2025-2026 Academic Catalog
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Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Core Requirements | ||
| Required International Studies Courses | ||
| IS 1034 | Introduction to International Studies and Political Science | 3 |
| IS 2084 | The Evolution of World Order | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Selected World Problems | ||
| Selected World Problems | ||
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Required Foreign Language | ||
| Select 12 credits of a single foreign language at the 3000-4000 level 1 | 12 | |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| IS 1004 | Nations and Nationalities | 3 |
| IS 2004 | Research and Writing in International Studies | 3 |
| IS 2054 | Introduction to World Politics | 3 |
| IS 2064 | The Global Economy and World Politics | 3 |
| IS 3615 | International Relations | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Global Security | ||
| Global Conflict and War | ||
| Human Security | ||
| International Communication (Senior Standing in IS and instructor consent required) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Global Trade: Structures and Policies | ||
| Monetary Foundations of the World Economy | ||
| Global Development | ||
| Global Development | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in International Studies (Senior Standing in IS and instructor consent required) | ||
| International Development | ||
| Seminar in Diplomacy and Security | ||
| Topics in Diplomacy Lab | ||
| Seminar in Global Political Economy | ||
| Seminar in Global Development | ||
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 15 hours of elective courses (see below): 2,3,4,5 | 15 | |
| Select remaining credit hours of Free Electives to fulfill remaining credits required for graduation. | 18 | |
| Subtotal | 33 | |
| Pathways to General Education 6 | ||
| Pathways Concept 1 - Discourse | ||
| ENGL 1105 | First-Year Writing (1F) | 3 |
| ENGL 1106 | First-Year Writing (1F) | 3 |
| IS 2004 | Research and Writing in International Studies (1A ; major requirement) | 3 |
| Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities | ||
| Select six hours in Pathway 2 | 6 | |
| Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences | ||
| IS 2054 | Introduction to World Politics (major requirement) | 3 |
| IS 2064 | The Global Economy and World Politics (major requirement) | 3 |
| Pathways Concept 4 - Reasoning in the Natural Sciences | ||
| Select six hours in Pathway 4 | 6 | |
| Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking | ||
| Select six hours in Pathway 5f | 6 | |
| Select three hours in Pathway 5a 7 | 3 | |
| Pathways Concept 6 - Critique and Practice in Design and the Arts | ||
| Select three hours in Pathway 6a | 3 | |
| Select three hours in Pathway 6d | 3 | |
| Pathways Concept 7 - Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States | ||
| Nations and Nationalities (major requirement) | ||
| Subtotal | 42 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
See undergraduate course catalog for current course offerings.
The following courses are only offered as Pass/Fail and can be used toward fulfillment of this requirement:
The following courses are excluded and cannot be used to fulfill this requirement:
Please note that not all courses are offered each semester. Check with the department offering the course to find out when courses are offered.
Check the Undergraduate Course Catalog or the Timetable of classes for the most up to date course restrictions and pre-requisites.
The content of the Independent Study or Special Study, as well as the topic of Undergraduate Research should be relevant to the International Relations major. Please ask the International Studies advisor in advance whether the proposed Independent Study or Special Study or Undergraduate Research, topic qualifies.
For the IPPL, IREL, IS, or NSFA majors you must complete the following requirements for the Pathways to General Education. More details and course listings can be found at the following link: https://www.pathways.prov.vt.edu.
You must complete each requirement listed.
Prerequisites of MATH 1014 Precalculus with Transcendental Functions or higher may be required.
Elective courses listed below are organized topically for presentational purposes. Students may choose courses from any list to receive elective credit for the International Studies major. IS major courses selected will not double count toward IS major electives.
