International Studies

A topical course designed to investigate relevant subject matter not included in any standard courses. The title and the content will be determined by current mutual interests of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair.

This is a research course. The student initially meets with the department chair to select a study topic and review research methods. At this time the student will be assigned a faculty resource person to guide his or her work and assist in an advisory capacity. A copy of the student's work is filed in the archives for the department. Independent Study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

Supervised individual projects for students on topics selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

An on-the-job experience oriented toward the student's major interest. The student is to secure a position in an organization that satisfies the mutual interests of the instructor, the sponsor, and the student. P/F Only.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

An introduction to the culture and contemporary society of Mexico with an overview of the country's history, political system, art, festivals and religious celebrations, and cuisine. Students will read a recent novel and view a contemporary film in order to catch the full "flavor" of the vitality and richness of Mexican culture.

An introduction to the culture and contemporary society of Spain with an overview of language and communication, religion, tradition and celebration, art and architecture, film, literature, and government. The course is designed to highlight the strong sense of identity that contemporary Spaniards feel at being part of the "New Spain" and members of the European Community.

By meeting at a place with a casual atmosphere, we attempt to recreate the Greek taverna or family restaurant, a place where Greeks go to eat and talk and dance and "be Greek." During our meetings, we too will eat and dance and (primarily) explore the history, art, literature, politics, and folk traditions of modern Greece.

By visiting urban and rural sites and surveying public discourse, students will be introduced to ancient and modern Greece in order to discover how and why Greeks preserve the religious, political, literary, and artistic elements of their culture's past.

This course provides the opportunity to study the Indian culture from the perspective of social structure and contemporary society, politics, economics and the arts of contemporary India with an emphasis on the tensions created by rapid social and economic changes. The course will examine the role of religion, the caste system and how it is viewed by various social groups, the film industry, both Bollywood and Tollywood, and India's goals for itself in the global economy of the twenty-first century.

This course invites students to explore the complexities of the modern Japanese experience through the study of major literary texts and films. Students will learn key features of modern Japanese culture, know major authors and directors, and become familiar with critical methods of inquiry and analysis. No previous knowledge of Japanese culture or language is required.

This course will serve as an introduction to the culture and contemporary society of Japan, with an overview of topics such as cultural and religious traditions and celebrations, economics, art, architecture and history.

Though Rwanda is known mainly for the 1994 genocide, this trip gives you the chance to witness a post-conflict country in the process of reconstruction. The international community recognizes Rwanda for having the world's largest number of women in parliament as well as strong governance, low rates of corruption, and low crime rate. Gerise Herndon, Professor of Gender Studies and Global Studies who lived in Rwanda during her sabbatical, will accompany students from University of Missouri-Columbia under the leadership of Rwandan professor of French and Gender Studies, Dr. Rangira Bea Gallimore. We will visit genocide memorials, reconciliation communities, and women's cooperatives. Presentations and testimonials will provide the historical context leading up to the genocide, including the media's role, the responsibility of the international community (UN, France, U.S., etc.), and the Catholic Church's role. Post-conflict issues include memory, genocide denial, and justice systems (regular, Gacaca, and international). Although mostly remaining in the capital, Kigali, we will take brief trips to rural areas. Participants will have a unique opportunity to visit local villages and organizations to observe efforts at recovery and social transformation, including forgiveness and reconciliation. The internship portion will depend on students' major or academic interest. Examples: pre-med students may shadow doctors; psychology students may shadow counselors; future teachers may help teach English as a Foreign Language.

A topical course designed to investigate any relevant subject matter not included in any of the standard courses. The title, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interests of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a group requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair.

An opportunity for a student to engage in an individually arranged research project supervised by an International Studies faculty member. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog. P/F only.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Supervised individual projects for students on topics selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

An on-the-job experience oriented toward the student's major interest. The student is to secure a position in an organization that satisfies the mutual interests of the instructor, the sponsor, and the student. P/F Only.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

A topical course designed to investigate any relevant subject matter not included in any of the standard courses. The title, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interest of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a group of requirements for a major only by approval of the program director.

An opportunity for a student to engage in an individually arranged research project supervised by a member of the International Studies faculty. Independent Study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the International Studies program director.

Supervised individual projects for students on topics selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

An on-the-job experience oriented toward the student's major interest. The student is to secure a position in an organization that satisfies the mutual interests of the instructor, the sponsor, and the student. P/F Only.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

A topical course designed to investigate any relevant subject matter not included in any of the standard courses. The title, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interest of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet requirements for a major only by approval of the program director.

An opportunity for students, under the supervision of a faculty member, to investigate material not covered in other coursework.

This is a course taken as part of the signature work done by students at the end of their degree program: the senior thesis or internship in International Studies. As part of the course, students will connect their previous learning in the Archway Curriculum, both in their liberal arts and International Studies major, with the signature work with which they are engaged as seniors. As part of the course, they will explore through their Archway Curriculum e-Portfolio (ACeP) their earlier work, connect the skills and ideas of that earlier work to their current signature work, engage in discourse with other students about themes relevant to their work, and prepare for the next stage of their career beyond college. Permission of the International Studies Director is required.

An opportunity for a student to engage in an individually arranged research project supervised by a member of the International Studies faculty. Independent Study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the International Studies program director.

Supervised individual projects for students on topics selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

This course provides experiences in an office or agency setting related to International Studies. The internship must be taken outside the United States or for an international agency or organization in the United Stated. P/F only.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the International Studies Director.

This course can be taken while studying abroad if the student has already completed the Research Methods requirement. To be taken during the spring semester of the junior year or the fall semester of the senior year, this seminar is designed to aid students in the development of their senior thesis topics. Each will prepare a research project and a plan of study. Pass/Fail Only.

Pre/corequisite: International Studies Research Methods requirement and permission of the International Studies Director.

To be taken during the senior year, the student will utilize this semester to research the topic developed in INST-4980 and complete the senior thesis. (Course must be taken for 3 credits if the student takes INST-4980 for 0 hours.)

Prerequisite(s): Permission of International Studies Director and INTST 4980 Preparing For Senior Project (may be taken as corequisite)

Corequisite(s): INTST 4940 Capstone