consult with the INTA coordinator about the suitability of a particular course.
Area Courses
Credit Hours
Complete one course:
3
Africa and the Middle East

HIST 263. Africa

HIST 270. Modern Middle East

HIST 470. Modern Africa

HIST 485. Colonialism in the Greater Middle East

POSC 353. African Politics
POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics1
Asia

HIST 273. Asia to 1600

HIST 274. Modern Asia

HIST 371. India

HIST 375. History of Modern Southeast Asia

HIST 460. Modern Japan

HIST 480. Modern China

POSC 355. East Asian Politics
POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics1
Europe

HIST 301. European Military History

HIST 321. European Women’s History

HIST 384. England and the Empire-Commonwealth

HIST 387. Germany to 1871

  

HIST 390. France since 1789

  

HIST 465. 20th Century Britain

  

HIST 486. Europe since 1914

  

POSC 345. European Politics

  

POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics1

  
Latin America  

HIST 267. Latin America

  

HIST 268. Contemporary Latin America

  

HIST 445. Latin America and the United States

  

HIST 446. Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean

  

HIST 447. South America

  

POSC 350. Latin American Politics

  
POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics1  
Russia  

HIST 385. Russia to 1855

  

HIST 386. Russia since 1855

  

HIST 475. Modern Russia

  

POSC 337. Russian Political System

  

POSC 338. Russian Foreign Policy

  

POSC 339. Politics of Communist and Post-Communist Systems

  

POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics1

  
1 Occasionally area specific courses are offered as topics under POSC 371. These are accepted when appropriate. Students should consult with the INTA coordinator about the suitability of a particular course.
Back to top of page Comparative Study Concentration
The following functional and area courses are required in addition to the core courses listed under Major Requirements. Students in the comparative study concentration must complete the requirements for all three areas.
Functional Courses
Credit Hours
Complete two courses:1
6

(Each course must come from a different field of study. The potential fields are listed below.)

Cross-Cultural

GANTH 195. Cultural Anthropology

SOCI/ANTH 313. Processes of Social and Cultural Change

Economics

ECON 312. Comparative Economic Systems.

 

ECON 372. International Finance and Payments

  
Geography  
GEOG 240. Natural Resource Conservation  

GEOG 280. Introduction to Cultural Geography

  

GEOG 300. Population Geography

  

GEOG 344. Economic Geography and Development Issues

  

GEOG 475. Political Geography

  
History  

HIST 330. U.S. Diplomatic History

  

Political Science

  

POSC 340. Political Development in the Third World

  

POSC 347. Comparative Public Policy

  

POSC 361. Topics in International Politics3

  

POSC 370. U.S. Foreign Policy

 

POSC 395. International Law

  

POSC 396. International Organizations

  

POSC 397. The Politics of International Economic Relations

  

POSC/JUST 392. Peace Studies

  
POSC 493. Simulations 2  

1 No course taken for this requirement may be used to fulfill a requirement elsewhere in the major.
2 When course topic is appropriate for the chosen concentration. Students should consult with the INTA coordinator about the suitability of a particular course.
Back to top of page Area Requirements
Students may choose from five tracks to fulfill the area requirement: Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or Russia. Students must complete four courses for their specific area. These courses must come from at least three fields of study. The potential fields are listed below. At least one of these courses must be a history course. Students with advanced language skills may also enroll in a 400-level literature course to meet the culture requirement.

The following lists the potential courses for each of these areas.

African and the Middle East Track  
Area Courses
Credit Hours
Complete four courses:1
12

(These courses must come from at least three fields of study. The potential fields are listed below.)

Africana Studies

GAFST 200. Introduction to Africana Studies

GAFST 489. Africana Studies Senior Research Experience2

Culture

ANTH 280. People and Cultures of Sub-Saharan Africa

  

ANTH 395. Special Topics in Anthropology2

 

ARTH 210. African Art and Culture in the Humanities

  

ARTH 410. African Art: The Sahara and Northern Sahel

  

ARTH 412. African Art: Sub-Saharan

  

ARTH 419. Topics in African Art

  

ARTH 424. Arts of Ancient Egypt

  

ENG 432. Studies in African Literature

  

ENG 433. Studies in Arabic Literature

  
REL 300. Selected Topics in Religion2  

REL 320. Judaism

  

REL 330. African and African-American Religion

  

SOCI/SOWK 348. Introduction to Developing Societies

  
Economics  

ECON 365. Economic Development

  
Geography  
GEOG 335. Geography of Africa3  
History  

HIST 263. Africa

  

HIST 270. Modern Middle East

  
HIST 341. Selected Themes in World History2  

HIST 361. Class and Ethnicity in Africa

  

HIST 470. Modern Africa

  

HIST 473. The Islamic World

  

HIST 485. Colonialism in the Greater Middle East

  

HIST 489. Selected Topics in World History2

 

Political Science

  

POSC 340. Political Development in the Third World

  

POSC 353. African Politics

  

POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics3

  

1 No course taken for this requirement may be used to fulfill a requirement elsewhere in the major.
2 May be taken only when the subject matter is appropriate for this geographic concentration. Students should consult with the INTA coordinator about the suitability of a particular course.
3 This course is found in the university catalog but is taught very infrequently. As such, students should not count on this course being available for scheduling in a timely fashion.
The following international relations, cross-area and area courses are required in addition to the core courses listed under Major Requirements. Students in the international politics concentration must complete the requirements for all four areas. The following courses are taught abroad ONLY and are accepted for culture credit in the Africa/Middle East track:
  • ANTH 391. Study Abroad (in Kenya only)
  • REL 338. The Culture of Israel
Asia Track  
Area Courses
Credit Hours
Complete four courses:1
12

(These courses must come from at least three fields of study. The potential fields are listed below.)

Culture

ANTH 380. Chinese Society and Culture

  

ANTH 395. Special Topics in Anthropology2

 

ARTH 416. Arts of Oceania

  

ARTH 430. Far Eastern Art

  

REL 300. Selected Topics in Relgion2

 

REL 310. Hindu Traditions

  

REL 312. Religions in East Asia

  

REL 313. Hindu Ethics

  

REL 316. Topics in Hinduism

  

PHIL/REL 385. Buddhist Thought

  
Geography  
GEOG 349. Geography of East Asia3  
History  

HIST 274. Modern Asia

  
HIST 341. Selected Themes in World History2  

HIST 371. India

  

HIST 377. History of Korea

  

HIST 379. Family and Gender in East Asia

  

HIST 460. Modern Japan

  

HIST 480. Modern China

  
HIST 489. Selected Topics in World History2  

Political Science

  

POSC 355. East Asian Politics

  

POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics3

  

1 No course taken for this requirement may be used to fulfill a requirement elsewhere in the major.
2 May be taken only when the subject matter is appropriate for this geographic concentration. Students should consult with the INTA coordinator about the suitability of a particular course.
3 This course is found in the university catalog but is taught very infrequently. As such, students should not count on this course being available for scheduling in a timely fashion.
The following international relations, cross-area and area courses are required in addition to the core courses listed under Major Requirements. Students in the international politics concentration must complete the requirements for all four areas. The following courses are taught abroad ONLY and are accepted for culture credit in the Asia track:
  • REL 317. Exploring Gandhian Philosophy of Nonviolence
  • REL 318. Exploring Contemporary India
European Track  
Area Courses
Credit Hours
Complete four courses:1
12

(These courses must come from at least three fields of study. The potential fields are listed below.)

Culture

ARTH 206. Survey of World Art II: Renaissance to Modern

  

ENG 340. Modern British Novel

  

ENG 374. Introduction to Anglo-Irish Literature

  

FR 308. Contemporary French Civilization

  

FR 425. 20th Century French Literature

  

FR 465. French Cinema, 1930-1980

  

GER 308. Contemporary German Civilization

  

GER 426. Modern German Literature

  

ITAL 307. Italian Civilization

  

ITAL 425. Modern Italian Literature

  

ITAL 465. Italian Cinema

  

SPAN 307. Spanish Civilization

  

SPAN 405. Spanish Novels of the 19th and 20th Centuries

  

SPAN 406. Spanish Drama of the 19th and 20th Centuries

  

SPAN 460. Postwar Literature in Spain

  
Geography  
GEOG 346. Geography of Europe3  
History  

HIST 301. European Military History

  

HIST 321. European Women’s History

  

HIST 341. Selected Themes in World History3

 

HIST 384. England and the Empire-Commonwealth

  

