About the Program

Why major in International Studies?

I. Liberal Arts
Ohio Wesleyan University's "Statement of Aims" says our ultimate purpose is "equipping students with knowledge, competence, and character for leadership, service, and continued learning in a complex and increasingly global society." The interdisciplinary major of International Studies (combining core courses from the Economics, History, Politics and Government, and Modern Foreign Languages departments, among others) is one clear way that you can achieve a liberal education in today's interdependent world!

II. Graduate School
Our majors have gone on to graduate study at prestigious universities such as the Columbia University of International Affairs, the Johns Hopkins Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, and similar school programs at Berkeley, Denver, American, Georgetown, and Michigan Universities.

III. Careers
Careers in international fields may be more easily attainable with an undergraduate background in global studies. Ohio Wesleyan graduates have worked with the State Department in Europe and Africa, the Agency for International Development in the Middle East, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Asia), and the Peace Corps. They have worked for and interned at institutes and foundations concerned with international topics. For example, the Institute for Policy Studies, Brookings Institution, or the Ford Foundation. A number have worked for advocacy or lobbying groups, such as the Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights or Planetary Citizens. Other graduates have gone on to positions in banks such as Chase Manhatten, and in major international corporations.

A look at some of our International Studies graduates:

Nicholyn Chang, 2003, Junion International Policy Analyst,  Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Wash., D.C.
Alison Drake, 2003, Americorps
Chris Ploszaj, 2003, University of Kentucky - Patterson School of International Affairs
Sadaf Zahid, 2003, University of Maryland
Erin Donnelly, 2002, University of Massachusets at Amherst
Marry Kinney, 2002, Peace Corps
Kemi George, 2001, Ph.D. candidate - University of Massachusetts at Amherst  
Anita Narayan, 2001, Editor, China Today  
Akshay Madhavan,2000, Tufts University - Graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Paulina Ojeda, 2000, National Democratic Institute  
Nazlin Bhimji, 1994.Masters in International Development, American University, 1996; International Action Against Hunger, USA, June 1996-present.
Quentin Derryberry III, '96.
Consultant, Corporate Training Center, Anderson Consulting, Argentina.
William Charles Day, '93.
Peace Corps in Tunisia, 1994-1996; Financial Services, Bloomberg LP, 1996-present.
Irfan Nooruddin, '96.
Ph.D. candidate in Political Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Kirsten Lynne Shaw, '92.
Administrative Assistant, Institute for Policy Studies, Washington, D.C., 1992-1995; Masters candidate in City and Regional Planning, University of California at Berkeley, 1995-1997.
Bimal Vijitha Peiris, '94.
Masters of International Relations, Baylor University, 1996; Intern at Population Institute in Washington D.C., June 1995-January 1996; Account Administrator, Policy and Planning Division, Global Accounting Services, 1996-present.
Matthew Zalla, '94.
Fulbright scholar, Bolivia, 1995-1996. Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology at Columbia University, 1997-.

The International Studies Major and Minor

The major comprises a total of 12 units, with a core curriculum consisting of Global Issues, International Economics, International Politics, and Senior Seminar in International Politics and Foreign Policy. Some degree of language proficiency is required. Courses should ordinarily be at the level of 300 or above and should provide an internally consistent program. You may choose to do a general International Studies major, or concentrate on a regional area (Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, or Middle East). The minor consists of 6 units, with a core curriculum of International Economics, History of American Foreign Policy, and International Politics. Some degree of language proficiency is also required. Please follow the links below for major, area studies, and minor requirements.

Course Listings

Core Curriculum and General International Studies Major
Europe concentration
Latin America concentration
Asia concentration
Africa concentration
Middle East concentration
International Studies Minor

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ISP Selected Faculty