Example Course Plan

International & Global Studies Course Plan (first 3 semesters)

IWU Course Catalog IGS Major and Minor Requirements 

This is an example course plan based on the 2022-2023 University Catalog; your actual schedule may deviate from this example. Your faculty advisor will work with you to select appropriate courses.

Year 1

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

  • INST 240 Thinking Globally: An Introduction (CHC,G) (required for all IGS majors and minors)
  • General Education course
  • Choose one of the following:
    • ART 322 Global Contemporary Art (AR,G)
    • HIST 101 Introduction to Japanese History (CHC,G)
    • HIST 122 Modern Global History (CHC, G) 
    • LC 203 Edible World Heritage: Intro to Japanese Food Culture  (IT, G) 
    • LC 246 Visual Cultures of Modern Spain (IT, G) 
    • PSCI 102 International Politics (CHC, G) 
  • Second Language course
  • Physical Education (PEY)

May Term (optional)

  • May Term 2023 
    INST 270/370 Travel Course to Barcelona, Spain (IT, G)

Summer Term (optional)

  • Summer Term 2023 
    INST 397 Internship with a global focus 
Year 2

Fall Semester *

*It is advisable that majors meet with the International & Global Studies Program Director to choose courses in their areas of concentration.

Second Language
  • The new International & Global Studies (IGS) major requires a third semester of language proficiency, and encourages students to pursue their language studies beyond the required proficiency level. 
  • IGS majors should be advised to begin their study in the second language of their choice during their first year. See the current Program of Classes in myiwu for second language options. 
Study Abroad
  • Although study abroad is not required for International & Global Studies (IGS) majors and minors, it is highly recommended. The Study Abroad Office offers a variety of semester, short-term, and exchange study abroad programs that you can choose from. Visit the Study Abroad Office, talk to the director about options, and discuss your plans with your academic advisor. 
  • All students interested in IGS, especially those interested in Asian Studies, should consider applying for the IWU Freeman Asia Internship Program during the summer of their Sophomore or Junior year.
Additional Information
  • IGS is an interdisciplinary program; you will be taking 100 and 200-level classes in a variety of disciplines and programs across campus. By choosing to major or minor in IGS you will be also fulfilling the IWU Shared Curriculum requirements along the way. 
  • Students majoring in IGS are required to take INST 240 Thinking Globally: An Introduction in the spring semester of their first year, and INST 488 Senior Seminar in the fall semester of their senior year. 
  • The IGS program offers major concentrations and minors in two areas: Asian Studies, and International Relations and Global Development. IGS majors and minors are strongly encouraged to discuss their course plans with the IGS Director and their academic advisor during fall semester of their first year.
  • If you are interested in the International Relations and Global Development concentration, you should consider taking ECON 100 (CSI) in your first year, since this is a prerequisite for many upper division elective courses in IGS.