Area Studies Concentration
Area Studies introduces students to the academic study of geographic regions of the world (e.g., Latin America, the Middle East, Western Europe, East Asia) and offers the opportunity to focus on one or more areas of regional interest. As a place-based, interdisciplinary approach to learning about the world, the Area Studies Concentration emphasizes developing regional expertise in language, customs, history, art, literature, media, food, business, economics, and politics, all of which inform the understanding of the place and its people. The Area Studies approach includes critically evaluating what regions are, how they are socially constructed, and how they matter, analytically. Students opting for the Area Studies Concentration must complete at least 15 credit hours of upper division courses on the region they select. At least one world language studied must be associated with the area chosen (e.g., Spanish for Latin America, Japanese for East Asia).
International Studies, Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in Area Studies Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL EDUCATION (MavEd) REQUIREMENTS -34 Hours Required | ||
| Minimum of “C-“required | ||
| Fundamental Skills | 15 | |
Writing – 6 hrs. | ||
| ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | ||
or ENGL 1140 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION I WITH SUPPORT | |
| ENGLISH COMPOSITION II | ||
Oral Communication – 3 hrs. | ||
| PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS | ||
or CMST 2120 | ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | |
Quantitative Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING | ||
or MATH 1130 | QUANTITATIVE LITERACY | |
or MATH 1140 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS | |
or MATH 1300 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT | |
or MATH 1320 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA | |
Data Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
Select one from the following: | ||
| DATA LITERACY FOR WORK AND LIFE | ||
| DATA AND INFORMATION LITERACY | ||
| DATA LITERACY AND VISUALIZATION | ||
| ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | ||
Until Fall 2028, students can satisfy this requirement with an approved data literacy course, or any approved natural or social science general education (MavEd) course. | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 13 | |
Social Science – 3 hrs. | ||
Humanities – 3 hrs. | ||
Natural & Physical Science (must complete a lab) – 4 hrs. | ||
Arts – 3 hrs. | ||
| Individual and Social Responsibility | 6 | |
Cultural Knowledge – 3 hrs. | ||
Civic Knowledge and Engagement – 3 hrs. | ||
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | ||
| **Course will satisfy UNO's General Education (MavEd) requirement | ||
| ^Course requires pre-requisite(s) | ||
| International Studies Major - 54-65 Hours Required | ||
| Required Coursework | 12 | |
| GLOBAL CHALLENGES (**) | ||
| TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (^) | ||
| SENIOR E-PORTFOLIO (Required in last semester) | ||
| WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY (**) | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (**) | ||
| Select two classes from the following | 6 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY (**) | ||
| CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY | ||
| GLOBAL INDIGENOUS ART (**) | ||
| AFRICAN POLITICS (**) | ||
| GLOBALIZATION OF BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (**) | ||
| INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION (**) | ||
| INTERGROUP DIALOGUE (**) | ||
| INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION: THEORY AND PRACTICE (** ^) | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SECURITY (**) | ||
| SURVEY OF ECONOMICS (**) | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS (MICRO) (**) | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS (MACRO) (**) | ||
| GLOBAL EXPLORATIONS: MEDIEVAL TO EARLY MODERN WORLD (**) | ||
| GLOBAL EXPLORATIONS: THE MODERN WORLD | ||
| HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA: PRECONQUEST TO THE PRESENT (**) | ||
| HISTORY OF CHINA: FROM THE MANCHU CONQUEST TO THE PRESENT (**) | ||
| JAPAN: FROM WARRING STATES TO THE MODERN DAY (**) | ||
| HISTORY OF MODERN AFRICA | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL MIGRATIONS | ||
| LATIN AMERICA: AN INTRODUCTION (**) | ||
| MUSIC IN LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE (**) | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO EAST ASIAN PHILOSOPHY (**) | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS (**) | ||
| RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD (**) | ||
| RELIGION AND HUMAN RIGHTS (**) | ||
| THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST | ||
| GLOBAL RELIGIOUS ETHICS: THE BASICS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY (**) | ||
| GENDER AND GLOBAL POLITICS (**) | ||
| 3000-4000 Level coursework in a selected area/region to be determined in consultation with advisor | 15 | |
Coursework on selected area/region must come from at least two different departments | ||
| Area Studies - World Language Requirement | 21-32 | |
At a minimum, majors who choose this concentration must complete the equivalent of three years of one university-level world language (levels 1210, 1220, 2210, 2220, and 2240—15 hours OR 1110, 1120, 2110, 2120—16 hours) followed by at least two 3000/4000 level courses in the same language) OR may complete two-years worth (levels 1210-2240 or 1110-2120) of world language coursework in two different languages, one corresponding with the area chosen for this concentration. The BA degree World Language requirement is satisfied with the INST major. | ||
| College Breadth (choose one option) | 15-30+ | |
| Option 1: Complete any UNO minor or undergraduate certificate - 15+ hours | ||
| Option 2: Additional General Education (MavEd) Requirements - 18+ hours | ||
Additional quantitative literacy - 3 hours | ||
