Online BA in International Studies CurriculumOnline BA in International Studies CurriculumOnline BA in International Studies Curriculum

Today’s global economy has increased the demand for workers who are well-versed in subjects like diplomacy, trade, politics, and international markets. One way to gain this knowledge is by earning an online degree in international studies. This degree can help you prepare for rewarding careers in diverse fields like journalism, business, law, government, and international aid.

Your international studies degree can provide you with an exciting chance to learn how cultures, global issues, and international relations shape our world. With opportunities to study abroad, learn new languages, and build your appreciation of multiple cultures, this degree program opens the door to a world of possibilities.

Maryville University Online BA in International Studies Curriculum

Maryville’s online Bachelor of Arts in International Studies program comprises 128 credit hours and includes coursework in general education, the international studies major, and electives. International Studies major courses are designed to help you develop a comprehensive worldview as you explore topics in global culture, history, economics, politics, art, music, and literature.

International Studies Core

  • One of the following: COMM 422 Global Communication OR INTL 495 Internship.

    This course is an introductory survey of the interdisciplinary character of International Studies through examining international politics, economics, society, history, and literature. It explores the origins and development of the field, major trends and themes in international and global affairs and key international topics that affect all of our lives.

  • This course is an advanced examination of contemporary events, trends, and problems facing humans and societies in an increasingly interdependent world. Global issues will be analyzed through an international studies approach to increase awareness and provide an analytical framework for understanding and addressing the challenges that extend beyond borders of individual states and affect political, social and economic well-being of populations around the globe. Prerequisite: INTL-101 or BUS 125 and Junior Status

  • This course consists of an independent research project, under the guidance and supervision of a faculty member. The student writes a substantial paper on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the instructor.

  • This course focuses on communication systems in world cultures with an emphasis on understanding the social, cultural, political, and economic effects on different systems.Students will also explore intercultural communication and the challenges of communicating in a global environment.

  • Students will gain experience working with organizations having an international focus. A minimum of 135 hours of work is necessary. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Status

World Art/Music

Choose one course.

  • This course is a historical survey which presents a global view of art from prehistoric art in Europe through the 14th century. Content introduces beginning students to the works of all artists, including women and artists of color.

  • This course is a historical survey that presents a global view of art from the early Renaissance in Europe through contemporary art in the United States. Content introduces the works of all artists, including women and artists of color.

  • This course introduces the music of different cultures, excluding the Western Euro-American tradition. It explores art and ethnic music of India, Indonesia and the Far East as well as Africa, South America, and Australia.

World Literature

Choose one course.

  • This class begins four thousand years ago, with the Epic of Gilgamesh, the first great work of world literature, and then moves through the ancient and medieval world up to the 17th century. Readings may draw from classic works such as The Odyssey, Greek tragedies and comedies, The Aeneid, Beowulf, The Divine Comedy, The Journey to the West, Narrow Road to the Interior, The Canterbury Tales, and Don Quixote. The class may also include writers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine, as well as selections from the Bible, the Koran, and the Bhagavad-Gita.

  • Individuality and personal freedom, or alienation and existential despair? This class explores the development of modernity as reflected and developed in the literatures of the world from the 18th century to the present. Readings will be drawn from various global traditions, and may include authors such as Goethe, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Baudelaire, Rilke, Lu Xun, Kafka, Akhmatova, Camus, Abe, and Allende

World Culture

  • Choose one course.

    This course introduces the student to selected Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures in order to increase global awareness and understanding and to enhance cross-cultural tolerance and communication.

  • The course introduces the basic beliefs and practices of the major religious cultures of the world. By comparing these beliefs with their own, students better understand their own beliefs and practices and become aware of how people of other cultures think and act religiously. Students develop a tolerance and an appreciation for other cultures and a basis for fuller international awareness and understanding.

World History

Choose one course.

  • This course explores significant people, movements, events, and ideas in the major civilizations of the world to about 1500. Our class will permit students to compare civilizations, empires, religions, epistemologies, and cultures on a planetary scale. From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Machiavelli’s The Prince, students will analyze primary sources to better understand human societies in their own words and works. This class will also incorporate the use of games, the sampling of global cuisines, and the analysis of art and music to achieve an in-depth, yet broad survey of human history to the Early Modern period.

  • What does it means to live in a truly “globalized” world? How have human societies, and the identities of their members, changed in response to human migration on a planetary scale? This course investigates these and other questions about human cultural and civilizational encounters following the Colombian Exchange. Students will explore the most recent five hundred years of human history, interrogating the global impact of such phenomena as the Atlantic slave trade; the Reformation; the emergence of nation-states and European empires; the industrialization of nations and the embrace of capitalism; political revolutions and the unraveling of empires; the two world wars and the Cold War; climate change, and extremist terrorism.

