May 16, 2024  
2024-2025 SLCC General Catalog 
  
2024-2025 SLCC General Catalog

International Studies: AA


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Associate of Arts | 63 credits

Program Website
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Program Description
International Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students broadly for the increasingly global contexts within which we live and work. Courses in the program provide students with the content knowledge, analytical skills, and methodologies necessary to understand international and global issues, their historical and cultural contexts, as well as providing them the tools necessary to live effectively in a world characterized by ethnic diversity, cultural pluralism, and increasing interdependence. The program consists of both general and specialized multidisciplinary tracks of study. 

Explore the complexities of our interconnected world with our International Studies program, designed for students seeking to navigate global challenges and understand diverse cultures. Through a blend of political, economic, language, and cultural coursework, you’ll gain the insight and skills needed to analyze international relations and advocate for global solutions. This program is your gateway to a career that spans continents and impacts communities worldwide, whether in diplomacy, international business, or humanitarian efforts, and more.

Career Opportunities

  • Global Perspective: Gain a comprehensive understanding of global issues, fostering a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures, political systems, and international relations. 
  • Critical Thinking Skills: Develop the ability to analyze complex global phenomena, evaluate international policies, and propose innovative solutions to worldwide challenges. 
  • Career Versatility: Prepare for a wide range of careers in diplomacy, international business, non-profit organizations, and more, benefiting from the program’s broad applicability. 
  • Cross-Cultural Communication: Enhance communication skills and cultural sensitivity, crucial for working effectively in diverse teams and environments around the globe. 
  • Opportunities for Global Engagement: Access unique opportunities for study abroad, internships with international organizations, and language learning, providing firsthand global experiences. 

The IA program prepares students for active roles in the global economy, and in the world’s culturally diverse communities, and there are many practical fields that are open to them.  As an interdisciplinary program, majors are exposed to a variety of courses from different perspectives. The overall objective is to train “students of the world,” people who think critically about global issues and problems. Such individuals find opportunities in international business, international organizations, non-profit organizations with a global focus or reach, humanitarian agencies, policy and research think tanks, civil service, the tourism industry, media, and public relations. 

Transfer/Articulation Information
Please refer to the Student Resources section of the SLCC University Transfer webpage. 

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Supplies: $15
Course Fees: $5 per language course

NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.

General Education Requirements


Complete all General Education courses. Refer to Notes for program specific requirements and recommendations. 

  

Program General Education Notes


REQUIRED:

Language (LN): Language (LN)   

Like all AA programs, the IA program has a LANG 1020 (5-credit) language requirement for its degree.  But that requirement can be met in a variety of ways.  Dual-language immersion students, heritage speakers, and other students who have adequate proficiency in a second language may satisfy this 5-credit language requirement through a) proficiency testing, b) an AP score of 3 or higher, or c) equivalent prior college-level coursework.  ESL and non-native English speakers will meet the requirement through coursework in ESL or English, in accordance with the policies stated in the SLCC catalog.  Any student who demonstrates the required level of language ability  in fewer than 5 credit hours is required to complete an additional elective, to meet the AA degree’s credit hours total. 

Program Requirements


Required Courses and Elective Courses must add up to a minimum of 27 credits. The number taken in each area will depend on prior second language skills and the institution to which the student intends to transfer.

Required Courses (17-20 credits)


For University of Utah


All major courses must be taken for a minimum letter grade of C.

Track Requirements

Complete 1 of the following tracks, for 9 credits.

Language Requirement


All Tracks for University of Utah and Utah State University must take the following or pass a proficiency test demonstrating experiential equivalency (8 credits).

LANG prefix is a placeholder only - it is replaced by the prefix for the chosen individual language: ARB, CHI, FRN, ITL, JPN, NAV, POR, RUS, SAM, SPN, TNG.

At SLCC for Latin American Studies Track you can only take Spanish or Portuguese; and for Asian Studies Track only Chinese, Japanese, or Vietnamese; and for Middle East Studies Track you can take Arabic. Other languages may be available at transfer institutions

Elective Courses (6-12 credits)


For University of Utah


Complete 1 of the following tracks.

For Utah State University


Complete 9 credits from the following:

(Utah State University accepts only the following lower division electives depending on track selected, see Utah State University transfer advisors for more information.)

International Experience


Study Abroad (3 credits). See advisor for study abroad opportunities.

Optional Electives


Additional course options, including any required courses not taken above, which may be used to meet the 63 total credits required for program completion.

Time to Completion & Graduation Map


  • International Studies AA: Full-time  
  • Time to completion is four semesters based on a full-time minimum of 15 credits per semester. Fewer than 15 credits per semester may increase time to completion.

Program Learning Outcomes


Program learning outcome alignment with Student Learning Outcomes  in brackets.

  • Students will identify and give examples of key social, political, economic, cultural, and geographic events, themes, trends, processes, issues, and actors for various international and global issues. [4,8]
  • Students will, orally and in writing, examine, organize, synthesize, and discuss key concepts and significant topics in international and global affairs using methods from a range of social science and humanistic methods. [1,2,3,5]
  • Students will demonstrate oral proficiency in a 2nd language at the 2nd year college level (Intermediate) according to the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). [1,2]
  • Students will apply their historical, geographic, economic, sociological, linguistic, and cultural knowledge to propose solutions to contemporary global and international issues. [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
  • Students will identify, discuss and explain the natural, political, historical, social and economic underpinnings of the local, national, and global communities to which they belong and how those are interrelated. [6,8]
  • Students will investigate, explain, and reflect on a variety of cultural experiences and values, and will identify and practice skills necessary to interact respectfully and collaborate effectively in a world characterized by ethnic diversity, cultural pluralism, and increasing interdependence. [1,2,4,6]

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