International Studies, Global Cultural Studies Track

Principle objectives

1. To guide students through the complex cultural, social, political, and economic stakes of global interdependence.
2. To assure a measurable proficiency in a foreign language.
3. To assure regional cultural competency through a structured and integrated abroad experience.
4. To provide a historical dimension to current conceptions of globalization.

Curriculum

The degree plan consists of a combination of INTS core courses (15 hours), with electives tailored for each track (18 hours); area studies courses in the region corresponding to the student's foreign language choice (9 hours); foreign language courses (20 hours); and at least one long semester or 10-week summer study abroad or other approved international program with an emphasis on cultural and linguistic immersion.

Global Cultural Studies Track

The Global Cultural Studies track offers students both the fundamental theoretical background in cultural studies as well as a broad array of courses in international cultural production and criticism. This humanities based program provides students with a rich understanding of artistic expression in a global setting.

Foreign Language

Students entering International Studies take a placement exam to determine the level of and number of required foreign language courses. Exam results may fulfill a maximum of 14 semester credit hours.

• Students placed in 101 will take 101, 102, 201 and 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placed in 102 will take 102, 201 and 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placed in 201 will take 201 and 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placed in 202 will take 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placing out of 101, 102, 201 and 202 will take 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.

International Experience Requirements

The International Experience must generate at least 3 hours of Texas A&M University credit. Departmental approval is required before travel. Any international experience that does not meet these criteria will not count toward the degree.

• Must be at least one long semester or one 10-week summer approved experience.
• Must be taken after completion of 100- and 200-level language requirement and INTS 201.
• Must be completed before student is eligible to enroll in INTS 481, INTS 491 or INTS 497.
• Must be an immersion experience in the foreign culture and language, which can be satisfied by:
  • An internship at a company, government agency or non-profit operation involving significant use of the foreign language. Three hours of INTS 484 elective credit can be given.
  • Courses taken at a foreign university. Courses may count for Texas A&M University credit with approval of the advisor of the relevant department. These courses cannot apply to the International Studies core. One course must be taken in the foreign language at the 300- or 400-level.
  • Selected Texas A&M University Study Abroad programs which involve intensive cultural and language immersion.
  • A combination of the above to equal the requirement of a long semester or a 10-week summer-approved experience.
• Must be taken outside of the student’s country of origin.
• Must be taken in one foreign country that matches with the foreign language and the area study requirement unless approved by the department head before travel.

Other courses may qualify for the college, university requirements categories. Students should consult the approved list of courses available in the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Liberal Arts or in the International Studies Degree Program Office. The list incorporates University Core Curriculum requirements. No course can be counted in more than one category, except as allowed in the International and Cultural Diversity Graduation requirement.

Requirements

• Submit your application through APPLYTEXAS or THE COALITION. Only one application per student. Choice of application has no bearing on the admission decision. The name entered on the application must match the name on your passport. If your name does not fit in the space provided, enter as many characters as the space will allow.
• $90 PROCESSING FEE (nonrefundable/subject to change)
• Submit an official high school or senior secondary transcript according to the education system of your country (generally the last three to four years).
• If enrolled in the final year of secondary education at the time of application, an official transcript showing completed and in-progress coursework must be received by the deadline.
• If you have attended multiple schools (including US accredited schools) then a transcript is required from each institution.
• If you transferred your foreign credits to a US school then only the US transcript is needed.
• If your educational system includes O-levels and A-levels then the completed O-level results and projected A-level results must be received by the deadline.
• If graduated from high school an official transcript is required; it must include senior courses, a graduation plan and date of graduation.
• OFFICIAL SAT or ACT Scores
• a minimum TOEFL score of: 550 for paper-based testing (p-BT) or 80 internet-based testing (i-BT)
• a minimum SAT:
  • Test date prior to March 2016-Critical Reading (Verbal) score of 500
  • Test date after March 2016-Evidence Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 560
• a minimum ACT English score of 21
• a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall band
• a minimum PTE Academic score of 53

Scholarships

• The Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)