• Introduction to WPI
• Section 1: The WPI Plan
• Section 2: Department and Program Descriptions
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Air Force Aerospace Studies
  • Biology & Biotechnology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Civil & Environmental Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Engineering Science Courses
  • Engineering Physics
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Studies
  • Fire Protection Engineering
  • Humanities and Arts
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Interactive Media and Game Development
  • Interdisciplinary Programs
  • International Studies
  • Law & Technology Minor
  • Liberal Arts and Engineering
  • Management
  • Manufacturing Engineering Minor
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Military Science
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Pre-Law Programs
  • Pre-MBA Program (Dual Degree)
  • Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, & Pre-Veterinary Programs
  • Project-Based Learning Community Option (PLC)
  • Robotics Engineering
  • Social Science and Policy Studies
• Section 3: Course Descriptions
• Section 4: University Policies and Procedures
• Section 5: Resources and Special Programs
• Section 6: Career Development & Graduate School
• Section 7: Admission, Expenses, Financial Aid & Housing
• Section 8: Trustees, Administration & Faculty
• Supplement
• Search

International Studies

P.H. Hansen, Director
ASSOCIATED FACULTY: W.A.B. Addison (HU), U. Brisson (HU), F. Carrera (IGSD), D.B. Dollenmayer (HU), A. Gerstenfeld (MG), D. Golding (IGSD), P.H. Hansen (HU), R. Hersh (IGSD), S. Jiusto (IGSD), R. Krueger (IGSD), I. Matos-Nin (HU), C. Peet (IGSD), M.J. Radzicki (SSPS), K.J. Rissmiller (SSPS), A. Rivera (HU), T. Robertson (HU), J. Rudolph (HU), K. Saeed (SSPS), S. Tuler (IGSD), R. Vaz (IGSD; ECE), S. Vernon-Gerstenfeld (IGSD)

International Studies prepares men and women for future leadership roles in business and industry, government and public affairs. International Studies integrates WPI’s international courses in the humanities and social sciences with its global projects and exchange programs. International Studies courses on-campus prepare students to go abroad. After an experience overseas, students integrate their experiences and explore their career options in a capstone seminar. International Studies at WPI offers a range of options including a minor, major, or double major in International Studies.

Program Requirements for the International Studies Minor

International Studies IQP Option	Minimum Units
International Core (Note 1)	1
International Electives (Note 2)	1
International IQP (Note 3)	1
International Experience (Note 4)	0
Total	3
International Studies Exchange Program Option	Minimum Units
International Core (Note 1)	1
International Electives (Note 2)	2
International Experience (Note 4)	0
Total	3

Notes:

1. International Core. Both options require the same one unit core of international courses. One course must be selected from each of these categories:
   1. An introductory course in international history, such as HI 1341, HI 1321, HI 1322, HI 1323, or HI 1313.
   2. A course in understanding cross-cultural differences, such as one of the following: HU 3411 Pro-Seminar in Global Perspectives; PSY 2406 Cross-Cultural Psychology; SOC 1202 Introduction to Sociology and Cultural Diversity; PY 2716 Philosophy of Difference.
   3. HU 4411 Senior Seminar in International Studies.
   Courses in the core may not double-count towards other degree requirements such as the Humanities and Arts Sufficiency requirement or the two course requirement in the Social Sciences. If a student has already counted a course from a) or b) for another requirement, they will be required to take additional courses in International Studies so that at least one unit of their minor does not double-count. The capstone seminar should be the final element of a student’s minor.
2. International Electives may be selected from among international courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences. They may include any course in European or global history; any course at the intermediate level or above in German or Spanish; any international course in the social sciences; and international courses approved by the Program Review Committee in art history, literature, philosophy and religion. If approved by the Program Review Committee, PQPs for overseas projects may count towards the total. Students may count courses taken to fulfill other degree requirements towards these electives. These electives may not include the MQP or the final 1/3 unit Type 5 IS/P of the Sufficiency Program.
3. International IQP: Students who choose the IQP Option must complete an International IQP. All IQPs completed outside of the United States meet this requirement. If approved by the Program Review Committee, IQPs completed on-campus or at Project Centers in the United States may meet this requirement if the IQP is devoted to an international subject and the student also completes a study abroad experience as described in note 4.
4. International Experience: All International Studies minors are required to have a study abroad experience. Students who choose the Exchange Option must complete an international project, exchange, or internship approved by the Program Review Committee. The study abroad experience should be educational in nature and equivalent in length to at least one WPI term.
   

