Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs

(College of Liberal Arts)

James Brown, Ph.D.
Major Coordinator
jamesdjbrown@tuj.temple.edu 

The International Affairs (IA) major at Temple University, Japan Campus is an interdisciplinary major in the College of Liberal Arts. It is closely related to political science and emphasizes issues affecting relations between East Asia (Japan, China, Korea) and the United States. This major requires 10 courses (approximately 30 semester hours) divided into 5 core courses and 4 electives in the major, a capstone course, an internship of 3-6 semester hours, an East Asian area studies requirement, and an East Asian language requirement.

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University and College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Requirements
    • All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major.
    • Students must complete the General Education curriculum.
    • Students must follow CLA requirements as specified in the CLA College Requirements section of the Undergraduate Bulletin.
  2. Major Requirements (Minimum 45 credits plus a fourth semester level East Asian language requirement)
    Major Core Courses
    POLS 1201Foreign Governments and Politics3
    POLS 1301International Politics3
    Select one of the following:3-6
    Macroeconomic Principles
    and Microeconomic Principles
    Global Economics
    Select one of the following:3
    World History Modern
    Geography of World Affairs
    Select one of the following:3
    Peace, Conflict, and Social Change
    America's Rise to Globalism
    Superpower America
    World Economy Since 1945
    Political Science Requirements 1
    Select 2 Political Science courses in consultation with the Academic Advisor and/or Major Coordinator6
    POLS 4310 / POLS 4320 taken multiple times under different course topics can count toward Political Science requirement.
    The American Political System
    American State and Local Politics
    Comparative Politics: Developing Nations
    Contemporary Politics of Europe
    Eastern Europe, Russia and the West
    Post-Cold War Security
    Politics of the Global Economy
    International Organization
    Japan and the Changing World Order
    Japan in a Changing World
    Democracy, Capitalism, and Socialism
    Introduction to Political Philosophy
    Evidence and Knowledge
    The American Presidency
    Interest Group Politics
    The Politics of Inequality
    Public Policy Analysis
    The Politics of Poverty
    Nationalism, Ethnicity, and Politics
    Comparative Politics of Democratization
    British Government and Politics
    Post-Communist Politics
    Mideast Politics
    China: State and Society
    China: State and Society
    East Asia and the United States
    East Asia and the United States
    International Environmental Policy
    International Environmental Policy
    Politics of the European Union
    Personality and Politics
    Interdisciplinary Requirements 1
    Select 2 courses in Social Science or other related disciplines in consultation with the Academic Advisor and/or Major Coordinator6
    AMST 2097
    or ASST 3696
    or HIST 3696
    or GSWS 4696
    Asian American Experiences
    Asian American Experiences
    Asian American History
    The Vietnam War
    The Vietnam War
    Vietnam War
    Political Protest and Culture in the '60s
    AMST 3096
    or GSWS 3096
    Introduction to Anthropology
    Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
    Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
    Japanese Culture
    Japanese Culture
    The Anthropology of Modern China
    The Anthropology of Modern China
    East Meets West
    East Meets West
    Pre-Modern Japanese Art up to the Edo Period
    Japanese Art
    ASST 1102
    Introduction to Asian Religions
    Practical Asian Society and Culture
    Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868
    Survey of Japanese Literature: Pre-Modern
    Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation
    Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation
    Tokyo in Literature and Film
    Tokyo in Literature and Film
    Mystery and Crime Fiction in Japan
    Mystery and Crime Fiction in Japan
    Japanese Popular Culture and its Literature
    or JPNS 2096
    Introduction to East Asia: China
    Introduction to East Asia: China
    Introduction to East Asia: Japan
    Introduction to East Asia: Japan
    Introduction to Asian Business
    Fundamentals of Asian Business
    Ideology and Social Change in Japan
    Ideology and Social Change in Japan
    Japan Today
    Japan Today
    Women and Society in Japan
    Women and Society in Japan
    Women and Society in Japan
    Asian Women in Transition
    Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis
    Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis
    Introduction to Econometrics
    Mathematical Economics
    Energy, Ecology, and Economy
    Public Finance
    Comparative Economic Systems
    Managerial Economics
    Economics of Development and Growth
    International Trade
    International Monetary Economics
    Energy, Ecology, and Economy
    Health Economics
    American Place
