What is International Studies?

What is the difference between International Studies and International Affairs as majors in college?

• I'm applying to college for fall 2008, and I love international stuff, but I'm not sure what the difference between international studies and affairs is. Anyone know???

• Answer:

  They are basically the same thing: International Studies is a Bachelor of Arts degree program that equips students to live and work in the globalized world of the 21st century. International Studies is an interdisciplinary major that provides students with that foundation. Drawing from history, economics, political science, geography, and foreign language and culture studies, we examine both global and regional issues with the hope of understanding the forces that shape the global environment today and their relationship to the lives of people both at home and around the world. Majors complete three years of foreign language, 15 hours of core International Studies requirements on global topics, and 18 hours of courses in one of the following regional concentrations: Europe, Latin America, or East Asia. The field of International Affairs is becoming increasingly important as new technologies are emerging. No longer is it sufficient to only study what is occurring internally within the U.S., because relations and influences of the outside world are becoming the substance of today's politics, economics, and tomorrow's history. Furthermore, to compete in the new global job market, it is necessary to have bilingual capabilities. This major is designed to prepare you for the future.