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.

Summer 1: The Academic Phase (May 19 – June 26, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

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. The course section has course descriptions and schedules.

Select Two:

  • 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 developing planning and programming.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: CAS EC 101 or CAS EC 111 and CAS EC 102 or CAS EC 112.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Lucas CAS B06A M, T, W 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • 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.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Lucas CAS 323A M, T, W 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  • CAS HI 349 History of International Relations 1900-1945

    • The causes and consequences of the First World War; the search for postwar reconstruction and stability during the twenties; the consequences of economic collapse, revolutionary nationalism and fascism during the thirties; the Second World War and the advent of the bipolar world.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Atkinson GCB 208 M, W, F 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • CAS HI 391 Introduction to Modern Japanese History

    • Developments from late Tokugawa Japan and the Meiji Restoration (1868) to the present. Focus is 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.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND O'brien PHO 202 T, W, R 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • 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.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Hare CAS B18B T, R 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
  • CAS IR 364 Politics of Post-Communist Russia

    • Analysis of the emergent political forces, institutions, and alliances in the post-Soviet Russian Federation, against the background of the unresolved economic, ethnic, and social problems that are the USSR's legacy to the "new Russia." Prospects for stabilization are assessed in the context of the multiple crises facing Russia today.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Connor CAS B18A T, R 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • CAS IR 370 China: From Revolution to Reform

    • (Meets with CAS PO 369.) Introduction to modern Chinese politics including the development of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the political development of the PRC since its founding in 1949. Focus is on the party's official policy and its changing relationships with the people of China.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Fewsmith PRB 148 T, W, R 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • CAS IR 375 Introduction to Russian and Post-Soviet Relations

    • (Meets with CAS PO 375.) Decisive factors in the foreign relations of Russia and the other former Soviet republics, including historical continuity and change, survival and change of ideology, domestic politics, economic and geographical factors, military and external political considerations. The future of arms control, nuclear weapons, the economy, and relations among the former republics are also examined.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Connor CAS B20 M, W 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • CAS IR 395 North-South Relations

    • Employs a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the relations between the industrialized nations of the "North" and the developing nations of the "South." Addresses historical and current issues in North-South relations, including trade, investment, migration, regional economic integration, and the environment.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Thacker IRC 220 T, W, R 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

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, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish.

Summer 2: The Internship Phase (July 6 – August 14, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

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.

International Studies Internship Opportunities

Internship placement opportunities are available at international non-governmental organizations; global trade consultants; 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 22 – August 11, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

Throughout the 12 weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program, you will participate in a required 2-credit Summer Study Internship Course. This course serves as a means of preparing you for the internship and provides support as you adjust to a new workplace. It will also provide you with an opportunity to explore links between your academic coursework and your work experience.

You'll have a faculty advisor and a shared forum with other interns to address your expectations, goals, and challenges as an intern. In the Internship Course, you will continue to develop as a professional by addressing topics such as workplace culture, networking skills, and self-assessment.

Internship Profile

Student: Sampson Kwarkye
Career Track: International Studies
Courses: Diplomatic Practice, Issues in Modern Terrorism, Evolution of Strategic Intelligence
Internship Site: Consensus Building Institute

On the job: The Consensus Building Institute is a think tank that specializes in international negotiation and dispute resolution. I researched the root causes of the Nigerian oil crisis and relayed my findings to the diplomatic officials leading mediation and consensus-building activities with the warring parties. It was a great feeling to interact with prominent foreign affairs professionals and to work on developing sustainable solutions to some of the pressing issues confronting Africa.

Perspectives: My courses were right in line with my academic and career interests, and I was excited to apply my new insights. Through my experience I sharpened my awareness of how the world operates and took an important step toward my goal of becoming an effective diplomat in the future. There is everything to gain from this program.