International Studies and Political Science

The Department of International Studies and Political Science offers a challenging interdisciplinary major in international studies (IS) emphasizing political science, foreign language, history, and economics. The IS curriculum is designed to educate men and women for leadership roles in the global community and provides broad training in the liberal arts with a strong emphasis on the development of communications skills, both written and oral; the ability to think analytically and critically in the field, and on providing a strong understanding of the major ethical questions central to the study of international relations/political science.

Many IS majors go on to earn graduate degrees from top institutions. IS majors are highly qualified for careers in the Armed Forces, other forms of government service, international business and industry, and for numerous other fields requiring a broad liberal arts background.

As part of their degree, IS majors are strongly encouraged to complete either a study abroad or internship experience.

Honors in International Studies

The Department of International Studies and Political Science offers a two semester Honors program open to all qualified IS majors.

General requirements for the conferral of IS Departmental Honors: to qualify for participation in the first part of the IS Honors Sequence (i.e., for acceptance into IS 491 ), cadets must: have achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher in the IS major through their sixth academic semester at VMI; have achieved a 3.2 GPA or higher in the overall curriculum through their sixth academic semester at VMI; and complete and have approved by the head of the IS department, a formal letter of application to the IS Departmental Honors Program.

To qualify for participation in the second part of the IS Honors Sequence (i.e., for acceptance into IS 492 ) cadets must: have received a grade of “B” or higher in IS 491 ; have maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher in the IS major through their seventh academic semester at VMI; have maintained a 3.2 GPA or higher in the overall curriculum through their seventh academic semester at VMI.

To be conferred with IS Departmental Honors, cadets must: have received a grade of “B” or higher in IS 491 and IS 492 ; have maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher in the IS major through their eighth academic semester at VMI; have maintained a 3.2 GPA or higher in the overall curriculum through their eighth academic semester at VMI; be formally endorsed for conferral by their faculty sponsor and be on schedule to graduate at the time for the completion of the IS Honors Sequence.

Information

You can contact the Department of International Studies and Political Science at (540) 464-7676; E-mail: Interstudies@vmi.edu. Information, including course descriptions, cadet activities, and faculty biographies is also available at: http://www.vmi.edu/interstudies/

Programs

Courses

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

Department of International Studies and Political Science
Department Head: Colonel Hentz

Requirements for a degree in international studies and political science are specified in International Studies and Political Science .