The International Studies major focuses on important contemporary themes relating to the transnational relationships among states and peoples.
The major is inherently interdisciplinary, as it applies historical, political, and sociological lenses to analyze global topics and phenomena. Students majoring in International Studies should expect to complete coursework in some combination of Anthropology, Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, and Sociology, as well as demonstrating competence in a foreign language.
Students pursuing an International Studies major are challenged to develop critical thinking and writing skills, to master an additional language, and to engage important questions of our day from the perspectives of multiple disciplines.
Program Highlights
The major is rigorously structured to ensure breadth as well as depth. Students majoring in International Studies:
- Complete coursework across a range of disciplines: anthropology, economics, history, political science, religious studies, and sociology.
- Achieve proficiency in a second language. Holy Cross offers Arabic, Chinese Studies, French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Russian Studies, and Spanish.
- Declare a regional focus for the major: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, or Russia and Eastern Europe* (*contingent on the availability of faculty courses).
- Declare a thematic focus for the major: International Political Economy & Development Studies, Conflict & Conflict Resolution, Global Governance & International Law.
- Pursue study abroad in their second language in their region.
International Studies News
Fifteen Holy Cross students — from a range of class years and disciplines — spent a recent Saturday taking on a current hot-button topic: the U.S.-Mexico border issue...
“What is your opportunity cost of buying an iPhone?” Kolleen Rask, professor of economics, asks her class. “You wouldn’t be able to buy other products, right?”
In the case of this conversation, the term “opportunity cost” denotes...