School of International Studies

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Overview

The typical program for an SIS student will look something like this:

First semester

Dean’s Seminar, introducing the School of International Studies to you and focusing on building your academic skills by finding your best learning style.
Contemporary World Issues, putting global issues (terrorism, environment, globalization, nationalism and identity crises, etc.) into context by examining the history of the 20th century around the world.
Modern foreign language, of your choosing, with the level of the course dependent on your prior skill level.
Mentor Seminar I, an examination of deep questions which people and societies have been asking themselves for thousands of years.
Introductory course in either economics, political science, micro economics, macro economics, introduction to political science, international politics, or cultural anthropology.

Second semester

Perspectives on World History, looking at the history of five major world civilizations, but each from several different viewpoints so that you can understand why serious disagreements exist in the world.
Modern foreign language, the next sequential course in the language of your choosing.
Mentor Seminar II, practice in developing and advocating your personal position on several current issues of social or political importance.
Introductory course in a second of the social science disciplines (economics, political science, micro economics, macro economics, introduction to political science, international politics, or cultural anthropology).

Third semester

International Research Methods, training you on how research is done in the social sciences, with a focus on research questions related to international issues.
Modern language, the third course appropriate for you in your foreign language.
Introductory course in the third of the social science disciplines (economics, political science or anthropology).

Fourth semester

World Geography, looking at each of the major world regions to see how the physical geography and the history of an area has influenced its current social, political, and economic systems.
Globalization, the US, and the World, refreshing you on the political, economic, and social systems of the U.S. and how we are interacting with the rest of the world in the globalization process since the end of the Cold War.
Modern language, a fourth course in your foreign language.
Introductory macroeconomics, to help you understand the U.S. economy and prepare you to learn about foreign exchange rates, the balance of payments, and other global economic issues.
International Politics, examining the stresses and strains between countries around the world as each nation seeks to increase its power, or to defend its interests, or to help other countries.
Cross Cultural Training I, helping you get oriented for your Study Abroad program which most of you will enter in the next semester, at the start of your junior year.

Fifth semester

A semester of Study Abroad in one of over 100 academic programs around the world which we have selected as appropriate for our students’ education. You will choose your particular program in consultation with your faculty advisor and the study abroad advisor.

Sixth semester

Either a second semester of Study Abroad for you or a chance for you to concentrate at Pacific on a discipline or area within international studies by picking elective courses in one of several fields:
International politics
Global Economic Relations
A world region of particular interest to you
Advanced study in a foreign language (Minor / Second Major)
International environmental policy
International entertainment management
International public relations
Another field of concentration which you develop with your faculty advisor

Seventh semester

Cross Cultural Training II, helping you make sense of the life changing experiences you will have gained during the Study Abroad semester (or two) from which you will have just returned.
Mentor Seminar III, asking you to consider thoughtfully the basic ethics and morals which have guided you so far in your life.
A laboratory science course, which you choose from a list of introductory courses in the natural sciences which have been developed for non-science students.
A formal systems of thought course, which you choose from a list of special courses in computer science, math, economics, philosophy, or psychology.
An upper division elective, to help you complete a voluntary concentration within international studies, or a minor in a foreign language or a social science discipline, or possibly a second major (if you have done very careful planning).

Eighth semester

SIS Senior Capstone
Global Economic Issues, analyzing economic globalization, foreign trade, international finance, and the economics of international environmental issues.
Development, Modernization Cultural Change, team taught course with a political economist and an anthropologist showing you the debate on whether and how the poor countries of the world can improve the lives of their people.
An upper division elective, to help you complete a voluntary concentration within international studies, or a minor in a foreign language or a social science discipline, or possibly a second major (if you have done very careful planning).