Courses & Requirements

Associated Links:

Rohatyn Center for International Affairs:   http://www.middlebury.edu/administration/rcfia 
International Studies:  http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/majors/is/
International
Politics and Economics:
http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/majors/ipe/ 
Study Abroad course information database
http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap/cid/

Fall 2009 Request for IS Senior Seminar Approval

 

International Studies Major

The faculty for the international studies major is drawn from the following departments and programs: Arabic, Chinese, classics, economics, environmental studies, film and media culture, French, geography, German, history, history of art and architecture, Italian, Japanese, philosophy, political science, religion, Russian, sociology/anthropology, and Spanish.

Director: Thierry Warin (economics); Program Directors: African Studies: Armelle Crouzieres-Ingenthron (French); East Asian studies: Tom Moran (Chinese); European studies: Guntram Herb (geography); Latin American studies: Darién Davis (history); Middle East Studies: Larry Yarbrough (religion); Russian and East European studies: Michael Kraus (political science); South Asian Studies: TBD, Program Coordinator: Carolann Davis.

Mission: The international studies major provides a carefully constructed blend of language, regional, disciplinary, and global courses that, together with study abroad, seeks to impart to students a deep understanding of a specific geographic region, as well as its place within an interdisciplinary and transnational context.
    In pursuit of this mission, the major is designed to ensure that all IS majors graduate with (1) advanced competency in a language taught at Middlebury, sufficient to read scholarly materials and engage in complex interaction with native-speaking professionals in their field of concentration; (2) broad exposure to the historical and cultural heritage of their region of focus; (3) solid grounding in one or more of the liberal arts disciplines other than language; and (4) an understanding of the transnational and global context that affects all regions.
    International education in a liberal arts context should encourage students to transcend the confines of their own backgrounds and upbringing, apprehend the world through others' eyes, and in the process achieve a deeper understanding of themselves and their place within their own cultures. These transformations are prerequisites for living and working effectively in an increasingly interdependent world.
    Courses and Requirements: All students who major in international studies share elements at the beginning and the end of their college careers, with a core course and a senior program. Students also have a wide variety of choices within the international studies curriculum. They must specialize in one of the seven programs that make up the major: African studies, East Asian studies, European studies, Latin American studies, Middle East studies, Russian and East European studies, and South Asian studies. In addition, students must specialize in one of the traditional liberal arts disciplines, achieve proficiency in one of the languages Middlebury teaches, and study abroad, preferably for a year but at least for one semester. Because of the complex and interdisciplinary nature of the international studies major, students pursuing it are strongly advised not to have an additional major. Any course counted for the IS major may not be counted for any other major or minor. Moreover, there is no double-counting within the IS major between a discipline, a language, and the region. In addition, IS majors may not minor in their disciplinary specialization or their primary language of focus. A minimum of 13 courses must be taken in the IS major in order to graduate. The minimum requirements for the major in international studies are as follows:
    The International Studies Core: Students are required to take INTL 0101 as their sole core course requirement, and are expected to take this course before study abroad.
    Language Study: Students must become proficient in one of the languages that Middlebury teaches. Individual language departments determine what level of study constitutes proficiency, and students are expected to do advanced work in the language that they study. All majors must take at least one advanced course in the language of study upon returning from abroad and are encouraged to take more than one advanced course.
    Regional Specialization: This requirement consists of three courses with content exclusively or primarily on the region, in at least two different disciplines other than the language of study and the disciplinary specialization. For a list of courses that fulfill this requirement go to: http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/majors/is/advising/. For students in East Asian studies who elect to learn the Japanese language: three courses on East Asia [two courses with content exclusively or primarily on Japan and one on China or East Asia], in at least two different disciplines. For those students who elect to learn the Chinese language: three courses on East Asia [two courses with content exclusively or primarily on China and one on Japan or East Asia], in at least two different disciplines. Students who have native or near-native proficiency in one language and achieve proficiency in the other may choose a regional specialization in either China or Japan.
     Disciplinary Specialization: Students must take at least five courses within a single discipline among the following list: economics, film and media culture, geography, history, history of art and architecture, literature/civilization, philosophy, political science, religion, and sociology/anthropology (see "Disciplinary Specializations by Department" below). Within a student's disciplinary specialization, at least one of the courses must be an upper-level course, and at least two of the courses should have substantial content on the geographical area of specialization. Where possible, such regional courses should be taken on the Middlebury campus, and IS majors should take at least two of their disciplinary courses before going abroad.
    Study Abroad: Students must study abroad for at least one semester (and preferably for a year) on a Middlebury-approved study abroad program in their region of focus. Study abroad must be in the language of study at Middlebury. Students must receive the approval of the relevant departments and/or, as appropriate, the program director to receive major credit for courses taken abroad.
    Senior Program: The IS senior program consists of (1) A senior international studies seminar that is thematic, team-taught, interdisciplinary, or cross-regional* (see seminar courses under “International Studies Courses” below) (*For class of 2013, this senior seminar will become a tutorial capped at 8 students and will allow students to pursue an independent research project on their region with a cross-disciplinary perspective. This tutorial will serve as a capstone experience for students majoring in IS), and (2) an upper-level course, preferably two, in the language of emphasis that will be taken after returning from abroad. The language departments will determine which courses can be taken to fulfill this requirement, in consultation with the program director. Students may also elect to write an honors thesis (INTL 070X, two semesters) during their senior year. Students writing a thesis may choose to waive the IS seminar requirement. Students are eligible to write a senior honors thesis if they have a 3.5 GPA or better in all courses that count for the major. The writing of a thesis is required to graduate with honors. Thesis guidelines and procedures are sent to seniors in the fall of their senior year and are available from the program director.
    Honors: Honors are awarded to students with a GPA* of 3.5 and a thesis grade of B+, high honors to students with a GPA of 3.7 and a thesis grade of A- or A, and highest honors to students with a GPA of 3.8 and a thesis grade of A.
    * The International Studies GPA is calculated on the basis of those courses that satisfy or could potentially satisfy the requirements for the major.  
    Note: Thesis grades do not count in the calculation of the GPA for honors.
    Winter Term Course: A winter term course taken at Middlebury may count towards the regional and/or disciplinary requirements only with the approval of the track director. Students wishing to count a winter term course must provide the track director with a copy of the course syllabus. No more than one winter term course may count towards the program requirements.

