International Studies

Overview
International Studies is an interdisciplinary track for students in the humanities and the social sciences. Through humanistic and social science methodologies and hands-on experiences both in Denver and abroad, students learn to identify patterns and trends in the multifaceted discipline of international studies. Areas of application include: art and politics; philosophy and diplomacy; issues in international and nongovernmental foreign policy; international gender, environmental and human rights issues; international law; cross-cultural-communication; globalization; and the organizational and social structures through which different international entities struggle to build and maintain clear and effective relations. Total required credit hours for the track in conjunction with earning the MH or MSS Degree: 36 credit hours to include 9 hours of Humanities (HUMN) or Social Science (SSCI) core courses, a required Political Science seminar, 15 credit hours of International Relations-related courses and 3-6 credit hours dedicated to a culminating project or thesis. The remaining credit hours are to be divided between electives and (where possible) an internship. Students admitted for the track program will meet the same admissions standards as those admitted to the MH or MSS Program, including a completed Bachelor’s Degree, and must demonstrate a history of committed interest to some dimension of International Studies, such as significant overseas experience.

Targeted Audience
This program is relevant for students with an interest in future careers in international affairs and/or intercultural communication as public administrators, artists, international education administrators, inter-organizational liaisons, diplomats, international business professionals, journalists, non-government organizations, or social service providers. Students may go directly into the job market or can use the track/option as background and a stepping-stone toward a Ph.D. or other advanced degrees such as a MBA, JD, or LLM.

Suggested Advisors

Communication: Dr. Hamilton Bean
Ethnic Studies: Dr. Rachel E. Harding
History: Dr. Dale Stahl 
Interdisciplinary Studies: Dr. Omar Swartz
Political Science: Dr. Bassem Hassan, Dr. Sasha Breger-Bush
Sociology: Dr. Candan Duran-Aydintug
WGST: Dr. Lorna Hutchison

Master of Humanities or Master of Social Science Core Requirements:​
Required Core MH/MSS courses
IDST 5020 Foundations and Theories of Interdisciplinary Studies (every Fall)*
IDST 5013 Methods and Practices of Interdisciplinary Studies (every Spring)**
IDST 5023 Research Perspective in Interdisciplinary Studies (once a year)***

International Studies Track Requirements In addition to the program’s core required courses, the following are required:

  1. PSCI 5216 Seminar: World Politics, or a relevant 3-credit methodology course approved by the MHMSS program advisor

  2. A minimum of 15 Credit Hours of INTS-related graduate course work

  3. A thesis or project in INTS-related topic

Suggested Elective Courses for the Track​
Below is a list of pre-approved courses for the track. Be aware that it is not comprehensive and that departments change their offerings regularly. Always check with the department to see when a given course might be scheduled. Also check with your MHMSS Program advisor to discuss additional course opportunities.

ANTH 5200 Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective
ANTH 5320 Archaeology of Mexico and Central America
ANTH 5350 Anthropology of Globalization 
COMM 5270 Intercultural Communication
COMM 5430 Communication, China, and the US  
COMM 5720 Dynamics of Global Communication
COMM 6400 Communication, Globalization, and Social Justice
ECON 5410 International Trade
HIST 5032 Globalization in World History Since 1945
HIST 5412 Mexico and the US: People and Politics on the Border
HIST 5461 The Modern Middle East 
HIST 5462 Islam in Modern History
IDST 5000  Special Topics****
PHIL 5220 Aesthetics: Philosophy of Art
PHIL 5795 Marx and Marxism 
PSCI 5025 Local Governance and Globalization
PSCI 5276 Conflicts and Rights in International Law
PSCI 5286 International Relations: War or Peace?
PSCI 5545 Immigration Politics
PSCI 5326 Advanced International Political Economy: Globalization
PSCI 5236 American Foreign Policy
PSCI 5245 Gender, Development and Globalization
PSCI 5555 International Women's Resistance
SOCY 5460 Hate Groups and Group Violence
SOCY 5610 Sociology of Religion

*Previously SSCI 5020/HUMN 5025 Foundations and Theories of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences/Methods and Texts of the Humanities
** Previously SSCI 5013/HUMN 5013 Methods and Practices in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences/Methods and Practices of Graduate Interdisciplinary Humanities
***Previously SSCI 5023/HUMN 5924 Research Perspectives in the Social Sciences/Directed Research and Readings in Interdisciplinary Humanities
****Previously HUMN 5984 Topics: Interdisciplinary Humanities


For more information about all the International Studies Track within the Master of Humanities or Social Science degrees, contact:
Dr. Omar Swartz, MH/MSS Director: omar.swartz@ucdenver.edu or
Margaret Woodhull, Director, Interdisciplinary Studies: margaret.woodhull@ucdenver.edu or
E-mail: masterhs@ucdenver.edu
Website: http://clas.ucdenver.edu/mhmss
Office: Student Commons Building, 3203
Phone: 303-315-3565