Note: Courses may have prerequisites. Not all courses are offered each se`mester. Please inquire with the respective department offering the course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFST 2204 | Race and Gender in Religion and Culture | 3 |
| AFST 2454 | Race and Racism | 3 |
| AAEC 1005 | Economics of the Food and Fiber System | 3 |
| AAEC 1006 | Economics of the Food and Fiber System | 3 |
| ECON 3024 | Economic Justice | 3 |
| GEOG 1004 | Introduction to Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 2034 | Geography of Global Conflict | 3 |
| GEOG 4074 | Medical Geography of Infectious Diseases | 3 |
| HIST 3254 | The Vietnam War | 3 |
| HIST 3364 | The Age of Revolution and Napoleon | 3 |
| HIST 3494 | The Holocaust | 3 |
| HIST 3554 | Age of Globalization | 3 |
| HIST 3624 | Health and Illness in African History | 3 |
| HUM 1324 | Introductory Humanities: The Modern World | 3 |
| HUM 2104 | Oral Traditions and Culture | 3 |
| IS 2084 | The Evolution of World Order | 3 |
| IS 2134 | Geography of the Global Economy | 3 |
| IS 2474 | Religion and Violence | 3 |
| IS 2484 | Religion and Politics | 3 |
| IS 3064 | Food Politics | 3 |
| IS 3144 | Global Governance and Public Policy | 3 |
| IS 3184 | Human Security | 3 |
| IS 3384 | Politics of Global and Comparative Migration | 3 |
| IS 3394 | Comparative Politics of Immigrant Inclusion | 3 |
| IS 3634 | Human Rights: Global Issues | 3 |
| IS 4004 | Seminar in International Studies | 3 |
| IS 4014 | International Development | 3 |
| IS 4034 | Topics in Diplomacy Lab | 3 |
| IS 4054 | Seminar in Global Political Economy | 3 |
| IS 4064 | Seminar in Global Development | 3 |
| IS 4614 | Senior Seminar in International Relations | 3 |
| IS 4734 | Theories and Practices of International Conflict Management | 3 |
| PSCI 2014 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| PSCI 3255 | The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Gender | 3 |
| PSCI 3256 | The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Gender | 3 |
| PSCI 3384 | Politics of Global and Comparative Migration | 3 |
| PSCI 3394 | Comparative Politics of Immigrant Inclusion | 3 |
| PSCI 3684 | Indigenous Peoples and World Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 3694 | Far-right Violence in the United States | 3 |
| PSCI 3724 | Poverty and Welfare Policy | 3 |
| PSCI 3744 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PSCI 3754 | American Political Theory | 3 |
| PSCI 3764 | Contemporary Democratic Theory | 3 |
| PSCI 3774 | Marxian Political Analysis | 3 |
| PSCI 4414 | Senior Seminar in Public Administration | 3 |
| PSCI 4614 | Senior Seminar in International Relations | 3 |
| PSCI 4624 | The Washington Semester: Seminar in American Politics and Public Policy | 3 |
| PSCI 4644 | Washington Semester: Politics, Policy and Administration in A Democracy | 3 |
| PSCI 4714 | Senior Seminar in Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PSCI 4724 | Senior Seminar in Political Theory | 3 |
| PSCI 4734 | Theories and Practices of International Conflict Management | 3 |
| PSVP 2044 | Peace and Violence | 3 |
| PSVP 4104 | Global Society, Violence and the Prospects for Peace | 3 |
| RLCL 1004 | Introduction to Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RLCL 1034 | Religion and the Modern World | 3 |
| RLCL 1044 | Religious Ethics | 3 |
| RLCL 2204 | Race and Gender in Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RLCL 2474 | Religion and Violence | 3 |
| RLCL 3014 | Women and Gender in Islam | 3 |
| RLCL 3494 | The Holocaust | 3 |
| RLCL 4024 | Sociology of Religion | 3 |
| SOC 1004 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 1014 | Introduction to Social Anthropology | 3 |
| SOC 2004 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 2034 | Diversity and Community Engagement | 3 |
| SOC 2454 | Race and Racism | 3 |
| SOC 3004 | Social Inequality | 3 |
| SOC 3014 | Gender Relations | 3 |
| SOC 3314 | Social Movements | 3 |
| SOC 4124 | Topics in Culture | 3 |
| SOC 4764 | International Development Policy and Planning | 3 |
| UAP 4264 | Environmental Ethics and Policy | 3 |
