The minor in International Studies (INTS) requires 18 hours of internationally-themed, interdisciplinary course work, at least 9 hours of which must be taken within one of five focus categories (Comparative, Africa/Middle East, Latin America, Europe, Asia). (The remaining 9 hours may be taken from any of the categories, including more from the chosen focus category, or any combination.) The 18 hours must span at least 3 designators (i.e., discipline signifiers such as RELG, HIST, PLSC, etc.). At least 6 hours must be taken at Winthrop, and at least 6 hours must be above 299-level. Additional requirements include foreign language proficiency at the 102 level and engagement with a foreign culture as demonstrated through one of the following three choices: study abroad or travel course (abroad), domestic service learning relevant to INTS, or 6 hours advanced language study (i.e., beyond the 102 level). As of 2011, no more than 6 hours overlap is allowed between the INTS minor and the International Business option of the B.S. in Business Administration.
Whether courses may double-count between a student's major course of study and the minor depends on the major program; this varies across the university. Courses in the minor may double-count towards the general education Touchstone core requirements.
All students who minor in INTS must demonstrate language proficiency at the 102 level. This requirement is outside the minor (that is, credit hours from 101 and 102 in the first foreign language do not count towards the minor's required 18 hours). However, language work above 102 may be credited towards the 18 hours. Also, language classes, including 101 and 102, in a second foreign language may count towards the 18 hours.
Students must choose one of three options: 1) study abroad or a travel course that involves a trip abroad, 2) domestic service learning relevant to International Studies (e.g., with immigrant populations), or 3) 6 credit hours of foreign language study beyond the 102 level. With option one (study abroad or travel course), internationally-themed coursework taken abroad may count towards the minor's 18 hours if approved by the INTS advisory committee. The committee wants to encourage international experience, but because we recognize that not all Winthrop students are able to leave the country to study abroad or travel, there are two additional options: advanced language study or domestic service learning. Regarding the domestic service learning relevant to INTS, these are example possibilities:
