Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs (IA) is offered by the College of Liberal Arts' Department of Political Science and is available only at Temple University, Japan Campus. IA is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary subject which covers political science, geography, economics and history. It explores international cooperation and conflict, poverty and development, the nature and causes of war, nationalism and social change, and other issues. Focusing especially upon Japan and its place in Asia and the world, it requires students to study regions besides East Asia (Japan, China, Korea) and the United States. Students must undertake an internship and study an East Asian language.
Campus Location: Japan
Program Code: LA-IA-BA
Distinction in Major
Students earn Distinction in Major by holding a GPA in the major of at least 3.8 at graduation and by completing at least one additional 3000- or 4000-level Political Science course.
Contact Information
Kazuyo Kubo, PhD, Chair of the Division of Liberal Arts
kazuyo.kubo@tuj.temple.edu
James Brown, PhD, Faculty Advisor for the International Affairs Major
jamesdjbrown@tuj.temple.edu
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- 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.
- Major Requirements (Minimum 45 credits plus a fourth semester level East Asian language requirement)
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Core Courses POLS 1201 Foreign Governments and Politics 3 POLS 1301 International Politics 3 Select one of the following: 3-6 Macroeconomic Principles
and Microeconomic PrinciplesGlobal 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 Coordinator 6 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 or ASST 2351Japan 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 or ASST 3251China: State and Society East Asia and the United States or ASST 3252East Asia and the United States International Environmental Policy or ENST 3265International 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 Coordinator 6 AMST 2097or ASST 3696or HIST 3696or GSWS 4696Asian American Experiences or ASST 2107Asian American Experiences or HIST 2107Asian American History The Vietnam War or ASST 2217The Vietnam War or HIST 2217Vietnam War Political Protest and Culture in the '60s AMST 3096or GSWS 3096Introduction to Anthropology Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan or ASST 2238Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan Japanese Culture or ASST 2373Japanese Culture The Anthropology of Modern China or ASST 2374The Anthropology of Modern China East Meets West or ASST 2807East Meets West Pre-Modern Japanese Art up to the Edo Period or ASST 2815Japanese Art ASST 1102or REL 1102Introduction to Asian Religions Practical Asian Society and Culture Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868 or JPNS 2011Survey of Japanese Literature: Pre-Modern Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation or JPNS 2012Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation Tokyo in Literature and Film or JPNS 2015Tokyo in Literature and Film Mystery and Crime Fiction in Japan or JPNS 2016Mystery and Crime Fiction in Japan Japanese Popular Culture and its Literature or JPNS 2096Introduction to East Asia: China or HIST 2501Introduction to East Asia: China Introduction to East Asia: Japan or HIST 2502Introduction to East Asia: Japan Introduction to Asian Business or IB 2501Fundamentals of Asian Business Ideology and Social Change in Japan or SOC 3247Ideology and Social Change in Japan Japan Today or HIST 3541Japan Today Women and Society in Japan or HIST 3542Women and Society in Japan or GSWS 3542Women 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 or AMST 2051American Places: Home, City, Region HIST 1708or GSWS 1708African 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 2102Foundations of Psychopathology Foundations of Developmental Psychology Foundations of Social Psychology Foundations of Industrial and Organizational Psychology Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience PSY 3152East 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 Coordinator 9 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 or ASST 2217The Vietnam War or HIST 2217Vietnam War AMST 2097or ASST 3696or HIST 3696or GSWS 4696Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan or ASST 2238Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan Japanese Culture or ASST 2373Japanese Culture The Anthropology of Modern China or ASST 2374The Anthropology of Modern China East Meets West or ASST 2807East Meets West Pre-Modern Japanese Art up to the Edo Period or ASST 2815Japanese Art ARTH 2818or ASST 2818ASST 1102or REL 1102Introduction to Asian Religions Practical Asian Society and Culture Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868 or JPNS 2011Survey of Japanese Literature: Pre-Modern Mystery and Crime Fiction in Japan or JPNS 2016Mystery and Crime Fiction in Japan Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation or JPNS 2012Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation Tokyo in Literature and Film or JPNS 2015Tokyo in Literature and Film Japanese Popular Culture and its Literature or JPNS 2096Japan in a Changing World or POLS 2351Japan and the Changing World Order Introduction to East Asia: China or HIST 2501Introduction to East Asia: China Introduction to East Asia: Japan or HIST 2502Introduction to East Asia: Japan Introduction to Asian Business or IB 2501Fundamentals of Asian Business Ideology and Social Change in Japan or SOC 3247Ideology and Social Change in Japan China: State and Society or POLS 3251China: State and Society East Asia and the United States or POLS 3252East Asia and the United States Japan Today or HIST 3541Japan Today Women and Society in Japan or HIST 3542Women and Society in Japan or GSWS 3542Women and Society in Japan Seminar in Japanese and Japan: Japanese Society and Culture through Newspaper Seminar in Japanese and Japan: Business JPNS 4396East Asia Requirement 4000+ Writing Intensive Select 1 course in consultation with the Academic Advisor and/or Major Coordinator 3 Seminar in Asian Studies (Course topic of ASST 4096 must be East Asia focused) Modern Japan: Empire, War, Society or HIST 4697Modern 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 Coordinator 6 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 1301HIST 1705HIST 1708or GSWS 1708African 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 or GSWS 3431Women'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 Coordinator 3 Seminar in International Politics Seminar in International Politics Internship Complete at least one internship for at least 3 credits, upon approval by the Major Coordinator 3 Internship I Political Science Capstone (WI) POLS 4896 Capstone Seminar in Political Science 3 East Asian Language Requirements Select one of the following (fourth semester): 3-4 Chinese Intermediate II TUJ - Japanese Intermediate II or JPNS 2002Intermediate Japanese II Korean Intermediate II - 1
For a comprehensive list of courses to fulfill this requirement, please consult your advisor.
East Asian Language Proficiency Requirement: The language requirement may be satisfied by coursework or proficiency in the language for heritage speakers. 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
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENG 0802 or ENG 0812 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following first-level East Asian Foreign Language courses: | 4 | |
| Japanese Elements I | ||
| Chinese Elements I | ||
| Korean Elements I | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| IH 0851 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| POLS 1201 | Foreign Governments and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 1301 | International Politics | 3 |
| Select one of the following second-level East Asian Foreign Language courses: | 4 | |
| Japanese Elements II | ||
| Chinese Elements II | ||
| Korean Elements II | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| IH 0852 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| 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 | ||
| TUJ - Japanese Intermediate I or Intermediate Japanese I | ||
| Korean Intermediate I | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| ECON 1101 | Macroeconomic Principles | 3 |
| Select one of the following fourth-level East Asian Foreign Language courses: | 3-4 | |
| Chinese Intermediate II | ||
| TUJ - Japanese Intermediate II or Intermediate Japanese II | ||
| Korean Intermediate II | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECON 1102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 |
| 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 | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 4185 | Internship I | 3 |
| 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 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Asian Studies 4000+ Writing Intensive WI | 3 | |
| POLS 4310 or POLS 4320 | Seminar in International Politics or Seminar in International Politics | 3 |
| CLA 2000+ Interdisciplinary Elective 2 | 3 | |
| CLA 2000+ (East Asia Area Requirement 3) | 3 | |
| CLA 2000+ (Non-USA/Non-East Asia Requirement 2) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 4896 | Capstone 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 College | 3 | |
| One Elective 0800-4999 in any School or College | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |