Last updated: November 5, 2003 @ 09:10AM

International Studies

Director
John N. Sivell

Participating Faculty
Irene Blayer (Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures), David T. Brown (Environment), Carman Cullen (Management, Marketing and Human Resources), David Goicoechea (Philosophy), David Schimmelpenninck (History), Susan Spearey (English Language and Literature), John Sivell (Applied Language Studies), David Telfer (Tourism Studies)

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Fran Meffe

905-688-5550, extension 4224
Mackenzie Chown F242
http://www.brocku.ca/intl

The Centre for International Studies offers an interdisciplinary program homed in the Humanities; the program takes the form of a Minor, which can be combined with a Major of the student's choice.

Students are encouraged to consult with the Director of the Centre for International Studies in order to select optional courses within their Major with international elements that most effectively complement the courses taken in this Minor.

Students of International Studies analyze the principles and mechanisms of intercultural contact and communication in transnational or national settings. They are interested in similarities and differences in customs, values and aspirations. In this way they seek to illuminate cultural, political and economic patterns by exploring the influence of diversity on relations among peoples.

Because of the close connection between language and culture, development of skills in at least one second language is fundamental to the pursuit of International Studies. Normally, two credits must be taken in the same modern language. Relevant languages taught at Brock include French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish. Students wishing to study another language as part of the program should consult the Director. Language study should begin as early as possible in the program. Students already able to demonstrate proficiency in a modern language other than English may apply to the Director for permission to substitute other INTL elective courses.

The program strongly recommends that students gain experience abroad, normally in year 3. INTL 3P91 is specifically designed for completion while abroad. The Office of International Services facilitates formal exchange programs with numerous countries. See the International Study and Exchange entry for more information. Also, additional international exchange opportunities are offered through the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Minor in International Studies

Students can obtain a Minor in International Studies within their degree in another discipline by completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:
·   INTL 1F90 and 4P21
·   two credits in a language other than English (strongly recommended that both be in the same language)
·   one of INTL 2P12, 2P13, 2P17, 2P61, 2P62, 2P63, 2P83, 2P94, 2P97, 2P99, POLI 2P47
·   one of INTL 3P60, 3P61, 3P62, 3P63, 3P70, 3P90, 3P91, 3V25-29
Note: students able to demonstrate fluency in a language other than English may apply to the Director for permission to substitute INTL elective credits in place of the required language credits.

Students taking an International Studies Minor in conjunction with a Tourism Major are exempt by Tourism from the one language credit normally required by that program, but are required to take the two language credits specified in the International Studies Minor.

Course Descriptions

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

Prerequisites and Restrictions

Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
INTL 1F90
Introduction to International Studies
Today's world as understood from different cultural perspectives. Cultural similarities and differences, intercultural contact and communication, and preparation for international experience. Cultural themes in imaginative, historical and expository texts.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in INTL 1P95.

INTL 2P12
Indian Philosophy: An Introduction to Hindu Thought
(also offered as PHIL 2P12)
Hindu thought beginning with the Vedic myths, through the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita to the systems of the Vedanta. Topics include Karma, reincarnation, altered states of consciousness, Maya, the problem of knowledge, the role and nature of God, the theory and practice of yoga.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INTL 2P13
Indian Philosophy: An Introduction to Buddhist Thought
(also offered as PHIL 2P13)
Buddhist thought from Prince Siddhartha's enlightenment and subsequent Deer Park Sermon (the basis of Hinayana) through the Perfection of Wisdom to Madhyamika Buddhism (the Mishayana representative) to Zen (the science of the Buddha). Topics include Nirvana, non-self, one-hand clapping.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INTL 2P17
Introduction to Chinese Philosophy
(also offered as PHIL 2P17)
Confucian, Taoist and Chinese Buddhist philosophical traditions examined in conjunction with appropriate texts.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INTL 2P61
Columbus' World, 1400-1600
(also offered as HIST 2P61)
Comparison of the major civilizations of the Americas, Asia, and Europe, as well as the growing contacts between them.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INTL 2P62
Early Africa
(also offered as HIST 2P62)
Social political, cultural and economic history of Africa before and during the era of European colonialism until the end of the 19th century.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INTL 2P63
Modern Africa
(also offered as HIST 2P63)
Social political, cultural and economic history of 20th-century Africa. Topics include colonialism, the drive for independence, and the emergence of modern African States.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INTL 2P83
Social and Cultural Anthropology of the Contemporary World
(also offered as SOCI 2P83)
Anthropological perspectives on current global issues approached through geographically diverse ethnographic case studies.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to SOCI (single or combined) majors until the date specified in the BIRT guide.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1F90, 1P80, 2P82 or permission of the instructor.
Note: students minoring in Sociology may register prior to date in BIRT guide. Contact the Centre.