Area Specializations

African Studies:
The International Studies Committee considers proposals from individual students who have specific plans to complete all the requirements for the international studies major, incorporating courses on Africa as their area studies focus. Students may consider this alternative if they can commit themselves to study a language offered at Middlebury to the advanced level, and to study the appropriate indigenous African language to a level of reasonable competence. Students whose proposals are accepted will be monitored by Middlebury faculty associated with African studies, in consultation with the director of the international studies major. Students interested in African studies should contact the African studies director.

East Asian Studies: 
    Language/Culture: Satisfactory completion of advanced work in either Chinese or Japanese. The Chinese and Japanese departments will specify which courses fulfill this requirement.
A student who already has native or near-native proficiency in Japanese must fulfill the language requirements for Chinese. A student who already has native or near-native proficiency in Chinese must fulfill the language requirements for Japanese.
    Regional Specialization: see “Courses and Requirements” above
    Disciplinary Specialization: see "Disciplinary Specializations by Department" below
    Study Abroad: see “Courses and Requirements” above
    Senior Program: see “Courses and Requirements” above

European Studies:
    Language and Culture: Language competency; satisfactory completion of at least one advanced course taught in the language of emphasis (French, German, Italian, or Spanish). Individual language departments will specify which courses fulfill this requirement.
    Regional Specialization: see “Courses and Requirements” above
    Disciplinary Specialization: see "Disciplinary Specializations by Department" below
    Study Abroad: see “Courses and Requirements” above
    Senior Program: see “Courses and Requirements” above

