Why study International Studies at MC?

Globalization is more than a buzzword. It is the future job market, social justice platform, political and economic reality, and cultural context for everyone. Understanding the dynamics of a rapidly changing global landscape is crucial for tomorrow’s leaders and college graduates. The International Studies major at Maryville College is designed to give you knowledge, experience, and confidence needed to be successful and make a difference in a diverse and complex world.

In our program of study, you will obtain advanced language skills, study abroad for a significant period of time, and complete a substantial senior research project. These are competitive advantages that are not required in many programs. You will also participate in the Program for International and Civic Leadership, an innovative new initiative that enhances internships, interdisciplinary course offerings, and extra-curricular activities. International Studies majors can choose between two courses of study: Global Studies focused on economics and politics or Area Studies with expertise in Hispanic or Asian studies.

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Meet a Current Scot

Photo of Rukshona Isomova

Rukshona Isomova

Hometown: Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Maryville College’s International Studies major is allowing Rukshona to learn about and connect with cultures all around the world. Her decision to come to MC was based, as she said, “on the supportive and welcoming community, generous scholarships, wide career options and the diversity on campus.” She said she is “thriving and growing academically and personally as an international student.”

In addition to participating in campus organizations like the Global Citizen Organization, Black Student Association and Latino Student Alliance, Rukshona also enjoys getting together with other international students. In 2024, she took part in the United Nations Summer Study Program in New York City. “I gained a lot of insights about the UN, how the system works, and the theory behind world order, and I made connections with UN agencies and visited different missions,” she said.

 

Meet a Recent Grad

Photo of Andrew Kuliasha

Andrew Kuliasha ’21

Currently: Pursuing Ph.D. Programs in Political Science and International Relations

Andrew credits Maryville College, its liberal arts education and the International Studies major with giving him the ability to look at topics from a variety of angles and then see problems – and solutions – more clearly. He said he also was taught valuable skills such as how to write and communicate effectively.

Well prepared for graduate school, he earned a master’s degree in World History in 2023 from James Madison University. After completing a Ph.D., he plans to pursue a career in humanitarian or international work.

 

Scott Henson
Dr. Scott Henson
Professor of Political Science, Interim Director; Center for Global Engagement
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Job Placements

United States Department of Defense
Medical Translation
Jacksonville Public Library
Partnership for Families, Children and Adults

Graduate School Placements

University of Technology Sydney Australia
Emory University School of Law
SIT Graduate School
National Intelligence University
University of Tennessee
Sewanee School of Theology

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved the following:

  • Develop a global perspective and employ it in an overseas experience
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs of persons of other cultures during an overseas experience and those present in the United States
  • Analyze foreign culture incorporating the analytical tools of social sciences, humanities and the fine arts
  • Analyze international and cross-cultural problems and apply this knowledge during an overseas experience
  • Employ a foreign language or English dialect in an overseas experience

 

All students in the International Studies Major are required to take the following courses.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

INT 201: Contemporary Global Issues (3 hrs)
SLS 299: Issues in Professional Development (2 hrs)
OVS 203: Cross-Cultural Preparation for Education Abroad (0-1 hrs)
*NOTE: All INT majors should take the INT-section of MCW 400: Senior Year Seminar.

Either option for Senior Study:

INT 351: Senior Study I (3 hrs)
And
INT 352: Senior Study II (3 hrs)
Or
INT 353: Senior Study (3 hrs)
And
One additional Global Plus (GL+) course at the 300-level (3 hrs)

One of the following

ECN 101: Contemporary Economic Issues (3 hrs)
Or
ECN 201: Principles of Economics (4 hrs)

One of the following:

PLS 211: Comparative Government and Politics (3 hrs)
Or
PLS 212: International Politics (3 hrs)

One of the following

ECN 325: International Trade and Finance (3 hrs)
Or
BUS 329: International Business (3 hrs)

One of the following

REL 212: World Religions (3 hrs)
Or
REL 348: Explorations in the History of Religions (3 hrs)

One of the following:

HIS 333: Studies in Asian History (3 hrs)
HIS 334: Studies in Latin American History (3 hrs)
HIS 335: Studies in African History (3 hrs)
MUS 315: Introduction to Ethnomusicology (3 hrs)
Six hours of foreign language beyond the 100-level
Four additional courses with the Global+ designation

As indicated above, all students in the International Studies Major must complete two years of a foreign-language=two courses beyond the 100-level general education requirement, or the 6-hour equivalent of advanced language study taken abroad. When English is a second language for the student in the major, the student may be exempt from the foreign language requirement. International students may be exempt from the education abroad requirement upon approval of the division chair.

Courses taken abroad may be substituted for courses that satisfy the above requirements in religion, business, politics, economics, history or advanced language beyond the 200-level up to a maximum of 12 credits. Requires approval of the faculty member designated as the INT Coordinator.

The education abroad requirement will ideally be one full semester or one full year at an institution outside the United States as described under Education Abroad in this Catalog, and will typically take place during the Spring semester of the junior year. The requirement for education abroad can also be met through a single period of study of at least six weeks at an institution outside the United States. The six-week option must be approved by the International Studies Coordinator. Note that International Studies 201 and OVS 203 are prerequisites for all education abroad coursework and study for which academic credit from Maryville College is to be awarded, and that courses taken during education abroad can substitute for major requirements with the permission of the International Studies Coordinator.

Students majoring in International Studies should plan carefully to allow for the required period of education abroad. Education abroad requires scheduling of completion of all on-campus coursework, and anticipation of likely costs related to travel abroad. Suitable substitutions may be available for students who are not eligible to study abroad.

The Minor in International Studies consists of 18 credit hours.

Required courses include:

Minor and Minor-Related Courses

INT 201: Contemporary Global Issues (3 hrs)
Three Global+ designated courses (9 hrs.)
Six hours of foreign language beyond the 100 level, or 6-hour equivalent of advanced language taken abroad (6 hrs.)
Education abroad for a minimum of 6 weeks or completion of the Global Experience requirement of the Global+ Certificate program
*NOTE: If possible, INT minors are encouraged to take the INT-section of MCW 400: Senior Year Seminar.

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

You may also be interested in:

Foreign Languages

Political Science

Religion

Sociology
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Faculty & Staff
Scott Henson
Dr. Scott Henson
Professor of Political Science, Interim Director; Center for Global Engagement
View More

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