School Overview401 Thomson The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies organizes and supports interdisciplinary teaching and research in international affairs. The school consists of a group of interdisciplinary area-studies programs on major world regions, as well as topical and comparative programs of study that transcend national and regional boundaries. Undergraduate Program
Adviser The School of International Studies offers the following programs of study:
African StudiesDaniel J. Hoffman, Chair
Adviser African studies involves a multi-campus interdisciplinary group of faculty, staff, and students who share an interest in interdisciplinary questions relating to Africa and the African diaspora. Africa-focused courses are taught in a variety of scholarly disciplines and programs, including art, music, anthropology, forestry and fisheries, geography, history, international health, American ethnic studies, and the interdisciplinary arts and sciences programs at UW Bothell and UW Tacoma. The African studies program coordinates and disseminates information on Africa-related activities; facilitates research, internships, and study abroad opportunities; and administers the Africa and African diaspora minor. MinorMinor Requirements 30 credits from at least three departments whose approved courses are shown on the African studies website, jsis.washington.edu/africa/, including:
Asian StudiesThe undergraduate program in Asian studies is directed by a committee consisting of the chairs of China studies, Korea studies, Japan studies, South Asian studies, and Southeast Asian studies (see below under Minors), and a designated faculty coordinator. The Asian studies major combines language training with interdisciplinary study of an Asian region or single country. The program emphasizes social science approaches to the study of history, culture, and society, with provision for study of literature and the arts as well. Students may focus on China, Japan, Korea, South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tibet), Southeast Asia (Brunei, Burma [Myanmar], Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), or Asia as a whole. Five interdisciplinary minors on individual countries or regions also are offered. Bachelor of ArtsSuggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: Either JSIS 203 or JSIS A 207, and two introductory Asian civilization courses (see major requirements, below). Progress toward two years of a relevant Asian language. Courses that develop writing skills, especially in the social sciences. Department Admission RequirementsStudents in good academic standing may declare this major at any time. Major Requirements80 credits as follows:
MinorChina Studies Madeleine Yue Dong, Chair Minor Requirements: 30 credits, to include the following:
*The list of Asian civilization courses and China electives is maintained by the China studies program. For the current list of such courses, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. Japan Studies Minor Requirements: 30 credits, to include the following:
*The list of Asian civilization courses and Japan electives is maintained by the Japan studies program. For the current list of such courses, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. Korea Studies Clark W. Sorensen, Chair Minor Requirements: 30 credits, to include the following:
*The lists of Asian civilization core and elective classes are maintained by the Korea studies program. For the current list of such courses, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. South Asian Studies Priti Ramamurthy, Chair Minor Requirements: 30 credits, to include the following:
*The list of Asian civilization courses and South Asia electives is maintained by the South Asian studies program. For the current list of such courses, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. Southeast Asian Studies Laurie J. Sears, Chair Minor Requirements: 30 credits, to include the following:
*The list of Asian civilization courses and Southeast Asia electives is maintained by the Southeast Asia program. For the current list of such courses, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. Canadian StudiesDaniel Hart, Chair Canadian studies provides a broad understanding of Canadian society, culture and communications, historical development, and contemporary problems. Bachelor of ArtsSuggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: ECON 200, ECON 201. Progress toward two years of French language. Canadian history courses. Courses that develop writing skills. Department Admission RequirementsStudents in good academic standing may declare this major at any time. Major Requirements30 credits or second-year-equivalent French language training, plus 53 credits as follows:
MinorsCanadian Studies Minor Requirements: 25 credits as follows:
*The list of Canada electives is maintained by the Canadian studies program. For the current list, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. Since the program from time to time adds, subtracts, or reclassifies approved courses, students who have planned their studies on the basis of an earlier list may fulfill the requirements of the minor as specified on that list. Minor in Arctic Studies: See entry for Arctic Studies in the Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Programs section of the General Catalog. Comparative Islamic StudiesComparative Islamic studies provides a broad understanding of Islamic society, culture and communications, historical development, and contemporary problems. MinorMinor Requirements: 30 credits as follows:
*The approved list of Comparative Islamic studies electives is maintained by the School of International Studies. For the current list, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. Since the school from time to time adds, subtracts, or reclassifies courses on the approved list, students who have planned their studies on the basis of an earlier list may fulfill the requirements as specified on that list. Comparative ReligionJames K. Wellman, Chair The comparative religion major introduces students to broad theoretical issues in the academic study of religion, and encourages them to explore these issues through mastering details of the textual canons, historical traditions, social contexts, and cultural forms of religion. Bachelor of ArtsSuggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: JSIS C 201, JSIS C 202. Courses that develop writing proficiency. Courses in particular religious traditions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Courses in the history of civilizations such as Chinese, South Asian, and Western. Department Admission RequirementsStudents in good academic standing may declare this major at any time. Major Requirements55 credits as follows:
MinorMinor Requirements: 30 credits as follows:
*The list of approved comparative religion courses is maintained by the Comparative Religion program. For the current list of such courses, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. European StudiesChristine Ingebritsen, Chair The curriculum in European studies prepares students to pursue careers requiring an understanding of all the forces, both material and cultural, contemporary and historical, that are shaping Europe today (North, South, East, and West), taking into account transitions involved in the post-Soviet era and the movement toward greater political, economic, and cultural integration among the various nations involved. Students also may concentrate, within the major, on Hellenic studies, European Union studies, or Russian, East European, and Central Asian studies. Bachelor of ArtsSuggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: Progress toward two years of a modern European language. A survey course on modern Europe. Department Admission RequirementsStudents in good academic standing may declare this major at any time. Major Requirements50 credits plus language proficiency Modern European language through second year, either through proficiency test or successful completion of an applicable second college-level year (e.g.,Spanish 203). See approved list.
