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The International Studies Major Year by Year

When combined with the Liberal Arts requirements and the intensive language study required by the Croft Institute, the B.A. in International Studies is a very substantial academic program.  With a little bit of planning and focus, however, it can easily be completed in eight regular semesters by taking 15-19 credit hours a semester.  Students who follow the standard path will graduate in four years with a B.A. in International Studies and a major or minor in their chosen foreign language.  The Croft academic advisors work closely with each student to help him or her develop a suitable schedule to achieve these goals. 

Some students may wish to do more than the minimum: a second foreign language, another major or minor, or the prerequisites for medical school.  This is possible, but it requires more than eight normal semesters.  The student who wishes to add to the basic International Studies program must have a large number of AP or IB credits, take eighteen or more credit hours every semester, and/or take intersession or summer classes or even an additional semester.  You have to weigh the cost - in terms of time and money - and potential benefit of any additional academic programs.  The Croft advisors will help you plan a detailed, multi-year schedule that will allow you to accomplish your academic goals, but ultimately you are responsible for taking the necessary classes and succeeding in them.

The outline on this page is a basic plan that will allow a student to complete the B.A. in International Studies in eight semesters.  It is only an example, and each individual student's path through the major will vary.  Nonetheless, there are certain milestones that we recommend all students reach at given points in their undergraduate career to ensure that they are making adequate progress.

Freshman Year

First Semester

Inst 101: Introduction to International Studies (3)
Language Courses (3-6)
Math Course (Math 271) (3)
Writing Course (Honors 101 or Writing 101) (3)
Liberal Arts Lower Division Requirement (3-4)

Total: 15-19 Credit Hours

Second Semester

Inst 200-level Course in Regional Concentration (3)
Language Courses (3-6)
Econ 202: Microeconomics (3)
Writing Course (Honors 102, Liba 102, or Writing 102) (3)
Liberal Arts Lower Division Requirement (3-4)

Total: 15-19 Credit Hours

By the end of the freshman year, a student should have completed Inst 101, one Inst 200-level course (preferably in his or her regional concentration), both writing courses, calculus, microeconomics, and one or two other lower division requirements.

Sophomore Year

First Semester

Inst 200: Thinking Globally (3)
Language Courses (3-6)
Econ 203: Macroeconomics (3)
Liberal Arts Lower Division Requirement (3-4)
Liberal Arts Lower Division Requirement (3)
Total: 15-19 Credit Hours

Second Semester

Inst 200-level Course (3)
Language Courses (3-6)
300-level Inst Requirement (regional, thematic, or methods) (3)
College of Liberal Arts Lower Division Requirement (3-4)
College of Liberal Arts Lower Division Requirement (3)
Total: 15-19 Credit Hours

By the end of the sophomore year, a student should have finished all three Inst 200-level courses and one 300-level Inst requirement, either a thematic, a regional, or the methods class.  He or she should also have completed all but one or two of the Liberal Arts lower division requirements.

Junior Year

First Semester

300-level Inst Requirement (regional, thematic, or methods) (3)
300-level Inst Requirement (regional, thematic, or methods) (3)
Language Courses (3-5)
Inst 110: Intercultural Communications: Pre-Departure (1)
Liberal Arts Lower Division Requirement (3)
Liberal Arts Lower Division Requirement (3)
Total: 15-17 Credit Hours

Second Semester (Abroad)

300-level Inst Requirement (regional, thematic, or elective) (3)
300-level Inst Requirement (regional, thematic, or elective) (3)
300-500-level Language courses (3-6)
300-500-level Language courses (3-6)
Total: 12-18 Credit Hours

Junior year is when most Croft students study abroad.  Students must take their research methods course (Inst 381) before studying abroad, so they are ready to start exploring a thesis topic while there. Most students will be able to get credit for two International Studies regional, thematic, or elective requirements while abroad; the rest will be language courses.  By the end of the junior year, a student should have completed all of the Liberal Arts lower division requirements and all but three of the 300-level Inst Requirements.

Senior Year

First Semester

Inst 421: Senior Thesis I (3)
Inst 111: Intercultural Communications: Re-entry (1)
300-level Inst Requirement (thematic or elective) (3)
300-level Inst Requirement (thematic or elective) (3)
Language Courses (3-6)
Elective (3)
Total: 13-19 Credit Hours

Second Semester

Inst 422: Senior Thesis II (3)
300-level Inst Requirement (thematic or elective) (3)
Language Courses (3-6)
Electives (3-6)
Total: At least 12 Credit Hours

A student following the basic Croft curriculum should have a relatively lighter course load senior year than before.  This will allow extra time for the senior thesis, a major undertaking.  There is also room this year for a few electives. Remember, under most circumstances Inst 422 will require more of your time than the three semester credit hours at which it is rated.

Graduation 2023