In a society of growing international awareness, where nations are economically, politically, and socially interdependent, employers need people prepared to play an international leadership role within their organization. Penn State Behrend, aware of the global dimension increasingly crucial to all aspects of our lives, offers an interdisciplinary minor in Transnational Perspectives. The minor is designed for students who wish to supplement their major field of study with international understanding, knowledge of a foreign language, and, when possible, study abroad. The minor may accompany any major, and all courses are open to any qualified student. Graduates receive a special certificate, and the minor is noted on their official transcript.
A certificate in Transnational Perspectives can help you gain employment in the public sector, including branches of the government such as the State Department, Foreign Service and various offices of state and local government that face challenges of a multicultural and internationally oriented society. Opportunities also exist in international organizations and non-profit agencies. Increasingly, the private sector also recognizes the merit of enhancing specialized degrees in engineering and business with international studies. Students in this minor program may also enter other professional programs such as business, law, or journalism, in preparation for a specific international career, or continue their education at the master's level and enter doctoral programs in preparation for academic careers.
Requirements
The minor consists of 18 to 30 credits, at least 6 of which must be at the 400 level. Twelve credits or evidence of third-semester proficiency of a foreign language is required. The program of study is to be developed by the student in conjunction with a Transnational Perspectives adviser. A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor.
Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)
Prescribed Courses (18 Credits)
INTST 100 GS;IL(3) (Sem: 1-4)
Select 12 credits of a foreign language or evidence of third-semester proficiency (Sem: 1-4)
INTST 400 IL(3) (Sem: 5-8)
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (12 Credits)
Students may select 12 credits of internationally oriented courses in consultation with the Transnational Perspectives adviser. A list of recommended courses is maintained by Penn State Behrend's Transnational Perspectives Committee. At least 3 credits must be at the 400 level (outside the student's major). Credits earned through approved academic study abroad may be counted in this category. (Sem: 1-8)
For more information, please contact Dr. Lena Surzhko-Harned, Assistant Teaching Professor of Political Science, at [email protected]