Minors
In addition to our majors, Ohio State's International Studies Program offers 13 different minors. Students can complete both an International Studies major and minor as long as they are in different specializations. To learn more about each minor's requirements, check out the links below.
Requirements and course offerings do change, so if you have any questions please reach out to internationalstudies@osu.edu or contact your academic advisor.
Minors
The African Studies minor introduces students to the cultural, economic, historical and political forces, arising inside and outside the continent, that have combined to determine the past, present, and future of Sub-Saharan Africa. You will need to complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- AAAS 2302 - History of Modern Africa, 1800-1960’s
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- AAAS 2327 - Introduction to African Politics
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- AAAS 3342(H) - Music, Religion, and Ritual in Africa
- AAAS 3376 - Arts & Cultures in Africa & the Diaspora
- AAAS 4342 - Religion, Meaning, and Knowledge in Africa and Its Diaspora
- AAAS 4530 - African Political Economy
- AAAS 4557 - History of South Africa
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4534 - Comparative Challenges to Economic Development
- ANIMSCI 5400 - Southern African Animals
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data
- INTSTDS 3450 - Human Rights
- INTSTDS 4803 - Peacekeeping & Collective Security
- HISTORY 3302 - Nationalism, Socialism, and Revolution in Africa
- HISTORY 3307 - History of African Health & Healing
- HISTORY 3312 - Africa & World War II
- HISTORY 3314 - Rubber to Coltan: history of Violence & Exploitation in Central Africa
- WGSST 5623 - African Women: History & Socioeconomic Change
The Development Studies minor is intended to introduce students to historical, economic, political, geographical, social and cultural explanations of underdevelopment and modernization. You must complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- INTSTDS 2500 - Introduction to Development Studies
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4320 - Energy, the Environment & the Economy
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4532 - Food Security & Globalization
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4534 - Comparative Challenges to Economic Development
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4535 - International Economic Development
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4537 - Middle Eastern Economic Development
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4597.01 - Problems & Policies in World Population, Food & Environment
- Agricultural Communication 5150 - Communication Strategies for Change & Development
- Anthropology 4597.01 - Cultural Conflict in Developing Nations
- Anthropology 4597.02 - Women, Culture & Development
- Anthropology 5602 - Medical Anthropology: Global Perspectives on Women’s Health
- Earth Sciences 3411 - Water Security in the 21st Century
- ECON/INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data
- Geography 3597.01 - World Urbanization
- Geography 3800 - Geographical Perspectives on Environment & Society
- Geography 3900 - Global Climate Change: Causes and Consequences
- Geography 3901(H) - Global Climate and Environmental Change
- Geography 5700 - Geography of Development
- Geography 5801 - Environmental Conservation
- Geography 5802 - Globalization & Environment
- INTSTDS 3450 - Human Rights
- INTSTDS 3905 - The Developing World on Film
- INTSTDS/PUBAFRS 5700 - Rebuilding Failed & Weak States
- Political Science 3220 - Politics of the Developing World
- Political Science 4335 - International Environmental Politics
- Political Science 4940 - The Politics of Immigration
- Rural Sociology 3580 - Social Groups in Developing Societies
- Sociology 3306 - Sociology of Poverty
- Sociology 3460 - Environmental Justice
The East Asian Studies minor introduces students to the cultural, economic, historical and political forces, arising inside and outside the region, that have combined to determine the past, present, and future of East Asia. You must complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- INTSTDS 2050 - Introduction to China & Japan
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- Chinese 4403 - Modern Chinese Literature in Translation
- Chinese 4405 - China in Chinese Film
- Chinese 4406 - China Pop: Contemporary Popular Culture & Media in China
- Chinese 5400 - Performance Traditions of China
- EALL 3223 - The Buddhist Tradition
- EALL 3241 - Thought in China, Japan, & Korea
- EALL 4407 - Early Asian Cinema
- ECON/INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data
- History 3403 - History of Early Modern China: 14th – 18th Century
- History 3404 - Modern China 1750 – 1949
- History 3411 - Gender & Sexuality in China
- History of Art 4810 - The Arts of China
- History of Art 4815 - Modern & Contemporary Chinese Art
- History of Art 4820 - The Arts of Japan
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 4250 - Comparative Communism: China & Russia
- INTSTDS 5050 - Two Koreas: Political Economy of Regional Rivalry
- INTSTDS 5051 - East Asia in the Post Cold War Era
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- INTSTDS 5797 - Study Abroad
- Japanese 4400 - Japanese Film & Visual Media
- Japanese 4401 - Japanese Literature & Film in Critical Perspective
- Japanese 4401 - Japanese Literature & Film in Critical Perspective
- Korean 5256 - Interdisciplinary Topics in Korean Politics & Society
