The International Studies major offers a broad background in international political, social, economic, commericial and environmental affairs, together with the study of politics, economics, security and cultures. The goal is to provide students with the necessary tools to understand global processes and how they are situated and lived in specific regions. It is important to stress that the major itself is not primarily vocational or professional. It does, however, provide 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, ranging from graduate study in traditional programs (such as political science, economics, sociology) to law school to business school. Likewise, the major can prepare students for careers in government service, positions in commercial or industrial multinational corporations, international banking, foreign press services, and institutions of teaching and research.The goal is to provide students with necessary tools to understand global processes in their totality and how they are situated and lived in specific regions. It is important to stress that the major itself is not primarily vocational or professional. It does, however provide 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 an individual for government service, positions in commercial or industrial multinational corporations, international banking houses, foreign press services, and institutions of teaching and research.

The interdisciplinary nature of the program allows majors to take courses from almost every department in the College of Letters & Science, as well as from several other Colleges on campus. In order to complete a coherent path of study, majors choose one option from four tailored to their specific interests and career needs. When declaring the major, students must choose from the following options:

OPTION I: Global Security
OPTION II: International Political Economy & Policy Studies (Global Economy)
OPTION III: Cultures in the Age of Globalization (Global Cultures)
OPTION IV: International Relations & the Environment: Managing the Global Commons (Global Commons)