International Studies
If you would like to travel or work with people from other countries, consider
the area studies programs. People preparing for careers in international
business, industry and non-profit organizations, government agencies (e.g.,
State or Defense Departments), journalism, community services, museums,
the music industry, social work, or teaching will find area studies useful.
These make ideal minors or second majors.
Area studies are interdisciplinary programs designed to promote understanding
of history, culture, and contemporary social, political, and economic issues.
You can choose to emphasize those aspects of a region or culture that most
interest you—literature, art, history, religion, politics, or social issues.
Area studies give you the opportunity of studying with experts across the
campus.
Asian Studies offers a major and a minor that focus on South Asia, East
Asia, and Southeast Asia. Students may pursue special interests in one
area, while taking core courses that ensure breadth of knowledge.
Jewish Studies offers a minor in Modern Jewish and Israeli Studies and
a major with innovative curriculum based in part on online courses linking
a number of campuses in the CSU system together. Initially students take
courses at CSU, Chico and at San Diego State via interactive video and
the Internet.
Latin American Studies offers a major and minor that emphasize Mexico and
Central America. Students may participate in cultural immersion programs
in Mexico as part of the minor or major, as well as their upper division
general education theme.
African Studies offers a minor in the second largest and most diverse region
of the world. Optional study abroad programs in Ghana and Zimbabwe provide
students with the opportunity to get hands-on experience with African development.
The European Studies minor provides students majoring in a social science,
humanities, or a professional degree program with an interdisciplinary
perspective on European history, politics, economics, and culture.
Middle Eastern Studies focuses on a region that is the cradle of several
of the world’s major religions—Islam, Christianity, and Judaism—and has
played a pivotal role in human culture history. The region is important
for understanding some contemporary global issues.
Study and Internship Abroad Opportunities
Study abroad exposes you to experiences and perspectives that you won’t
get in the US and can strengthen your resume, especially as globalization
makes foreign experience more attractive to employers.
Asian Studies offers a fall semester program in Beijing, which includes
language study, course work, and field study in the history, culture, and
contemporary issues of China. Latin American Studies offers cultural immersion
and academic programs in Merida, Mexico. These programs are an optional
part of upper division general education Theme I and the minor and major
in Latin American Studies. The MA program offers overseas internship opportunities
for those interested in teaching.
The CSU system has an International Program with a number of study abroad
centers. CSU, Chico also belongs to the University Study Abroad Consortium,
which offers programs around the world. For information, see the Study
Abroad adviser in the Office of International Programs or consult with
the area study program coordinator.
Graduate Program
The M.A. in Teaching International Languages is a 36-unit interdisciplinary
program that focuses on the study of language and cultures as an integral
part of a world class education in a global society. Designed to develop
knowledgeable, reflective, inquiry-oriented professionals, the program
offers language studies patterns in teaching foreign languages and TESOL
(Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
The Self-Instructional Language Program
SILP offers basic language instruction in the languages listed above. Students
learn through text, cassette tapes, and weekly tutorials with a native
speaker. Other languages can be offered on demand. Please inquire at the
Office of International Programs.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The Department of Political Science offers the Bachelor of Arts in International
Relations and the Minor in International Relations. For a description of
the requirements for either the major or minor in International Relations,
please refer to the Political Science section.
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