Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Modern Languages
In partnership with the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, the School of Modern Languages offers a joint Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Modern Language (IAML) with separate concentrations in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish. Students in this program take the same required core courses as for the Bachelor of Science in International Affairs, but also receive intensive foreign language training and learn the fundamentals of dealing with foreign cultures and societies. IAML students learn how to formulate the policy decisions that must be made in an increasingly multilingual and multicultural global forum. Our graduates are prepared for advanced graduate and professional study and are ready for employment in a large arena of globally oriented businesses, government agencies, as well as social service and not-for-profit organizations.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness Requirement | ||
| APPH 1040 | Scientific Foundations of Health | 2 |
| or APPH 1050 | The Science of Physical Activity and Health | |
| or APPH 1060 | Flourishing: Strategies for Well-being and Resilience | |
| Core IMPACTS | ||
| Institutional Priority | ||
| CS 1315 | Introduction to Media Computation | 3 |
| or CS 1301 | Introduction to Computing | |
| Mathematics and Quantitative Skills | ||
| MATH 1712 | Survey of Calculus | 4 |
| or MATH 1552 | Integral Calculus | |
| Political Science and U.S. History | ||
| HIST 2111 | The United States to 1877 | 3 |
| or HIST 2112 | The United States since 1877 | |
| or INTA 1200 | American Government in Comparative Perspective | |
| or POL 1101 | Government of the United States | |
| or PUBP 3000 | American Constitutional Issues | |
| Arts, Humanities, and Ethics | ||
| Any HUM | 6 | |
| Communicating in Writing | ||
| ENGL 1101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 1102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences | ||
| Lab Science | 4 | |
| Lab Science | 4 | |
| MATH 1711 | Finite Mathematics | 4 |
| or MATH 1551 & MATH 1553 | Differential Calculus and Introduction to Linear Algebra | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Any SS | 9 | |
| Field of Study | ||
| INTA 2010 | Empirical Methods 2 | 3 |
| INTA 2040 | Science, Technology, and International Affairs 2 | 3 |
| Any INTA | 9 | |
| Select one of the following: 4, 5 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Bioengineering Statistics | ||
| Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Introduction to Computing | ||
| Introduction to Media Computation | ||
| Representing Structure and Behavior | ||
| Introduction to Object Oriented Programming | ||
| Data Manipulation for Science and Industry | ||
| Energy, Environment, and Society | ||
| Environmental Data Analysis | ||
| Digital System Design | ||
| Industrial Design Computing I | ||
| Graphic and Visual Design | ||
| The Rhetoric of Nonlinear Documents | ||
| Computer Applications | ||
| Information Systems and Digital Transformation | ||
| Decision Support and Expert Systems | ||
| Systems Analysis and Design | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTA 1110 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| INTA 2001 | Careers in International Affairs | 1 |
| INTA 3110 | U.S. Foreign Policy 2 | 3 |
| INTA 3203 | Comparative Politics 2 | 3 |
| INTA 3301 | International Political Economy 2 | 3 |
| INTA 4500 | Pro-Seminar in International Affairs 2 | 3 |
| INTA 3000- or 4000-level Electives 2 | 12 | |
| Capstone Requirement | ||
| CHIN/FREN/GRMN/JAPN/KOR/RUSS/SPAN 4500 | Advanced Intercultural Seminar 2 | 3 |
| Modern Language | ||
| Modern Languages 1,2 | 21 | |
| Economics Requirement 6 | ||
| History Requirement 7 | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives 3 | 7 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 122 | |
Note: Non-credit requirement
With the goal of enhanced educational and career prospects and in accordance with the pedagogical objectives of the degree in International Affairs and Modern Language, all IAML students are required to fulfill an International Experience as part of their graduation requirements. This requirement can be met through one of two ways:
1. Complete a minimum 6-week overseas experience. If this is not a country whose primary language is in the student's language of study, the student must justify and receive prior approval.
2. Complete a 15-week internship or similar experience of at least 10 credit hours per week at an international organization such as consulate, CNN International, etc. The internship must be approved in advance.
Students must complete 39 hours of upper division (3000/4000-level courses). Fifteen hours of the free electives, language, or technology requirements must be upper division (3000/4000-level coursework).
For all language courses, the language of instruction must be the same as the language of learning. English-taught culture courses will not apply to language requirements.
- 1
Students must complete 21 credit hours of the same selected language concentration: ARBC/CHIN/JAPN/KOR/RUSS electives from 2002, 3000- or 4000-level courses; FREN/GRMN/SPAN electives from 3000- or 4000-level.
- 2
Minimum grade of C required.
- 3
CHIN/FREN/GRMN/JAPN/KOR/RUSS/SPAN courses below 2002 may count toward the free elective courses.
- 4
Technical elective.
- 5
Approved instances of CS 2803 may be applied here by advisor.
- 6
International Affairs and Modern Languages students must complete one of the following: ECON 2100, ECON 2101, ECON 2105 or ECON 2106. These hours will also satisfy 3 hours of Core IMPACTS Social Sciences.
- 7
International Affairs and Modern Languages students must complete one non-US History course. These hours will also satisfy 3 hours of Core IMPACTS Social Sciences.
Research Option
The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs also participates in the Research Option plan offered by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). The Research Option offers students the opportunity for in-depth research experience working under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Requirements for participation in the Research Option include completing nine hours of undergraduate research, at least six of which are on the same topic, writing a research proposal, taking two 1-hour courses: LMC 4701 Undergraduate Research Proposal Writing (typically taken during the first or second semester of research) and LMC 4702 Undergraduate Research Thesis Writing (taken during the term in which the thesis is written), and completing the thesis. Students are also required to send a weekly update of progress of research to the faculty mentor. Along with their application, students must explain how the faculty mentor’s research experience will benefit the student’s research.
International Plan
The degree requirements for the International Affairs and Modern Language (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish) - International Plan (IAML - IP) are basically the same as for the IAML degree, except that students are required to spend two terms abroad and then achieve Intermediate High (for Chinese, Japanese, Russian: Intermediate Low) on the standardized ACTFL testing scale during an oral interview. The costs of the test will be paid for by the School of Modern Languages for each student. The terms abroad must total a minimum of twenty-six weeks; typically these consist of one semester of study plus a significant amount of time spent with a research or work project abroad. Only one summer semester abroad will count in this total. IAML-IP majors are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Language for Business and Technology (LBAT) intensive summer programs offered by the School of Modern Languages.
In addition to gaining advanced global competence, the International Plan designation will set IAML majors apart from other applicants with recruiters from top companies and governmental agencies. Other required courses include the following, which can easily be obtained within the regular required curriculum offerings of INTA and Modern Languages (these requirements can also be met with courses taken abroad, upon consultation with IAML degree advisors):
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| INTA 1110 | Introduction to International Relations 1 | 3 |
| INTA 3301 | International Political Economy 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Comparative Politics | ||
INTA approved elective or upper-division Modern Language course | ||
| INTA 4500 | Pro-Seminar in International Affairs 4 | 3 |
| CHIN/FREN/GRMN/JAPN/KOR/RUSS/SPAN 4500 | Advanced Intercultural Seminar 4 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
- 1
INTA 1110 focuses on international relations historically and theoretically, including topics such as the role of state sovereignty and nationalism and non-state actors in the international system; international conflict, peace, security, intervention, and nation-building; international organizations, law, and ethics; and transnational problems of the environment, terrorism, health, and migration; among other issues.
- 2
INTA 3301 provides a historical and theoretical understanding of the global economy, including topics such as international trade, finance, investment, and production; regional economic integration (such as the EU); economic development and modernization; and questions of natural resource sustainability.
- 3
INTA 3203 or approved INTA elective or upper-division Modern Language courses provide familiarity with an area of the world or a country that allows them to make systematic comparisons with their own society and culture.
- 4
A culminating course, occurring either at the end of or after the international experience that integrates knowledge of the discipline and the international experience in a global context.
BS in International Affairs and Modern Languages/MS in International Affairs
Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher in IAC courses are eligible to apply for the program after completion of 30 semester credit hours at Georgia Tech, but before the completion of 75 semester credit hours, including transfer and advanced placement credits. Students who have more than 75 credit hours will be considered for the program on a case-by-case basis. Depending on demand, the required minimum GPA may be higher. Admissions decisions will be based on GPA and judgments of the Graduate Committee and faculty who have served as advisors or instructors. Continuation in the program will require the student to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher in IAC courses. The program will not penalize students who opt out after the bachelor’s degree.
Visit International Affairs and Modern Languages/International Affairs for more information.