International Studies, Minor

Students in UWM's International Studies minor take courses in political science, economics, geography, anthropology, sociology, history, and foreign languages to build a program around their own specialized interests in international relations, politics, economics, development, and language. The International Studies (IS) minor offers a number of special options designed to help students deepen their knowledge of international affairs.

Understanding how international relations and processes work is essential for living and working in the world today. The International Studies minor gives students broad knowledge of people, places, and institutions, and cultivates the skills necessary to be adaptable and marketable in a fast-moving global economy. International studies minors learn to analyze problems across cultural and national boundaries, adapt to new and foreign situations, and problem-solve across different areas and formats.

With this background, students enhance their skill set preparing them for today's job opportunities in many different industries and for many different roles. Career choices immediately after college are often influenced by the hands-on experiences obtained during the college years. Students are encouraged to explore all of their options through internships, which may be completed for credit as part of the program.

Similarly, while not required for the minor, a study abroad experience can open up new opportunities that would not have even been imagined prior to going abroad. UWM has programs at more than 70 sites around the world that vary in length from a few weeks of immersion, to semester-long, to even full year programs. 

Students often ask about the differences between International Studies and Global Studies at UWM. International Studies coursework is focused on the social sciences rather than on foreign languages, literature, and culture. International Studies seeks to understand and explain international political, economic, social, and cultural relations analytically, using the methods of the social sciences. The foreign language requirements for the International Studies program are not as extensive as those in Global Studies. For International Studies minors, studying abroad and internships are optional rather than required.

Requirements

The International Studies minor consists of a total of 18 credits. Students must complete in residence at UWM at least 9 credits of upper-division courses (numbered 300 and above) in the minor. No more than 12 credits toward fulfilling the minor may be taken in any one department. 

Students must attain a 2.0 GPA in all UWM credits attempted for the minor. In addition, the College requires that students attain a 2.0 GPA in all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work.

Students may receive credit toward the International Studies (IS) minor for participation in study abroad programs or the International Politics & Foreign Policy Summer Seminar. Credit towards the minor also may be obtained through a semester-long internship in an international business, a government office, or a private organization with an international focus, either in Milwaukee or abroad. 

Some courses below are listed as options to fulfill more than one international studies minor requirement. But each course may only be used once to fulfill a minor requirement. For example, a course taken to fulfill a core course requirement cannot be counted as also fulfilling an elective requirement.

Electives

In addition to the elective courses listed below, students may use any foreign language courses at the 300 level or above, which are conducted in that foreign language.

Letters & Science Minor Advising

Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.

Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a UWM college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.

Applicants who have not started classes at UWM yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first UWM classes and then can declare the minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the program’s website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact let-sci@uwm.edu.