Why Choose the Interdisciplinary Option for International Studies?

The International Studies, Interdisciplinary Option offers courses examining cultures, societies, political systems and economies of the world, in their diversity and independence.

Requirements for the Political Science Degree, International Studies, Interdisciplinary Option

Requirement for the Political Science Major - 36 Credits

Required Major Core – 9 Credits

Required Courses

• POLS 0101 - American National Government
• POLS 0206 - Political Analysis

One of the following political theory courses

• POLS 0215 - American Political Thought
• POLS 0301 - Classical Political Thought
• POLS 0302 - Modern Political Thought
• POLS 0335 - Feminist Political Thought
• POLS 0340 - Politics and “The Family”
• ** Additional theory courses may qualify with department chair approval

International Studies, INTERDISCIPLINARY OPTION Concentration - 18 credits

In addition to the four required courses under International Studies, choose two courses (6 credits) from the list below (other advanced language courses may be substituted with permission of the department chair.)

• CRJU 0335 - Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
• ECON 0303 - Economics of Development
• ECON 0318 - International Economics
• GPS 0217 - Contemporary Global Issues
• HIST 0277 - Latin America Since 1800
• LFRE 0305 - Speaking and Writing French: Advanced Level
• COMM 0213 - Global Film Studies
• SOCI 0200 - Cultural Anthropology
• EGST 0220 - Religion. Gender and Society
• * Additional courses may count with department chair approval.

Required Electives - 9 Credits

9 credits of additional political science coursework.

For Selected Topics courses (POLS 0323) to count toward the field of concentration, the courses must be within that field.

Students transferring from another school must complete a minimum of 18 credits in Political Science at Westfield State University.

The Department of Political Science encourages students to participate in internships.  Students may apply up to 6 credits of internships toward the 36-credit major, 3 of which may be applied toward the 18-credit minor.  For details, see the department internship manual on from the link   https://www.westfield.ma.edu/images/uploads/political-science/Internship_Manual.pdf or pick up a copy in the department.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core .