World Economics

Choose one course.

  • This course introduces the economic perspective on decisions currently faced by individuals, businesses, and society. Basic economic principles and methods are used to address both microeconomic and macroeconomic topics, with a focus on the modern market economy. Essential content includes the laws of supply and demand; the behavior of consumers and firms; the function of resource markets; macroeconomic measures of economic growth, unemployment, and inflation; the use of fiscal and monetary policy to achieve macroeconomic goals; and an overview of international trade.

World Politics

Choose one course.

  • This is an introductory course which examines the interaction of military, political, economic, social and cultural forces in present-day world politics. Four sections make up this course: (1) history, concepts, and theories of world politics, (2) international security and globalization, (3) international political economy, and (4) contemporary issues in world politics. Among the topics covered are anarchy, terrorism, hegemonic stability and the rise and fall of the great powers, the changing role of state sovereignty, and the role of justice and international/transnational legal institutions in world politics.

  • This course studies several Western, Communist/former Communist, and Third World political systems using comparative analysis.

World Language

Choose one course.

  • This course introduces the structures of Spanish with emphasis on speaking, listening, and writing skills.

  • This course further develops skills in speaking and writing Spanish. Students are introduced to Spanish fiction and non-fiction.

  • A continued development of all language skills, this course emphasizes reading and discussion of fiction and non- fiction. Conducted in Spanish.

  • A continued development of all language skills, this course includes reading and discussion of fiction and non-fiction. Conducted in Spanish.

To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry trends. Undergraduate programs and certificates are designed to be taken at a part-time pace. Please speak to your advisor for more details.

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What skills and competencies are taught in an international studies degree?

Your online international studies curriculum can help you learn valuable skills to build your international and cultural awareness, including:

  • Cross-cultural skills. The world has gone global, and that means bringing a robust set of cross-cultural skills to the table. When you earn your online international studies degree, you can gain an appreciation for and understanding of a wide array of backgrounds and learn how to navigate international relationships. You can then take your online classroom knowledge to the real world through experiential learning opportunities.
  • Leadership. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 80% of the world’s purchasing power and 92% of its economic growth lie outside of the United States. Foreign trade regulations and activities affect the lives of 41 million Americans. Because our world is so interconnected, strong leaders must step forward to continue to guide global progress. Many businesses and organizations coordinate with worldwide markets and economies, and a B.A. in International Studies can help you to become a leader in problem-solving and analysis.
  • Understanding of current global issues. International studies experts expect topics like foreign policy, immigration, trade, environment, and national security to remain at the forefront of political conversations for the foreseeable future. The outcomes of these conversations impact global markets and economies. When earning your international studies degree, you can gain insight into current global issues and how they impact the political climate of today and beyond.
  • Knowledge of international politics, social policy, and culture. Your international studies curriculum can give you the opportunity to explore the traditions, languages, beliefs, and political systems of different cultures. By doing so, you can expand your knowledge of how these characteristics influence international relations, policy, trade agreements, market share, and pop culture.

What international studies courses can I expect to find in my online bachelor’s program?

An international studies curriculum includes courses designed to enhance your perspective, allowing for a broader, more global mindset that you can apply across a number of careers and industries. Here are some classes you will have the option of taking:

  • Introduction to International and Global Studies. By examining history, literature, politics, economics, and societies from around the world, this course gives an overview of the interdisciplinary character of international studies. Analyze themes and trends in current international relations and global affairs, and see how they relate to and affect everyday life.
  • World Arts and Ideas. These courses are intended to provide a historical survey of art from prehistoric times to the modern era. Develop an increased understanding of the belief systems of various cultures and the events that shaped them, interpreted through the lens of artistic expression.
  • Intercultural Studies. Evaluating and interpreting current affairs with open-mindedness requires an understanding of the different cultures influencing issues throughout our global society. If you choose to take this course, you’ll explore a variety of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures with the goal of helping you understand foreign histories, values, motives, and belief systems.
  • World Politics. This course lays the foundation for your understanding of the global political situation. In this course, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about subjects like world geography, characteristics of the global system of states in anarchy, causes of war, international treaties, and foreign policy.

Learn more about pursuing an online degree in international studies.

If you’re looking for a career that has a global impact, a bachelor’s degree in international studies is an excellent first step.

At Maryville University, our online degree program was built to help you gain important insights, broaden your perspective, and develop potentially world-changing solutions to current issues. And while our online program means you can earn your degree from the comfort of home, you aren’t limited to your desk. Through optional study abroad, virtual study abroad, and internship opportunities, you’re able to put your studies into real-world practice.

Our online international studies curriculum can prepare you to pursue a rewarding global career. Learn more about our online Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, and see how you can make an impact in today’s interconnected world.

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