Minor in International Studies Non-degree Program Guide

This interdisciplinary minor subject of concentration will enable students to examine the processes by which international forces of many sorts (particularly political, economic, and cultural forces) influence the lives people lead and the choices they face. Courses taken for this subject of concentration may also analyze international influences upon political, economic, social, cultural and environmental patterns and change in individual nations and communities.

Academic Requirements for International Studies Minor students

General Requirements and Information
  • A minor in International Studies requires 12 units to a maximum of 42 units at the senior level, including at least 6 units at the 300- and/or 400-level, in courses identified by the Faculty of Arts of which at least 3 units must come from each of the following three lists.
Course Options

Core Courses - Political

These core courses focus upon the political aspects of international studies:

  • POL S 201 - Introduction to Indigenous Politics
  • POL S 261 - International Relations
  • POL S 359 - Topics in International Politics
  • POL S 364 - Introduction to International Political Economy
  • SC PO 261

Core Courses - Economic

These core courses focus upon the economic aspects of international studies:

  • ECON 213 - An Introduction to the Economics of Developing Countries
  • ECON 323 - International Economics
  • ECON 414 - Economics of Developing Countries
  • ECON 421 - International Trade
  • ECON 422 - International Payments

Core Courses - Cultural

These core courses focus upon the cultural aspects of international studies:

  • ENGL 223 - Reading Empire and the Postcolonial
  • PSYCH 341 - Cultural Psychology
  • PSYCH 440 - Advanced Topics in Culture and Psychology
  • SOC 269 - Introductory Sociology of Globalization
  • SOC 369 - Sociology of Globalization
  • Additional courses

The following courses also engage political, economic, and/or cultural aspects of international studies, and may be counted toward the minor:

  • ECON 442 - The Economics of Financial Markets
  • EDPS 422 - International Development Education
  • EDPS 425 - Global Education
  • ENGL 481 - Studies in Empire and the Postcolonial
  • HIST 339 - The Modern British Empire and the Commonwealth Experience
  • HIST 490 - Topics in British Empire and Commonwealth History
  • POL S 443 - Globalization, Ethnic Politics and the Nation-State
  • POL S 458 - United States Foreign Policy
  • POL S 462 - Political Economy of Global Governance
  • POL S 464 - Gender, Conflict and Security
  • POL S 467 - Chinese Foreign Policy
  • POL S 468 - International Organization
  • PSYCH 344 - Intercultural Communication
  • SOC 370 - Racism and Decolonization
  • WGS 310 - Gender and Social Justice in Contemporary Africa

The University of Alberta Calendar will always contain the most up-to-date degree requirements for your program, and your requirements are determined by the calendar year you were admitted in.

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