International studies (IS) is an interdisciplinary major with a broad background in international and transnational political, social, economic, commercial, and environmental affairs, together with a comparative study of politics, economics, security, and culture. The goal is to provide students with the necessary tools to understand global processes in their totality and how they are situated and lived in specific regions. The major provides an integrated program of courses that lays the foundation for professional training in a wide variety of areas. Such a foundation can be invaluable in securing a place in competitive graduate or professional schools, which, in turn, prepare students for government service, or for other careers with an international focus, including those in multinational corporations, international finance, non-governmental organizations, and institutions of teaching and research.
The IS major complements numerous majors across campus. Many students choose to double major or enhance their studies with one or more certificates, such as the global health certificate or those offered by the area studies centers.
This major is interdisciplinary, offering a wealth of options. Careful planning and consultation with the IS advisor is especially important.
IS Majors specialize in one of three options:
Option I: Global Security
In this option, majors explore conditions that challenge the ability of people and societies to survive. Students consider the causes of and solutions to political crises and violent conflicts in interstate, transnational, and domestic settings. Using historical and regional approaches, students develop a better understanding of the dilemmas the state and the global community face when confronted by threats to human rights, peace, and stability.
Option II: Politics and Policy in the Global Economy
This option offers a multidisciplinary survey of international economic and political institutions and transactions, as well as the policy issues pertaining to international commerce and trade, international finance and monetary relations, international macroeconomic policy coordination, U.S. trade imbalances, aid and development, and related environmental and natural resource problems.
Option III: Culture in the Age of Globalization
In this option, majors investigate cross-cultural interactions at different levels: local, national, and transnational. Students engage in such issues as cosmopolitanism; international and global flows of images, ideas, and people; questions of identity; changing assumptions of what it means to be indigenous and foreign; globalization and technology; and the impact of globalization on cultures.
Study Abroad
International studies and studying abroad are a natural combination. While study abroad is not a requirement for the major, all IS students are strongly encouraged to pursue a significant international experience during the course of the undergraduate career. Whether through a study abroad program, an internship, or service learning, the experience of studying or working in a foreign culture is invaluable. Many courses taken abroad will count toward the IS major. See the IS advisor for specific guidelines. More information about study abroad and internships is available through International Academic Programs.
How to Get in
Students are advised to declare the major by the end of the sophomore year and/or before studying abroad.
To be eligible to declare the international studies major a student must have completed these courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTL ST 101 | Introduction to International Studies | 3-4 |
| Introductory Economics (complete one): | 4-8 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Economics-Accelerated Treatment 2 | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural and Applied Economics and Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Complete the 5th unit of a foreign language | 3-4 | |
Consult the list of Foreign Language courses on the Requirements page | ||
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| Language | Complete the third unit of a language other than English. |
| LS Breadth | Complete: • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and • 12 credits of Social Science; and • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science. |
| Liberal Arts and Science Coursework | Complete at least 108 credits. |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level. |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | Complete at least 120 credits. |
| UW-Madison Experience | Complete both: • 30 credits in residence, overall, and • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit. |
| Quality of Work | • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison |
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their school/college to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements of the Major
Students must declare the major, complete the common requirements, and the requirements for one of these options within the international studies major:
- Culture in the Age of Globalization
- Global Security
- Politics and Policy in the Global Economy
A student may not declare or earn more than one major option. The major requires 35 credits total. 1
Common Major Requirements
Introductory Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTL ST 101 | Introduction to International Studies | 3-4 |
| Introductory Economics (complete one of the following): | 4-8 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Economics-Accelerated Treatment | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural and Applied Economics and Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Foreign Language (Complete one): | 3-4 | |
