For each concentration below, see links to the accompanying core course (the core course of the thematic concentration chosen in the major is required), the list of approved electives, and the list of electives offered in a particular semester.

Culture and the Arts:  An International Perspective
Rationale:  This concentration will focus on the study of forms of cultural expression and representation (performing arts, film, literature, ritual, folklore and myth, visual arts) from a comparative and global perspective.  Central concerns of this area will be the role of the arts in defining increasingly complex group identities and the prevailing globalization of culture. World music, foreign films, touring art exhibits, and international theatre festivals have helped make parochial cultural forms available globally.  At the same time, the business of culture has come under the influence of multinational corporations capable of disseminating their product to a global audience, and international co-sponsorship of major artistic events has become the norm.  Some say these developments have led to a homogenization of culture around the world, while others celebrate a new intercultural diversity that globalization has brought to the arts. Whatever view one prefers, an awareness of these issues is crucial for anybody whose work will involve culture and the arts in the future.

Jobs: In addition to excellent qualifications for graduate and professional schools, students with this concentration will be especially interested in careers in performing arts management (theatre and festivals), museums, film and recording industries, journalism, law, business, non-profit arts and education.

Global Health and Environment
Rationale:  This concentration focuses on international dimensions of health and environmental issues. Many of the most devastating diseases globally are those related to environmental degradation, therefore an understanding of international health and environmental issues requires examination of the attitudes and values that lie behind human-environment interactions, the capability of distinguishing the difference between purely local and  cumulative global issues,  understanding the social and economic interests of groups concerned with health and environmental issues, and the foundations for cooperation, decision-making, and a sophisticated understanding of the incentives that facilitate or hinder international relations concerned with health and the environment.

Jobs: In addition to excellent qualifications for graduate and professional schools, students with this concentration will be especially interested in careers in municipal, state and federal health and environmental agencies, health and environmental PACs and NGOs.

Global Integration and Development
Rationale:  This concentration focuses on the interaction of political and economic forces in a global environment.  Students pursuing this area of inquiry share an interest in the impact of public policy on economic outcomes and vice versa.  They also share common theoretical perspectives and analytic methods.

Jobs: Many of the students in this track will be preparing for careers in business, government, nongovernmental organizations, and the legal professions.  We have designed the track so that they will have the right set of skills to be credible candidates for positions in those fields.  The challenge for students in this track will be to combine intelligently overseas experiences, language study, and course work in the humanities and social sciences so that they will be adequately prepared either for postgraduate work or employment directly after graduation.

Human Rights and Social Movements
Rationale: This concentration focuses on placing struggles for change (of many sorts) and international accords on human rights (such as those of the U.N.) into cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and historical perspective.

Jobs:  In addition to excellent qualifications for graduate schools (especially in the areas of Philosophy, History, Political Science, Public Policy, or Sociology) and professional schools, students with this concentration will be especially interested in careers in NGOs or foundations committed to social change; the Peace Corps; law, government

International Communication
Rationale: This concentration focuses on the production and circulation of ideas, images and information across national borders and cultural differences.  Both interpersonal and mediated forms of communication (print, film, electronic, digital) will be considered.  In particular, this area will be concerned with the impact of new information technologies on the public and private lives of people around the world.

Jobs: In addition to excellent qualifications for graduate and professional schools, students with this concentration will be especially interested in careers in public relations, translation services, diplomatic corps, media, Non-governmental organizations and corporate education and training.

Nations, States and Boundaries
Rationale: This concentration focuses on the study of interstate relations and the conditions of nations without states. Students will learn about the development of modern states and their mutual relations as well as about the role of international institutions (such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States, Amnesty International, and others) in mediating and regulating relations between states and protecting individuals and stateless peoples from persecution.

Jobs: In addition to excellent qualifications for graduate and professional schools, students with this concentration will be especially interested in careers in foreign service, diplomatic corps, law and non-governmental organizations.