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International Studies

B.A. in International Studies

International studies is an interdisciplinary social science major that combines course work from politics and economics and enriches the course work with a history foundation. As a result, International Studies students graduate with a strong grasp of the contemporary forces that influence world affairs.

In a rapidly globalizing world, the demand for college graduates who have an understanding of the global system and of different regions of the world is growing. Many employers look favorably on prospective employees with language skills and international knowledge.

Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • explain multiple perspectives on global affairs in their cultural, social, political, economic and historical contexts.
  • evaluate the validity of claims about international issues or events.
  • integrate ideas from multiple disciplines and applied learning experiences to the analysis of international issues or events.
  • apply at least one research method to address a substantive question in international studies.

Career Outlook

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“I didn’t know where I wanted to go, or what to do with my life. It seemed like the politics professors genuinely cared. So, I enrolled in some international relations courses and then got exposed to the idea of going to Croatia, to do a summer study abroad. I was grateful for those unique experiences.”

Rachel Rudd '19
SUNY Potsdam Student Receives Educational Opportunity Award, Accepted to Johns Hopkins University

Politics student Ramatu Muhammed ’21 has been honored for her outstanding work in international relations as the recipient of the 2020 Norman R. McConney Jr. Award. Muhammed is one of 45 students who recently received the SUNY-wide award, recognizing those who thrive despite obstacles to their success. Muhammed has also been accepted into a master’s program for international relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies—a top program of its kind in the world.  

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A Personal Connection

Born to a German mother and Croatian father, SUNY Potsdam Instructor Michael Popovic witnessed the atrocities of war during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. This personal connection to genocide and violence piqued his interest in the field of international studies, a major he helped to establish in 2015.

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