International Studies
Office: 204 New England Bldg.,Website: depts.vassar.edu/~intstud/InternationalStudies.html,
Phone: (845) 437–7140, e–mail: international@vassar.edu
International Studies
Director: David Kennett (Economics); Steering Committee:
Pinar Batur (Sociology); Robert Brigham (History); Patricia–Pia
Celerier (French); Andrew Davison (Political Science); Leah Haus (Political
Science); Katherine Hite (Political Science); Maria Höhn (History);
Martha Kaplan (Anthropology); David Kennett (Economics); Christopher
Kilby (Economics); Alexis Klimoff (Russian Studies); Timothy Longman
(Political Science and Africana Studies); Himadeep Muppidi (Political
Science); Leslie Offutt (History); Lizabeth Paravisini–Gebert (Hispanic
Studies); Miki Pohl (History); Stephen Rock (Political Science); Jeffrey
Schneider (German Studies); Silke von der Emde (German Studies); Yu
Zhou (Geography). Panel of Advisers: Program Faculty.
The multidisciplinary program in International Studies is designed
to provide a solid and systematic grounding in the study of global interdependence
while allowing students to develop strengths in at least two traditional
departmental disciplines. A student's course of study for the major
is designed in close consultation with the director and the Panel of
Advisers. The objectives are to build a core of knowledge in the international
social sciences and develop fluency in at least one language, while
ensuring a multidisciplinary perspective by encouraging students to
approach international issues from the viewpoints that interest them
most. Consequently, approved programs of study may include upper–level
work in the sciences, humanities, literature and arts as well as the
social sciences and languages. In general, the advising process should
be initiated early in the sophomore year, especially if a student is
interested in study abroad in the first semester of the junior year.
Additional information on the registration process is available from
the Program Office. Entry to the Program is limited.
Requirements for the concentration:
1) 15 units, including International Studies 106, in a program of study
that has been approved by the Panel of Advisers of the International
Studies Program. These units must comprise a coherent and integrated
program of study, and the rationale for the program must be given in
a formal proposal. Credit to the program will not normally be given
for courses at the 100–level except for International Studies 106,
Political Science 160, and Geography 105, or if the course is accepted
as filling one of the program recommendations given below.
2)Competency in one foreign language through the third–year college
level as demonstrated by completion of the relevant courses or special
examination. The language studied should be directly relevant to the
geographical area of emphasis.
3)4 units of work at the 300–level: International Studies 305,
a senior seminar of 1 unit; a senior thesis of 1 unit (normally International
Studies 301–302); and at least 1 unit from each of two departments.
The senior seminar and the thesis constitute the Senior–Year Requirement.
4)1 unit of intermediate work directly relevant to international issues
in each of three departments. One of these departments must be economics
and the other two courses may be drawn from political science, history,
and geography.
5) At least one unit of work dealing with issues of nationality, race,
ethnicity, class, and/or gender in American society.
Recommendations for the concentration:
1)At least one course concerning the history, politics, economics,
geography, anthropology or sociology of Latin America, Asia, or Africa.
2) Familiarity with research methods appropriate to the student's concentration
in the International Studies major. The following courses may satisfy
this recommendation: Anthropology 245 (The Ethnographer's Craft); Economics
209 (Probability and Statistics); Geography 222 (Geographic Research
Methods); Political Science 207 (Political Analysis); Psychology 209
(Research Methods in Social Psychology); or Sociology 254 (Research
Methods).
3)Systematic inquiry into the area of ethics. This recommendation may
be satisfied by any of the following courses: Philosophy 106 (Philosophy
and Contemporary Issues), Philosophy 234 (Ethics), Philosophy 238 (Social
and Political Philosophy), or another approved course.
5)A structured foreign area experience. This is especially recommended
for students who have not lived or worked abroad. It may be satisfied
by approved programs for JYA, exchange living or study/travel.
I. Introductory
106b. Perspectives in International Studies (1)
An introduction to the varied perspectives from which an interdependent
world can be approached. Themes which the course may address are nationalism
and the formation of national identity, state violence and war, immigration,
religion, modernization, imperialism, colonialism and postcolonialism,
indigenous groups, cultural relavitism, and human rights. These themes
are explored by examining the experiences of different geographic areas.
This multidisciplinary course uses texts from the social sciences and
the humanities.
The particular themes and geographic areas selected, and the disciplinary
approaches employed, vary with the faculty teaching the course.
This course is required for all International Studies majors. Sophomores
and freshmen should take this course if they are interested in pursuing
an International Studies major. Ms. Von der Emde.
110a–110b. International Studies Study Trip (1)
Normally the study trip takes place in the spring semester break. Enrollment
for the trip is made early in the first semestser. The course, which
is taught in conjunction with the study trip, provides a systematic
multidisciplinary introduction to the social, cultural, religious, historical,
geographic, political, and economic aspects of the place of travel.
The precise disciplinary foci of the trip varies depending on the faculty
leading the trip and teaching the course. Language instruction is required
when appropriate.
Destination 2001/02: The Russian Republic and Kazakhstan.
II. Intermediate
280–289a or b. Special Studies Courses (1)
A series of special study courses which will be offered by the program.
These courses deal with issues of current interest approached in a multidisciplinary
framework. Courses taught have dealt with the history of the Middle
East; human rights; women and economic development; the rise and fall
of economic superpowers.
281 Terrorism (1/2)
(Same as American Culture 281) This course examines the roots and consequences
of terrorist activities. Particular attention is given to the psychological
, historical, cultural, political, and economic aspects of terrorism.
Mr. Kennett, Mr. Stillman
One 2-hour period.
290a or b. Field Work (1/2 or 1)
298a or b. Independent Work (1/2 or 1)
III. Advanced
300a or b. Senior Thesis (1)
A 1–unit thesis written in the fall or spring semester. Students
may elect to write their theses in one semester only in exceptional
circumstances. Usually students will adopt International Studies 301–302.
301a–302b. Senior Thesis (1)
A 1–unit thesis written in two semesters.
305a. Senior Seminar (1)
An examination of selected global topics in a multidisciplinary framework.
Topics vary from year to year. The program faculty.
399a or b. Senior Independent Work (1/2 or
1)
The program faculty.