- Political Science 4230 - Chinese Political System
- Political Science 4231 - China: State & Society
The Globalization Studies minor provides an opportunity to explore from an interdisciplinary perspective the forms that globalization takes, the forces that shape them, and their consequences for the life chances of individuals and communities worldwide, as well as for the global system itself. You must complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 2 courses (6 hours)
- Comparative Studies 3360 - Introduction to Globalization & Culture
- INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization
Critical Perspectives: Choose 3 courses (9 hours)
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4532 - Food Security & Globalization
- Anthropology 5602 - Women’s Health in Global Perspective
- Communication 3443 - Global Media
- Comparative Studies 4597.02 - Global Culture
- ECON/INTSTDS 4560 - Cooperation and Conflict in the Global Economy
- Geography 3900 - Global Climate Change: Causes and Consequences
- Geography 5501 - Urban Spaces and the Global Economy
- History 3630 - Same Sex Sexuality in Global Context
- INTSTDS 4850 - Understanding the Global Information Society
- Political Science 4330 - Global Governance
- Political Science 4331 - The United Nations System
- RELSTDS/INTSTDS 4873 - Contemporary Religious Movements in Global Context
- SLAVIC/WGSST 5450 - Global Human Trafficking : Realities and Representations
- Sociology 5450 - Sociology of Global Health and Illness
- Sociology 5525 - Global Criminology
- WGSST 3505 - Feminist Perspectives on Globalization
What rights do individuals and groups actually have, what rights should they enjoy, and how can the situation be remedied when there is a discrepancy between the two? The Human Rights minor examines the fundamental freedoms and protections that every individual is entitled to, regardless of nationality, race, gender, or status. You will need to complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- INTSTDS 3450 - Human Rights: An Introduction
Choose 2 courses from Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences. Two courses must be at the 4000 level or above.
Arts & Humanities
- AAAS/History 3083 - Civil Rights and Black Power Movement
- Comparative Studies 4597.02 - Global Culture
- English 4554 - English Studies and Global Human Rights
- English 4573.02 - Rhetoric and Social Action
- English 4597.01 - The Disability Experience in the Contemporary World
- INTSTDS 4200 - Living Jerusalem
- WGSST 3302 - Engendering Peace and Conflict
- WGSST 3370 - Sexualities and Citizenship
- WGSST 4520 - Women of Color & Social Activism
Social Sciences
- City & Regional Planning 3500 - The Socially Just City
- Communication 4853.02 - Media and Social Movements
- INTSTDS 5800 - International Law
- INTSTDS 5801 - Children and War
- Political Science 3460 - Global Justice
- Political Science 4455 - Human Rights
- Political Science 4940 - Politics of Immigration
- Sociology 3460 - Environmental Justice
- Sociology 5563 - Global Inequality and Poverty
Optional Experiential Learning Credit
Students may choose to substitute 3 credit hours with either Disability Studies 5191 or the International Studies internship course (INTSTDS 5191). Students are responsible for securing an appropriate internship and having both the internship and credit approved in advance.
Lying at the heart of cybersecurity, the study of information security addresses broad issues relating to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and data. The Information Security minor provides students with the knowledge required to understand and manage patterns of international cooperation and conflict and places the study of information security in its economic, social and security context. You will need to complete 6 courses (16 hours).
Minor Prerequisites: Before pursuing a minor in Information Security, you must complete the following courses:
- Math 1151 or 1161
- CSE 1222, 1223, or 2221
- CSE 2122, 2123, or 2231
- GE 2nd Writing Course (for students admitted before Autumn 2022 only)
Required Foundations: 4 courses (10 hours)
- CSE 2501 - Social, Ethical and Professional Issues in Computing
- Contact an International Studies advisor for permission to enroll in this class
- INTSTDS 3702 - Herding Cyber Cats: Information Security Management
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in the Information Age
- CSE 4471 - Information Security
- Contact an International Studies advisor for permission to enroll in this class
Electives: Choose 2 courses (6 hours)
- COMM 3332 - Risk Communication
- CSE 5351 - Introduction to Cryptography
- CSE 5473 - Network Security
- INTSTDS 3700 - Introduction to Intelligence
- INTSTDS 3701 - Introduction to Homeland Security
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Intern Program in International Studies
- LING 3801 - Code Making and Code Breaking
- LING 3802 - Language and Computers
- PUBAFRS 4000 - Public Policy Evaluation
- SOC 5525 - Global Criminology
The International Conflict & Peace Studies minor examines the causes, dynamics, and resolutions of conflicts between nations, communities, and political groups. It explores theories of war, diplomacy, negotiation, and peacebuilding, analyzing historical and contemporary case studies to understand patterns of violence and cooperation. You will need to complete 4 courses (12 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- INTSTDS 2800 - Introduction to Peace Studies
Choose two courses (6 hours) from one group and one course (3 hours) from the other. At least 2 of the 3 courses must be at the 4000 level or higher.
Theory
- AGRCOMM 5150 - Communication for Change & Development
- COMM 3330 - Communication & Conflict Management
- INTSTDS 3450 - Human Rights
- POLITSC 3460 - Global Justice
- POLITSC 4282 - The Politics of Income Inequality
- POLITSC 4330 - Global Governance
- POLITSC 4455 - Politics of Human Rights
- SOCIOL 3463 - Social Stratification: Race, Class & Gender
- SOCIOL 4666 - Power & Society
Applied
- INTSTDS 4801 - Model United Nations
- INTSTDS 4803 - Intervening for Peace: Peacekeeping & Collective Security
- POLITSC 4320 - Strategies of War & Peace
- POLITSC 4331 - The U.N. System
- PUBAFRS 2150 - Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations
- PUBAFRS 3140 - Nonprofit Governance & Management
- SOCIOL 4606 - Social Movements & Collective Behavior
The International Relations & Diplomacy minor is intended to provide students with an introduction to the relations between sovereign states in a continuously evolving international system. You must complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- INTSTDS 2800 - Introduction to Peace Studies
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- Comparative Studies 3608 - Representations of the Experience of War
- COMPSTD/INTSTDS 4661 - The City & Culture
- COMPSTD/INTSTDS 4873 - Contemporary Religious Movements in Global Contexts
- ECON/INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data
- Economics 4600 - International Economic Relations
- Geography 3600 - Space, Power & Political Geography
- Geography 3701 - Making of the Modern World
- History 3500 - U.S. Diplomacy , from Independence to 1920
- History 3501 - U.S. Diplomacy, 1920- Present
- History 3560 - American Military History, 1607-1902
- History 3561 - American Military History, 1902-Present
- History 3590 - Wars of Empires
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 4700 - Terror & Terrorism
- INTSTDS 4800 - Cultural Diplomacy
- INTSTDS 4801 - Model United Nations
- INTSTDS 4803 - Peacekeeping & Collective Security
- INTSTDS/PUBAFRS 5700 - Rebuilding Failed & Weak States
- Political Science 4300 - Theories of International Relations
- Political Science 4310 - Security Policy
- Political Science 4315 - International Security & the Causes of War
- Political Science 4320 - Strategies for War & Peace
- Political Science 4330 - Global Governance
- Political Science 4331 - The United Nations System
- Political Science 4381 - Comparative International Political Economy
- Political Science 4597.01 - International Cooperation & Conflict
The Latin America Studies minor introduces students to the cultural, economic. historical and political forces, arising inside and outside the continent, that have combined to determine the past, present and future of Spanish-and Portuguese-speaking areas of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. You must complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- INTSTDS 2100 - Introduction to Latin America
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- AAAS 3451 - Themes in Francophone African & Caribbean Literature
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4534 - Comparative Challenges to Economic Development
- Anthropology 3419 - Regional Survey of Latin American Cultures
- Anthropology 3555 - New World Prehistory: Ancient Maya Civilizations
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data
- History 3100 - Colonial Latin America
- History 3101 - South America Since Independence
- History 3102 - Central American & the Caribbean Since Independence
- History 3105 - History of Brazil
- History 3106 - History of Mexico
- History 3107 - History of Argentina
- History 3110 - The Jewish Experience in Latin America
- History 4100 - Readings in Latin American History
- History Art 3603 - Introduction to Modern & Contemporary Art & Culture
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 4242 - Incomplete Democracies: The (Un) Rule of Law in Latin America
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- INTSTDS/SPANISH 5640 - Globalization & Latin America
- Political Science 4240 - Latin American Politics
- WGSST 5624 - Women & Social Change in Latin America
The Middle East Studies minor introduces students to the cultural, economic. historical and political forces that have combined to determine its contemporary character, shape U.S. policy towards the region and produce the resurgence of Islam that it is currently experiencing. You must complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- INTSTDS 2200 - Introduction to the Modern Middle East
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4537 - Middle Eastern Economic Development
- Anthropology 3451 - Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
- Arabic 3301 - Contemporary Folklore in the Arab World
- Arabic 5701 - The Qur’an in Translation
- Arabic 5702 - Arabic Folk Narrative in Translation
- History 3350 - Middle East in the 19th Century
- History 3351 - Intellectual and Social Movements in the Muslim World
- History 3360 - History of Iran
- History 3365 - History of Afghanistan
- History 3450 - History of Ancient Israel (to 300 BCE)
- History 3470 - Messiahs and Messianism in Jewish History
- History 3475 - History of the Arab / Israeli Conflict
- History 3505 - U.S. Diplomacy in the Middle East
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis and Display of Data
- INTSTDS/NELC 5645 - Contemporary Issues in the Middle East
