International Studies
A Globalized Society
International is a field of inquiry that foundationally recognizes that notions of the global, the local, the diaspora and migration are intricately and intimately tied to relations of power, coloniality, and empire, and are thus constantly moving, shifting and changing categories. Such an analytic understanding necessitates a shift in the mode of inquiry – from a state-centered political science perspective to a postcolonial, cultural studies, diasporic perspective.
International Studies at Spelman College focuses on those areas of the world that were affected by European colonialism. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, 89% of the globe was in some capacity “owned” by Europe or US. As a result, many people were displaced from their original homeland and formed new networks (=diaspora) in other parts of the world. Now that the period of colonialism has ended and formerly colonized territories have become politically independent (= postcolonial), the encounter between cultures takes on many new forms: from the global movement of people in search of professional opportunities, to the shared concern for environmental and health issues, to social justice, to our ever-increasing connectivity via social media. Diaspora, based on a Greek word meaning “scatter,” refers to the processes of migration and the ways groups separated by distance derive meaning from shared culture. Moreover, it is important to understand that meaning of diaspora lies in its nonphysical location – it cannot be actualized as a location (even as it has the double task of idealizing and de-idealizing the homeland).
International Studies major offers an interdisciplinary perspective on global issues and problems, while also providing opportunities for cross-cultural engagement and real-world learning.
Based in the International Affairs Center and in Partnership with the Gordon Zeto Center, the International Studies major prepares students for careers that require cross-cultural proficiency and grounded social analysis, such as international aid and advocacy, policy, law, media and journalism, global health, human rights, cultural studies, and social and critical theory.
The Department’s commitment to engaging with diverse theoretical perspective and methodologies is a key strength. Our faculty focus on robust intellectual programming and curricula around race, gender, democracy, sexuality, borders, and social movements in various regions, including the inter and transnational, the Americas, Africa, Caribbean, Asia and South Asia, and Latin America, moving across both the humanities and social sciences, including anthropology, literature, music, art history, cultural studies, sociology, history, and film studies.
Along with the required core, the major courses allow sufficient flexibility to complete course prerequisites for regional and area studies programs, cultural studies and international development.
Experiential Learning
In addition to specific course work, students in the Global and Diaspora Studies major are expected to engage in curricular experiential learning. All Majors are required to spend one semester of study abroad.
Language Requirement
Language proficiency is an important foundation for cross-cultural learning. For this reason, International Studies majors are required to have at least two courses above the 300-level in a language not already familiar to them.
Senior Seminar
Senior Seminar is the final requirement for the International Studies major. It is a course in which students complete a senior thesis that draws upon an engaged research project and cumulative coursework completed for the major. Students complete the senior thesis while enrolled in the capstone seminar (SIS 411).
Core Courses
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SIS 305 “History of Thought”
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SIS 325“Humanitarianism and Foreign Aid”
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Cultural Studies
Contact Us
Spelman College Department of International Studies
Campus Location: The Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D. Academic Center
Mailing Address: 350 Spelman Lane, SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
Teresa King, Senior Administrative Assistant
Phone: 404-270-5546 | tking14@spelman.edu