HIST 387. Germany to 1871

  

HIST 390. France since 1789

  

HIST 462. The Rise and Fall of Nazi Germany, 1918-1945

 

HIST 486. Europe since 1814

  

HIST 487. World War II

  
HIST 489. Selected Topics in World History2  

Political Science

  

POSC 345. European Politics

  

POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics3

  

1 No course taken for this requirement may be used to fulfill a requirement elsewhere in the major.
2 This course is found in the university catalog but is taught very infrequently. As such, students should not count on this course being available for scheduling in a timely fashion.
3 May be taken only when the subject matter is appropriate for this geographic concentration. Students should consult with the INTA coordinator about the suitability of a particular course.
The following international relations, cross-area and area courses are required in addition to the core courses listed under Major Requirements. Students in the international politics concentration must complete the requirements for all four areas. The following courses are taught abroad ONLY and are accepted for culture credit in the European track:
  • ARTH 313. Masterpieces in Italian Renaissance Art (Semester in Florence only)
  • ARTH 314. Masterpieces in Spanish Art (Semester in Salamanca only)
  • ARTH 315. Masterpieces in British Art (Semester in London only)
  • ARTH 317. Masterpieces in French Art (Semester in Paris only)
Latin America Track  
Area Courses
Credit Hours
Complete four courses:1
12

(These courses must come from at least three fields of study. The potential fields are listed below.)

Culture

ANTH 265. People and Cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean

 

ANTH 395. Special Topics in Anthropology2

  

ENG 431. Studies in Caribbean Literature

  

SPAN 308. Latin American Civilization

  

SPAN 385. Latin American Drama and Short Stories

  

SPAN 408. Aspects of Latin American Civilization

  

SPAN 415. The Spanish-American Novel

  
Geography  
GEOG 337. Geography of Latin America3  
History  

HIST 267. Latin America

  

HIST 268. Contemporary Latin America

  

HIST 341. Selected Themes in World History3

 

HIST 445. Latin America and the United States

 

HIST 446. Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean

 

HIST 447. South America

  
HIST 489. Selected Topics in World History2  

Political Science

  

POSC 350. Latin American Politics

  

POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics3

  

1 No course taken for this requirement may be used to fulfill a requirement elsewhere in the major.
2 May be taken only when the subject matter is appropriate for this geographic concentration. Students should consult with the INTA coordinator about the suitability of a particular course.
3 This course is found in the university catalog but is taught very infrequently. As such, students should not count on this course being available for scheduling in a timely fashion.
The following international relations, cross-area and area courses are required in addition to the core courses listed under Major Requirements. Students in the international politics concentration must complete the requirements for all four areas. The following courses are taught abroad ONLY and are accepted for culture credit in the Latin America track:
  • ANTH 313. Study Abroad (in Dominica only)
Russia Track  
Area Courses
Credit Hours
Complete four courses:1
12

(These courses must come from at least three fields of study. The potential fields are listed below.)

Culture

RUS 208. Introduction to Russian Civilization

 

RUS 405. Russian Literature of the 19th Century

  

RUS 426. Russian Literature of the 20th Century

  
History  

HIST 385. Russia to 1855

  

HIST 386. Russia since 1855

  

HIST 341. Selected Themes in World History2

 

HIST 475. Modern Russia

  

HIST 478. Eastern Europe

  
HIST 489. Selected Topics in World History2  

Political Science

  

POSC 337. Russian Political System

  

POSC 338. Russian Foreign Policy

  

POSC 339. Politics of Communist and Post-Communist Systems

  

POSC 371. Topics in Comparative Politics3

  

1 No course taken for this requirement may be used to fulfill a requirement elsewhere in the major.
2 May be taken only when the subject matter is appropriate for this geographic concentration. Students should consult with the INTA coordinator about the suitability of a particular course.
Back to top of page Internships
A maximum of three credits in the major may be earned through an internship. Students must consult with the international affairs coordinator PRIOR to doing an internship to check on its applicability to the major.
Back to top of page Study Abroad and Washington Semester
Many of the courses available to students through JMU’s Office of International Programs and the Washington Semester program can be used to fulfill requirements in the INTA major. Students planning to go abroad should keep this in mind in working out their schedules and must consult the INTA coordinator for course approvals and substitutions.