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 required 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 approved internship either abroad, or with an international company or organization 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
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ENGL 1100 English Composition I	3	ENGL 1120 English Composition II	3
FLGC 1150 Global Fluency and Awareness	3	Elementary World Language II	4
Elementary World Language I	4	Core Social Science or Core History to complete the sequence¹	3
Core Math	3	Core Science	4
Core History	3
	16		14
Sophomore
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
Core Literature	3	Intermediate World Language II	4
Core Science	4	COMM 1000 Public Speaking	3
Intermediate World Language I	4	POLI 1050 Global Politics and Issues	3
LBAR 2010 Liberal Arts Careers Preparation	2	POLI 3090 Introduction to International Relations	3
GEOG 1010 Global Geography	3	Core Humanities or Core Literature to complete sequence¹	3
	16		16
Junior
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
LBAR 4920 International Studies Internship	3	SOCY 1000 Sociology: Global Perspective	3
Core Fine Arts	3	COMM 3450 Intercultural Communication	3
Regional Concentration²	6	Regional Concentration²	3
Courses for Approved Minor³	3	Elective	3
		Courses for Approved Minor³	3
	15		15
Senior
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
Regional Concentration	3	LBAR 4800 International Studies Senior Capstone	3
Courses for Approved Minor³	6	Regional Concentration²	3
Elective	6	Courses for Approved Minor³	3
		Elective	4
	15		13
Total Hours: 120

¹: Students are required to complete a two-course history sequence or a two-course literature sequence. They are also required to complete one Core History or Core Literature in the discipline not selected as the sequence.
²: Students will complete five courses in one regional area (Asia, Europe, Latin America, or Africa & Middle East).
³: Students must complete a minor approved by advisor.