Course Catalog 2012-2013
Veerendra Lele, Director
Gary Baker (Modern Languages), Brenda Boyle (English), John Cort (Religion) on leave 2012-13, Katy Crossley-Frolick (Political Science), John Davis (Sociology/Anthropology), Susan Diduk (Sociology/Anthropology) Quentin Duroy (Economics), Veronica Gonzalez-Lopez (Spanish), Alina Haliliuc (Communication), Fadhel Kaboub (Economics), Sangeet Kumar (Communication), Andrew Law (Off-Campus Study), Veerendra Lele (Sociology/Anthropology), Jeehyun Lim (English), Diana Mafe (English) on leave Spring 2013, Damien Mahiet (Music) on leave 2012-13, Isis Nusair (International Studies and Women's Studies), Jim Pletcher (Political Science), Taku Suzuki (International Studies), Peggy Wang (Art History), Ping Yang (Communication); Academic Administrative Assistant Truet McDowell
International Studies is a double major open to students who are also completing a second major in any of the disciplinary or programmatic majors offered at Denison. Students cannot major in International Studies as a single major. Students wanting to major in International Studies are encouraged to articulate a synergistic relationship between their other major and their program of study in International Studies. A double major in International Studies exposes students to frameworks that highlight connectedness on a global level in terms that are broadly historical and geographical. It also focuses on transnational processes involving, among other things, political regimes, cultural formations and economic relations.
The general requirements for a major in International Studies are:
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Three core courses in International Studies. These courses are taught by different members of the international studies faculty and should be taken in sequence with the Senior Capstone seminar taken in fall semester of the senior year. Students who are considering majoring in International Studies are strongly encouraged to take the section of INTL-200 entitled "Themes in International Studies," which is offered in the spring semester.
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Two foundation courses in theories and methodologies associated with the dominant paradigms of international studies: political economy and approaches to culture. Courses that fulfill this requirement are offered in numerous departments and programs. The list of courses is updated each semester and is distributed regularly by the International Studies Program. The list is also available on the International Studies home page.
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Four courses organized into a thematic concentration. Concentrations are meant to be a focal point of a student's curricular plan, an area of scholarly interest where students seek more in-depth study. Individual students define a coherent thematic focus in terms of their own specific interests in consultation with an International Studies faculty advisor. The four courses selected for the concentration are drawn from regular departmental and programmatic course offerings. The courses selected should reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the International Studies Program. Students may include one on-campus independent study and up to two courses from an off-campus study program (subject to approval by the International Studies Committee and the Registrar).
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One year of language training beyond the old General Education requirement. Where possible, language training should be consistent with the student's concentration and his or her off-campus experience. In most cases this additional year will be in the same language as that used to fulfill the General Education requirement, unless otherwise justified (e.g., in special cases where the concentration might warrant studying another language).
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Off-campus study experience that is relevant to the student's course of study. The off-campus experience can involve an approved off-campus study program, an internship related to International Studies or a Denison course that has a significant (at least 4 weeks) off-campus component. The off-campus experience should carry academic credit.
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Students must declare their intention to major in International Studies in the second semester of their sophomore year. At that time, students submit a proposal in which they discuss the goals of their overall academic program, the linkages between their two majors, a curricular plan for both majors, their concentration in International Studies and their plans for off-campus study. The proposal must be based on discussions between the student and his or her International Studies academic advisors. The International Studies faculty committee must approve the proposal.
A total of three (3) courses may be double counted with the student's other major; of these, no more than two (2) of the concentration courses may be double counted.
Introduction to International Studies: The Making of the Modern World (INTL-100). Introduction to themes, concepts and approaches to International Studies from an interdisciplinary perspective. The course explores key concepts of modernity in the context of specific cultural, political, and economic experiences within a historical framework. This course must be taken before the end of the sophomore year. 4
Dilemmas in the International System (INTL-200). This course explores in specific, contextualized terms, particular dilemmas associated with increased linkages, interdependence and connection in the global system. Some of the dilemmas are reconstituted versions of historical problems involving competing claims to territory, human rights, war, over-population, migration, and global hunger. But other problems such as cultural imperialism, environmental degradation, and north-south conflict over "development" issues are intrinsic to the present period. The specific topic or dilemma addressed will vary according to the interest of the faculty member teaching the course. 4
Intermediate Topics in International Studies (INTL-299). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4
Directed Study (INTL-361). Directed studies are undertaken at the initiative of the student and may involve any topic acceptable to the student and an instructor. Written consent. 1-4
Directed Study (INTL-362). Directed studies are undertaken at the initiative of the student and may involve any topic acceptable to the student and an instructor. Written consent. 1-4
Independent Study (INTL-363). Written consent. 1-4
Independent Study (INTL-364). Written consent. 1-4
Senior Capstone Seminar (INTL-400). This seminar integrates the three core courses, the four concentration courses, the off-campus experience, the language training, and the other major into a culminating research project. It focuses on theoretical tools, frameworks and methodologies in International Studies. This seminar emphasizes the development of independent research skills and scholarly writing in connection with a research project based on individual students' interests. 4