Why Study International Studies?

What Is International Studies?

The International Studies major is an interdisciplinary program designed to give students an awareness of the diversity, complexity, and interdependence of the world community, and to provide them with the necessary background to understand and analyze the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of current world problems and issues. The International Studies major offers students the cultural competency necessary to be successful in an increasingly complex and global job market. It prepares students for careers in government, international organizations, journalism, international consulting, business, education, community development, and human rights work with non-government organizations. It also provides a foundation for graduate work in such disciplines and programs of study as law, international studies, international relations, area studies, public policy, and public administration.

Why Study International Studies?

The International Studies major offers students the cultural competency necessary to be successful in an increasingly complex and global job market. It prepares students for careers in government, international organizations, journalism, international consulting, business, education, community development, and human rights work with non-government organizations. It also provides a foundation for graduate work in such disciplines and programs of study as law, international studies, international relations, area studies, public policy, and public administration.

Why Study International Studies at Butler University?

The curriculum of the International Studies program at Butler is flexible; it can be adapted to meet the student’s individual interests and career plan. The following outlines some of the key characteristics and advantages of studying International Studies at Butler University.

  • A student-oriented program.
  • A large number of full-time faculty from various departments and areas of studies, rendering the curriculum truly comprehensive and global, and offering the students a great variety of perspectives.
  • A curriculum that prepares the students to be able to work and be successful in an increasingly multicultural environment.
  • A curriculum that prepares the students for interdisciplinary research.
  • A well-structured curriculum that gives the student the fundamental knowledge in the field, while allowing students to concentrate on regional foci and sub-fields of their interest.
  • Washington, DC Internship: Students may intern in many government agencies, in Congress, non-governmental organizations, foreign embassies, international organizations such as OAE, IMF, etc., and Think Tankers.
  • International internships where students can learn hands-on knowledge of many countries around the world.
  • A comprehensive study abroad program with opportunities for study in nearly every country around the world.
  • Concrete experiences in Diplomacy by participating at the Harvard National United Nations Model or McGill University United Nations Model in Montreal (cost of travel and lodging to participate is covered by the program).
  • Participation at the Midwest European Union Model.
  • Financial support for students conducting thesis research.
  • Financial support for travel for students presenting papers at conferences.
  • An active student-run International Studies Club.
  • Students are informed early in their studies about career and post-graduate opportunities suitable for international studies majors.

The degree, also available as a three-year program, which accelerate your foundation for graduate studies in law; international relations; social sciences such as anthropology, history, political science, and sociology; public policy and public administration; and more.

Student Learning Objectives

The program provides students with the opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of a range of skills and abilities in relation to the international system and process of globalization. Students who complete this degree will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major dimensions of globalization such as economic, political and cultural globalization.
  • Describe the major functions of international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization.
  • Draw connections between social issues in their local community and the larger national and global context for such issues.
  • Describe and assess the main aspects of international relations, including the main aspects of U.S. foreign policy, colonialism, and nationalism.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate social scientific methods to compile and interpret data in assigned research projects or papers.
  • Understand the complexity of the contemporary world and demonstrate familiarity with the variety and relativity of cultures within one major world region.