    American Places: Home, City, Region
    HIST 1708
    or GSWS 1708
    African American History to 1865
    African American History 1865-Present
    Imperialism, Race, and Empire
    World War II
    Russia: Revolution, State, and Empire
    Blood and Iron: 19th Century European Diplomacy
    Journalism and Society
    Law in Society
    Law, Technology and E-Commerce
    Legal Aspects of Global Business
    Foundations of Cognitive Psychology
    PSY 2102
    Foundations of Psychopathology
    Foundations of Developmental Psychology
    Foundations of Social Psychology
    Foundations of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
    Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience
    PSY 3152
    East Asian Studies Requirements 1
    Select 3 courses that exclusively focus on East Asia in Social Science or other related disciplines in consultation with the Academic Advisor and/or Major Coordinator9
    POLS 4310 / POLS 4320 taken multiple times under different course topics can count toward East Asian requirement. Please consult with the Academic Advisor and/or Major Coordinator.
    The Vietnam War
    The Vietnam War
    Vietnam War
    AMST 2097
    or ASST 3696
    or HIST 3696
    or GSWS 4696
    Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
    Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
    Japanese Culture
    Japanese Culture
    The Anthropology of Modern China
    The Anthropology of Modern China
    East Meets West
    East Meets West
    Pre-Modern Japanese Art up to the Edo Period
    Japanese Art
    ARTH 2818
    or ASST 2818
    ASST 1102
    Introduction to Asian Religions
    Practical Asian Society and Culture
    Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868
    Survey of Japanese Literature: Pre-Modern
    Mystery and Crime Fiction in Japan
    Mystery and Crime Fiction in Japan
    Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation
    Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation
    Tokyo in Literature and Film
    Tokyo in Literature and Film
    Japanese Popular Culture and its Literature
    or JPNS 2096
    Japan in a Changing World
    Japan and the Changing World Order
    Introduction to East Asia: China
    Introduction to East Asia: China
    Introduction to East Asia: Japan
    Introduction to East Asia: Japan
    Introduction to Asian Business
    Fundamentals of Asian Business
    Ideology and Social Change in Japan
    Ideology and Social Change in Japan
    China: State and Society
    China: State and Society
    East Asia and the United States
    East Asia and the United States
    Japan Today
    Japan Today
    Women and Society in Japan
    Women and Society in Japan
    Women and Society in Japan
    Seminar in Japanese and Japan: Japanese Society and Culture through Newspaper
    Seminar in Japanese and Japan: Business
    JPNS 4396
    East Asia Requirement 4000+ Writing Intensive
    Select 1 course in consultation with the Academic Advisor and/or Major Coordinator3
    Seminar in Asian Studies (Course topic of ASST 4096 must be East Asia focused)
    Modern Japan: Empire, War, Society
    Modern Japan: Empire, War, Society
    Non-USA / Non-East Asian Studies Requirements 1
    Select 2 courses that focus on non-USA, non-East Asian regions in Social Science or other disciplines in consultation with the Academic Advisor and/or Major Coordinator6
    POLS 4310 / POLS 4320 taken multiple times under different course topics can count toward Non-USA / Non-East Asian Studies requirement. Please consult with the Academic Advisor and/or Major Coordinator.
    HIST 1301
    HIST 1705
    HIST 1708
    or GSWS 1708
    African American History to 1865
    20th Century Europe: A Continent in Crisis
    Imperialism, Race, and Empire
    Russia: Revolution, State, and Empire
    Women's Lives in Modern Europe
    Women's Lives Modern Europe
    Blood and Iron: 19th Century European Diplomacy
    Law in Society
    Comparative Politics: Developing Nations
    Contemporary Politics of Europe
    Eastern Europe, Russia and the West
    Post-Cold War Security
    Politics of the Global Economy
    International Organization
    Democracy, Capitalism, and Socialism
    Introduction to Political Philosophy
    Evidence and Knowledge
    Interest Group Politics
    The Politics of Inequality
    Public Policy Analysis
    The Politics of Poverty
    Nationalism, Ethnicity, and Politics
    Comparative Politics of Democratization
    British Government and Politics
    Post-Communist Politics
    Mideast Politics
    International Environmental Policy
    Politics of the European Union
    Political Science Seminar
    Select 1 course in consultation with the Academic Advisor and/or Major Coordinator3
    Seminar in International Politics
    Seminar in International Politics
    Internship
    Complete at least one internship for at least 3 credits, upon approval by the Major Coordinator3
    Internship I
    Political Science Capstone (WI)
    POLS 4896Capstone Seminar in Political Science3
    East Asian Language Requirements
    Select one of the following (fourth semester):3-4
    Chinese Intermediate II
    TUJ - Japanese Intermediate II
    Intermediate Japanese II
    Korean Intermediate II