For general policy on the minor, see description on Degree Options.

Distribution Requirements for the International Studies Major

REQUIREMENTS UNITES	Minimum Units
International Core (Note 1)	1
International Fields (Note 2)	4
International Experience (Note 3)	0
Science, Technology, Mathematics (Note 4)	2
Electives (Note 5)	2
MQP	1
Total	10

Notes:

1. International Core: One course must be selected from each of these categories:
   1. An introductory course in international history, such as HI 1341 or HI 1313, HI 1321, HI 1322, HI 1323.
   2. A course in understanding cross-cultural differences, such as one of the following: HU 3411 Pro-Seminar in Global Perspectives, or SOC 1202 Introduction to Sociology and Cultural Diversity, or PSY 2406 Cross-Cultural Psychology; or PY 2716 Philosophy of Difference.
   3. HU 4411 Senior Seminar in International Studies.
2. International Fields: Majors complete at least one unit of work in each of the following areas. They must also complete at least one additional unit of work in one of these areas, which will be considered their primary field.
   1. Historical Analysis. These include any courses in European history, world history, or American foreign policy.
   2. Language, Literature, and Culture. These include any course in foreign languages, civilization, and literature offered at WPI or in the Consortium with the prior approval of the Program Review Committee; also courses approved by the Program Review Committee in Art History (e.g. AR 1111, AR 2111), English Literature (e.g. EN 2243, EN 3222), Music History (e.g. MU 2615), or Philosophy and Religion (e.g. RE 2721, RE 2724). Majors who designate Language, Literature, and Culture (LLC) as their primary field may not take courses in a second foreign language unless they have achieved 3000-level proficiency in the first. LLC designees should take most of their courses in a single discipline or in a coherent program approved by the Program Review Committee.
   3. Social Sciences. These include international courses in the social sciences (e.g. GOV 1320, ECON 2125, GOV 2312, PSY 2406). Students may count courses taken for the two-course requirement in Social Sciences.
3. International Studies majors are required to have a study-abroad experience. (In very unusual cases exceptions may be made to this requirement but only with prior approval of the Director and Program Review Committee). This abroad experience may take the form of a project, exchange, or internship approved by the Program Review Committee. The study-abroad experience should be educational in nature and equivalent in length to at least one WPI term.
4. Must include a minimum of 1/3 unit in science, 1/3 unit in mathematics, 1/3 unit in computer science or engineering science. The remaining 1 unit may be from science, mathematics, computer science or engineering. Double-majors may count courses taken for their other major.
5. Electives may be from any area except Air Force Aerospace Studies, Military Science or Physical Education. Double-majors may count courses taken for their other major.

Double Major in International Studies

Students may pursue a double major in International Studies and any area of study at WPI except a major in Humanities and Arts. To pursue the double major, a student must satisfy all of the degree requirements for both disciplines, including an MQP and Distribution Requirements. In addition, the double major in International Studies requires the same distribution of courses in the International Core and International Fields as the major in International Studies and a second MQP in International Studies. Double majors are also required to have an International Experience. Students pursuing the double major in International Studies are not required, however, to complete a Humanities and Arts Sufficiency program.

International Experiences

An International Experience may take the form of an international IQP or exchange program. Students often plan their international experience in their Sophomore year. All students are advised to consult the list of projects offered at WPI’s Global Project Centers. Each fall, the projects and exchange programs for the following year are widely advertised on campus. For information about student exchange programs, see student exchanges.

Award-winning projects at WPI are frequently on international topics. Recent examples include studies of a workshop for the blind in London, chemical accidents in Bangkok, the social impact of the building code in New Zealand, and the use of biogas in Botswana. International Studies offers the opportunity not only to complete some of the highest quality projects at WPI, but also to offer solutions to some of the most challenging problems in the world. Students interested in International Studies may ask any member of the Associated Faculty for more information, or they may consult our web page.

Maintained by webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: January 29, 2009 11:14:36