International Studies - Minor General Requirements
The International Studies minor is designed to offer students an introduction to the interdisciplinary investigation of other societies and the forces of global integration and conflict.
The minor consists of seven four-unit courses (28 units).
ALL International Studies Minor courses (including language courses) must be taken for a LETTER GRADE of C- or better.
(a) Language requirement
All minors must demonstrate basic proficiency in a modern foreign language by completing four quarters of foreign language instruction (or equivalent). Students may also complete this requirement by demonstrating advanced language ability on a proficiency exam. (See worksheet)
You may complete the foreign langauage requirement by one of the following:
- Four quarters of college-level foreign language. A maximum of (2) language courses can be applied toward the seven courses required for the minor.
- High School outside the US (Spoken in a language other than English)*
- Score of 700 or better on SAT II *
- Proficiency exam *
- Appropriate score on AP Language or Literature exam (Score must be equivalent to the 4th quarter language)*
* Although you have fulfilled the language component of the minor by completing one of these requirements, no course credit will be applied toward the (7) courses required for the minor.
Up to two courses in foreign language can be included in the seven courses required for the minor. These may be lower-division courses. The remaining five courses must be upper division courses in the humanities and social sciences. (See below)
(b) Additional course requirements
- All minors must take INTL 101 and INTL 102. INTL 101 and 102 may be taken in any order and are offered during different quarters throughout the academic year. If you would like to enroll in INTL 101 or 102, contact the International Studies Advising Office for a pre-authorization (please have your PID and top three chosen sections available when you contact us). INTL 101 and 102 are gateway courses and should be taken in the sophomore or junior year.
- The remaining three to five courses (depending on the number of language courses applied to the minor) must be distributed in two broad areas (tracks). Specifically, students must take at least one course in each of two tracks:
• Culture and Society in International Perspective
• Economics, Politics and International Change
(See course listings for each track.) - The minor must include courses from at least two departments.
- All courses applied to the minor must receive a letter grade of C- or better.
- Minors in international studies are encouraged to participate in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) and UCSD's Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP). Subject to approval by the IS faculty director, up to three courses taken through EAP/OAP or at another university will be accepted for credit toward the minor. NOTE: petitioned language courses will apply toward the three allowable petitions.
- Only one AIP 197 will apply toward the minor by petition.
