International Studies

Get ready for the world stage.

International Studies Degree

Majoring, or even minoring, in international studies at Susquehanna University will give you a definite advantage in the job market.

If you’ve ever lost yourself in foreign films or international news, if you’ve ever wondered how international financial markets work, or if you hope to represent your country overseas, then you might be the perfect student for the International Studies program.

An international studies degree from Susquehanna University is a gateway to the world. All international studies majors immerse themselves in another culture while studying abroad, develop important language and research skills and learn to put theory into practice, addressing major global challenges.

The Institute of International Education reports that those who study abroad develop skills that increase their chances for career success, such as the ability to work in diverse environments and bridge cultural differences. That is just one of the reasons why all international studies majors complete a semester-length study abroad program. Expert advice from Susquehanna’s Global Opportunities (GO) program will help you find the right program and even apply for internships while you are studying in the country of your choice. Classes across a variety of subjects will prepare you to take advantage of this experience and give you the skills to produce original research that shows employers you have what it takes to thrive in any setting.

river hawks fly abroad

Alumna awarded Fulbright to study climate change in Australia

Layren McDannold ’23 has been awarded the Anne Wexler Scholarship in Public Policy from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

The award will allow McDannold to travel to Australia in pursuit of her master’s degree in public policy, while conducting research into the generational impacts of the climate crisis and how political apathy and distrust affect climate legislation.

Learn More

river hawks fly abroad

SHARING THE SUSQUEHANNA STORY AROUND THE WORLD

From Scotland to Argentina, New Zealand to Japan, international destinations, adventures and opportunities await adventurous Susquehanna students.

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A group of tourists immersed in conversation fills a spacious courtyard surrounded by historic buildings with ornate facades under a bright blue sky, as if preparing for their next GO Study Abroad adventure.

100%

of students complete original research with a faculty advisor

countries where students have studied abroad in the last five years

countries where recent graduates have found work opportunities (USA, France, Spain, Northern Ireland, South Korea, Thailand, Mexico and Australia).

“As you go through your four years at Susquehanna, you get to know a lot of students. Homecoming Weekend is a great time to reconnect with those who have graduated, see what they’re doing professionally and network to see what job opportunities may be available.”

— Catherine Chodnicki ’25

Environmental Studies

French Studies

International Studies

“The most rewarding part of teaching and advising international studies majors is hearing our graduating seniors discuss how they used the skills they developed during their career at Susquehanna to impress employers and succeed in graduate school.”

— Kirk Harris, Director of International Studies and Assistant Professor of Political Science

International Studies

Explore Your Studies

Program Resources

INTD 201

Int’l St Global Challenges

This course provides an overview of theories and approaches common in the field of international studies. Students will grapple with what makes this field interdisciplinary and why that may prove critical in problem-solving on an international scale. Students are introduced to how and why the field draws from many different disciplines, such as economics, anthropology, health sciences, public planning, public policy, linguistics/language, history, political science, business and the arts. Students begin a portfolio that includes coursework, a CV and an analysis of the interdisciplinary nature of international studies. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. 4 SH. CC: Interdisciplinary, Diversity.

INTD 501

Senior Seminar

The Senior Seminar in international studies is the culmination and integration of the international studies major, although it is also open to students majoring in political science and public policy. This class may count as the capstone experience for students majoring in all three programs. It provides students with the opportunity to research, write and present a thesis on an approved topic. Students work closely with faculty members to formulate their theses and prepare both a research design and a final senior essay that implements that design. Students will also critically analyze others’ work. This course should be cross-listed with POLI-501. Prerequisites: POLI-205 Research Methods. 4SH. Capstone. CC: Writing Intensive.

When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s).

International Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in International studies is an interdisciplinary major that combines several fields of study to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to approach complex global challenges and devise responses. While there are several distinct focus areas, the common link in the international studies education is the global perspective used to address social, cultural, economic, political and scientific issues and the interdisciplinary approach to tackling large-scale subjects that cross national boundaries.

Off-Campus Study Opportunities

Students majoring in international studies are required to participate in a semester-length off-campus international experience, and those who minor in the program are strongly encouraged to do so. Programs appropriate for international studies students include but are not limited to those that expose participants to conflict resolution, international organizations, sustainable development, public health and diplomatic work. In recent years, international studies students have traveled to countries such as Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Internships

Because it is critical to gaining professional opportunities and placement post-graduation, students are strongly encouraged to pursue internships in the wide field of international studies. International studies majors have interned while abroad in Belgium, France, Austria, Senegal, India, Britain and other locations. Others have interned domestically in the field. The program advisor works with students to identify internship opportunities.

Regional Focus

Students in the major are also encouraged to develop a specialization in the study of a particular world region (e.g. Africa, Asia, Latin America or Europe) as part of their coursework and study abroad experience.

Learning Goals

Students will possess factual knowledge and in-depth understanding of their chosen focus area.
Students will be able to compare theoretical and methodological frameworks for understanding and to critically read scholarly work.
Students will develop strong research skills – including the ability to frame research questions for analysis and apply theoretical knowledge to study real-world events.
Students will understand the global diversity of populations and societies, as well as the political, social and economic effects of different categories of diversity.
Based on their international experiences, students will understand the breadth of human interactions, and that problems often elicit complex, conflicting and ambiguous responses.