| Fifth Semester Arabic | ||
| Sixth Semester Arabic | ||
| Fifth Semester Summer Arabic | ||
| Sixth Semester Summer Arabic | ||
| Fifth Semester Swahili | ||
| Sixth Semester Swahili | ||
| Advanced Readings in Arabic Texts | ||
| Fifth Semester Yoruba | ||
| Sixth Semester Yoruba | ||
| Fifth Semester Chinese | ||
| Sixth Semester Chinese | ||
| Fifth Semester Japanese | ||
| Sixth Semester Japanese | ||
| Fifth Semester Korean | ||
| Sixth Semester Korean | ||
| Fifth Semester Filipino | ||
| Sixth Semester Filipino | ||
| Fifth Semester Hmong | ||
| Sixth Semester Hmong | ||
| Fifth Semester Indonesian | ||
| Sixth Semester Indonesian | ||
| Fifth Semester Thai | ||
| Sixth Semester Thai | ||
| Fifth Semester Vietnamese | ||
| Sixth Semester Vietnamese | ||
| Fifth Semester Hindi | ||
| Sixth Semester Hindi | ||
| Fifth Semester Tibetan | ||
| Sixth Semester Tibetan | ||
| Fifth Semester Persian | ||
| Sixth Semester Persian | ||
| Fifth Semester Urdu | ||
| Sixth Semester Urdu | ||
| Fifth Semester Burmese | ||
| Sixth Semester Burmese | ||
| Fifth Semester Khmer | ||
| Sixth Semester Khmer | ||
| Fifth Semester Southeast Asian Language | ||
| Sixth Semester Southeast Asian Language | ||
| Fifth Semester South Asian Language | ||
| Sixth Semester South Asian Language | ||
| Modern Japanese Literature | ||
| Academic Writing II 1 | ||
| Intermediate Language and Culture | ||
| Literature, Comics, and Film in French | ||
| Advanced Composition and Speaking | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop | ||
| Professional Communication and Culture in the Francophone World | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Business, Government and NGOs | ||
| Medieval and Early Modern French Literature | ||
| Modern French and Francophone Literature | ||
| Visual Culture in French/Francophone Studies | ||
| Medieval and Early Modern Culture | ||
| Modernity Studies | ||
| Applied French Language Studies | ||
| Introduction to the Romance Languages | ||
| Readings in Medieval and Renaissance Literature | ||
| Readings in Early Modern Literature | ||
| Francophone Modernity Studies | ||
| French/Francophone Literary Studies Across the Centuries | ||
| French/Francophone Cultural Studies Across the Centuries | ||
| Introduction to Phonetics | ||
| Dutch Conversation and Composition | ||
| Intermediate German - Speaking and Listening | ||
| Intermediate German-Reading | ||
| Intermediate German-Writing | ||
| Literatur des 20. und 21. Jahrhunderts | ||
| Third Semester Dutch for Graduate Students | ||
| Topics in Dutch Literature | ||
| Advanced Composition & Conversation | ||
| Introduction to German Linguistics | ||
| Topics in German Linguistics | ||
| Study Abroad in German Literature | ||
| Study Abroad in German Culture | ||
| Study Abroad in German Linguistics | ||
| Study Abroad in Dutch Literature | ||
| Study Abroad in Dutch Culture | ||
| Study Abroad in Dutch Linguistics | ||
| Kultur des 20. und 21. Jahrhunderts | ||
| Letterkunde der Lage Landen | ||
| A Theme in German Literature | ||
| Cultuurkunde der Lage Landen | ||
| Seminar in German Culture Studies | ||
| Readings in Greek Literature | ||
| Elementary Prose Composition | ||
| Homer | ||
| Hesiod | ||
| Greek Lyric Poets | ||
| Greek Comedy | ||
| Greek Tragedy | ||
| Thucydides | ||
| Attic Orators | ||
| Hellenistic Greek | ||
| Introduction to Hebrew Literature | ||
| Introduction to Hebrew Literature | ||
| Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture I | ||
| Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture II | ||
| Biblical Texts, Poetry | ||
| Biblical Texts, Poetry | ||
| Modern Italian Culture | ||
| Advanced Italian Language | ||
| Writing Workshop | ||
| Studies in Italian Literature and Culture I | ||
| Studies in Italian Literature and Culture II | ||
| Introduction to the Romance Languages | ||
| Special Topics in Italian Literature | ||
| Special Topics in Italian Studies: Culture, Film, Language | ||
| The 19th Century | ||
| The 18th Century | ||
| Features in Italian Literature | ||
| The Italian Novel | ||
| The Renaissance | ||
| Dante's Divina Commedia | ||
| The 13th Century | ||
| Introduction to Hebrew Literature | ||
| Readings in Latin Literature | ||
| Elementary Prose Composition | ||
| Third Year Conversation and Composition | ||
| Third Year Conversation and Composition | ||
| Fourth Year Composition and Conversation | ||
| Fourth Year Composition and Conversation | ||
| Readings in Norwegian Literature | ||
| Readings in Swedish Literature | ||
| Readings in Danish Literature | ||
| Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: From the Middle Ages to 1900 | ||
| Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: the Twentieth Century | ||
| Contemporary Scandinavian Languages | ||
| Scandinavian Children's Literature | ||
| The Drama of Henrik Ibsen | ||
| The Drama of August Strindberg | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Scandinavian Fiction | ||
| Kierkegaard and Scandinavian Literature | ||
| Contemporary Scandinavian Literature | ||
| The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen | ||
| The Sagas of Icelanders in English Translation | ||
| The Scandinavian Heritage in America | ||
| Third Year Russian I | ||
| Third Year Russian II | ||
| Third Year Polish I | ||
| Third Year Polish II | ||
| Study Abroad in Poland | ||
| Polish Culture and Area Studies on Study Abroad | ||
| Russian Area Studies on Study Abroad | ||