Asian Language Proficiency Requirement: The language requirement may be satisfied by coursework or proficiency in the language for heritage speakers. The assessment tests listening, speaking, and reading comprehension as well as written communications in Asian language approved by the International Affairs Major Coordinator. Students who demonstrate proficiency beyond the fourth semester are not required to replace this with an International Affairs approved elective.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
ENG 0802 or 0812Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]4
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ]4
GenEd Breadth Course3
Select one of the following first-level East Asian Foreign Language courses:4
Japanese Elements I [LC] 
Chinese Elements I 
Korean Elements I 
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
IH 0851Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]3
GenEd Breadth Course3
POLS 1201Foreign Governments and Politics3
POLS 1301International Politics3
Select one of the following second-level East Asian Foreign Language courses:4
Japanese Elements II [LC] 
Chinese Elements II [LC] 
Korean Elements II 
 Term Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
IH 0852Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]3
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
Select one of the following:3
World History Modern 
Geography of World Affairs 
Select one of the following third-level East Asian Foreign Language courses:3-4
Chinese Intermediate I [LC] 
TUJ - Japanese Intermediate I 
Korean Intermediate I [LC] 
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
GenEd Breadth Course3-4
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
ECON 1101Macroeconomic Principles3
Select one of the following fourth-level East Asian Foreign Language courses:3-4
Chinese Intermediate II 
TUJ - Japanese Intermediate II 
Korean Intermediate II 
 Term Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
ECON 1102Microeconomic Principles3
Political Science 2000+ (Political Science Requirement 1)3
CLA 2000+ (East Asia Area Requirement 1)3
Political Science 2000+ (Political Science Requirement 2)3
Select one of the following:3
Peace, Conflict, and Social Change 
America's Rise to Globalism 
Superpower America 
World Economy Since 1945 
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
POLS 4185Internship I3
CLA 2000+ (Non-USA / Non-East Asia Requirement 1)3
CLA 2000+ (Interdisciplinary Elective 1)3
CLA 2000+ (East Asia Area Requirement 2)3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 (2000+ in a related discipline recommended)3
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
Asian Studies 4000+ Writing Intensive [WI]3
POLS 4310 or 4320Seminar in International Politics3
CLA 2000+ Interdisciplinary Elective 23
CLA 2000+ (East Asia Area Requirement 3)3
CLA 2000+ (Non-USA/Non-East Asia Requirement 2)3
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
POLS 4896Capstone Seminar in Political Science [WI]3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 (2000+ in a related discipline recommended)3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 (2000+ in a related discipline recommended)3
One Elective 0800-4999 in any School or College3
One Elective 0800-4999 in any School or College3
 Term Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours: 123