Skip to main content.

Social Sciences Interdisciplinary BA - International Studies Concentration

(HEGIS: 49.03 HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCI, CIP: 45.0101 Social Sciences, General)

Why study Social Sciences Interdisciplinary BA - International Studies Concentration at UB?

The SSC/International Studies major is designed for students who want to develop a global understanding of the world today. The major is rooted in the belief that significant language competence is fundamental to international competence and that interdisciplinary study provides a deeper understanding of the world’s events. The major combines introductory surveys of world history and international politics with a focused understanding of a particular geographic region: Europe, Latin America, Asia or Africa and the Middle East. Students may study the history, politics, culture and/or religion in their exploration of the chosen region.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this concentration students will:

  • Understand aspects of the people, forces and ideas that have shaped world development: nationalism, imperialism, power diplomacy, ideological conflict; comparative political systems.
  • Understand contemporary and historical international relations.
  • Have advanced, non-English language competency associated with completion of the third year of language study at UB.
  • Understand economic principles, globalization of economic systems, the interrelation of economic, spatial, and political factors in modernization and development.
  • Understand core concepts in international relations, international law, human rights, regional and spatial aspects of economic development, international trade from two disciplinary perspectives.
  • Understand multiple aspects of recent economic, political, commercial development of a world region: modern Europe, Latin America, Asia or Africa and the Middle East.

The Learning Environment

The SSC/International Studies major is designed to offer choice and flexibility in building the program most suitable for individual interests and career goals. 

Courses in the SSC/International Studies major are taught in both large lecture and seminar formats. Prerequisite and introductory courses for the major typically enroll 180-450 students per class. Foreign language, core and upper level courses typically enroll 24-100 students per class.

About Our Facilities

The office for SSC/International Studies is in 203 Clemens Hall on UB’s north campus. The program holds classes in centrally scheduled space throughout the campus, which includes traditional classrooms and lecture halls that can accommodate the program’s teaching philosophies.

About Our Faculty

Students take courses from across the College of Arts and Sciences allowing them to interact with faculty from a number of departments such as history, political science, global gender studies, geography and various foreign language departments. Instruction or grading responsibilities for some of these courses may be assigned to teaching assistants.

Faculty List Directory

Please visit the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Degree Programs department website for additional information about our faculty.

Career Outlook

Students in the International Studies major develop skills, area knowledge, language and cultural competencies that can be applied to work spanning the globe. Some graduates choose to pursue careers with international businesses, foreign governments, or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), while others opt to work domestically, by, for example, providing services or advocacy for immigrants or refugees. Recent graduates can be found in a wide range of organizations and regions.

Many students also choose to pursue graduate study, often in international relations, political science, geography, or law school.

Academic Advising

Advisement for the major is coordinated through the program’s office in 203 Clemens Hall (716-645-2247). We provide advisement for students on major and university requirements. Our advisors work closely with the College of Arts and Sciences Advisement Office, financial aid and student accounts to help students find answers to questions about all aspects of being an undergraduate at UB.

Academic Advising Contact Information

Please call our office at (716) 645-2247 to make an appointment with an advisor in your major area of interest.

Scholarships and Financial Support

With the help of its alumni donors, SSC has established a Study Abroad Award to encourage undergraduate students who are in one of the five SSC majors to pursue an opportunity to study abroad. The award is available for study abroad in fall, spring or summer semesters.

Students in our program may qualify for scholarships and financial support from a number of other sources, including:

Associated Programs

Associated Subjects

 
Published: Feb 27, 2023 15:24:09