Anna Feuer

The International Studies Program (ISP) at UC San Diego is a unique interdisciplinary major that offers undergraduates an introduction to political, economic, and cultural change from a global perspective.

The program is built upon two premises. First, the study of nearly every aspect of societal change demands an understanding of its global context. The progress of economic integration and technological development has transformed state institutions, local cultures, and even our moral and aesthetic commitments. Globalization is the water we swim in; it is easy to lose sight of the particular historical processes that have shaped our contemporary condition. ISP challenges its students to articulate and analyze the relations of interdependence that link seemingly disparate happenings across the world.

The second premise follows from the first: the study of global developments calls for an interdisciplinary approach. The best thinking about our interconnected world necessarily embraces different forms of knowledge from across the humanities and social sciences. Interdisciplinary inquiry is driven by a genuine curiosity about how to best formulate and answer real-world questions; it does not rely upon any one set of concepts and methods but actively considers alternative ways of characterizing problems.

Our Curriculum:

ISP gives students a deep foundation in one core field of inquiry. We offer nine disciplinary tracks from which students may choose: Political Science, Economics, International Business, Philosophy, Literature, History, Sociology, Anthropology, and Linguistics. ISP students must also take interdisciplinary electives outside of their major track.

In addition, all ISP students take three required interdisciplinary gateway courses that aim at developing analytical reading and writing skills, interpreting modern cultural and social development, and investigating sources of economic and political change. Recent core courses have addressed topics as varied as: the ethics of climate change, global Black history, language and language policy, the modern world economy, and international relations of the Asia-Pacific. See our Undergraduate Program and Academic Advising pages for more information.

Why Major or Minor in International Studies?

• An education in international studies enriches our graduates’ work in their chosen fields. Students who seek careers in business and finance need familiarity with the international security threats that upend global trade and supply chains. Students pursuing careers in tech require an understanding of human rights to ensure that technological progress is just and inclusive. Our graduates have made use of their ISP degrees to develop careers in law, business, finance, academia, the non-profit and humanitarian sectors, and other rewarding areas. See our Alumni Spotlights page to read graduates’ stories.
• ISP is the only undergraduate program housed in the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS)—a world-class graduate school. ISP students study with faculty from GPS and across the university who are conducting cutting-edge research on urgent policy matters. ISP students may pursue the five-year Bachelor of Arts/Master of International Affairs program. GPS also sponsors the APRU Undergraduate Leaders Program fellowship.

• ISP offers students the chance to study a particular region of the world in depth. ISP majors must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language and complete a regional studies requirement. We encourage and support students who wish to study abroad and gain real-world experience by pursuing internship and research opportunities.

ISP students understand themselves as answerable for the demands of our interdependent world. Our aim is to support students in their efforts to confront global challenges with clarity and purpose.

Please email me or visit me at my office. Welcome to UC San Diego!

Anna Feuer

Director, International Studies Program

Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Global Policy and Strategy

UC San Diego