2024-2025 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 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Global Security | ||
| Human Security | ||
| International Relations | ||
| 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 | ||
| Topics in Diplomacy Lab | ||
| Seminar in Global Political Economy | ||
| Seminar in Global Development | ||
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| 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 | ||
| IS 1004 | Nations and Nationalities (major requirement) | 3 |
| Subtotal | 45 | |
| 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:
If a student wishes to use an excluded course toward this requirement: Requests for exceptions must be made in writing to the Director of the International Studies Program and the student's assigned advisor. No more than one course exception will be granted.
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFST 1814 | Introduction to African Studies | 3 |
| AFST 2144 | African Religions | 3 |
| AFST 2204 | Race and Gender in Religion and Culture | 3 |
| AFST 2454 | Race and Racism | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AAEC 1005 | Economics of the Food and Fiber System | 3 |
| AAEC 1006 | Economics of the Food and Fiber System | 3 |
| AAEC 1264 | 3 | |
| AAEC 3024 | Monetary and Global Issues in Applied Economics | 3 |
| AAEC 3204 | International Agricultural Development and Trade | 3 |
| AAEC 3324 | Environment and Sustainable Development Economics | 3 |
| AAEC 4135 | International 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 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AINS 2104 | Oral Traditions and Culture | 3 |
| AINS 3684 | Indigenous Peoples and World Politics | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARBC 2774 | Arab Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| ARBC 3304 | Modern Arabic Literature in Translation | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 2084 | Media and Society | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 2005 | Principles of Economics | 3 |
| ECON 2006 | Principles of Economics | 3 |
| ECON 3004 | Contemporary Economic Issues | 3 |
| ECON 3024 | Economic Justice | 3 |
| ECON 3214 | Money and Banking | 3 |
| ECON 3914 | European Economics | 3 |
| ECON 4124 | Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECON 4135 | International Economics | 3 |
| ECON 4136 | International Economics | 3 |
| ECON 4144 | Economics of China | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FR 2714 | Introduction to French Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| FR 3205 | 3 | |
| FR 3206 | 3 | |
| FR 3304 | Introduction to French Literature | 3 |
| FR 3306 | 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 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 1004 | Introduction to Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 1014 | World Regions | 3 |
| GEOG 1115 | Seeking Sustainability | 3 |
| GEOG 1116 | Seeking Sustainability | 3 |
| GEOG 2004 | Water, Environment, and Society | 3 |
| GEOG 2034 | Geography of Global Conflict | 3 |
| GEOG 2134 | Geography of the Global Economy | 3 |
| GEOG 3034 | The CIA: Its Capabilities in Todays Geo-Political World | 3 |
| GEOG 3104 | Environmental Justice, Resources and Development | 3 |
| GEOG 3254 | Geography of East Asia | 3 |
| GEOG 3274 | Polar Environments | 3 |
| GEOG 4054 | Geography of Wine | 3 |
| GEOG 4074 | Medical Geography of Infectious Diseases | 3 |
| GEOG 4204 | Geography of Resources | 3 |
| GEOG 4214 | Gender, Environment, and International Development | 3 |
| GEOG 4764 | International Development Policy and Planning | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GER 2724 | Introduction to German Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| GER 3204 | Culture of the German-Speaking Countries | 3 |
| GER 3305 | Topics in German Culture and Literature | 3 |
| GER 3306 | Topics in German Culture and Literature | 3 |
| GER 3474 | Topics in German Cinema | 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 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 1224 | Mesoamerica and the Andes | 3 |
| HIST 1354 | Conflict and Security in Modern East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 1515 | History of Africa | 3 |
| HIST 1516 | History of Africa | 3 |
| HIST 2124 | Topics and Critical Issues in World History | 3 |
| HIST 2165 | 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 Modern China | 3 |
| HIST 2364 | History of Japan | 3 |
| HIST 3254 | The Vietnam War | 3 |
| HIST 3324 | The Medieval World | 3 |
| HIST 3334 | The Renaissance World, 1350-1500 | 3 |
| HIST 3344 | Early Modern and Reformation History, 1500-1650 | 3 |
| HIST 3364 | The Age of Revolution and Napoleon | 3 |
| HIST 3394 | 3 | |
| HIST 3484 | Nazi Germany: History and Memory | 3 |
| HIST 3494 | The Holocaust | 3 |
| HIST 3504 | The Age of The Crusades | 3 |
| HIST 3524 | 3 | |
| HIST 3534 | Modern Military History | 3 |
| HIST 3544 | World War II | 3 |
| HIST 3554 | Age of Globalization | 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 3684 | 3 | |
| HIST 4004 | Topics in Social and Cultural History | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HUM 1324 | Introductory Humanities: The Modern World | 3 |
| HUM 2104 | Oral Traditions and Culture | 3 |
| HUM 3204 | Multicultural Communication | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IS 1024 | Comp Gov & Politics | 3 |
| IS 1114 | Introduction to Transatlantic Studies | 3 |
| IS 1104 | Introduction to European Studies | 3 |
| IS 2034 | Geography of Global Conflict | 3 |
| IS 2044 | Food, War and Conflict | 3 |
| IS 2104 | Europe Country Analysis | 3 |
| IS 3004 | Professionalism and Careers in Political Science and International Studies | 3 |
| IS 3064 | Food Politics | 3 |
| IS 3144 | Global Governance and Public Policy | 3 |
| IS 3154 | Topics in Global Public Policies | 3 |
| IS 3344 | Global Environmental Issues: Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 |
| IS 3374 | The Politics of Energy | 3 |
| IS 3384 | Politics of Global and Comparative Migration | 3 |
| IS 3394 | Comparative Politics of Immigrant Inclusion | 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 3594 | Topics in Middle East Politics and International Relations | 3 |
| IS 3624 | Foreign Policy and Diplomacy | 3 |
| IS 3634 | Human Rights: Global Issues | 3 |
| IS 3804 | European Integration | 3 |
| IS 3814 | The European Union: Institutions and Policies | 3 |
| IS 3864 | 3 | |
| IS 3894 | Transatlantic Relations Since 1945 | 3 |
| IS 4034 | Topics in Diplomacy Lab | 3 |
| IS 4964 | Field Study 1 | 1-19 |
Prerequisites: Some courses listed on this checksheet have prerequisites; please consult the University Catalog and/or check with your advisor.
