International Studies
Overview
The International Studies program will prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions that offer International Studies or related fields.
Students will:
- engage in course work that will broaden their perspective and skills in the field of international relations
- have access to individual counseling for program planning and career development through a mentoring program with the Program Coordinator
- be afforded the opportunity to develop foreign language proficiency
This major is designed to facilitate students’ successful transfer to B.A. programs and perhaps eventually, graduate school. Careers can be found in foreign service, governmental relations, public affairs, international trade, civil service, lobbying, law, fiscal analysis, teaching, non-governmental organizations, language specialization, international advocacy, or international consultancy.
- Dean Dennis Lee
- Coordinator Riad Bahhur
- Phone (916) 558-2401
- Email SCC-BSS@losrios.edu
Associate Degrees for Transfer
A.A.-T. in Global Studies
This degree provides a multidisciplinary understanding of global issues and the impact of globalization on people, states, and economies around the world. It covers trade, culture, politics, economic development, military interventions, conflict, relations between states, and environmental impacts.
The Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system.
The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) student completion requirements (as stated in SB1440 law):
(1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(a) The intersegmental GE Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University GE-Breadth Requirements (CSU GE-Breadth).
(b) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Completing the Associate in Arts in Global Studies will prepare students to apply a global understanding to careers in trade, law, diplomacy, food production, education, human rights, development, relief, and marketing. Students completing this degree will be able to continue their studies in any of the above listed areas and to apply a global perspective to any field of study or work.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2023
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GLST 301 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| GLST 302 | Global Issues | 3 |
| A minimum of 15 units from the following: | 151 | |
| Select five courses from a minimum of four of the following areas: | ||
| CULTURE AND SOCIETY | ||
| ANTH 310 | Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| or ANTH 481 | Honors Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| HIST 308 | History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3) | |
| HIST 365 | Asian Civilization (3) | |
| GEOGRAPHY | ||
| GEOG 300 | Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems (3) | |
| GEOG 310 | Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3) | |
| GEOG 320 | World Regional Geography (3) | |
| ECONOMICS | ||
| ECON 302 | Principles of Macroeconomics (3) | |
| ECON 304 | Principles of Microeconomics (3) | |
| POLITICS | ||
| POLS 302 | Comparative Politics (3) | |
| POLS 310 | Introduction to International Relations (3) | |
| or POLS 480 | Introduction to International Relations - Honors (3) | |
| HUMANITIES | ||
| ENGLT 480 | World Literature: Antiquity to the Early Modern World - Honors (3) | |
| ENGLT 481 | World Literature: Seventeenth Century to Present - Honors (3) | |
| PHIL 352 | Introduction to World Religions (3) | |
| WGS 302 | Global Women's Issues (3) | |
| Total Units: | 21 | |
1Students are encouraged to include a foreign language as part of their Global Studies program. While it is not required to complete this degree, many transfer institutions include a foreign language proficiency as part of their global studies degrees.
The Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- formulate a broad and cohesive understanding of global dynamics, issues, and events and incorporate that knowledge into their daily life and career.
- evaluate their role as a member of a global network of interdependent people and societies.
- analyze various multidisciplinary approaches that explain the causes and consequences of globalization.
- analyze local and regional societal, economic, political, and environmental issues within a global context.
Associate Degrees
A.A. in International Studies
The major consists of a core of 29.5-33 units, which satisfy university transfer requirements. Elective courses allow students to pursue interests in languages, culture, business, philosophy, history, fine arts, literature, and other studies. Students who undertake the ISP major will prepare for transfer to universities that offer International Studies Majors or related fields; engage in course work that will broaden their perspective and skills in the field of international relations; have access to individual counseling for program planning and career development through a mentoring program with the Program Director; and be afforded the opportunity to develop foreign language proficiency.
Recommended High School Preparation: Standard college preparatory program.
