International Studies

Overview

In a world where the forces of politics, commerce, culture, and technology are multifaceted and interconnected, the International Studies (INTS) major provides students with a much-needed global perspective. INTS is an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree that prepares students for international careers and graduate study. The INTS major offers students a deep understanding of complex international issues and the underlying drivers that are shaping our world. Employers seek the qualities of INTS graduates: historical knowledge, research ability, cross-cultural competence, teamwork and leadership experience, and the ability to analyze, model, and solve real-world problems. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), International Studies graduates earn higher starting salaries than any other social science major, except Economics. The INTS major provides students with the methodological tools necessary to analyze various regions of the world and global issues from different academic disciplines. Students take courses from departments including Anthropology, Business, Communication, Economics, Geography, History, Modern Languages, Political Science, and Religious Studies, among others. This combination of coursework, flexibility, and customization provides INTS majors a distinctive and valuable degree for today’s world.

Undergraduate Information

Click here for information about the requirements for the Major in International Studies.
Click here for information about the requirements for the Minor in International Studies.

Joint BA/MA Programs

Highly-motivated students with strong GPAs in the INTS major may qualify for admission to a combined BA/MA program, with the BA in International Studies and MA in Political Science (PSCI) or Humanities or Social Science (MHMSS). This condensed graduate degree program allows students to double-count 5 graduate-level courses toward the BA and MA simultaneously and to complete the MA degree with only one extra year of coursework. Interested students should contact advisors in both the INTS program and Political Science or the Masters in Humanities or Masters in Social Science program to learn more about specific course plans and requirements. Note: Students who are approved to begin a joint BA/MA program must still apply to and be accepted by their chosen graduate program.

Click here for information about the requirements for the 4+1 BA in International Studies to MH or MSS.
Click here for information about the requirements for the 4+1 BA in International Studies to PSCI MA.

The international studies program is an interdisciplinary major with 100+ courses drawn from multiple academic departments. Below are only courses that have a distinct International Studies program (INTS) course subject code.

International Studies (INTS)

INTS 1111 - First Year Seminar (3 Credits)

Restriction: Restricted to Freshman level students. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Freshman level students

Typically Offered: Fall.

INTS 2020 - Foundations of International Studies (3 Credits)

Through a combination of lecture, discussion, and hands-on learning activities, students will develop skills and abilities necessary for academic and professional success in the international studies arena, especially critical thinking, connection building, conceptual understanding, and cultural awareness. The course is structured in three phases: (1) core interdisciplinary concepts; (2) regional foci; and (3) global issues. Note: Students may not receive credit for INTS 2020, if they have already received credit for INTS 2000. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, International Perspectives.

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

INTS 3003 - From Buddha to #BlackLivesMatter: The Past and Future of Nonviolence (3 Credits)

Why is "Nonviolence" central to many of the religious traditions of South Asia? What has nonviolence looked like historically and how has its meaning and practice changed in the modern world? In traditions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, the practice of nonviolence relates to ethics through concepts of "karma"-our actions. This course begins with an investigation of the theories of karma and the roles they play in these traditions' ideas about the self, the other, and the world. We will take a focused look at the way each tradition regards the idea and practice of ahimsa, nonviolence, as both an ethical and personal good. That is, how does each tradition consider what is proper social action and how do they relate it to the attainment of salvation (i.e. moksha, nirvana)? The course puts Indian thought in conversation with western philosophies to question how we might develop a critical vocabulary for the comparative study of ethics. Turning to the modern era, we will examine Gandhi's philosophy and practice of nonviolent action in the anti-colonial struggle for India's independence, as well as how Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King adapted Gandhi's ideas to the struggle for civil rights in the US. Finally, we will examine recent critiques of nonviolence from American philosophers, activists, and communities of color to see ways that nonviolence continues to play a role in rethinking major issues for fostering equality and equity in the US and global contexts, including policing and religious and ethnic nationalism. Cross-listed with ETST 3003, HIST 3003, PHIL 3003, RLST 3003, and HIST 5003. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

INTS 3939 - Internship (1-6 Credits)

Experiences involving application of specific, relevant concepts and skills in supervised employment situations. Prereq: Students must have junior standing and at least a 2.75 GPA and must work with Experiential Learning Center advising to complete a course contract and gain approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max Hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Prereq: Junior standing or higher and at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

INTS 4002 - Race, Gender and Religious Nationalisms in Asia and the US (3 Credits)

This course investigates ideologies and practices of race, caste, ethnicity, and gender at the foundations of several contemporary religious nationalist movements in Asia and the US. The course focuses first on the ways that religious ideologies and practices of gender help to define and police the borders of race, caste, and ethnicity as social identities. We will examine how these ideologies emerge in religious texts and how they have been challenged in literature and practice, both historically and in the modern era, while privileging the works, voices, and perspectives of women and queer caste-oppressed and racialized philosophers, activists, and thinkers. The course then seeks to give students conceptual and theoretical foundations to understand the relationship between race/caste/ethnicity and gender in religious nationalisms, while presenting case studies from Asia and the US to reflect on and challenge these models. Students will have the opportunity to conduct further research into these issues in Asia, the US, and other parts of the world. Cross-listed with HIST 4002, CHIN 4002, ETST 4002, RLST 4002, and HIST 5002. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

INTS 4152 - Religion & Communication (3 Credits)

This course focuses on the dynamics between religion, culture, and communication and how these have led to intercultural peace, centuries of war, and/or different visions of belonging. This class addresses these dynamics to improve intercultural dialogue and conflict resolution processes, foregrounding the search for justice. Cross-listed with COMM 4152, RLST 4152, COMM 5152, INTS 5152, and RLST 5152. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

INTS 4611 - Rhetoric of Global Food Policy (3 Credits)

This course examines stakeholder relations, agendas, and debates about global food policy using rhetorical concepts and analysis. Topics include the framing of debates about agriculture, hunger and obesity, the greening of food governance, sustainable food systems, and more. This course fulfills the communication department's pathway course requirement. Cross-listed with COMM 4611. Prereq: Junior standing or higher. Term offered: spring, fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: junior standing or higher

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

INTS 4700 - Special Topics (3 Credits)

Note: May be taken more than once for credit when topics vary. Term offered: fall, spring. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

INTS 4840 - Independent Study (1-3 Credits)

Directed study based on a specific subfield of international studies. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS undergraduate advising office for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

INTS 4880 - Directed Research (1-6 Credits)

Students will engage in original research projects supervised and mentored by faculty. Students must work with faculty prior to registration to develop a proposal for their project and receive permission to take this course. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS undergraduate advising office for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

INTS 4990 - International Studies Capstone (3 Credits)

A capstone course for students in the International Studies major, the class is designed to facilitate independent student research in the field of international studies and assist students in developing advanced writing and communication skills. Prereq: Students in the course must be declared international studies majors in their final year of coursework (senior status is recommended preparation). Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to International Studies Majors only

Typically Offered: Fall.

INTS 4995 - Global Study Topics (1-15 Credits)

This course is reserved for CU Denver faculty-led study abroad experiences. The course topic will vary based on the location and course content. Students register through the Office of Global Education. Cross-listed with INTS 5995. Term offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 15 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 15.

Additional Information: Global Education Study Abroad.

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

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2024-2025 Academic Catalog

International Studies

Overview

Undergraduate Information

Joint BA/MA Programs

Programs

The international studies program is an interdisciplinary major with 100+ courses drawn from multiple academic departments. Below are only courses that have a distinct International Studies program (INTS) course subject code.

International Studies (INTS)

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