Bachelor of Arts: Languages and Literatures - International Studies Emphasis
University Requirements
General Education
UMKC Essentials is the university-wide curriculum that all undergraduate students will complete. The 30-credit hour program includes a First Year Experience course; three critical thinking courses in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Natural & Physical Sciences, and Social & Behavioral Sciences; a Culture and Diversity course; a Civic & Urban Engagement course; two courses in Written Composition and one course in Oral Communication; and a Math Pathway course. Transfer students entering UMKC will elect from the UMKC Essentials General Education Program or the Missouri Core 42 General Education Curriculum. Academic advisors will meet with incoming transfer students to determine which option best serves the student’s educational needs. More information about General Education may be found here: https://catalog.umkc.edu/undergraduate-academic-regulations-information/general-education-requirements/
Constitution Course
Every undergraduate student must take a course covering the United States Constitution and the Missouri State Constitution before graduation. Course options are included in the program requirements section below.
Exit Examinations
Information on exit examinations is available in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Information section of the catalog.
Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination
In accordance with Missouri Senate Bill 807 (section 170.013.1), 'any student entering a public institution of higher education for the first time after July 2019 who is pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree from such institution shall successfully pass an examination on the provisions and principles of American civics with a score of seventy percent or greater as a condition of graduation from such institution'. To satisfy this requirement at UMKC, students access the exam through the Canvas site. This requirement will be listed in the degree audit system as, 'Take State Mandated Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination', and listed on the transcript as 'Missouri Civics Examination'.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- apply interdisciplinary perspectives to analyze ideas using diverse frames of reference and cultural complexity
- attain at least Intermediate-mid reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency in a foreign language (according to the ACTFL proficiency levels)
- draw on their knowledge of their selected region to identify and describe at least two dimensions – historical, political, social, cultural, economic – of specific international issues.
- present and discuss their research in compelling, coherent, clear analytical arguments
International Studies
The International Studies program fosters cultural and political literacy while also developing foreign language proficiency. Students will advance their language skills in French, German or Spanish, and gain knowledge of political structures and international relations in general and in a global region of their choice. The program straddles both Foreign Languages and Political Science departments while also offering students a broad array of interdisciplinary courses across several other departments. Intercultural competencies form the core of the program, and students are required to take part in a study abroad program or do an internship in a local organization or business that has international connections. If you are interested in the world beyond the United States, this program is for you!
Program Requirements
UMKC Essentials
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester Experience Course (GEFSE) | 3 | |
| Written Communication: | ||
| ENGLISH 110 | Introduction to Academic Prose | 3 |
| ENGLISH 225 | English II: Intermediate Academic Prose | 3 |
| Oral Communication (choose one of the following): | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening | ||
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Argumentation And Debate (offered via dual credit only) | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Math Pathway (choose one of the following): | 3 | |
| Mathematics For Liberal Arts | ||
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Precalculus (5 credit hours) | ||
Any 200-level MATH or STAT course | ||
ACT Math Subscore of 28 or higher; or SAT Math Subscore of 660 or higher | ||
| Critical Thinking in Arts & Humanities (GECRT-AH) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Natural & Physical Sciences (GECRT-SC) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Social & Behavioral Sciences (GECRT-SS) | 3 | |
| Culture & Diversity Course (GECDV) | 3 | |
| Civic & Urban Engagement Course (GECUE) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Constitution Course Requirement
Section 170.011.1 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, 2015, states that all candidates for a degree issued by a college or university in the state of Missouri must have “satisfactorily passed an examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Missouri, and in American history and American institutions.”
Courses at UMKC that satisfy this state requirement are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| The Supreme Court And The Criminal Process | ||
| U.S. History to 1877 | ||
| U.S. History Since 1877 | ||
| Honors American Government | ||
| American Government | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
There are a few other ways this requirement can be satisfied for students transferring to UMKC:
- Take an equivalent course from the list above at a regionally accredited institution.
- Earn credit for one of the above courses through AP, IB, or CLEP.
- Take a course that directly satisfies the Missouri Constitution Requirement at another Missouri institution.
- Have a previous bachelors degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have an Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Complete the 42 Hour Core at a Missouri institution and have it listed on the official transcript.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Intensive Course (300-level or above): | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Major Requirements
The B.A. in Languages and Literatures with an emphasis in International Studies (INTS) requires 36 credits at or above the 200-level, with at least 9 hours numbered 400-level or higher. At least 12 hours in the major must be earned at UMKC.
Students may double count up to 12 credit hours from their major toward a minor in French, German, or Spanish. Students choosing to double-major in INTS and another emphasis area in Languages & Literatures may double count up to 18 credit hours. Students should consult the applicable catalog section to review applicability to minors in political science, economics, history, anthropology, or philosophy.
