1. Compare social, political, economic, and cultural challenges in two or more regions
   
   
2. Analyze popular narratives about regional differences – in society, economics, and/or politics – using qualitative and quantitative data
   
   
3. Read and write at least at the intermediate level in one foreign language
   
   
4. Hold a conversation about current events in one foreign language
   
   

Download the course matrix 

The Comparative International Studies program offers a B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences (Major Code: 22997). The comparative international studies major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the comparative international studies program, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Complete the preparation for the major courses listed below;
   
   
2. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
   
   
3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
   
   

Download the advising check sheet

Choose 3 units from each of the following groups:

• Humanities: Comparative Literature 270A or 270B, History 100 or 101, Humanities 101, Religious Studies 101, Women Studies 102
• Social Sciences: Anthropology 102, Geography 102 or 106, Linguistics 101, Political Science 103, Women’s Studies 101
• Statistics: Economics 201, Political Science 201, Sociology 201 or equivalent
  
  

Choose 6 units from the following regions:

• Asia: Asian Studies 100 or 101
• Europe: European Studies 101
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Latin American Studies 101
• North Africa and West Asia: History 100 or 101, Religious Studies 101

Take Comparative International Studies 400 (3 units)

Choose 9 units from three of the following three thematic areas selected from two or more departments:

• Human and Social Development: Geography 353, 573, History 441, Linguistics 551, Political Science 361, Sociology 352, 433, Women’s Studies 310, 580
• Culture and Society: Anthropology 303, 350, 353 [or Sustainability 353], 410, 422, 424 [or Relisgious Studies 424], 439, Geography 312, 554, Linguistics 350, Philosophy 340
• Populations and Borders: Anthropology 402, Chicana and Chicano Studies 355 [or Latin American Studies 355], 554, Geography 354, Latin American Studies 430 [or Political Science 430], Philosopgy 332 [or Sustainability 332], Political Science 380, 565, Sociology 350, Women’s Studies 581
• Institutions and Change: Philosophy 328, 344, Political Science 375, 485, 577, Sociology 457, Women’s Studies 530
  
  

Complete 21 units from two of the six following world regions selecting 12 units from primary region and 9 units from secondary region:

• Africa: Africana Studies 320, 465 [or French 465], 473, Comparative Literature 440, Humanities 350, Political Science 364;
• Asia (China): Asian Studies 351 [or Philosophy 351], 458 [or Religious Studies 458] or History 420, History 421 [or Asian Studies 421], 567, 566 or Political Science 575, Political Science 365;
• Asia (General): Asian Studies 300 or 320, Asian Studies 451 [or Comparative Literature 451], 456, 459, 460, History 570, Korean 321 [or Asian Studies 321], Philosophy 353 or Religious Studies 338 or 341 or 345, 565, Political Science 362 or 575, Religious Studies 315 or 339, Women’s Studies 331;
• Europe: Classics 320 or 330, Comparative Literature 513, European Studies 301, 424, 501, French 424 or Humanities 310, German 320, History 408, 527, Italian 424 or Humanities 340, Philosophy 505 or 506 or 508, Political Science 356, Russian 310 or Humanities 330, Women’s Studies 340;
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Anthropology 442, Chicana and Chicano Studies 400 [or Latin American Studies 400], Comparative Literature 445, Geography 324, History 415 [or Latin American Studies 415], 416, 551, 558, Latin American Studies 307 [or Portuguese 307], Political Science 366 [or Latin American Studies 366], 566;
• North Africa and West Asia (Middle East): Arabic 330, History 473, 474, Political Science 363, Religious Studies 310, 320, 328, 330, Women’s Studies 560.

Foreign Language Minor

Comparative International Studies majors are required to complete a minor in a foreign language. This minor will fulfill the foreign language requirement for the major. Contact the adviser about the benefits of taking an ACTFL foreign language oral proficiency test.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Passing the Writing Placement Assessment with a score of 10 or above or completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade C (2.0) or better.

Study Abroad

All comparative international studies majors are required to participate in an international experience and completing a minimum of 3 weeks/units of study abroad. To meet this requirement, majors must complete one of the following with the pre-approved and written consent of the adviser:

• A CSU Study Abroad Program;
• An SDSU Exchange Program;
• An SDSU Semester Abroad Program;
• An SDSU Study Travel Program;
• General Studies 450.

See the adviser to make arrangements to meet the study abroad requirement.