Minor in International Studies

Overview

The College of Mount Saint Vincent offers a minor in International Studies, an interdisciplinary program of 10 participating departments jointly offering 61 courses. The program prepares students for dialogue between cultures and civilizations.

The International Studies minor is a multidisciplinary program in which students are exposed to economics, art, social and political history, literature, and a modern language (other than English) of their choice. Any discipline can enrich International Studies if it contributes to a better understanding of the nature of international issues.

The International Studies minor broadens the knowledge base of students wishing to pursue a graduate education in law or in international studies, as well as those seeking careers in international affairs, business, government, non-governmental organizations, or international organizations.

The field of International Studies emphasizes a multicultural world view, valuing multilingual competency and fostering understanding and communication across cultural divides. Students at the Mount come from many different countries, and the proportion of students whose mother tongue is not English is over 40%. Given its multicultural orientation, the International Studies minor meets both the interpersonal and the intellectual needs of this diverse group of students.

Program Goals

The goal of the International Studies minor is to contribute to a better understanding of the nature of international issues by equipping students with a relational, interdisciplinary and multicultural perspective on international society and systems, at both the intergovernmental and non-governmental levels. Emphasis is placed on cross-cultural communication and the acquisition of multilingual competency.

Program Requirements

1. The minor in International Studies is 18 course credits.
2. One course must be in Modern Languages and Literatures, in addition to the 6-credit core curriculum requirement. This can be any 200- or 300-level language or culture course, according the student’s needs.
3. Five additional courses must be taken in the eligible disciplines, which include Accounting, Business, and Economics, Communication, English, Fine Arts, History, Modern Languages and Literatures, Philosophy/Religious Studies, Psychology, and Sociology. At least one course must be in Accounting, Business, and Economics, and at least one in History.
4. No more than two courses can be taken in any one discipline.
5. At least four of the courses must be at the 300/400 level.
6. A minimum grade of C is required for credit in each of the six courses.
7. No more than six credits can be accepted from courses that have been taken to satisfy requirements in a student’s major or minor, or in the core curriculum.
8. A minor contract must be approved by the coordinator(s) of the minor in International Studies.

Course Requirements

Category A. One course in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, in addition to the six-credit core curriculum requirement. This can be any 200- or 300-level language or culture course, according to the student’s level of proficiency. See course descriptions. (3 credits)

Category B. Five courses from the following list of courses, no more than two of which can be taken in any one discipline. At least one course must be in Accounting, Business, and Economics, and one in History. (15 credits)

FREN 216/316 Aspects of French and Francophone Culture

Contact
(718) 405-3493 or 3787
internationalstudies@mountsaintvincent.edu