Major Prerequisites (May not be required based on placement)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Semesters of Introductory Foreign Langauge Coursework | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | 6 | |
| Themes in World Cultures | ||
| Themes in World Languages | ||
| Introduction To Comparative Politics | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Coursework in the same foreign language at the 200-level or above | 12 | |
| Courses selected from Political and Economic Awareness (Politics) | 6 | |
| Labor and the Global Political Economy W | ||
| History Of Economic Thought W | ||
| International Trade And Development W | ||
| International Finance W | ||
| International Management W | ||
| Politics of Developing Countries W | ||
| Terrorism And Political Violence W | ||
| Politics In Eastern And Central Europe EU | ||
| Western European Politics EU | ||
| Conflict Resolution W | ||
| International Conflict and Cooperation W | ||
| Courses selected from Social and Cultural Awareness (Culture) | 6 | |
| Language and Culture W | ||
| Writing Culture: The Craft of Ethnography W | ||
| Anthropology of Religion W | ||
| From Cave Paintings to Cathedrals EU | ||
| From Michelangelo to Modernism EU | ||
| Arts Of African and New World Cultures AF,LA | ||
| Asian Art AS | ||
| History of Music in Western Civilization I EU | ||
| History of Music in Western Civilization II EU | ||
| History of the Designed Environment I EU | ||
| History of the Designed Environment II EU | ||
| History of the Designed Environment III EU | ||
| French and Francophone Civilization EU | ||
| Introduction to French and Francophone Literature & Culture EU | ||
| Advanced Conversation and Composition I EU | ||
| Themes in French and Francophone Literature & Culture EU | ||
| French & Francophone Literature & Culture: Enlightenment to Contemporary EU | ||
| Special Topics EU,W | ||
| European History to 1600 EU | ||
| European History since 1600 EU | ||
| World History To 1450 W | ||
| World History since 1450 W | ||
| History of Christianity from the Middles Ages to Present EU | ||
| Women, Gender and Sexuality in Latin America LA | ||
| Modern Latin America LA | ||
| Medieval Civilization I EU | ||
| Medieval Civilization II EU | ||
| Reformation EU | ||
| The French Revolution and Napoleon EU | ||
| World War One through its Artifacts EU | ||
| History of the British Isles, ca. 500 to 1500 EU | ||
| History of Britain 1603-1832 EU | ||
| Comparative Histories of Modern Germany EU | ||
| Ancient Greece EU | ||
| Ancient Rome EU | ||
| Late Antiquity: The Transformation of the Mediterranean World (200–600 AD) EU | ||
| Ancient Philosophy EU | ||
| History of Modern Philosophy EU | ||
| Aristotle EU | ||
| Culture and Society W | ||
| Introduction to Literary Studies EU | ||
| Latin American Civilization LA | ||
| The Search for Mexican Identity LA | ||
| Spanish Literature and Culture II EU | ||
| Special Topics EU,LA | ||
| History of the Spanish Language EU,LA | ||
| Early 20th Century Peninsular Literature EU | ||
| Pre-Columbian And Spanish Colonial Literature LA | ||
| Contemporary Spanish Poetry EU | ||
| Spain's Transition to Democracy: Literature and Film EU | ||
| Spanish-American Short Story LA | ||
| Special Topics EU | ||
| Senior Seminar (Capstone) EU | ||
| Select additional coursework in one of the two awareness areas above not already completed (Politics or Culture) | 6 | |
| International Experience (see details below) | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Selected Geographic Region in Politics and Culture Courses
The 18 credit hours of Politics and Culture courses should include 9 credit hours that focus on the same world area (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America). A list of courses in each area are available from your major advisor.
| AF | Africa Region |
| AS | Asia Region |
| EU | European Union Region |
| LA | Latin America Region |
| W | World Region (applicable to any region, with approval of International Studies Advisor) |
International Experience
The International Experience must be an immersion experience in the foreign culture and language, taken outside the student's country of origin and approved by the student's major advisor. The requirement can be fulfilled in one of the following ways:
- A for-credit internship at a company, government agency, or non-profit organization involving significant use of the foreign language (3 credits or more)
- A UMKC faculty-led study abroad program of at least 6 weeks.
- A study abroad experience of a semester or longer.
General Electives
Students must take elective credit hours to meet the minimum credit hour requirement for their degree, including at least 36 credit hours of coursework at the 300-level or above. The minimum required by the university is 120 credit hours, of which at least 30 credit hours must be taken at UMKC, but some degree programs require more.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Electives | 42 | |
Minimum GPA: 2.0
Total Credit Hours: 120
Tools for Planning and Fulfilling Academic Requirements
UMKC's Major Maps are detailed, semester by semester plans that lead a student to complete all degree requirements within four years. Plans include benchmarks and critical courses by term that assist a student’s evaluation of progress and major “fit”. In order to ensure that the appropriate courses are taken, students are encouraged to consult with the undergraduate advisor for this major. Please see the tab above to view the major map for this program.
UMKC’s Transfer Guides provide detailed guidance on recommended transfer coursework, plans of study, transfer timelines, and transfer contact information. To ensure a seamless transfer experience, students are encouraged to work with both their community college advisor and a UMKC advisor when planning their coursework.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Audit’ degree audit system provides an individual evaluation of all degree requirements (General Education, Degree Specific, Major Specific, etc.) for students' officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. This evaluation is used to certify all graduation requirements.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Plans’ degree planning tool enables students to develop a personalized semester by semester plan of study towards completion of degree requirements for student’s officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. Update and edit your full plan to degree completion each term and confirm accuracy each semester with your Academic Advisor(s).