Major in International Studies

International studies majors must complete a minimum of 48-56 semester hours of approved coursework in the major, all with grades of C- or better and an overall average of at least 2.00 in courses for the major. No more than 16 semester hours in the major may be taken at the 100 level, and at least 14 semester hours must be taken at or above the 300 level. All majors must take INTD-201 International Studies and Global Challenges.

All international studies majors must demonstrate proficiency through the 200-level (i.e., the equivalent of four semesters of college-level instruction) of a modern world language. All majors must take a capstone course (INTD-501 or its equivalent in Political Science).

Students in the major must engage in an off-campus, internationally focused educational experience, preferably consisting of a semester or year abroad. Short-term experiences, such as focus programs offered by Susquehanna University or an internship with an international-based organization, also qualify when approved by the advisor.

Double-counting Restriction

No more than 12 semester hours may be double-counted between the international studies major and any other major or minor.

Honors

To graduate with honors, international studies majors must do the following:

Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the program and 3.25 overall.
Request admission to the program at the beginning of the senior seminar/capstone course.
Complete and publicly present an honors-quality project in the spring of their senior year.

Focus Areas

Students choose one of three focus areas for the international studies major: diplomacy, comparative cultures, and trade and development. Course requirements vary, depending on the focus area.

46-56 Diplomacy

4 INTD-201 International Studies Theory and Practice
4 POLI-131 International Relations
4 POLI-121 Comparative Government and Politics
4 POLI-205 Research Methods I
8 Non-U.S. history (two courses)
8 Upper-level (non U.S.-based) political science (2 courses)
4 Non-U.S. literature or Religious Studies course
4 ECON-201 Principles of Macroeconomics
or ECON-338 International Political Economy
or ECON-335 Economic Development
4 Relevant electives (one course)
4 Senior seminar/capstone
Completion of the equivalent of 8SH at the 200-level of a world language

46-56 Comparative Cultures

4 INTD-201 International Studies Theory and Practice
4 Introductory Anthropology
4 ENGL-250 World Literature
or ENGL/JWST-255 Jewish Literature
or ENGL-240 Literary Themes (when the specific topic has been approved)
4 Non-U.S. upper-level anthropology
4 Non-U.S. literature or art history (one course)
4 RELI-105 World Religions
4 Additional religious studies or world philosophy
4 Non-U.S. history
4 POLI-205 Research Methods I
8 Relevant electives (two courses)
4 Senior seminar/Capstone
Completion of the equivalent of 8SH at the 200-level of a world language

48-56 Trade and Development

4 INTD-201 International Studies and Global Challenges
4 POLI-131 International Relations
4 ECON-201 Principles of Macroeconomics
4 ECON-202 Principles of Microeconomics
4 ECON-338 International Political Economy
or ECON-335 Economic Development
or POLI-333 Development, Globalization and Society
4 History of any non-U.S. region
8 Upper-level internationally-focused courses in economics, management, marketing, or luxury brand marketing and management, ecology, earth & environmental science, or environmental studies
4 One upper-level, non-U.S.-based course in political science, sociology or anthropology
4 POLI-205 Research Methods I
4 Relevant electives (one course)
2-4 Senior seminar/capstone
Completion of the equivalent of 8SH at the 200-level of a world language

Minor in International Studies

International studies is a superb complement to a number of other majors. Students may choose to minor in international studies by completing 24 semester hours in a focus area. Only courses completed with a grade of C- or above may be counted toward the minor. No more than eight semester hours may be taken at the 100 level.

Double-counting restriction for interdisciplinary minors

Only 8 semester hours of this minor may be double-counted toward the student’s major.

24 Diplomacy

4 Non-U.S. history
4 Non-U.S. literature or religion
8 Political science: Two courses, non-U.S.-based, POLI-131 International Relations encouraged
4 Economics: ECON-201 Principles of Macroeconomics, ECON-338 International Political Economy, or ECON-335 Economic Development encouraged
4 INTD-201 International Studies and Global Challenges

24 Comparative Cultures

4 Introductory anthropology
4 Non-U.S. upper-level anthropology
4 Non-U.S. literature or art history
4 Religious studies or philosophy
4 Non-U.S. history
4 INTD-201 International Studies and Global Challenges

24 Trade and Development

4 ECON-201 Principles of Macroeconomics
4 ECON-338 International Political Economy
or ECON-335 Economic Development
or POLI-333 Development, Globalization and Society
4 History of any non-U.S. region
8 Two upper-level internationally-focused courses in economics, management, marketing, luxury brand marketing and management, ecology, earth & environmental sciences, or environmental studies
4 INTD-201 International Studies and Global Challenges

Foreign service/foreign affairs
Public policy
Law
Business
Finance
Education
Nonprofit management

STUDYING KENYAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Over the course of a summer, Catherine Chodnicki — a triple major in environmental studies, international studies and French studies with a minor in Africana studies — examined how political parties in Kenya change, merge and diminish in the context of a presidential election.