INTL 2P94
Global Conventions on Environment and Development
(also offered as ENVI 2P94 and TOUR 2P94)
Attempts of the global community to set policy through processes such as the World Conservation Strategy, the Brundtland Commission, Agenda 21 and the Commission on Sustainable Development.
Lectures, workshop, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisites: INTL 1F90 (1P95) or ENVI 1P90 and 1P91; MATH 1P98 or permission of the instructor.

INTL 2P96
Women and Development
(also offered as SOCI 2P96 and WISE 2P96)
Examination of the major social consequences of the theoretical paradigms of development (economic development, sustainable development and women/gender in development), theoretical material, practical knowledge, and debates on diverse experiences of women living in the non-industrial world using femininist perspectives.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite: WISE 2P90 or permission of the instructor.

INTL 2P97
Global Issues in Infectious Diseases
(also offered as CHSC 2P97)
World changes and their influence on emergence and re-emergence of infectious organisms; antimicrobials and drug-resistance, immunizations, immuno-compromised host, nosocomial, food and water safety, infectious etiology of cancer and other chronic diseases, infection and tourism, bio-terrorism.
Lectures, 3 hours per week
Restriction: open to INTL, CHSC, CHLH and HLSC majors until the date specified in BIRT guide.
Prerequisites: INTL 1F90 or CHSC 1F90; BIOL 1F90.

INTL 2P99
Canadian Women in a Global Context
(also offered as SOCI 2P99 and WISE 2P99)
Social, political, economic and cultural issues. Topics may include rights of Aboriginal women, reproductive rights and ethics, marginalization of immigrant women, activist movements and the impact and inadequacy of government policy.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite: WISE 2P90 or permission of the instructor.

INTL 3P10
Gandhi and Non-Violence
(also offered as PHIL 3P10)
Gandhi as an original philosopher who has contributed to contemporary ontology. Implications of his thought for applied philosophy of personal, social and international reform, especially in light of its encounters with the forces of violence. Universal relevance of his thought to our technological times, and the relation between his ideas and the Indian tradition.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite: one INTL credit or permission of the instructor.

INTL 3P60
The World of Genghis Khan: Inner Asia since 500 BCE
(also offered as HIST 3P60)
History of Mongolia, Tibet and Xinjiang. Political, economic, social and cultural topics. Emphasis on the nomadic encounter with the settled world (China, Russia), including the medieval nomadic invasions, the Great Game and nationalistic policies in the 20th century.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Note: seminars will include films and primary sources (in translation).

INTL 3P61
Diplomacy of the Pacific Rim
(also offered as HIST 3P61)
History of the relations among the major powers around the Pacific Ocean focusing on China and Japan, and their interaction with the world since the 16th century.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INTL 3P62
Global Economic History, 1700-1950
(also offered as HIST 3P62)
Cotton, china, opium: development of the world economy in an age of industrial growth.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INTL 3P63
Selected Themes in the History of Europe's Global Influence, 1600-1950
(also offered as HIST 3P63)
Europe's impact on the world and regional responses.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

INTL 3P70
International Field Course
(also offered as ENVI 3P70)
Intensive field course in another country, in an area of study of environmental interest.
Restriction: open to ENVI (single or combined) majors and students intending to complete the Concentration in International Studies with a minimum of 8.0 overall credits and permission of the Director.
Prerequisite: INTL 1F90 (1P95), ENVI 1P90 and 1P91 or permission of the Director.
Note: a list of eligible modules will be posted in the fall term; consult the Centre of the Environment for registration instructions. Registrants are expected to defray the cost of travel, accommodation and other expenses.

INTL 3P90
Text-based Research Project
Supervised individual text-based research in an area of international studies not represented by other courses.
Restriction: permission of the Director.

INTL 3P91
International Field Research Project
Supervised individual data-collection or observational research in an area of international studies.
Restriction: permission of the Director.
Note: may be undertaken while participating in one of the international exchange programs or an approved equivalent international academic experience.

INTL 3V25-3V29
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on International Issues
(also offered as ENVI 3V25-3V29)
Specific topics to be selected.
Lectures, seminar, workshop, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite: INTL 1F90 (1P95), ENVI 1P90 and 1P91 or permission of the Director.
Note: each course taken in this series uses guest speakers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds to explore one aspect of international environmental policy issues.

INTL 4P21
Issues in the Global System
(also offered as ENVI 4P21 and TOUR 4P21)
Power relationships, cultural patterns, globalization and extra-state phenomena such as pollution and disease. Role and possibilities for leadership, with a view to leadership development.
Seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: minimum of 14.0 overall credits or permission of the Director.