Auburn Bulletin 2023-2024

International Studies in Liberal Arts (ISLA)

International Studies in Liberal Arts is directed toward students interested in the broad study of social, political, cultural and economic global issues, and who want to develop language skills, expertise in a regional area, and personal experience in other cultures.

Housed in the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures but with the support of departments in the humanities, fine arts, and social sciences, the International Studies in Liberal Arts program is an interdisciplinary major in the College of Liberal Arts. It offers a broad, interdisciplinary approach to international issues, as well as the opportunity to select a regional focus. Students may choose to focus in a particular region of the world, such as Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, or Asia. All ISLA students are required to complete at least four semesters of a foreign language specific to their regional concentration. They are also expected to experience a total cultural immersion by participating in a study abroad program in a country that speaks their chosen language and is within their regional concentration Finally, ISLA majors are required to complete an internship either abroad, or with an international company based in the US. Along the way students will also take courses that introduce them to the cultures, history, and achievements of the region in which they wish to concentrate. At the end of the program, students will complete a capstone project, working with CLA faculty members in different departments to ensure a broad-based experience in writing and researching methodologies in line with their regional focus.

Students with the International Studies in Liberal Arts B.A. degree are well prepared to work in education, tourism, translation, federal and state government, research and policy think tanks, non-profit and foreign aid organizations, law, the cooperative job sector, international banking and business, and military service.

The College also offers an array of study abroad, exchange, and international internship programs as well as minors and certificates in relevant topics.  Check with CLA advisors for more information about these options.

Freshman
FallHoursSpringHours
ENGL 1100 English Composition I3ENGL 1120 English Composition II3
FLGC 1150 Global Fluency and Awareness3Elementary World Language II4
Elementary World Language I4Core Social Science or Core History to complete the sequence13
Core Math3Core Science4
Core History3 
 16 14
Sophomore
FallHoursSpringHours
Core Literature3Intermediate World Language II4
Core Science4COMM 1000 Public Speaking3
Intermediate World Language I4POLI 1050 Global Politics and Issues3
LBAR 2010 Liberal Arts Careers Preparation2POLI 3090 Introduction to International Relations3
GEOG 1010 Global Geography3Core Humanities or Core Literature to complete sequence13
 16 16
Junior
FallHoursSpringHours
LBAR 4920 International Studies Internship3SOCY 1000 Sociology: Global Perspective3
Core Fine Arts3COMM 3450 Intercultural Communication3
Regional Concentration26Regional Concentration23
Courses for Approved Minor33Elective3
 Courses for Approved Minor33
 15 15
Senior
FallHoursSpringHours
Regional Concentration3LBAR 4800 International Studies Senior Capstone3
Courses for Approved Minor36Regional Concentration23
Elective6Courses for Approved Minor33
 Elective4
 15 13
Total Hours: 120