International Studies Minor

The Center for International & Comparative Studies (CICS) offers an International Studies Minor. Requirements for fulfilling the minor are as follows:

Language Requirement
Sixth-term proficiency in a language other than English must be fulfilled through study of a language used in the country or world area that is the focus of geographic coursework. The Director of the Center for International and Comparative Studies (CICS) will consider requests involving a different language, but it is expected that students will in all cases complete at least one year of coursework in a language used in the region of geographic emphasis. Any exceptions to the language requirement must be approved by written consent of the CICS Director.

Minimum Credits
Minimum of 18 credits (exclusive of language study).

Required Courses
Geographic emphasis composed of 3 courses devoted to a single world region or country. At least two must be upper-level courses.

Thematic emphasis composed of 3 courses devoted to a give theme or topic. At least two must be upper-level courses. At least two must give primary attention to countries or world regions beyond the United States . A third course devoted to the same theme may give significant attention to United States if there is a clear intellectual reason for doing so.

Geographic and thematic course selections must possess intellectual coherence, with a clear and logical connection between the focus of the selected geographic and thematic courses. Courses must be taken from at least 2 academic disciplines, with no more than one offered by student's concentration department. No more than one course may be ?double-counted? for both geographic and thematic requirements.

One International Studies Advanced Topics Seminar, an upper-level interdisciplinary seminar offered each year. It cannot be taken prior to the second semester of the junior year. Students enrolled in Minor may take more than one seminar, but it can only be counted once toward 18 credits required.

Advising will be provided by the International Studies Advisor, who will identify a faculty member with whom the student can consult in developing a program of study, if necessary. All proposals must receive written approval by the Director of CICS, ideally before a student begins taking courses for the minor. Students who have taken an appropriate course before signing up may request it be counted toward the minor when applying for approval.

For more information on the IS minor, please contact our advisor:

Folake Graves at 764-3149 for an appointment.  

Study abroad is strongly encouraged although not required. IS minors who study abroad through an accredited UM program are eligible for CICS funding.

Please contact the Office of International Programs for assistance with your study abroad arrangements