The BA in International Studies (INTS) is an interdisciplinary degree that combines linguistic and regional expertise, with specialization in a sub-field specific to the track.

Environmental Studies Track

Globalization and rapid industrialization have brought about a set of environmental concerns that defy national boundaries. Students will work through a fascinating array of coursework chosen among various disciplines including geoscience, science, agriculture and life sciences, and liberal arts. Ultimately students will have a firm grasp of the myriad environmental issues that arise from our global interconnectedness.

Principle objectives

1. To guide students through the complex cultural, social, political, and economic stakes of global interdependence.
2. To assure a measurable proficiency in a foreign language.
3. To assure regional cultural competency through a structured and integrated abroad experience.
4. To provide a historical dimension to current conceptions of globalization.

Curriculum

The degree plan consists of a combination of INTS core courses, with electives tailored for each track, area studies courses in the region corresponding to the student's foreign language choice, foreign language courses, and at least one long semester or 10-week summer study abroad or other approved international program with an emphasis on cultural and linguistic immersion.

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Students completing a Bachelor of Arts in the Bush School are required to complete 14 hours of a foreign language through the intermediate level. Students in International Affairs are required to complete an additional 6 hours of a foreign language through the advanced level. If you choose to enroll in a language you have studied previously without receiving college credit, you must first take a placement test. See the Foreign Language paragraph.

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At least 3 hours must be in MATH. Three hours may be PHIL 240.

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Select six (6) courses from at least two departments. Not all courses will be offered every semester. See academic advisor. Students must select three (3) courses from the each of following lists.

•  Environmental Studies Basics. Select three (3) courses from: ATMO 201, ATMO 210; GEOL 101; GEOG 203; OCNG 251.
• Environmental Studies Electives. Select three (3) courses from: ATMO 444; BIOL 357; ECCB 205, ENGL 202; GEOS 410; GEOG 205, GEOG 309, GEOG 324, GEOG 330, GEOG 430; INTA 484; OCNG 413; PHIL 314; POLS 347; RWFM 375; SOCI 328. 

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The course will be used to track student's completion of the International Experience Requirement (see paragraph below).

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Select courses from an approved list on the INTS website in consultation with an advisor. Courses numbered 485 or 489 that contain significant international content can be taken in any department to meet part of the track or area requirement. Students must obtain International Studies advisor approval before taking the 485 or 489 course.

Graduation requirements include 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. The required 6 hours may be met by courses satisfying other areas of a degree program.  See your academic advisor for further information.

Foreign Language

Students entering International Studies take a placement exam to determine the level of and number of required foreign language courses. Exam results may fulfill a maximum of 14 semester credit hours.

• Students placed in 101 will take 101, 102, 201 and 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placed in 102 will take 102, 201 and 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placed in 201 will take 201 and 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placed in 202 will take 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placing out of 101, 102, 201 and 202 will take 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.

International Experience Requirements

The International Experience must generate at least 3 hours of Texas A&M University credit. Departmental approval is required before travel. Any international experience that does not meet these criteria will not count toward the degree.

• Must be at least one long semester or one 10-week summer approved experience.
• Must be taken after completion of 100- and 200-level language requirement and INTA 201.
• Must be completed before student is eligible to enroll in INTA 481, INTA 491, or INTA 497.
• Must be an immersion experience in the foreign culture and language, which can be satisfied by:
  • An internship at a company, government agency or non-profit operation involving significant use of the foreign language. Three hours of INTA 484 elective credit can be given.
  • Courses taken at a foreign university. Courses may count for Texas A&M University credit with approval of the advisor of the relevant department. These courses cannot apply to the International Studies core. One course must be taken in the foreign language at the 300- or 400-level.
  • Selected Texas A&M University Study Abroad programs which involve intensive cultural and language immersion.
  • A combination of the above to equal the requirement of a long semester or a 10-week summer-approved experience.
• Must be taken outside of the student’s country of origin.
• Must be taken in one foreign country that matches with the foreign language and the area study requirement unless approved by the department head before travel.

Other courses may qualify for the college, university requirements categories. Students should consult the approved list of courses available in the International Studies Degree Program Office. The list incorporates University Core Curriculum requirements. No course can be counted in more than one category, except as allowed in the International and Cultural Diversity and Cultural Discourse Graduation requirement.