Four Year Transfer Information: UC/CSU systems require standard/basic preparatory course work prior to transfer. The ISP core courses (30 units) are designed to meet articulation and transferability to International Studies, International Relations, and International Business major requirements.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2023
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 310 | Cultural Anthropology (3) | 3 |
| or ANTH 481 | Honors Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| COMM 325 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| ECON 302 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| GEOG 320 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| HIST 308 | History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present | 3 |
| HIST 311 | History of the United States (1865 - Present) (3) | 3 |
| or HIST 484 | History of the United States - Honors (3) | |
| IS 494 | Topics in International Studies | 0.5 -4 |
| POLS 310 | Introduction to International Relations (3) | 3 |
| or POLS 480 | Introduction to International Relations - Honors (3) | |
| A minimum of 8 units from the following: | 81 | |
| Foreign Language (two semesters) | ||
| ARABIC 401 | Elementary Arabic (5) | |
| and ARABIC 402 | Elementary Arabic (5) | |
| CANT 401 | Elementary Cantonese (4) | |
| or CANT 402 | Elementary Cantonese (4) | |
| or CANT 411 | Intermediate Cantonese (4) | |
| or CANT 412 | Intermediate Cantonese (4) | |
| FREN 401 | Elementary French (4) | |
| or FREN 402 | Elementary French (4) | |
| or FREN 411 | Intermediate French (4) | |
| or FREN 412 | Intermediate French (4) | |
| GREEK 401 | Elementary Modern Standard Greek (4) | |
| and GREEK 402 | Elementary Modern Standard Greek (4) | |
| ITAL 401 | Elementary Italian (4) | |
| and ITAL 402 | Elementary Italian (4) | |
| JAPAN 401 | Elementary Japanese (4) | |
| or JAPAN 402 | Elementary Japanese (4) | |
| or JAPAN 411 | Intermediate Japanese (4) | |
| or JAPAN 412 | Intermediate Japanese (4) | |
| KOREAN 401 | Elementary Korean (4) | |
| and KOREAN 402 | Elementary Korean (4) | |
| MAND 401 | Elementary Mandarin (4) | |
| or MAND 402 | Elementary Mandarin (4) | |
| or MAND 411 | Intermediate Mandarin (4) | |
| or MAND 412 | Intermediate Mandarin (4) | |
| PRSIAN 401 | Elementary Persian (4) | |
| and PRSIAN 402 | Elementary Persian (4) | |
| PNJABI 401 | Elementary Punjabi (4) | |
| and PNJABI 402 | Elementary Punjabi (4) | |
| RUSS 401 | Elementary Russian (4) | |
| or RUSS 402 | Elementary Russian (4) | |
| or RUSS 411 | Intermediate Russian (4) | |
| or RUSS 412 | Intermediate Russian (4) | |
| TGLG 401 | Elementary Tagalog (4) | |
| and TGLG 402 | Elementary Tagalog (4) | |
| VIET 401 | Elementary Vietnamese (4) | |
| and VIET 402 | Elementary Vietnamese (4) | |
| Total Units: | 29.5 - 33 | |
1Student must choose only 1 language to fulfill the 8 unit requirement.
The International Studies Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- evaluate, examine, and explain the role of the individual and society within the context of global interdependence.
- formulate a critical understanding of social, political, and economic global issues and problems within a global context that is relevant to local experience.
- evaluate, analyze, and critique various social science and humanities perspectives that explain human and environmental history in a global context.
- investigate, analyze, and describe the causes and consequences of economic, political, and cultural globalization through a variety of social science perspectives.
- detect, analyze, and discuss human difference, including difference based on socio-economic, political, cultural, and geographic status.
- investigate, analyze, and discuss the effects of power imbalance in social and political contestation, historically and contemporaneously, with a focus on the experiences of actors who wield relatively less power in specific global contexts.
- demonstrate basic oral and writing skills in a second language.
Career Information
The International Studies degree is designed to facilitate students’ successful transfer to B.A. programs and, in so doing, prepare them for advanced study in a variety of graduate programs. Careers can be found in Foreign Service, Governmental Relations, Public Affairs, International Trade, Civil Service, Lobbying, Law, Fiscal Analysis, Teaching, Non-Governmental Organizations, Language Specialization, International Advocacy, and International Consultancy.
International Studies (IS) Courses
IS 494 Topics in International Studies
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Hours:9 - 72 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:ENGWR 101 with a grade of "C" or better.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course provides a seminar setting in which students can study and discuss regional and global issues in international studies with faculty from a variety of disciplines. Specific regions (e.g., Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, North America, Europe) are addressed topically. UC transfer credit will be awarded only after the course has been evaluated by the enrolling UC campus. The units completed for this course cannot be counted towards the minimum 60 units required for admissions. This course is formerly known as SOCSC 493.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- explain the advantages and disadvantages of a comparative and interdisciplinary approach to international studies.
- discuss essential aspects of a key issue currently confronting the people of each of the regions of the world.
- use interdisciplinary tools to analyze one regional problem in depth.
- demonstrate an ability to approach new problems with appropriate questions based upon interdisciplinary research tools.
Faculty
Programs and Majors
Check Out Degree Planner
If you're interested in a transfer degree (AA-T or AS-T), then check out Degree Planner, a tool that helps you complete your degree efficiently by mapping out what courses to take and when to take them.