Latin American Studies: 
    Language/Culture: Language competency: satisfactory completion of advanced work in Spanish or Portuguese as determined by the department of Spanish and Portuguese.
    Regional Specialization: see “Courses and Requirements” above
    Disciplinary Specialization: see "Disciplinary Specializations by Department" below
    Study Abroad: see “Courses and Requirements” above
    Senior Program: see “Courses and Requirements” above

Middle East Studies: 
    Language/Culture: Successful completion of three years of Arabic or Modern Hebrew (or the equivalent as determined by the Arabic or Hebrew program). Students who choose Modern Hebrew must be willing to pursue language study beyond Middlebury, if the College’s Hebrew program is not able to offer a full range of advanced courses.
    Regional Specialization: see “Courses and Requirements” above
    Disciplinary Specialization: see "Disciplinary Specializations by Department" below
    Study Abroad: see “Courses and Requirements” above
    Senior Program: see “Courses and Requirements” above

Russian and East European Studies: 
    Language/Culture: Language competency: satisfactory completion of at least second- and preferably third-level Russian or the Russian School equivalent.
    Regional Specialization: see “Courses and Requirements” above
    Disciplinary Specialization: see "Disciplinary Specializations by Department" below
      Study Abroad: see “Courses and Requirements” above
     Senior Program: see “Courses and Requirements” above     

Disciplinary Specializations by Department

International Studies Courses

INTL 0101 Introduction to International Studies (Fall) (Spring)
This is the core course of the International Studies major. It is an introduction to key international issues and problems that will likely feature prominently in their courses at Middlebury and study abroad. Issues covered will differ from year to year, but they may include war, globalization, immigration, racism, imperialism, nationalism, world organizations, non-governmental organizations, the European Union, the rise of East Asia, politics and society in Latin America, and anti-Americanism. CMP (fall: S. Stroup, T. Sasson; spring: J. Lunstead)

INTL 0250 International Diplomacy and Modern South Asia (Fall)
In this course we will examine current political and economic issues in the countries of South Asia - Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. We will first examine the background of the South Asian region in general (pre-colonial and colonial eras) and of South Asian countries after independence. We will look at specific interstate and intrastate issues, focusing on the combined quests for political stability and economic development. Students will look at topical issues from the perspective of an officer working in a U.S. Embassy or in a U.S. foreign policy agency. The course will combine rigorous academic understanding of the region with current policy issues. Readings will include both academic studies and contemporary policy/issues papers. This course is equivalent to PSCI 0250. SOC AAL (J. Lunstead)

INTL 0442 Jihad vs. McWorld (Fall)
In the new millennium, we may all be part of a global market economy, but can we live in a global market society? This seminar examines two major forces shaping the world today. One is “McWorld,” a homogenizing global trend resulting from modern technology, communications, and an increasingly interdependent capitalist world economy. The other is “Jihad,” a resurgence of ethnic politics, fundamentalist religious movements, and the “politics of identity.” We will analyze the origins, development, and interaction of these two seemingly contradictory trends through case studies from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. This course is equivalent to PSCI 0404. (Approval required) 3 hrs. sem. SOC CMP (D. Rosenberg, T. Warin)

INTL 0460 Global Consumptions: Food, Eating, and Power in Comparative Perspective (Spring)
Using interdisciplinary approaches, we will examine the practices and politics of food and eating in a range of regions. Food sustains not only bodies, but national, ethnic, and social identities as well. Notions of time and space, order and transgression, nature and culture have long affected what people eat and how they do it. How does eating, this most basic and universal of human practices, both reflect difference and create it? How are food systems, symbolic and “real,” linked to national and international politics: Finally, how are contemporary food practices influenced by “modernization” and “globalization”? We will consider these and other questions as they apply to Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the United States in the second half of the twentieth century. This course is equivalent to SOAN 0460. (Approval required) 3 hrs. sem. (E. Oxfeld, P. Schwartz)

