BA in International Studies (Honors) in Irvine United States | University of California Irvine

The international studies program offers a multidisciplinary approach to understanding global affairs, including political systems, economic trends, cultural dynamics, and historical contexts. Students develop critical thinking abilities and contemporary expertise to navigate and influence our interconnected world. This degree equips graduates for professional opportunities across diverse sectors like global policy, transnational commerce, international institutions, NGOs, and scholarly pursuits. The curriculum features foundational courses such as: Global Studies Fundamentals, World Cultures and Social Structures, International Political Theories, Worldwide Economic Systems, Universal Rights and International Administration, and Planetary Environmental Challenges. Additional prerequisites consist of an introductory social science class and participation in the Global Studies Colloquium. Learners select both a regional specialization and a worldwide concentration to expand their expertise in specific domains. Mandatory components include proficiency in a foreign language and either an overseas immersion or sanctioned internship. The Honors Track enables motivated students to conduct original research culminating in a thesis project. Candidates work closely with faculty mentors to identify a research topic aligned with their academic concentration within the international studies framework.