International Studies M.S.
Program Rationale:
The Master’s of Science in the International Studies program educates students in several key areas of the world: Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Global Studies (focused on a global theme). Students are grounded in theories of internationalization, history of diverse countries and regions, cross-cultural issues, and features of various international cultures and are provided programmatic, analytical, and practical skills to address international issues. The program prepares generalists to work in governmental and non-governmental organizations within and outside of the United States to address issues related to the global human experience.
The International Studies Master's program is designed to produce individuals competent in understanding the interrelated nature of global phenomena, confident in their membership in a community of global citizens, and capable of fulfilling various professional positions related to the field of International Studies. To further these overarching goals, the learning outcomes of the IS graduate program concern the student's ability to express these competencies in formal essays (including a thesis or capstone project) and presentations of research projects and policy positions. Graduates of the Master's program will:
- demonstrate tolerance of and insights into the diversity of cultural values, beliefs and worldviews;
- demonstrate advanced proficiency in the history, culture, and language(s) of a particular world region;
- demonstrate detailed knowledge of the interconnectedness of global phenomena;
- critically approach social, political, and economic cultural issues of a global nature;
- collect and analyze data on several projects of a global scope or which relate to a particular world area;
- produce and defend an extensive scholarly paper (thesis or capstone project), based on primary research, that focuses on a single world area or links diverse world areas in a global theme;
- demonstrate international competency, theoretical mastery, use of literature, data, evidence, and argument at an advanced level in the scholarly paper.
A MS degree in International Studies prepares students for a range of career opportunities in government, in non-profit foundations and NGOs, in for-profit entities, and in a wide range of other institutions offering services transnationally or otherwise working in global environments.
In addition to the regular admission requirements, an applicant for the MS in International Studies program must send a resume and an essay that addresses his/her past experiences, career goals, and the region in which he/she wishes to specialize (select from Africa, East Asian, European, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Global Studies). Each application must be sent electronically or by mail to the International Studies Director.
Early applications are encouraged for full consideration. The admission deadline for spring semester is November 1, and May 1 for fall semester.
Course and Capstone Requirements
(Plan A or Plan C)
1. Common Core
| IS 500 | Practicing International Studies | 3 |
| IS 570 | Modern World Issues | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
2. Geographical Areas and/or Transnational Themes
Students will select 6-12 Credits from each of our program’s two focuses, for a total of 18 credits.
Geographical Areas:
| | 12 credits for students who wish to develop a primary focus in a particular world geographical area. | |
| | 9 credits for students who wish to balance Area and Transnational focuses. | |
| | 6 credits for students who wish to complement their primary focus on a Transnational Theme. | |
Courses listed below are for advisory purposes only. Additional courses may be identified with the approval of the advisor. For example, IS 575 (Internship in International Studies), IS 590 (Course Abroad), IS 596 (Independent Studies in International Studies), IS 597 (Seminar in International Studies), HIST 580 (Seminar in Non-Western World History), and HIST 585 (Modern World History) could be included in each area depending on the topic of those courses when offered.
2a. Geographical Areas:
Africa
| ANTH 416 | Archaeology of Africa | 3 |
| ANTH 424 | Peoples and Cultures of Africa | 3 |
| GEOG 446 | Sub-Saharan Africa | 3 |
| HIST 431 | Ancient Northeast Africa | 3 |
| HIST 476 | African History through Film | 3 |
| HIST 545 | History of South Africa since 1900 | 3 |
| PS 421 | Government and Politics of Africa | 3 |
| IS 596 | Independent Studies | 3 |
| IS 597 | Graduate Seminar in International Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6-12 |
HIST 431 and HIST 476: For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.
East Asia
Latin America
| GEOG 434/LAS 434 | Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean | 3 |
| GEOG 436/LAS 436 | South America | 3 |
| HIST 455 | Historical Representation in Latin America | 3 |
| HIST 460 | African Enslavement in the Americas | 3 |
| HIST 583 | Seminar in Latin American History | 3 |
| PS 420 | Government and Politics of Latin America | 3 |
| IS 596 | Independent Studies | 3 |
| IS 597 | Graduate Seminar in International Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6-12 |
HIST 455 and HIST 460: For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.
