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The International Studies (INTS) Concentration at Soka University of America offers students the opportunity to better understand global challenges including conflict, injustice, racism and poverty. Rooted in the belief that understanding multi-faceted global issues demands a variety of disciplinary lenses, international studies offers a range of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary courses from a faculty trained in anthropology, economics, history, international relations, political science and sociology. The International Studies Concentration provides students with the analytical tools necessary for a critical appreciation and contextualized understanding of the diverse forces that shape the contemporary world and prepares students to meet the challenges of global citizenship in the twenty-first century.

Concentration courses are clustered around two geographic themes and three topical themes:

Geographic Themes

•  Asia Pacific

•  Latin America

Topical Themes

•  Global and Thematic Issues

•  International Economics, Trade and Development

•  International Relations, Peace and Conflict Resolution

Students are strongly encouraged to take at least one class from a geographic theme and one class from a topical theme. INTS Concentrators must take at least five INTS courses, three of which must be at the 300 or 400 level. In addition, the research topic for the Capstone Experience must be related to the following INTS learning objectives:

  1. Utilize a multidisciplinary framework to identify and explain the processes by which individuals, societies and regions are interconnected.
  2. Formulate questions and apply appropriate analytic tools to investigate regional and/or global issues.
  3. Effectively communicate their understanding of regional and global issues.
  4. Generate a theoretically and historically informed analysis of social phenomena within a national, regional, or international context.
  5. Articulate an appreciation of the diversity and continuities that exist within and between societies and cultures.
  6. Apply their knowledge and skills to formulate practical and/or ethical responses to regional and global issues.

INTS prepares students for graduate school and careers in government, international organizations, business, and non-profit sectors.

Choosing, Declaring, and Pursuing Your Concentration in INTS

The intention is for you to find an intellectual mentor to guide your progress through the concentration. Once you have declared INTS as your concentration, your first step is to meet with your faculty advisor. The registrar assigns an advisor to all first-year students at SUA. You may remain with that advisor throughout your time at SUA or change to an INTS faculty member by filling out the Change Advisor form, available through Portal under the Office of the Registrar (link here).

When you meet with your advisor during the academic advising period, come prepared with required forms. Meetings with your advisor, however, need not simply take place when you need a signature. As you progress through INTS, you should discuss your evolving curriculum plan with your advisor, tying together course work, internships (if any), study abroad, and the capstone project.