INTL 0473 Diasporas & Homelands (Fall)
War, mass migration, and globalization have spurred development of diaspora communities and heightened scholarly interest in the phenomenon. In contrast to other groups of exiles and immigrants, diaspora communities seek integration within host countries as well as ongoing political, economic, and cultural ties to their homelands. A number of questions arise from these complex and dynamic relationships: How do diaspora communities maintain cultural distinctiveness within host countries? How do they maintain and reproduce cultural ties with homelands and other centers of diaspora life? What influence do diaspora communities have on political relationships between host countries and homelands? What influence do they have on internal homeland politics? Finally, what are the implications of the diaspora phenomenon for the future of the nation-state and globalization? Case studies will be drawn from a variety of diaspora communities, including Jews, Palestinians, Armenians, Africans, and Indians. This course is equivalent to SOAN 0473. (Approval required) 3 hrs. sem. SOC CMP (T. Sasson)

INTL 0474 Political Theology from St. Paul to John Locke (Spring)
St. Paul epitomized the idea of political theology when he wrote "the powers that be are ordained by God." Those who rule do so by divine ordinance, and obedience to them is a duty owed to God. Centuries later, political philosophers like Milton and Locke argued that power originated with the consent of the governed, but they also subscribed to St. Paul's political theology. This mixture of seemingly incompatible views is part of our political heritage. In this course we will seek to understand political theology in its historical contexts, from the ancient Middle East to the modern United States. This course is equivalent to HIST 0474 and PHIL 0474. (Approval required) 3 hrs. sem. HIS PHL (P. Monod, V. Nuovo)

INTL 0475 Globalization in Historical Perspective (Spring)
In this seminar we will examine processes of colonial and capital expansion that have reshaped the globe during the past three centuries. By engaging with the work of classical social theorists and contemporary scholars from a range of disciplines, students will develop a broad, critical perspective on the forces of social integration and differentiation that attended European imperialism. Questions we will explore include: how did the West come to understand itself as universal and how did it measure and enforce the particularity of others-the East, the "primitive," etc.? How has this assigned particularity been understood, embraced, and challenged both epistemologically and practically? Readings will include works by Karl Marx, Max Weber, Frantz Fanon, Edward Said, Dipesh Chakrabarty, and Susan Buck-Morss. This course is equivalent to HIST 0474. (Approval required) 3 hrs. sem. HIS SOC CMP EUR (M. Clinton)

INTL 0476 Disability in a Global Context (Fall)
Approximately 650 million people currently live with a disability, making this population the largest minority in the world. In this seminar we will explore the meaning of disability (as a condition) as well as the lived experience of people with disabilities in global, continental, and national contexts. Using an integrated perspective that applies knowledge about disability from diverse disciplines and methodologies, we will assess core models of disability: social, medical, linguistic, historical, political, institutional, educational, technological, attitudinal, and economic. Using the term disability within an analytical framework, we will examine the meaning of such fundamental concepts as identity, community, citizenship, and "normalcy." (Approval required) 3 hrs. sem. CMP (S. Burch)

INTL 0477 How El Norte Became the Southwest (Spring)
In this course we will study the political and cultural transformation of Northern Mexican/ Southwestern borderlands. Themes and issues will include: Mexican conceptions of frontier, constructions of identity by Tejanos, Californios, and Hispanos, the history of the Mexican American War, demographic transformation, and the role of dispossession and Americanization in cultural change. We will focus on close readings of texts such as: Maria Ruiz de Burton's The Squatter and the Don, The Life and Times of Juaquin Murrieta, Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop, Helen Hunt Jackson's Ramona, and the screenplay of the movie Lone Star. This course is equivalent to AMST 0477. (Approval required) 3 hrs. sem. HIS SOC CMP NOR (R. Lint Sagarena)

INTL 0500 East Asian Studies Independent Project (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0501 Latin American Studies Independent Project (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0502 Middle East Studies Independent Project (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0503 African Studies Independent Project (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0504 South Asian Studies Independent Project (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0505 European Studies Independent Project (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0701 Russian and East European Studies Senior Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0702 European Studies Senior Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0703 Latin American Studies Senior Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0704 East Asian Studies Senior Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0705 African Studies Senior Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0706 Middle East Studies Senior Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)

INTL 0707 South Asian Studies Senior Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)