| Russian Language and Culture I | ||
| Russian Language and Culture II | ||
| Fourth Year Russian I | ||
| Fourth Year Russian II | ||
| Fourth Year Polish I | ||
| Fourth Year Polish II | ||
| Chekhov | ||
| Gogol | ||
| Dostoevsky | ||
| Tolstoy | ||
| Soviet Literature | ||
| History of Polish Literature after 1863 | ||
| Introduction to Hispanic Cultures | ||
| Introduction to Hispanic Literatures | ||
| Intermediate Language Practice with Emphasis on Writing and Grammar | ||
| Advanced Language Practice | ||
| Topics in Spanish Language Practice | ||
| Spanish Phonetics | ||
| Survey of Early Hispanic Literature | ||
| Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | ||
| Spanish Civilization | ||
| Spanish American Civilization | ||
| Literatura del Siglo de Oro | ||
| Cervantes | ||
| Literature of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Literatura Hispanoamericana | ||
| The Spanish American Short Story | ||
| Spanish American Theater and Drama | ||
| Spanish American Poetry and Essay | ||
| Topics in Spanish American Literature | ||
| Topics in Hispanic Culture | ||
| Topics in Latinx Culture | ||
| Undergraduate Seminars in Hispanic Literature/Culture/Linguistics | ||
| Total Credits | 10-16 | |
Area Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of: | 3-4 | |
| Africa: An Introductory Survey | ||
| Introduction to East Asian Civilizations | ||
| World Regions in Global Context | ||
| Europe and the Modern World 1815 to the Present | ||
| Introduction to the Modern Middle East | ||
| History of South Asia to the Present | ||
| Introduction to Southeast Asia: Vietnam to the Philippines | ||
| Latin America: An Introduction | ||
| History of Modern China, 1800-1949 | ||
| History of the Peoples Republic of China, 1949 to the Present | ||
| France from Napoleon to the Great War, 1799-1914 | ||
| Contemporary France, 1914 to the Present | ||
| History of Europe Since 1945 | ||
| History of Germany, 1871 to the Present | ||
| The Soviet Union and the World, 1917-1991 | ||
| History of Scandinavia Since 1815 | ||
| History of Southeast Asia Since 1800 | ||
| Introduction to the Middle East | ||
| Russia: An Interdisciplinary Survey | ||
| Eastern Europe: An Interdisciplinary Survey | ||
| Total Credits | 3-4 | |
Complete the Option Core and Issues and Additional Electives of the Declared Option
Options in the Major
Each option in the major requires 35 credits. This is in addition to completing the introductory requirements. Students select one Area Studies course (above), and the option-specific requirements for Core, Issues, and Elective classes.1
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all INTL ST courses and courses approved for the major
- 2.000 GPA on 15 Upper-Level major credits, taken in residence 2
- 15 credits in the major, taken on the UW–Madison campus
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the International Studies Major in consultation with the International Studies advisor(s). They must declare prior to enrollment in their Senior Honors Thesis (typically second semester of junior year).
Requirements for Honors in the Major
To earn Honors in the Major in International Studies, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.500 GPA in major courses
- Complete 16 upper-level major credits, taken for Honors, with individual grades of B or better in each course 2, 3
- Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis, for a total of 6 credits, or two Senior Seminars, with grades of B or better; choose from:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Honors Thesis (2 courses): | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis-First Semester and Senior Honors Thesis-Second Semester | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Seminar (2 courses): | ||
| Topics in Global Security | ||
| Topics in Politics and Policy in the Global Economy | ||
| Topics in Culture in the Age of Globalization | ||
Footnotes
- 1
A maximum four courses from a single SUBJECT may be applied to the 35 credits in the major. This excludes INTL ST courses and courses cross-listed in INTL ST. For example: A student with five POLI SCI courses that could apply to the major will see only four of those courses applying in the International Studies major. (However, if one of those POLI SCI courses is also cross-listed in INTL ST, that course will not count against the limit, and thus, all five POLI SCI courses will apply in the major.) The degree audit (DARS) enforces this limitation.
Though some courses are identified as acceptable for two or more requirements, a course may meet only one requirement within the major. For example, a course that could count in either Option Core or Option Issues will meet only one of those requirements, based on which requirement needs that course to become satisfied. The degree audit (DARS) determines the best scenario.
- 2
Major courses designated Intermediate and Advanced level are considered upper-level.
- 3
A maximum of two courses and 8 credits from UW–Madison Study Abroad may apply to this requirement.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- (Interdisciplinarity) analyzing contemporary political, economic, security and cultural realities globally from multi-disciplinary perspectives, ideally including humanities, social sciences, humanitarian, and sometimes natural science approaches.
- (Depth of knowledge) mastering at the undergraduate generalist level major issues related to key themes in International Studies (e.g. culture, global security and political economy) by taking 15 credits in one particular theme area.