| UAP 4764 | International Development Policy and Planning | 3 |
| WGS 1824 | Introduction to Womens and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS 2114 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
| WGS 2204 | Race and Gender in Religion and Culture | 3 |
| WGS 2254 | Feminist Activism | 3 |
| WGS 2264 | Race, Class, Gender, and Sexualities | 3 |
| WGS 2284 | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Issues | 3 |
| WGS 3004 | Topics in Feminism | 3 |
| WGS 3014 | Women and Gender in Islam | 3 |
| WGS 3214 | Global Feminisms | 3 |
| WGS 4214 | Gender, Environment, and International Development | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARBC 3274 | War and Arab Culture | 3 |
| ARBC 3304 | Modern Arabic Literature in Translation | 3 |
| ARBC 3474 | Topics in Arab Cinema | 3 |
| ARBC 4334 | Research in Arab Culture | 3 |
| CHN 2734 | Chinese Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| CHN 3304 | Chinese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| CHN 3514 | Modern China through the Media | 3 |
| CHN 3524 | Introduction to Chinese Translation | 3 |
| CHN 3534 | Business Chinese | 3 |
| CHN 3474 | Topics in Chinese Cinema | 3 |
| COMM 2084 | Media and Society | 3 |
| FR 2714 | Introduction to French Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| FR 3154 | French for the Natural Sciences | 3 |
| FR 3164 | Advanced Business French | 3 |
| FR 3454 | French Culture from World Wars to Global Present | 3 |
| GER 2724 | Introduction to German Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| GER 3204 | Culture of the German-Speaking Countries | 3 |
| GER 3474 | Topics in German Cinema | 3 |
| HIST 2124 | Topics and Critical Issues in World History | 3 |
| HUM 3204 | Multicultural Communication | 3 |
| ITAL 3305 | Introduction to Italian Literature in Context | 3 |
| ITAL 3306 | Introduction to Italian Literature in Context | 3 |
| ITAL 3474 | Topics in Italian Cinema | 3 |
| JMC 4044 | International Communication | 3 |
| IS 3594 | Topics in Middle East Politics and International Relations | 3 |
| IS 3624 | Foreign Policy and Diplomacy | 3 |
| JUD 2134 | Judaism: A Survey of History, Culture, and Heritage | 3 |
| PSCI 3244 | Political Communication | 3 |
| RLCL 1024 | Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 3 |
| RLCL 1904 | Religion and Culture In Asia | 3 |
| RLCL 2004 | Case Studies in Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RLCL 2144 | African Religions | 3 |
| RLCL 2324 | Islam | 3 |
| RLCL 3204 | Multicultural Communication | 3 |
| RLCL 3214 | Religion and Culture in India | 3 |
| RLCL 3224 | Religion and Culture in China and Japan | 3 |
| RUS 2734 | Introduction to Russian Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| RUS 3304 | Survey of Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature in Translation | 3 |
| RUS 3314 | Survey of Twentieth-Century Russian Literature in Translation | 3 |
| RUS 4204 | Topics in Russian Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| RUS 4304 | Studies in Russian Literature | 3 |
| SOC 2054 | Ethnography: Studying Culture | 3 |
| SPAN 2764 | Introduction to Latino American Studies | 3 |
| SPAN 3304 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3464 | Topics in Modern Mexican and Central American Cultures | 3 |
| SPAN 3474 | Topics in Modern Hispanic Caribbean Cultures | 3 |
| SPAN 3484 | Topics in Modern Andean and Southern Cone Cultures | 3 |
| SPAN 4124 | Spanish Translation: Theory and Technique | 3 |
| SPAN 4334 | Special Topics in Hispanic Life, Literature, and Language | 3 |
| SPAN 4344 | Hispanic Literature and the Representation of History | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AAEC 3024 | Monetary and Global Issues in Applied Economics | 3 |
| AAEC 3204 | International Agricultural Development and Trade | 3 |
| AAEC 4135 | International Economics | 3 |
| AAEC 4136 | International Economics | 3 |
| ECON 2005 | Principles of Economics | 3 |
| ECON 2006 | Principles of Economics | 3 |
| ECON 3214 | Money and Banking | 3 |
| ECON 4124 | Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECON 4135 | International Economics | 3 |
