More Information
For more information about majors and minors at Merrimack, consult the online course catalog.
As an international studies major, you’ll develop your cross-cultural understanding and learn to interact with others in our increasingly complex and diverse global community.
Anchored in political science and history, this interdisciplinary program will provide you with deep insights into the political and historical forces that have shaped the countries and regions you’ll study.
As an international studies major, you will:
You’ll broaden your global perspectives by studying a foreign language and taking part in experiential learning opportunities, such as an internship or study-abroad program.
Upon successful completion of the international studies program, you’ll be well equipped to further your education at graduate school, as well as pursue a career in international business, government, law, media, education or nonprofit organizations. You might pursue a career as a cultural specialist, director of international programs, foreign correspondent, government policy adviser, journalist, management consultant or political scientist
If you choose to minor in a related field, like economics or political science, you’ll stand out in the job market.
This bachelor’s degree program requires a minimum of 124 credits. As part of the overall 124 credit minimum, you’ll take a combination of required and elective courses to satisfy the 38-credit and 10-course-minimum requirement in the international studies major.
Core Introductory Courses (complete all three courses)
HIS 1131 | World History, 1500 to Present |
POL 1500 | Comparative Politics |
POL 1900 | International Politics |
Advanced Core Courses (complete three courses)
ECO 1201 |
An Introduction to Economics OR International Political Economy |
HIS 3330 | World History Since 1945 |
POL 2000 | Political Science Methods |
Global Dynamics Courses* (choose one)
COM 4531 | Intercultural Communication |
ECO 3303 | Economic Development |
ECO 3306 | International Economics |
HIS 3335 | World Environmental History, 1300-Present |
HIS 3550 | Global Empires, Race, and Nature, 1750-1945 |
HIS 3380 | Science, Technology and Society |
HSC 3103 | Global Public Health |
PHL 3030 | Global Justice |
POL 2200 | Globalization |
POL 3160 | United States Foreign Policy |
POL 3530 | Democracy, Development and Violence |
POL 3540 | International Political Economy |
POL 3541 | Cyber Security: The Intersection of Technology and Policy |
PSY 3250 | Cultural Psychology |
RTS 3850 | War and Peace: Religious Perspectives |
SOC 3330 | Race and Ethnic Minorities |
WGS 3110 | Global Women’s Issues: Gender, Activism and Social Justice |
Area Studies* (choose two courses in same geographical area)
Latin America
HIS 3440 | Survey of Latin American History: From Pre-Contact to the Present |
POL 3521 | Latin American Politics |
POL 3531 | Politics of Developing Nations |
SPA 3510 | Culture and Civilization of Spain I |
SPA 3630 | Studies in Popular Culture of Latin America and Spain |
SPA 4080 | Hispanic Literature in Translation |
Europe
FRE 3510 | France and Its Civilization I |
FRE 3520 | France and Its Civilization II |
HIS 3378 | History of Modern Britain |
HIS 3390 | Modern European Social History |
HIS 3410 | Twentieth Century Europe |
HIS 3412 | Hitler, Mussolini, and the Fascist Challenge in Europe, 1900-1950 |
HIS 3471 | From Lenin to Putin: Russia in the Twentieth Century |
POL 3522 | British Politics |
POL 3524 | Politics of Russia and the Post-Soviet States |
POL 3526 | Politics of the European Union |
SPA 3510 | Culture and Civilization of Spain I |
SPA 3630 | Studies in Popular Culture of Latin America and Spain |
Asia
HIS 3331 | Slaves and Spice: A History of the Indian Ocean |
POL 3520 | Modern China |
POL 3523 | Japanese Politics |
Middle East
HIS 3365 | The History of Muslim Communities, 600-1600 |
HIS 3366 | History of the Modern Middle East |
POL 3525 | Politics of the Middle East |
* Some global dynamics and areas studies courses may require prerequisites. If you wish to use one of these courses to fulfill a major requirement in international studies, you are responsible for either taking the prerequisite(s) or obtaining a waiver from the professor teaching the course.
In your senior year, you must also complete an integrative seminar or directed study. This includes writing a major research paper.
For more information about majors and minors at Merrimack, consult the online course catalog.