Middle East
| ANTH 429 | Global India | 3 |
| HIST 431 | Ancient Northeast Africa | 3 |
| HIST 474 | History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 |
| PS 434 | Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| PS 439 | U.S. Middle East Policy | 3 |
| IS 596 | Independent Studies | 3 |
| IS 597 | Graduate Seminar in International Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6-12 |
HIST 431 and HIST 474: For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.
Western Europe and European Union
| GEOG 452 | European Union | 3 |
| HIST 444 | Mass Politics and Total War in Europe | 3 |
| HIST 445 | European Ideas & Culture, 1750-1918 | 3 |
| HIST 446 | Ideas and Culture in Europe, 1918-Present | 3 |
| HIST 481 | The Jews of Poland | 3 |
| HIST 540 | Seminar in European History | 3 |
| IS 596 | Independent Studies | 3 |
| IS 597 | Graduate Seminar in International Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6-12 |
2b. Transnational Themes
| | 12 credits for students who wish to develop a primary focus on a particular Transnational theme. | |
| | 9 Credits for students who wish to balance Transnational and Area focuses. | |
| | 6 Credits for students who wish to complement their primary focus on a Geographical Area. | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6-12 |
Courses below are for advisory purposes only. Additional courses may be approved by your advisor. For example, IS 575 (Internship in International Studies), IS 590 (Course Abroad), IS 596 (Independent Studies in International Studies), IS 597 (Seminar in International Studies), HIST 580 (Seminar in Non-Western World History), and HIST 585 (Modern World History) could be included in each Transnational theme category depending on the topic.
Transnational Themes
Communication and Diversity in the Global Context
| COMM 543 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| EDF 528 | Comparative and International Education | 3 |
| ENG 486 | World Literature and Film | 3 |
| HUM 490 | | |
| IS 571 | International Diversity and Integration | 3 |
| LING 515 | An Introduction to Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| PSY 430 | Intergroup Relations | 3 |
| WGSS 469 | Readings in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| IS 596 | Independent Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6-12 |
Energy, Resources, and Environment
| ANTH 425 | Human Ecology | 3 |
| COMM 451 | Environmental Communication | 3 |
| ESCI 450 | Environmental and Engineering Geology | 3 |
| GEOG 433 | Issues in Environmental Protection | 3 |
| GEOG 473 | Geography of Natural Resources | 3 |
| SUST 500 | Social, Political, and Ethical Dimensions of Global Sustainability | 3 |
| SUST 501 | Contemporary Challenges in Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| SUST 502 | Science for Sustainability | 3 |
| IS 596 | Independent Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6-12 |
Population, Mobility, and Development
| ANTH 475 | Topics in Anthropology | 3 |
| ECON 430 | International Economics | 3 |
| ECON 435 | Economic Development | 3 |
| GEOG 544 | The Geography of World Economic Development | 3 |
| IS 596 | Independent Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6-12 |
Governance, Security, and Human Rights
| CJ 510 | Law, Criminal Justice, and Issues of Inequality | 3 |
| COMM 544 | | |
| HIST 420 | Imperialism | 3 |
| PS 445 | Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation | 3 |
| PS 501 | Advanced Studies in International Law | 3 |
| IS 596 | Independent Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6-12 |
HIST 420: For any course designated HIST 4XX, graduate students must register for HIST 495 to receive graduate credit.
3. Research and Capstone Requirements
Plan A:
| IS 598 | Research in International Studies | 3 |
| IS 599 | Thesis in International Studies | 3 |
Plan C:
| IS 598 | Research in International Studies | 3 |
| IS 595 | Special Project in International Studies | 3 |
4. Language and/or Study Abroad Requirements
The International Studies program requires that all students have a level of proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of a single modern language, preferably in their area of geographical specialization equal to the completion of the 226 level. Fulfillment of this requirement will be determined by a CCSU instructor of the language and/or the chair of the Modern Language Department.
In addition to the language requirement, IS students without significant life or study experiences abroad are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad program, whether a course abroad or a semester or summer exchange. Information about study abroad programs is available at the Center for International Education in Barnard Hall.
NOTE: No more than nine credits at the 400 level, as approved by the graduate advisor, may be counted toward the graduate planned program of study. Initially, on acceptance to the program, students are assigned to the International Studies Curriculum Coordinator for advice. As soon as possible, students will be assigned an advisor appropriate to their area or thematic specialization. This advisor will normally serve as the faculty member supervising the student's thesis or special project.
Total Credit Hours: 30