International Studies

International Studies (IS) exists as a cross-disciplinary field of study where students learn about crucial world issues from a variety of perspectives. St. Stephen’s University has developed three distinctive International Studies program offerings. Students may choose between two undergraduate degrees in International Studies. Qualifying students may also apply for an International Studies Internship leading to a Postgraduate Diploma.

There are opportunities for:

• new thinking and serious reflection on pressing global questions of economic development, social justice, and environmental sustainability
• blending Biblical, historical, and contemporary views on world civilizations with compelling cross-cultural experiences
• two undergraduate Travel Semesters — one in Asia and one in Europe
• a Postgraduate Internship in the Developing World
• experiential learning where principles and practices of stewardship and service are expressed through compassion and cross-cultural understanding
• hands-on, practical experiences of living within a Christian learning community, at home and abroad
• integrated and nuanced appreciation of the issues such as poverty, population growth, disease, water shortages, human migration, climate change, war, gender inequality, community dynamics, pop culture, world religions, mass communications, strategic development, cultural heritage, and human rights

Scholarship and Service

SSU has a strong commitment to educating and equipping students to be informed world citizens. For more than two decades SSU students have travelled and studied abroad in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This international experience is foundational to SSU’s two International Studies undergraduate degrees – the Bachelor of International Studies (BIS) and Bachelor of Arts, Major in International Studies BA(IS). These two streams promote…

• Learning that is focused on vocations of service and social justice
• Learning that is international, integrative, interdisciplinary, highly relational, and transformational
• Learning that prepares students to serve those who suffer most
• Learning that emphasizes professional and applied skills that can be directed toward sustainable economic development, social justice, and environmental stewardship
• Learning that prepares students to integrate cross-cultural awareness with careers of international service.

Two Degree Options

Students may choose between two study programs consisting of core and elective courses that come together to educate students in global issues and provide a professional context for international development. Coursework, case studies, current methodologies, and strategic ideas emerge from a range of humanities and social science disciplines. Students examine social, cultural, economic, historical, political, and theological contexts, especially for those who live with poverty, hunger, disease, and environmental degradation.

Find out more:

• BA(IS): Bachelor of Arts, Major in International Studies
• BIS: Bachelor of International Studies

International Studies Core Course Listings (Required for all IS Majors)

IS 101 – Introduction to International Studies

Addresses strategies for understanding peace, human rights, sustainable development and environmental stewardship. These and other aspects of internationalization are studied in various social, cultural, economic, historical, political, and theological contexts.

IS 200 – Business Economics in an Interdependent World

Explores the impact of western economics through organized action in the Developing World. In particular, students examine the work of the United Nations, World Bank, World Health Organization, government task forces, multinational corporations, and NGOs.

IS 300 – Sociology of Global Issues

Encourages students to make use of sociological perspectives so as to be critically aware of global issues and opportunities, particularly in reference to the Developing World.

IS 400 – The Politics of Citizenship

The process of political socialization is investigated in relation to diverse, non-Western societies. Drawing on Developing World case studies, this course introduces students to the historical and contemporary realities of forming democratic citizens in times of political unrest.

Hist 215 – The Emergence of Southeast Asia

Provides a survey of the traditional societies and ancient empires of the region, including patterns of migration and trade. Focuses on the impact of the colonial period, and Southeast Asia’s various paths to independence, modernization, and resurgence in the decades following World War II.

RS 295 – World Religions

An overview and comparison of the major world religions with a focus on Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Islam.

RS 297 – World Religions

An in-depth examination of one of the major religions based on experiential learning, fieldwork, and directed research in selected countries of Southeast Asia.

CA 295 – Cultural Anthropology

An introduction to the fundamentals of Cultural Anthropology, its methods and techniques of research; key concepts, theories, and central issues. Students examine concepts of culture, worldviews, social and kinship structures, and belief systems, particularly in relation to the cultures of Southeast Asia.

CA 297 – Cultural Anthropology

Students engage in intensive cultural immersion in the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand through anthropological data collection methods, including research design, cross-cultural comparison, analysis, and self reflection.

Lit 390 – European Myth and Legend: Contemporary Responses to Ancient Stories

Examines the foundations of mythology and legends of Western Europe, beginning with stories of ancient Greece and Rome through to the Arthurian legends of the Middle Ages. Considers contemporary explorations of these issues through a revival and reinterpretation of classic narratives.

IS 390 – Contemporary Europe

Considers various aspects of society and culture in relation to the myriad forces affecting contemporary Europe. Encourages students make connections between selected themes in European history, politics, religion and philosophy yesterday and today.

Hist 391 – Studies in Genius

Evaluates significant transitions in European cultural and intellectual history through examining the biographies of individuals who acted as change-agents across the centuries.

RS/Hist 351 – The Reform Movements of 16th Century Europe: Effects on Society and Culture

Explores the reform movements of the early 16th century in central Europe, particularly those associated with Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, the Anabaptists, and the significance of the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation.

IS/Hist 392 – Introduction to the European Union

Introduces the European Union, its history, present circumstances, significance, and future directions. Investigates similarities and differences between the political structure of individual nations that make up the EU and explores the perceptions of Europeans regarding their political institutions.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Anch 100– Ancient Israel and Second Temple Judaism
• Anch 101 – Early Christian Origins
• Phil 100 – Intro to Worldview, Faith, & Reason
• Phil 101 – Ancient & Medieval Philosophy and/or Phil 200–Descartes to Hegal
• Hist 101 – Ancient Greece & Rome
• Hist 200 – Later Medieval and Early Modern Europe
• Hist 300 – The Present Age
• FR 100 & 101 – Intro to French OR Ger 100& 101–Intro to German (or equivalent)
• TESL/Ling100 – Intro to Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language
  (In some circumstances TESL may replace a language credit)

ELECTIVES

No more than 5 lower level electives from the following list (*=recommended):

Lit 101*, Lit 200*, FY 100, RS 225, GK 200, GK 201, Phil 210*, Anch 201, RS 281*, Psy 100, Psy 101, RS 257

Upper Level Electives

Students must take a total of 60 credit hours in upper level courses. This must include a minimum of 7 upper level International Studies courses which may also include the following courses in other disciplines.

• Phil 380 – Business Ethics
• Phil 335 – The Ethics of Politics and Justice
• Phil 345 – Philosophy of Peace and Violence
• Phil 325 – Philosophy of Human Rights
• Lit 365 – Global Short Fiction
• Lit 327 – Environmental Literature
• IS 490/493 – Baccalaureate Thesis (only 3 credit hours may count toward the major)

The following upper level electives are not required, but recommended for International Studies students:

• Phil 300 – Twentieth Century Philosophy
• Lit 300 – Romanticism and Enlightenment Literature
• Lit/Phil 460 – Postmodernism
• Phil 390 – Sexual Ethics
• Psy 380 – Introduction to Counselling
• RS 340 – Religious Expression in the Hebrew Church
• Hist 370 – Colonial North America
• Hist 410 – Themes in Celtic Culture and History