| ECON 4136 | International Economics | 3 |
| GEOG 2134 | Geography of the Global Economy | 3 |
| GEOG 4054 | Geography of Wine | 3 |
| GEOG 4204 | Geography of Resources | 3 |
| GEOG 4764 | International Development Policy and Planning | 3 |
| IS 2064 | The Global Economy and World Politics | 3 |
| IS 3164 | Global Trade: Structures and Policies | 3 |
| IS 3166 | Monetary Foundations of the World Economy | 3 |
| IS 3175 | Global Development | 3 |
| IS 3176 | Global Development | 3 |
| IS 3554 | Comparative Political Economy | 3 |
| IS 3804 | European Integration | 3 |
| IS 3814 | The European Union: Institutions and Policies | 3 |
| MGT 2504 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
| MGT 3094 | Global Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MGT 3874 | The European Business Environment | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AAEC 3324 | Environment and Sustainable Development Economics | 3 |
| AAEC 4204 | Food and Agricultural Policy | 3 |
| AAEC 4324 | Rural and Regional Development Policy | 3 |
| AAEC 4344 | Sustainable Development Economics | 3 |
| AAEC 4464 | Water Resources Policy and Economics | 3 |
| ECON 3004 | Contemporary Economic Issues | 3 |
| GEOG 1115 | Seeking Sustainability | 3 |
| GEOG 1116 | Seeking Sustainability | 3 |
| GEOG 2004 | Water, Environment, and Society | 3 |
| GEOG 3104 | Environmental Justice, Resources and Development | 3 |
| HIST 2494 | Cities in History | 3 |
| IS 2044 | Food, War and Conflict | 3 |
| IS 3154 | Topics in Global Public Policies | 3 |
| SOC 3504 | Population Trends and Issues | 3 |
| SPIA 2244 | Sustainable Urbanization | 3 |
| SPIA 2314 | Active Transportation for a Healthy, Sustainable Planet | 3 |
| SPIA 2554 | Collaborative Policy-Making and Planning | 3 |
| SPIA 3704 | Urban Contention and Mobilization | 3 |
| SPIA 4454 | Future of Cities | 3 |
| SPIA 4464 | Data and the Art of Policy-Making and Planning | 3 |
| UAP 2114 | Sustainability by Design | 3 |
| UAP 3014 | Urban Policy and Planning | 3 |
| UAP 3024 | Urban and Regional Analysis | 3 |
| UAP 3224 | Policy Implementation | 3 |
| UAP 3344 | Global Environmental Issues: Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 |
| UAP 3354 | Introduction to Environmental Policy and Planning | 3 |
| UAP 3744 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| UAP 4184 | Community Involvement | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFST 1814 | Introduction to African Studies | 3 |
| ARBC 2774 | Arab Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| ECON 3914 | European Economics | 3 |
| ECON 4144 | Economics of China | 3 |
| FR 3304 | Introduction to French Literature | 3 |
| FR 3314 | Introduction to Francophone Studies | 3 |
| FR 4314 | Studies in French Literature | 3 |
| FR 4324 | Special Topics in French Life, Literature and Language | 3 |
| GEOG 1014 | World Regions | 3 |
| GEOG 3254 | Geography of East Asia | 3 |
| GEOG 3274 | Polar Environments | 3 |
| GER 3305 | Topics in German Culture and Literature | 3 |
| GER 3306 | Topics in German Culture and Literature | 3 |
| GER 4304 | Age of Goethe | 3 |
| GER 4314 | Studies in 19th-Century Literature | 3 |
| GER 4324 | Studies in 20th-Century Literature | 3 |
| GER 4334 | Special Topics in German Life, Literature, and Language | 3 |
| HIST 1025 | Introduction to European History | 3 |
| HIST 1026 | Introduction to European History | 3 |
| HIST 1214 | History of the Modern World | 3 |
| HIST 1215 | Intro to World History | 3 |
| HIST 1216 | Intro to World History | 3 |
| HIST 1354 | Conflict and Security in Modern East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 1515 | History of Africa | 3 |
| HIST 1516 | History of Africa | 3 |
| HIST 2166 | History of France | 3 |
| HIST 2184 | History of the Balkans | 3 |
| HIST 2345 | History of the Middle East | 3 |
| HIST 2346 | History of the Middle East | 3 |
| HIST 2355 | History of China | 3 |
| HIST 2356 | History of China | 3 |
| HIST 2364 | History of Japan | 3 |
| HIST 2484 | Modern Germany | 3 |
| HIST 3364 | The Age of Revolution and Napoleon | 3 |