- (Regional (studies) grounding) understanding the social, political, economic and cultural forces and conditions that have given rise to the unity and diversity of a specific region of the world today.
- (Language knowledge) mastering at the undergraduate generalist level a particular facet of life in one or more region of the world by studying a foreign language to at least the advanced (5th semester) level.
- (Analytical skills) demonstrating the ability to think critically and analytically, the capacity to write clearly and effectively, and the ability to identify and evaluate research methods and outcomes.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| INTL ST 101 | 4 | ECON 101 | 4 |
| COUN PSY 125 | 1 | Foreign Language | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | Communication B | 4 |
| Communication A | 3 | Physical Science Breadth | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Declare the IS Major (before 86 credits) | Issues in IS Major | 3 | |
| ECON 102 | 3 | Issues in IS Major | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | Foreign Language Language | 4 |
| Area Studies in IS Major | 3 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Biological Science Breadth | 3 | Literature Breadth | 3 |
| Apply for Summer Internship | |||
| 13 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Recommend Study Abroad | Recommend Study Abroad | ||
| Issues in IS Major | 3 | Issues in IS Major | 3 |
| Issues in IS Major | 3 | Elective in IS Major | 4 |
| 5th Semester Language | 3 | L&S Breadth | 3 |
| L&S Breadth | 3 | L&S Breadth | 3 |
| L&S Breadth | 3 | Free Elective (or I/A level Math, Comp Sci, or Stats for BS) | 3 |
| Apply for Summer Internship | |||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Track Core in IS Major | 3 | Track Core in IS Major | 3 |
| Elective in IS Major | 3 | Elective in IS Major | 3 |
| L&S Breadth | 3 | Elective in IS Major | 3 |
| L&S Breadth | 3 | L&S Breadth | 3 |
| Free Elective (or IA level Math, Comp Sci, or Stats for BS) | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Advising Staff
International studies majors have a wide variety of academic advising and career resources and support. Academic advising is essential to a successful undergraduate experience. For this reason, the international studies major has a professional advisor, a peer advisor, and a career advisor. We recommend that you meet with your advisor at least once per semester to track progress toward your degree, explore study abroad options, and begin the career exploration process. The IS major offers walk-in advising, advising workshops, and scheduled appointments. Students exploring the IS major should plan to attend an Intro to the IS Major workshop, watch the Intro to the IS Major video, or meet with a peer advisor. To learn more about academic advising information, please visit the IS Major website.
Students should also begin the career advising process early. The international studies major offers a one-credit career class designed for sophomores or juniors. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with both the IS career advisor and SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science, and to apply for internship opportunities — both domestically and via International Internship Programs or the Washington, D.C. Internship Program. The IS major also advertises career events across campus that will benefit undergraduate students, hosts career workshops, and has a transition checklist to help students prepare for post-undergraduate life. For more information, please visit our website.
Molly Donnellan, Academic Advisor
Csanád Siklós, PhD, Academic Advisor
Emmeline Prattke, Career Advisor
The program encourages our majors to begin working on their career exploration and preparation soon after arriving on campus. We partner with SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science. L&S graduates are in high demand by employers and graduate programs. It is important to us that our students are career ready at the time of graduation, and we are committed to your success.
L&S Career Resources
Every L&S major opens a world of possibilities. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and other coursework into fulfilling lives after graduation, whether that means jobs, public service, graduate school or other career pursuits.
In addition to providing basic support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.
Students can explore careers in one-on-one advising, try out different career paths, complete internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and connect with supportive alumni and even employers in the fields that inspire them.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- Enroll in a Career Course - a great idea for first- and second-year students:
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit)
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Comm B General Education Requirement)
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- INTER-LS 260 Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Activate your Handshake account to apply for jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers recruiting UW-Madison students
- Learn about the impact SuccessWorks has on students' lives
People
The International Studies Major is directed by Dr. Erica Simmons, Associate Professor of Political Science.
The advisors for the international studies major are Molly Donnellan and Dr. Csanád Siklós.
The career advisor is Emmeline Prattke.
Please visit our website for a list of faculty and instructional staff.
Wisconsin Experience
Study Abroad
International studies majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. The International Studies Major website provides information about how to plan your experience abroad.
Internship Abroad
International studies majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Please review information on the International Studies Major website and the International Internship Program website about opportunities.
Undergraduate Research
The international studies major encourages students to become engaged in undergraduate research. There are numerous programs that provide research opportunities for undergraduates at UW–Madison, including:
Resources and Scholarships
For information on scholarships and awards through the IS Major, please see our website or contact our advisors. IS Majors are also strongly encouraged to contact the Awards Office at the Institute for Regional and International Studies to explore multiple international awards and scholarships.