Dr. Stephen Wegren, Director
Dear Returning or Prospective Students:
Welcome to the International Studies Program at SMU!
International Studies is a popular and interesting major that allows you to design an interdisciplinary program to fit your intellectual and professional goals. The emphasis is on training students for international careers. To find out more about the program, we invite you to visit our website: http://www.smu.edu/internationalstudies/. In addition, you are welcome to contact me, or the program Advisor, Mr. Ray Rafidi, for further details about the major or minor in International Studies, or about the program you have chosen for yourself. After you have declared International Studies your major (or minor), Ray and I will be happy to help you plan your course of study in more detail.
A description of the program, along with requirements and available courses, are contained in this website. Here you will find basic information that will assist you in choosing International Studies as a major or minor. In recent years, International Studies has become increasingly popular as part of a double major. International Studies easily lends itself to being combined with a major in social sciences, language and humanities, economics or business. The International Studies program will provide you with broad coursework in world cultures, international politics, international economics, and global perspectives. In addition, you will receive training in a regional specialization—you are able to choose among courses on Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. You also have the option of developing an area studies minor or double minor if you have an interest in more than one region. Each International Studies major is required to take a senior seminar taught by our leading professors in the program; the topic of the seminar varies from semester to semester. Finally, there are numerous opportunities to expand your educational experience—study abroad, internships, and directed readings to pursue your interests in more detail.
As you can see, International Studies is an exciting and popular major at SMU. But students (and parents) often ask: “What can a person do with an International Studies major?” The answer, of course, very much depends upon your interests, ambitions, and career choices. The International Studies degree program combines area and language training, thereby enriching your academic experience and providing a firm base to further your education, or to enter the public or private sectors. In the age of globalization, job candidates desiring an international career, or to add an international dimension in their career, need to have international training and experience. Ray and I are available to help you develop a program that meets your intellectual needs and will facilitate your professional goals once you graduate from SMU.
We look forward to helping you make the most of your International Studies experience!
Stephen K. Wegren
Director and Professor