International Studies is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with tools and skills to understand the relationships that bind humanity together at a global scale. Anchored by core courses in International Development and International Politics, it invites students to consider some of the cultures, languages and socio-economic systems that make International Studies a complex and fascinating field of study. 

As an interdisciplinary minor, International Studies embraces a wide range of BCA departments and faculties. Each of its courses highlights global connections and divisions, providing students with an international perspective to complement and enrich their degree major.

Declaring a Minor 

Current students can declare a minor in this program through their myBCA account.

Students wishing to minor in International Studies must complete twenty-one semester hours according to the program described below. All courses are valued at three semester hours.

There are two mandatory courses in the International Studies program:

1. INT 2010 Introduction to International Development Studies
2. POLS 2820 Introduction to International Politics

Notes:

• All other courses taken to fulfill an International Studies minor should come from the list of elective courses indicated below; any exception must receive the permission of the program coordinator.  
• No more than two International Studies cross-listed courses (not counting the two core courses noted above) can be fulfilled with courses taken from any one department or program listed below.  
• At least 3 of the 7 courses required for the minor must be taken at the 3000 or 4000 level.
• It is strongly recommended that students endeavour to gain proficiency in a second language.

Recommended language courses:

• FR 2520 Le Français Des Affaires
• FR 4460 Traduction: Anglais—Français
• FR 4470 Traduction: Français—Anglais
• SPAN 1010-1020: Spanish
• SPAN 2030 Intensive Study Abroad (Salamanca) 

Whenever circumstances warrant it, the Modern Languages Department offers courses in languages other than French, German or Spanish. In the past introductory courses have been offered in Chinese, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Mi’kmaq and Scottish Gaelic. For Japanese or other Asian languages see Asian Studies.

• 1010 Introduction to [A Selected Modern Language] I
 
• 1020 Introduction to [A Selected Modern Language] II
 

Asian Studies

• AST 2010: Introduction to West Asia 
• AST 2020: Introduction to East Asia  

Business

• BUS 2870: Introduction to International Business BUS 4770: International Marketing 

Economics

• EC 3310: International Trade
• EC 3320: International Monetary Economics 
• EC 3410: Economic Development Theory
• EC 3420: Economic Development Policy  

Environmental Studies

• ENV 3420 Environment and Development
• ENV 4410 Environment and International Relations 

History

• HIST 1140 Plague: Historical Themes 
• HIST 2150 Foreign Foods: Eating in the Age of Empires 
• HIST 3280 Migrations To America II 
• HIST 3760 The History of Genocide 
• HIST 4150 America Apologizes: Studies In Historical Apologies 
• HIST 4320 Britain and the Imperial Experience 
• HIST 4420 United States Foreign Policy Since World War I 
• HIST 4550 War and Revolution in the 20th Century World

International Studies 

• INT 2020 International Development Problems and Policies
• INT 2090 Special Topics in International Development Studies
• INT 3090 Special Topics in International Development Studies
• INT 4090 Special Topics in International Development Studies
• INT 4210-4220 Directed Studies in International Development Studies

Island Studies

• IST 2010: Introduction to Island Studies
• IST 2110: Island Toruism: The Search for Paradise

Modern Languages

• FR 2520: Le Français Des Affaires
• FR 4460: Traduction: Anglais—Français
• FR 4470: Traduction: Français—Anglais
• SPAN 2010-2020: Intermediate Spanish
• SPAN 2030: Intensive Study Abroad (Salamanca)
• SPAN 2110: Latin American Studies: South America
• SPAN 2120: latin American Studies: Mexico and the Caribbean

Music

• MUS 1230: Introduction to Music and Culture
• MUS 1240 :Perspectives in Music and Culture I
• MUS 2230: Perspectives in Music and Culture II 

Political Science

• POLS 2210: Political Economy and Social Change in the Developing World
• POLS 2310: War and Peace
• POLS 2820: Introduction to International Politics
• POLS 3430: Comparative Politics of South Asia
• POLS 3610: Comparative Politics of Africa
• POLS 3620: Comparative Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean
• POLS 3630: Comparative Politics of the Middle East
• POLS 3710: Political Transition in Central and Eastern Europe
• POLS 3720: The Politics of Russia and Its Borderlands
• POLS 3930: International Theory
• POLS 4350: The Globalization Debate
• POLS 4710: International Organizations
• POLS 4720: International Law
• POLS 4750: International Human Rights

Religious Studies

• RS 1050 World Religions
• RS 2210 Buddhism East and West
• RS 2420 Hinduism
• RS 2430 Judaism
• RS 2440 Islam
• RS 2510 Japanese Religion and Culture
• RS 2610 Chinese Religion and Philosophy
• RS 2790 Catholicism, Christian Unity, and World Religions
• RS 3220 Religious Ethics East and West
• RS 3230 Interreligious Dialogue
• RS 3520 Mysticism In Buddhism and Christianity 

Sociology/Anthropology

• SAN 2120: Peoples of South Asia
• SAN 2420: Peoples of Oceania
• SAN 2510: Peoples of Africa
• SAN 3030: International Migration, Transnationalism, and the American Mosaic 
• SAN 3550: Globalization
• ANTH 4010: Medical Anthropology 
• ANTH 4040: Applied and Public Interest Anthropology 
• SAN 4420: Social and Cultural Change

Special topics courses (usually designated by a 2090 or 3090 course number) may be counted towards the International Studies minor.  Likewise, courses taken during an international exchange program may be permitted. Check with the program director concerning course eligibility.

High School Graduates

American High School Equivalency Chart

Successful completion of Grade 12 examinations in a University Preparatory Program with an overall average of at least 70% (75% for Quebec Secondary V students) in the following subjects:

• English;
• one Social Studies or Language;
• any 3 other academic courses. Grade 12 math recommended.
  Note: Grade 12 Math is a prerequisite for some 1st year Art courses.

Please refer to the BCA Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.

BCA's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards.

Tuition

$6,390 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($639 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $7,470 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Arts, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Awards

BCA supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.  

Celebrating Student Achievement

Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.