- ISLAM 3205 - Women in the Muslim Middle East
- ISLAM 3501 - Introduction to Islam
- ISLAM 5701 - The Qur’an in Translation
- Persian 3350 - Iranian Society Today
- Political Science 4327 - Politics in the Middle East
The Security & Intelligence minor focuses on the changing nature of conflict and war both as we enter the 21st century and in the aftermath of the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. You must complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 2 courses (6 hours)
- INTSTDS 3700 - Introduction to Intelligence
- Political Science 4315 - International Security & the Causes of War
Critical Perspectives: Choose 3 courses (9 hours)
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4532 - Food Security & Globalization
- Communication 3597.02 - Media & Terrorism
- Geography 3300 - Transportation Security
- History 3270 - History of World War I
- History 3540 - Modern Intelligence History
- History 3570 - World War II
- History 3580 - The Vietnam War
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis and Display of Data
- INTSTDS 3701 - Introduction to Homeland Security
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 4550 - Bioterrorism
- INTSTDS 4700 - Terror & Terrorism
- INTSTDS 4701 - The Development & Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction
- INTSTDS 4803 - Peacekeeping & Collective Security
- INTSTDS/PUBAFRS 5700 - Rebuilding Failed & Weak States
- INTSTDS 5701(E) - Intelligence & National Security in a Changing World
- INTSTDS 5702 - Research on Organized Violence
- INTSTDS 5703 - Writing About the Intelligence Community
- Linguistics 3801 - Codes & Code Breaking
- Political Science 4310 - Security Policy
- Political Science 4318 - The Politics of International Terrorism
- Psychology 4525 - Psychology of Personal Security: Global & Local Perspectives
- Sociology 3315 - Sociology of Terrorism
- Sociology 3410 - Criminology
- Sociology 5525 - Global Criminology
The Slavic & East European Studies minor introduces students to the cultural, economic, historical and political forces, arising inside and outside the continent, that have combined to determine the past, present and future of Russia and Eastern Europe. You must complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- INTSTDS 2250 - Russia: From Communism to Capitalism
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis and Display of Data
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 4703 - Science, Technology & American National Security
- Political Science 4218 - Russian Politics
- Russian 3355.99 - Vodka in Russian Society and Culture: Deconstructing Myths
- Russian 3460 - Modern Russian Experience through Film
- Russian 3350 - Russian Politics & Culture
- Russian 3480 - The Russian Spy
- Russian 3490 - Russian Youth Culture
- Russian 4220 - Love & Death in Russian Literature & Film
- Russian 4521 - Revolution & Restoration in Russian Literature
- Russian 5530 - Madness & Power in Russian Culture
- Slavic 3320 - Queer Comrades: Sexual Citizenship & LGBTQ Lives
- Slavic 3333.99 - The Soviet Space Age
- Slavic 3360 - Screening Minorities: Representations of the Other in Slavic Film
- Slavic 4260(H) - Dead Man Writing: Literary Representations of Capital Punishment
- Slavic 5280 - Slavic & East European Literature
- Slavic 5570 - The Austro-Hungarian Grotesque
- Sociology 5503 - Social Change in Central & Eastern Europe
The Western European Studies minor introduces students to the cultural, economic, historical, and political forces, arising inside and outside the region, that have combined to determine the past, present, and future of Western Europe. You must complete 5 courses (15 hours).
Required Foundation: 1 course (3 hours)
- INTSTDS 3350 - Introduction to Western Europe
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- English 4513 - Introduction to Medieval Literature
- English 4514 - Middle English Literature
- English 4520.01 - Shakespeare
- English 4521 - Renaissance Drama
- English 4522 - Renaissance Poetry
- English 4531 - Restoration & 18th-Century Literature
- English 4533 - The Early British Novel: Origins to 1830
- English 4540 - 19th Century British Poetry
- English 4542 - The 19th Century British Novel
- English 4543 - 20th Century British Fiction
- French 4053 - French & Italian Cinema to 1952
- French 5702 - Studies in Contemporary French Cinema
- German 3252 - The Holocaust in Literature & Film
- German 3351 - Democracy, Fascism, & German Culture
- History 3249 - Early-Modern Europe, 1560-1778
- History 3250 - Revolutionary and Napoleonic Europe, 1750-1815
- History 3251 - History of Europe in the 19th Century
- History 3253 - 20th Century Europe to 1950
- History 3254 - Europe Since 1950
- History 3460 - European Jewish History, 1789-1989
- History 3525 - 19th Century European International History
- History 3526 - 20th Century European International History
- History 3712 - Science & Society in Modern Europe
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis and Display of Data
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- Modern Greek 3710 - Modern Greek Literature in Translation
- Political Science 4210 - Politics of European Integration
- Political Science 4212 - Southern European Politics
- Political Science 4214 - Northern European Politics
- Political Science 4219 - European Political Development