IS 4964 Field Study is only offered as Pass/Fail and can be used toward fulfillment of a major elective from the corresponding list.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JMC 4044 | International Communication | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JUD 2134 | Judaism: A Survey of History, Culture, and Heritage | 3 |
| JUD 3494 | The Holocaust | 3 |
| JUD 3544 | The State of Israel: A Political History | 3 |
| JUD 4424 | Advanced Topics in Jewish Culture, History and Thought | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 3874 | The European Business Environment | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSVP 2044 | Peace and Violence | 3 |
| PSVP 4104 | Global Society, Violence and the Prospects for Peace | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSCI 1014 | Introduction to United States Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 2014 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| PSCI 3244 | Political Communication | 3 |
| PSCI 3255 | The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Gender | 3 |
| PSCI 3256 | The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Gender | 3 |
| PSCI 3634 | Human Rights: Global Issues | 3 |
| PSCI 3684 | Indigenous Peoples and World Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 3764 | Contemporary Democratic Theory | 3 |
| PSCI 3774 | Marxian Political Analysis | 3 |
| PSCI 3784 | Origins of the State | 3 |
| PSCI 4034 | Topics in Diplomacy Lab | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RLCL 1004 | Introduction to Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RLCL 1024 | Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 3 |
| RLCL 1034 | Religion and the Modern World | 3 |
| RLCL 1044 | Religious Ethics | 3 |
| RLCL 1214 | The Medieval World | 3 |
| RLCL 1904 | Religion and Culture In Asia | 3 |
| RLCL 2004 | Case Studies in Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RLCL 2054 | Ethnography: Studying Culture | 3 |
| RLCL 2134 | Judaism: A Survey of History, Culture, and Heritage | 3 |
| RLCL 2144 | African Religions | 3 |
| RLCL 2204 | Race and Gender in Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RLCL 2324 | Islam | 3 |
| RLCL 2474 | Religion and Violence | 3 |
| RLCL 3014 | Women and Gender in 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 |
| RLCL 3494 | The Holocaust | 3 |
| RLCL 3504 | The Age of The Crusades | 3 |
| RLCL 3544 | The State of Israel: A Political History | 3 |
| RLCL 3604 | 3 | |
| RLCL 3884 | Culture and Society in Contemporary Europe | 3 |
| RLCL 4024 | Sociology of Religion | 3 |
| RLCL 4324 | Topics in Religion and Culture | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3424 | Topics in Russian Literature in English | 3 |
| RUS 4204 | Topics in Russian Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| RUS 4304 | Studies in Russian Literature | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2054 | Ethnography: Studying Culture | 3 |
| SOC 2454 | Race and Racism | 3 |
| SOC 3004 | Social Inequality | 3 |
| SOC 3014 | Gender Relations | 3 |
| SOC 3314 | Social Movements | 3 |
| SOC 3504 | Population Trends and Issues | 3 |
| SOC 3884 | Culture and Society in Contemporary Europe | 3 |
| SOC 4024 | Sociology of Religion | 3 |
| SOC 4044 | Military Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 4124 | Topics in Culture | 3 |
| SOC 4764 | International Development Policy and Planning | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN 2744 | Topics in Spanish Culture | 3 |
| SPAN 2754 | Topics in Spanish American Culture | 3 |
| SPAN 2764 | Introduction to Latino American Studies | 3 |
| SPAN 2774 | Minority Languages in the Spanish-Speaking Context | 3 |
| SPAN 3304 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3404 | Early Peninsular Culture and Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3414 | Topics in Modern Cultures of Spain | 3 |
| SPAN 3444 | Topics in Early Spanish American Cultures | 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 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 |
| SPAN 4334 | Special Topics in Hispanic Life, Literature, and Language | 3 |
| SPAN 4344 | Hispanic Literature and the Representation of History | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| UAP 1024 | Leadership, Service, and Public Problem Solving | 3 |
| UAP 2014 | 3 | |
| UAP 3014 | Urban Policy and Planning | 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 3774 | Marxian Political Analysis | 3 |
| UAP 4184 | Community Involvement | 3 |
| UAP 4214 | Gender, Environment, and International Development | 3 |
| UAP 4264 | Environmental Ethics and Policy | 3 |
| UAP 4764 | International Development Policy and Planning | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WGS 2204 | Race and Gender in Religion and Culture | 3 |
| WGS 3014 | Women and Gender in Islam | 3 |
| WGS 3214 | Global Feminisms | 3 |
| WGS 4214 | Gender, Environment, and International Development | 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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