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International Studies

The International Studies program will prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions that offer International Studies or related fields.

Students will:

engage in course work that will broaden their perspective and skills in the field of international relations
have access to individual counseling for program planning and career development through a mentoring program with the Program Coordinator
be afforded the opportunity to develop foreign language proficiency

Degrees Offered

A.A.-T. in Global Studies
A.A. in International Studies

Interim Dean Jeff Moran
Coordinator Riad Bahhur
Phone (916) 558-2401
Email SCC-BSS@losrios.edu

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Global Studies

This degree provides a multidisciplinary understanding of global issues and the impact of globalization on people, states, and economies around the world. It covers trade, culture, politics, economic development, military interventions, conflict, relations between states, and environmental impacts.

The Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system.

The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) student completion requirements (as stated in SB1440 law):
(1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(a) The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).
(b) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Completing the Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer degree will prepare students to apply a global understanding to careers in trade, law, diplomacy, food production, education, human rights, development, relief, and marketing. Students completing this degree will be able to continue their studies in any of the above listed areas and to apply a global perspective to any field of study or work.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
GLST 301	Introduction to Global Studies	3
GLST 302	Global Issues	3
A minimum of 15 units from the following:		15¹
Select five courses from a minimum of four of the following areas:
CULTURE AND SOCIETY
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)
or ANTH 481	Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
HIST 308	History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3)
HIST 365	Asian Civilization (3)
GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 300	Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems (3)
GEOG 310	Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOG 320	World Regional Geography (3)
ECONOMICS
ECON C2002	Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON C2001	Principles of Microeconomics (3)
POLITICS
POLS 302	Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310	Introduction to International Relations (3)
or POLS 480	Introduction to International Relations - Honors (3)
HUMANITIES
ENGLT 480	World Literature: Antiquity to the Early Modern World - Honors (3)
ENGLT 481	World Literature: Seventeenth Century to Present - Honors (3)
PHIL 352	Introduction to World Religions (3)
Total Units:		21

¹Students are encouraged to include a foreign language as part of their Global Studies program. While it is not required to complete this degree, many transfer institutions include a foreign language proficiency as part of their global studies degrees.

The Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

formulate a broad and cohesive understanding of global dynamics, issues, and events and incorporate that knowledge into their daily life and career.
evaluate their role as a member of a global network of interdependent people and societies.
analyze various multidisciplinary approaches that explain the causes and consequences of globalization.
analyze local and regional societal, economic, political, and environmental issues within a global context.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in International Studies

The major consists of a core of 29.5-33 units, which satisfy university transfer requirements. Elective courses allow students to pursue interests in languages, culture, business, philosophy, history, fine arts, literature, and other studies. Students who undertake the ISP major will prepare for transfer to universities that offer International Studies Majors or related fields; engage in coursework that will broaden their perspective and skills in the field of international relations; have access to individual counseling for program planning and career development through a mentoring program with the Program Director; and be afforded the opportunity to develop foreign language proficiency.

Recommended High School Preparation: Standard college preparatory program.

Four Year Transfer Information: UC/CSU systems require standard/basic preparatory course work prior to transfer. The ISP core courses (30 units) are designed to meet articulation and transferability to International Studies, International Relations, and International Business major requirements.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)	3
or ANTH 481	Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
COMM 325	Intercultural Communication	3
ECON C2002	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
GEOG 320	World Regional Geography	3
HIST 308	History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present	3
HIST C1002	United States History since 1865 (3)	3
or HIST C1002H	United States History since 1865 - Honors (3)
IS 494	Topics in International Studies	0.5 -4
POLS 310	Introduction to International Relations (3)	3
or POLS 480	Introduction to International Relations - Honors (3)
A minimum of 8 units from the following:		8¹
Foreign Language (two semesters)
ARABIC 401	Elementary Arabic (5)
and ARABIC 402	Elementary Arabic (5)
CANT 401	Elementary Cantonese (4)
or CANT 402	Elementary Cantonese (4)
or CANT 411	Intermediate Cantonese (4)
or CANT 412	Intermediate Cantonese (4)
FREN 401	Elementary French (4)
or FREN 402	Elementary French (4)
or FREN 411	Intermediate French (4)
or FREN 412	Intermediate French (4)
JAPAN 401	Elementary Japanese (4)
or JAPAN 402	Elementary Japanese (4)
or JAPAN 411	Intermediate Japanese (4)
or JAPAN 412	Intermediate Japanese (4)
KOREAN 401	Elementary Korean (4)
and KOREAN 402	Elementary Korean (4)
MAND 401	Elementary Mandarin (4)
or MAND 402	Elementary Mandarin (4)
or MAND 411	Intermediate Mandarin (4)
or MAND 412	Intermediate Mandarin (4)
PNJABI 401	Elementary Punjabi (4)
and PNJABI 402	Elementary Punjabi (4)
RUSS 401	Elementary Russian (4)
or RUSS 402	Elementary Russian (4)
or RUSS 411	Intermediate Russian (4)
or RUSS 412	Intermediate Russian (4)
TGLG 401	Elementary Tagalog (4)
and TGLG 402	Elementary Tagalog (4)
VIET 401	Elementary Vietnamese (4)
and VIET 402	Elementary Vietnamese (4)
Total Units:		29.5 - 33

¹Student must choose only 1 language to fulfill the 8 unit requirement.

The International Studies Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

evaluate, examine, and explain the role of the individual and society within the context of global interdependence.
formulate a critical understanding of social, political, and economic global issues and problems within a global context that is relevant to local experience.
evaluate, analyze, and critique various social science and humanities perspectives that explain human and environmental history in a global context.
investigate, analyze, and describe the causes and consequences of economic, political, and cultural globalization through a variety of social science perspectives.
detect, analyze, and discuss human difference, including difference based on socio-economic, political, cultural, and geographic status.
investigate, analyze, and discuss the effects of power imbalance in social and political contestation, historically and contemporaneously, with a focus on the experiences of actors who wield relatively less power in specific global contexts.
demonstrate basic oral and writing skills in a second language.

Career Information

The International Studies degree is designed to facilitate students’ successful transfer to B.A. programs and, in so doing, prepare them for advanced study in a variety of graduate programs. Careers can be found in Foreign Service, Governmental Relations, Public Affairs, International Trade, Civil Service, Lobbying, Law, Fiscal Analysis, Teaching, Non-Governmental Organizations, Language Specialization, International Advocacy, and International Consultancy.