International Studies Track
Once the major hub of colonial trade, Boston continues to thrive today as a center for international commerce and services, and as a gateway city for immigrants from around the world.
The International Studies track is designed to give students a global perspective, with courses in economics, international relations, political science, and international management, and with internships that have an international dimension.

My courses were great and my internship placement was terrific. It was a very good fit for my experience and interests.
Daniel Eng, University of Massachusetts Boston
Intern, Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis
Summer 1: The Academic Phase
(May 21 - June 28, 2013)
You'll spend your first six weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program taking two 4-credit courses chosen from the following offerings in international studies.
Select Two:
-
CAS AN 348 Contemporary Globalization: An Anthropological Perspective
Ethnographic and historical investigation of globalization. Special attention to the impact of global capitalism on indigenous communities; popular culture and consumerism; transnational populations; women and work; and relationships between novel forms of communication (i.e., Facebook and email) and changing cultural norms. 4 cr.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
M, W |
10:00 AM-1:30 PM |
Laporte |
PSY |
-
CAS EC 320 Economics of Less-Developed Regions
Theoretical and empirical examination of the structural changes associated with the process of economic development; special reference to poor regions and countries; rigorous analysis of criteria for policy judgments in development planning and programming. 4 cr.
Prereq: CAS EC 101 or CAS EC 111 and CAS EC 102 or CAS EC 112.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
M, T, W |
1:00 PM-3:30 PM |
Amirapu |
CAS |
-
CAS EC 391 International Economics I
The pure theory of international trade. Topics include comparative advantage and gains from trade, tariff and nontariff barriers to trade, and case studies in international economic policy. 4 cr.
Prereq: CAS EC 201 or CAS EC 211.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
M, T, W |
6:00 PM-8:30 PM |
Poterack |
CAS |
-
CAS HI 289 History of International Relations, 1900-45
The causes and consequences of the First World War; the search for postwar reconstruction and stability during the twenties; economic collapse, revolutionary nationalism, and fascism during the 1930s; the Second World War and the advent of the bipolar world. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS HI 349. 4 cr.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
M, W, F |
9:00 AM-11:30 AM |
Fredman |
CAS |
-
CAS HI 369 Introduction to Modern Japanese History
Developments from late Tokugawa Japan and the Meiji Restoration (1868) to the present. Focus on Japan's economic, political, and social adjustment to modern times, the evolution of twentieth century Japanese imperialism, and Japan's growth after World War II. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS HI 391. 4 cr.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
T, W, R |
1:00 PM-3:30 PM |
O'brien |
CAS |
-
CAS IR 330 Diplomatic Practice
Introduces the practice of diplomacy as management of a country's foreign relations with a view to secure or restore peace. The nation state in diplomatic relations; foreign ministries, diplomatic missions, embassies, and consulates; the peacekeeping role of international law and international government organizations. 4 cr.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
M, T, R |
6:00 PM-8:30 PM |
Hare |
CAS |
-
CAS IR 369 Southeast Asia in World Politics
Examines Southeast Asia as an important emerging political, economic, and security region in world politics. Background materials, including the region's history, cultural diversity, and geo-strategic position, are given weight in the course. 4 cr.
Prereq: CAS IR 271 or CAS IR 251.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
M, T, W |
2:00 PM-4:30 PM |
Grimes |
CAS |
-
CAS IR 376 History of American Foreign Policy
America's tradition and heritage in foreign policy. American foreign policy during the Cold War. Conflicting approaches to the formulation of American foreign policy in the current international environment. Domestic and institutional actors in policy formulation: Congress, media, Presidency, CIA, military. 4 cr.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
M, W |
1:00 PM-4:30 PM |
Kinzer |
CAS |
-
CAS IR 500 Topics in International Relations
Topic for Summer 2013: Iran: Anatomy of a Crisis. Examines anti-Shah movement and the rise of religious power in the context of Iran's century of modern history. Focuses on today's Iran, including the upheaval that followed the 2009 election and prospects for escalating conflict with the United States. 4 cr.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
T, R |
1:00 PM-4:30 PM |
Kinzer |
CAS |
-
CAS PO 271 Introduction to International Relations
Undergraduate core course. Study of basic factors in international relations, Western state systems, balance of power, nationalism, and imperialism. Primarily for concentrators. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. 4 cr.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
M, W |
10:00 AM-1:30 PM |
Zarecki |
PHO |
-
CAS PS 372 Psychological Perspectives on War and Peace
Considers psychological approaches to why some individuals support government decisions to go to war, to kill, to torture, and to tolerate civilian deaths while others resist war and strive to achieve a culture of peace. 4 cr.
Prereq: CAS PS 101.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
T, R |
10:00 AM-1:30 PM |
Malley-morri |
PSY |
-
MET MG 431 International Marketing
Organization of the marketing function in international business. How government policies and practices affect marketing. Comparative marketing strategies for doing business abroad. Examination of case studies. 4 cr.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
M, W |
6:00 PM-9:30 PM |
Staff |
CAS |
-
MET MG 520 International Business Management
Environmental, economic, political, and social constraints on doing business abroad. Examines the effects of overseas business investments on domestic and foreign economics; foreign market analysis and operational strategy of a firm; and development potential of international operations. 4 cr.
Prereq: MET MG 301; or consent of instructor.
| Section |
Type |
Days |
Times |
Instructor |
Location |
| SA1 |
Independent |
T, R |
6:00 PM-9:30 PM |
Staff |
CAS |
Note: A modern foreign language course may be taken as one of the two courses in the International Studies track. Students may pick from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, or any of the African languages that are being offered.
Summer 2: The Internship Phase
(July 8 - August 16, 2013)
For the second six weeks of the program, you'll be placed as an intern in a Boston-area organization or business that matches your interests and experience. You should expect to work five days a week for a minimum of 35 hours. Most internships are unpaid.
International Studies Internship Opportunities
Internship placement opportunities are available at international non-governmental organizations; international development; state and federal agencies; foreign policy think tanks; commercial import/export firms; and cultural exchange and education institutions.
Internship Placement
- Guaranteed internship placement for 35 hours a week
- Internship matches are based on your interests, abilities, and experience
- All internship sites are accessible by public transportation
- Visit our Placement Process page for additional information
Summer Study Internship Course
(May 24 - August 16, 2013)
The Summer Study Internship Program's 2-credit Internship Course meets on Fridays throughout Summer 1 and on three evenings in Summer 2. The primary emphasis of this course is to explore links between your academic track and your on-site professional experience, and to provide support and guidance as you prepare for your placement.
Internship Profile
Student: Alyssa Palmquist
Career Track: International Studies Track
Courses: History of American Foreign Relations Since 1898, International Management
Internship Site: Partners Harvard Medical International
On the job: This internship experience taught me that it is possible to meld my interests in health care and international relations. I had never really considered consulting in international health care as a career field, because it seemed so specific; but now I realize that it actually fits perfectly with my goals. I am excited to see what opportunities may be out there. It really helped that the BU program offered on-going, individualized guidance and input even after our internships began.
Perspectives: Overall, I think that my career focus sharpened, and that will be extremely useful to me going forward. I really learned a lot about myself in this process. I also loved spending the summer in Boston and experiencing all that the city had to offer.