International Studies

International Studies: Major

The International Studies major focuses on important contemporary themes relating to the transnational relationships among states and peoples.

The major is inherently interdisciplinary, as it applies historical, political, and sociological lenses to analyze global topics and phenomena. Students majoring in International Studies should expect to complete coursework in some combination of Anthropology, Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, and Sociology, as well as demonstrating competence in a foreign language.

Students pursuing an International Studies major are challenged to develop critical thinking and writing skills, to master an additional language, and to engage important questions of our day from the perspectives of multiple disciplines.

 

Program Highlights

The major is rigorously structured to ensure breadth as well as depth. Students majoring in International Studies:

  • Complete coursework across a range of disciplines: anthropology, economics, history, political science, religious studies, and sociology.
  • Achieve proficiency in a second language. Holy Cross offers Arabic, Chinese Studies, French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Russian Studies, and Spanish. 
  • Declare a regional focus for the major: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, or Russia and Eastern Europe* (*contingent on the availability of faculty courses).
  • Declare a thematic focus for the major: International Political Economy & Development Studies, Conflict & Conflict Resolution, Global Governance & International Law.
  • Pursue study abroad in their second language in their region.

International Studies News

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Simulation Challenges Students to Explore Complexities of U.S.-Mexico Border Issue
Fifteen Holy Cross students — from a range of class years and disciplines — spent a recent Saturday taking on a current hot-button topic: the U.S.-Mexico border issue. As a part of the Presidential Scholars Symposium, the students participated in …
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Washington Semester Award Winner to Present Lecture on Syrian Refugees in America

The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at the College of the Holy Cross has selected Alexander Kochenburger ’17, an international studies major from Storrs, Conn., as the Washington Semester Away...

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28 Holy Cross Students Inducted into Jesuit Honor Society

Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society founded in 1915, inducted 28 Holy Cross students on Oct. 23. The new inductees exemplify the society’s values of excellence in scholarship, loyalty and service...