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International Affairs—Bachelor of Arts

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Website: Department of Political Science

College/School: College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 

Apply to UIW: Application for the Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs

Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs

The Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs degree program is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing upon courses and faculty in schools and departments from across the University. An emphasis is on a broad understanding of the globalized world, including language preparation, to make the most of cross-border cultural experiences and study abroad opportunities. The International Affairs major and concentration includes an international inter-cultural experience in cooperation with the Liza and Jack Lewis III Center of the Americas. The Center of the Americas offers bi-national courses in collaboration between UIW Campuses in Bajío, Irapuato, Centro Universitario Incarnate Word in Mexico City, and the Broadway Avenue campus in San Antonio. Students are encouraged to participate in an immersive, longer-term study abroad experience as well.

Knowledge of the interdependent world in which we live and work is essential to all citizens. The International Affairs degree program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation to expand awareness and understanding of the complex world and promotion of responsible development, peace, and justice. An appreciation of others’ values and institutions increases mutual understanding, enriches individual lives, and prepares citizens and students for work in the global environment. The major and concentration provides students with a broad, internationally-grounded education helping students to appreciate what the United Nations calls the “common heritage of mankind”—the contributions to knowledge made by the many societies of our globe—to recognize and value cultural pluralism, and to feel comfortable negotiating a multicultural world.  With this focus on globalization, the degree program aims to educate the next generation of scholars and professionals who will carry forward a commitment to international knowledge, teaching, and service.

A minimum of 120 credit hours are required to complete the Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs degree program.

Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs Degree Plan

International Affairs majors must also complete either a minor or an interdisciplinary concentration in addition to the major. Students who are majoring in International Affairs and taking the concentration in Pre-Law may not count courses toward both the major and the concentration with the exception of POLS 1315.

UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum

UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.

 

UIW Core Curriculum 
 Composition and Rhetoric  6 credit hours 
 Literature and Art 6 credit hours 
 Science and Mathematics 7 credit hours 
 History and Behavioral Science 6 credit hours 
 Philosophy and Religion  9 credit hours 
 Second Language  6 credit hours 
 Wellness and Physical Education  3 credit hours
  43 total core credit hours
   
 Community Service  45 clock hours (non-credit) 

Required Courses

POLS 2305Introduction to Political Studies

3

POLS 2320International Relations

3

POLS 2325Social Science Research Methods

3

POLS 3110International Studies Colloquium

1

POLS 4495International Affairs Capstone

4

Total Credit Hours:15

POLS 3110 must be taken twice for a total of 2 credit hours.

Study Abroad Experience

The Study Abroad requirement may be satisfied through cross-border cultural experience with participation in Liza and Jack Lewis III Center of the Americas bi-national courses or other study abroad experience as approved by the International Affairs advisor.

Modern Languages Requirement

6 credit hours of Modern Languages beyond the elementary level are required. Substitution for international students may be available.

Total Credit Hours:6

Fine Arts and Humanities Requirements

9 credit hours to be selected from Fine Arts and Humanities courses, as listed.

ARTH 2361Art History: Ancient through Medieval

3

ARTH 2362Art History: Renaissance to Modern

3

ARTH 3350Latin American Art: 20th Century

3

ARTH 3357History of Photography

3

ARTH 4350Modern Art of Mexico

3

CLST 2320Cultural Studies Methods: Inquiry and Evidence

3

CLST 3325Cultural Studies Theory

3

CLST 4399Selected Topics in Cultural Studies

3

ENGL 4320Period Studies

3

ENGL 4340/THAR 4385Major Authors

3

ENGL 4350Literary Movements

3

HIST 3331Colonial Latin America

3

HIST 3332Latin America Since Independence

3

HIST 3340Modern Europe

3

HIST 4332Mexico

3

HIST 4350Topics in World History

3

MUSI 3348Studies in World Music

3

PHIL 3325Philosophy of Culture

3

PHIL 3355World Philosophy

3

PHIL 3385Justice: Tradition and Transformation

3

RELS 3322Christianity Through Art

3

RELS 3350Environmental Theology and Ethics

3

RELS 4345Theologies of Liberation

3

SPAN 3311Culture and Civilization of Spain

3

SPAN 3312Culture and Civilization of Latin America

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Social Sciences and Business Requirements

9 credit hours to be selected from Social Science and Business courses, as listed.

ANTH 1311Cultural Anthropology

3

ANTH 3332/SOCI 3332Cross-Cultural Communication

3

BINT 3331International Business Management

3

BINT 3345/ACCT 3345International Accounting

3

BINT 3355/BFIN 3355International Banking and Finance

3

BINT 3361International Marketing

3

ECON 2301Principles of Macroeconomics

3

ECON 4310International Economics

3

ECON 4350Latin American Economics

3

GOVT 2376Model Organization of American States

3

GOVT 3376Model United Nations

3

POLS 1391Human Rights

3

POLS 2350Environmental Politics

3

POLS 2375International Organizations

3

POLS 3350European Politics

3

POLS 3351Politics of Asia

3

POLS 3352Politics of the Middle East

3

POLS 3356Terrorism and Conflict in the International Arena

3

POLS 4321United States Foreign Policy

3

POLS 4330International Law

3

POLS 4355Politics of Developing Areas

3

POLS 4356Latin American and Caribbean Politics

3

POLS 4363/HIST 4363Political Globalization

3

POLS 4387Topics in Comparative Politics or International Relations

3

Total Credit Hours:9

General Electives

General elective courses must be taken as needed to fulfill the 120 credit-hour program requirement.

Total Credit Hours: 120