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On Education Planner BC select the program "Arts - International & Intercultural Studies - Associate Degree"
The Associate of Arts Degree in Intercultural and International Studies will prepare you for a career in international relations, diplomatic relations or foreign affairs. Learn about current global issues and develop the skills for communicating in an international context. Participate in discussions and presentations, and engage in classroom lectures to develop and enhance your critical-thinking, writing, research and presentation skills. You’ll also study the basics of a second language.
Get paid, full-time work experience during your studies
You can also join the optional Co-operative Education Program, which alternates semesters of study with paid, full-time work in your field. You’ll earn money while gaining experience, building your resume and getting an employer reference, all before you graduate. To participate in Co-op you need to plan two semesters in advance, so we strongly recommend contacting the Co-op Office at the start of your program.
Further education
This international studies program can lead to a BA in political science or international studies at a university. In most cases, an associate degree will allow you to enter the third year of a four-year bachelor's degree program. To make sure your courses transfer, use the BC Transfer Guide as it has all the up-to-date information you’ll need to plan your education.
Many of the courses taken for this degree will also qualify for the Global Competency Certificate. The Global Competency Certificate teaches you how to understand and succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. As you complete this certificate, you’ll gain skills in critical thinking, learn more about the worldviews of others, develop a better understanding of how different cultures communicate, and come to appreciate a variety of global systems, contexts, and issues.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
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Graduation Requirements:
Course Requirements:
Students must fulfill all of the general requirements of the Associate of Arts Degree. Students pursuing an Associate of Arts Degree in Intercultural and International Studies must also complete the following program specific requirements:
| Students must complete all courses in List A | ||
| List A: Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| CMNS 1104 |
Foundations of Intercultural Communication |
3.00 |
| INST 1100 |
Introduction to International Studies |
3.00 |
| Students must complete at least one course in List B | ||
| List B: Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
| CMNS 1217 |
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace |
3.00 |
| CMNS 2317 |
Intercultural Conflict in Interpersonal Relationships |
3.00 |
|
Students must complete at least one course in List C |
||
| List C: Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
| ANTH 1100 |
Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology |
3.00 |
| GEOG 1100 |
Introduction to Human Geography |
3.00 |
| HIST 1104 |
World History Since 1945 |
3.00 |
| HIST 1105 |
Global Issues in Historical perspective |
3.00 |
| Students must complete two consecutive levels of one language (two courses) in List D | ||
| List D: Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
| MODL 1191, MODL 1192, MODL 2291, MODL 2292 |
Mandarin Chinese |
6.00 |
| French | 6.00 | |
| German | 6.00 | |
| Japanese | 6.00 | |
| Spanish | 6.00 | |
|
Students must complete at least six courses in List E |
||
|
List E: Course Number |
Course Title | Credits |
| Indigenous Cultures of British Columbia | 3.00 | |
| Canadian Indigenous Cultures | 3.00 | |
| Anthropology in Developing Countries | 3.00 | |
| Globalization, World Economy | 3.00 | |
| Reading Literature and Culture (designated section) | 3.00 | |
| Reading Fiction (designated section) | 3.00 | |
| Topics in World Literature (designated section) | 3.00 | |
| Social Geography | 3.00 | |
| World History, 1900-1945 | 3.00 | |
| War and Society | 3.00 | |
| World Religions - Oriental | 3.00 | |
| World Religions - Occidental | 3.00 | |
| Introduction to the Language and Cultures of the Spanish-Speaking World | 3.00 | |
| Philosophy and Religion | 3.00 | |
| Introduction to World Politics | 3.00 | |
| Current International Issues | 3.00 | |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3.00 | |
| Cultural Psychology | 3.00 | |
| Canadian Society | 3.00 | |
| Race and Ethnicity | 3.00 | |
* For the relevant sections of ENGL 1102, ENGL 1106, and ENGL 3160 please consult the English Department.
The following are the general requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree at any BC college:
*English courses can include courses in written Communications (CMNS) and Creative Writing (CRWR) that transfer to one of the BC research universities (SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UNBC, or UVIC) as English credit. A maximum of 3 credits can come from such an equivalent; at least 3 credits must be earned in an actual ENGL course, so-named. For purposes of the Associate of Arts degree, English courses cannot be counted as Humanities courses.
** Arts courses are available in the Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Performing Arts, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. To confirm whether a course is designated as "humanities" or "social sciences", check the Associate of Arts degree graduation checklist. Economics courses are Arts courses. Arts courses may also include Mathematics courses.
Definitions:
A course is defined by the subject for which it is granted transfer credit at one of the research universities (SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UNBC, or UVIC).
For detailed information you should meet with a Student Success Advisor.
Co-operative Education Option:
Students enrolled in this program may be eligible for a Co-operative Education designation. Co-operative Education involves alternating full-time academic and work terms. For information contact the Co-operative Education Office.
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Career opportunities include: