The interdisciplinary International Studies major, housed in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, allows students to combine the in-depth study of global issues, with intermediate proficiency in a second language, and a concentration in another discipline with an international focus, such as history, economics, political science, or sociology. Students choosing to major in International Studies are strongly encouraged to complete an additional major. The major requires students to study abroad for a semester or summer in the second language of study. The Florence program does not fulfill the study abroad requirement.
Foreign Language Placement (Spanish and French)
During fall orientation, freshmen and eligible transfer students will be given the opportunity to test out of the college requirements in French and Spanish. Those who score high enough on the language tests may have satisfied the college’s general education requirement for one or two semesters of language and will be eligible to continue with sophomore-level courses or higher. Students who have completed three or more years of French or Spanish are required to take the placement exam before taking a course in the same language. If the student does not intend to continue studying the same language, the exam is optional. Students who received credit for any BC language cataloged courses (e.g., SPAN-1000 Beginning Spanish, FREN-1000 Beginning French, SPAN-1020 Second Semester Spanish, FREN-1020 Second Semester French, etc.) through dual credit, AP test, CLEP test, or transfer credit are not required to take the exam. Students who received credit recorded as "elective credit" (e.g., SPAN-ELE, FREN-ELE) must take the exam to continue in the same language. Students who are planning to complete the language requirement in Italy do not need to take the exam; however, if they have three years previous experience in a language other than Italian, they are encouraged to take the placement exam in case their plans to complete the requirement in Italy change. It is highly recommended that students take the placement exam within one year of enrolling at Benedictine College, as this is when their previous language experience will be strongest. Students may not take the placement exam more than once. The placement exam is regularly scheduled at the beginning of the semester. See the Academic Calendar for dates. For more information, contact the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
Native speakers of Spanish or French do not take the placement exam. They satisfy the Foreign Language General Education Requirement by testing out of ESL or by completing the ESL program.
A non-native speaker of a language other than French or Spanish may take a proficiency exam to determine if his or her skills and knowledge are at an appropriate level (Intermediate Low / B1) to waive the foreign language requirement. It is normally taken before the beginning of one’s junior year and costs $250. Students who are non-native speakers of a language other than French or Spanish should contact the Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures to schedule the proficiency exam.
Students do not receive academic credit for any placement exam results.
Study Abroad
Students majoring in International Studies are required to have an immersion experience abroad in their second language of study, either through studying, completing an internship, doing service learning, or volunteering abroad. This requirement may be waived for students who already demonstrate advanced proficiency in the language or who have substantial immersion experience in the target language.
The department offers study abroad opportunities in Spanish in Seville, Spain, and Lyon, France. Students also have the option of participating in an exchange program through the College’s affiliation with ISEP. This program is administered by the International Programs office.
Some language courses are offered on alternate semesters, alternate years, or at the discretion of the department. Those who choose to major or minor in International Studies should consult with an advisor in the department and declare their course of study as early as possible so as to follow the recommended schedule of classes.
Program Mission
The mission of the International Studies Program is to develop proficient communicators in the world language of study. Learners will also be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the cultures, literatures, and structure of the language of study, and make connections between disciplines through interdisciplinary study.
Program Outcomes
- Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in interpersonal communication in the world language studied.
- Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in presentational communication—writing in the world language studied.
- Graduates will use the world language studied in interpersonal communication that is appropriate to the context and the intended audience.
- Graduates will demonstrate an awareness of the cultures of the languages studied and how they shape perceptions, practices, and cultural products, particularly with regards to the area of concentration.
- Graduates will be able to recognize and express understanding of difference, express a respect for the perspectives of others, and critically reflect on their own worldview.
Program Requirements
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
HIST-1101 | World Civilization Since 1500 | 3 |
POLS-2010 | Comparative World Government & Politics | 3 |
ECON-2090 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
NASC-2300 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
THEO-3820 | Christianity & World Religions | 3 |
INST-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| 3 |
Total Hours | 18 |
Foreign Language Proficiency
Proficiency in a foreign language to include three courses (or 9 hours) numbered above FREN-2010 Intermediate French / SPAN-2020 Intermediate Spanish II. For Spanish these courses should include SPAN-3040 Introduction to Hispanic Lit & Lit Analy, and two additional upper-level courses. For ESL, these courses should include ESLG-2040 Listening & Speaking, ESLG-2050 Intermediate Composition, and one additional course numbered above 2050. Students who wish to study another language abroad to satisfy this requirement must obtain approval from the chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures. At least 50% of the 3000-level and above French and Spanish courses required for the major must be taken on campus at Benedictine College and not through study abroad or transfer credit.
International students who enter the program with native proficiency in a language other than English may obtain advisor approval from the chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures to plan courses to substitute for the nine hours of upper-level language. Native speakers of a language other than French or Spanish may take a proficiency test (available through the Department of World Languages and Cultures) to determine if their skills and knowledge are at an appropriate level to waive the foreign language requirement. These students are still required to complete three approved upper-level courses that give them a comparable appreciation of another culture.
Foreign Language Placement
Students who have completed three or more years of Spanish, French, or Latin in high school are required to take the language placement exam before taking a course in those languages. Students who took two years of Spanish, French, or Latin in high school in a strong program are highly recommended but not required to take the placement exam. Students who received dual enrollment or AP credit, or who transferred in college credit in Spanish, French, or Latin are not required to take the exam. It is highly recommended that students take the placement exam within one year of enrolling at Benedictine College, as this is when their previous language experience will be strongest. Students may not take the placement exam more than once. The placement exam is regularly scheduled at the beginning of the semester, during registration, and during SOAR weekends. See the academic calendar for dates. For more information, contact the Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures or Admission Office.
Study Abroad
The major requires students to study abroad for one semester or summer in the second language of study. The department sponsors study abroad opportunities in Spanish in Seville, Spain, and opportunities in French in Lyon, France. Students also have the option of participating in an exchange program through the College’s affiliation with ISEP, or through the exchange program at ICES in La Roche-sur-Yon, France. These programs are administered by the Study Abroad office.
Required Specialization Courses
International Studies majors must complete a specialization by taking any four approved courses (for a total of 12 hours) from one of the disciplines below; other courses not listed here may be approved by the major advisor.
Specialization in History
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
| 12 |
| United States Diplomatic History | |
| Medieval Travelers | |
| Modern Asian Survey | |
| History of Latin America | |
| Ancient Greece | |
| Ancient Rome | |
| Greek & Roman History | |
| Medieval History | |
| Byzantine History | |
| The Renaissance | |
| The Reformation Era | |
| Early Modern Europe | |
| French Revolution & Napoleon | |
| Ninteenth-Century Europe | |
| Europe 1945 - Today | |
| World War I | |
| World War II | |
| |
Total Hours | 12 |
Specialization in Economics
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
| 12 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | |
| Contemporary Economic Thinking | |
| Macroeconomic Activity | |
| Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | |
| International Economics (required for the economics concentration) | |
| Catholic Social Teaching | |
| Seminar in Economic Development | |
| |
Total Hours | 12 |
Specialization in Political Science
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
| 12 |
| Fundamentals of Politics | |
| European Politics | |
| International Relations | |
| Applied Politics | |
| |
Total Hours | 12 |
Specialization in Sociology
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
| 12 |
| Social Problems | |
| Cultural Anthropology | |
| Sociological Theory | |
| Population & Society | |
| Race & Ethnicity | |
| Sociology of Religion | |
| Social Stratification | |
| Population & Society | |
| Urban Sociology | |
| |
Total Hours | 12 |