| HIST 3374 | French Empire | 3 |
| HIST 3484 | Nazi Germany: History and Memory | 3 |
| HIST 3494 | The Holocaust | 3 |
| HIST 3504 | The Age of The Crusades | 3 |
| HIST 3534 | Modern Military History | 3 |
| HIST 3544 | World War II | 3 |
| HIST 3594 | The Rise of Modern Latin America | 3 |
| HIST 3614 | Imperial Russia | 3 |
| HIST 3624 | Health and Illness in African History | 3 |
| HIST 3644 | Twentieth-Century Russia | 3 |
| HIST 3654 | Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 |
| HIST 3664 | Revolutionary China | 3 |
| HIST 3674 | Topics in Chinese History | 3 |
| HIST 4004 | Topics in Social and Cultural History | 3 |
| IS 1024 | Comp Gov & Politics | 3 |
| IS 2034 | Geography of Global Conflict | 3 |
| IS 2104 | Europe Country Analysis | 3 |
| IS 3004 | Professionalism and Careers in Political Science and International Studies | 3 |
| IS 3115 | Selected World Problems | 3 |
| IS 3116 | Selected World Problems | 3 |
| IS 3514 | Latin American Government and Politics | 3 |
| IS 3515 | European Political Systems | 3 |
| IS 3516 | European Political Systems | 3 |
| IS 3524 | Politics of Post-Communist Systems | 3 |
| IS 3534 | African Government and Politics | 3 |
| IS 3574 | Government and Politics of Japan | 3 |
| IS 3584 | Governments and Politics of Asia | 3 |
| IS 3615 | International Relations | 3 |
| IS 3616 | International Relations | 3 |
| JUD 3544 | The State of Israel: A Political History | 3 |
| JUD 4424 | Advanced Topics in Jewish Culture, History and Thought | 3 |
| PSCI 1014 | Introduction to United States Government and Politics | 3 |
| RLCL 1214 | The Early Middle Ages: Religions, Empires, and Vikings | 3 |
| RLCL 3504 | The Age of The Crusades | 3 |
| RLCL 3544 | The State of Israel: A Political History | 3 |
| RLCL 3884 | Culture and Society in Contemporary Europe | 3 |
| SPAN 2744 | Topics in Spanish Culture | 3 |
| SPAN 2754 | Topics in Spanish American Culture | 3 |
| SPAN 2774 | Minority Languages in the Spanish-Speaking Context | 3 |
| SPAN 3404 | Topics in Early Modern Cultures of Spain | 3 |
| SPAN 3414 | Topics in Modern Cultures of Spain | 3 |
| SPAN 3444 | Topics in Early Spanish American Cultures | 3 |
| SPAN 4304 | Topics in Early Modern Literature and Culture | 3 |
| SPAN 4314 | Studies in 18th and 19th Century Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 4324 | Studies in 20th and 21st Century Hispanic Literature | 3 |
To proceed satisfactorily toward a degree, a student must complete IS 1004 Nations and Nationalities , IS 1034 Introduction to International Studies and Political Science , IS 2004 Research and Writing in International Studies , IS 2054 Introduction to World Politics , IS 2064 The Global Economy and World Politics , IS 2084 The Evolution of World Order , and foreign language 2105 & 2106 grouping by the end of the semester in which 60 hours have been attempted; must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and must maintain an in major GPA of 2.0.
A total of 120 hours is required to graduate with an International Studies degree of which there are fifty-seven (57) required hours for the International Studies major.
All of the courses in core and major requirements and major electives are included in the in-major GPA calculation. A GPA of 2.0 or above both overall and in-major GPA is required for graduation.
In accordance with the State Council guidelines, courses used to fulfill the SCHEV approved degree core (Core Degree Requirements) may not also be used to meet The Pathways to General Education or major requirements.
Due to overlapping of courses, students cannot pursue another major within the Department of Political Science. However, they can pursue any of the minors offered by the department except the Minor in Political Science.
Some courses listed have prerequisites; please consult the University Catalog and/or check with your advisor.
This is a requirement that is separate from the International Studies requirement.
Completion of this requirement will not fulfill your International Studies Language Requirement.
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