Additional Social Science Gen. Ed. (MavEd) from another Discipline - 3 hours | ||
Additional Humanities Gen. Ed. (MavEd) from another Discipline - 3 hours | ||
Additional Nat. and Physical Science w/ or without Lab - 3-5 hours | ||
| Option 3: CAS comprehensive major (50+ hours) OR any second UNO major (30+ hours) | ||
| Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement | ||
| See INST major | ||
| ELECTIVES | ||
| Elective hours as required to reach a total of 120 hours | ||
International Studies, Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in Area Studies Four Year Plan
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 1150 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| INST 2130 | GLOBAL CHALLENGES | 3 |
| MATH 1120 | INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING or QUANTITATIVE LITERACY or QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS or COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT | 3-4 |
| World Language 1210* | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
*Students fulfilling their World Language requirement by completing the 1110, 1120, 2110, and 2120 sequence should check with their advisor. | ||
Attend Durango Days; other campus events. Set up a Handshake account and take the Pathway U career assessment. Attend the Student Involvement & Volunteer Fair to explore student organizations. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. Work with your advisor to develop your Pathway in Stellic. | ||
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1160 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION II | 3 |
| GEOG 1000 | WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY | 3 |
| CMST 1110 or CMST 2120 | PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | 3 |
| World Language 1220 | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
Attend campus events such as major exploration week to get an idea of interests and career paths. Schedule a resume review with UNO Career Services. Visit faculty office hours and ask about undergraduate research opportunities. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSCI 2210 | INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | 3 |
| INST Requirement | 3 | |
| World Language 2240 or Elective | 3 | |
| World Language 2210 | 3 | |
| General Education (MavEd) Course or Elective | 4 | |
Attend the Career & Internship Fair to start networking with employers. Look for volunteer, research, or part-time work to gain experience. Join a student organization or club related to your field or interests. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| INST Requirement | 3 | |
| World Language 2220 | 3 | |
| World Language 2240 or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education (MavEd) Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education (MavEd) Course or Elective | 3 | |
Attend a career fair for informational and networking purposes. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with new experiences. Investigate and apply for summer internships, research, or study abroad programs. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| INST 4140 | TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES | 3 |
| International Studies 3000-4000 Course | 3 | |
| World Language 3030 or other approved WLL course from the 3000-4000 level. | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Apply for a paid internship or research assistantship. Attend a mock interview workshop or use online interview tools with Career Services. Start researching and visiting graduate programs or professional schools. Visit Career Center, continue updating resume. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| International Studies 3000-4000 Course | 3 | |
| International Studies 3000-4000 Course | 3 | |
| World Language 3040 or other approved WLL course from the 3000-4000 level. | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Request letters of recommendation from faculty for jobs or grad school. Attend the All-Majors Career Fair with a plan to network. Meet with your advisor or submit for a graduation check-in to review remaining degree requirements. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| International Studies 3000-4000 Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Check in with Career Center for networking tips. Finalize graduate school applications or job search strategy. Attend a career fair and start applying for full-time jobs. Prepare for interviews and salary negotiations with Career Services. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| INST 4990 | SENIOR E-PORTFOLIO | 0 |
| International Studies 3000-4000 Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
Complete your final advising check before graduation. Polish your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile. Stay connected by joining alumni networks and professional organizations. Apply for graduation via MavLink. | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 120-121 | |
College Breadth: Students should plan on using at least 15 hours of "Electives" to fulfill Option 1, 2, or 3, of the College of Arts and Sciences' breadth requirement.
Upper Level Credits: Students need 27 upper level credits throughout the degree with at least 18 upper level credits within the major. Electives may need to be selected at the 3000-4000 level to reach these minimums.
Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year.
Placement Exams: For Math, English, World Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php
Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study.
GPA Requirements: 2.0
Note: This plan provides a general guide, but your specific courses, experiences, and career goals may differ. Work with your academic advisor to ensure you’re meeting degree requirements and consult with career advisors to explore internships, research opportunities, and post-graduation plans. Regular check-ins will help you stay on track and make the most of your time at UNO!