MinorsMinor in European Studies Minor Requirements: 25 credits
Minor in Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian Studies Minor Requirements: 30 credits from courses in at least three disciplines
*For list of approved REECAS courses, see: REECAS Minor Approved Electives. Since the program from time to time adds, subtracts, or reclassifies approved courses, students who plan their studies on the basis of an earlier list may fulfill requirements as specified on that list. Minor in Hellenic Studies Minor Requirements: 25 credits
International StudiesSara R. Curran, Chair The general program in international studies gives students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on world problems and an ability to analyze the subtle interactions of politics, economics, and culture within the global system. Bachelor of ArtsSuggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: 30 credits of a single foreign language. ECON 200, and either ECON 201 or JSIS 123/GEOG 123 Department Admission Requirements
Major RequirementsForeign-language competency through the second-year college level, plus 70 credits as follows:
MinorMinor Requirements 30 credits as follows:
Jewish StudiesNoam Pianko, Chair Jewish studies offers students from varied backgrounds and disciplines a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the study of Jews and Judaism. Students explore the geographic, temporal, philosophical, and cultural diversity of the Jewish experience and gain critical skills that complement and can be applied to myriad future aspirations. Bachelor of ArtsSuggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: JSIS C 145; JSIS C 250/HSTCMP 250; JSIS C 201; JSIS 200, JSIS 201, or JSIS 202. Courses that develop critical analysis skills and writing proficiency. Courses in modern or biblical Hebrew. Department Admission RequirementsStudents in good academic standing may declare this major at any time. Major Requirements50 credits as follows:
The list of Jewish studies courses is maintained by the Jewish studies program on the Jackson School website. For the current list of approved courses, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/catalog/jewish_b.shtml MinorMinor Requirements 30 credits as follows:
*The list of Jewish studies electives is maintained by the Jewish studies program. For the current list of such courses, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. Latin American and Caribbean StudiesJose Antonio Lucero, Chair The Latin American and Caribbean studies major combines language study with work in history, the humanities, and the social sciences. It provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary understanding of this major world region, emphasizing themes such as economic development, popular movements, cultural analysis, and hemispheric relations. At the same time, it gives students the option to develop their own particular disciplinary and thematic interests. Bachelor of ArtsSuggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: Substantial progress toward completing the language requirement described below. Courses in any of the following disciplines that deal with Latin America and the Caribbean: history, literature, economics, geography, sociology, political science. Department Admission RequirementsStudents in good academic standing may declare this major at any time. Major Requirements52 credits plus language training, as follows:
*Lists of Latin American and Caribbean studies courses are maintained by the Latin American and Caribbean studies program as part of its website. For the current list of such courses, see jsis.washington.edu/advise/catalog/latam_ba.shtml. MinorMinor Requirements 30 credits as follows, plus foreign language:
*The list of Latin American and Caribbean studies courses is maintained by the Latin American and Caribbean studies program. For the current list, see http://jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. Since the program from time to time adds, subtracts, or reclassifies approved courses, students who have planned their studies on the basis of an earlier list may fulfill the requirements of the minor as specified on that list. Middle East StudiesArzoo Osanloo, Chair The undergraduate curriculum in Middle East studies provides a grounding in the modern Middle East and a view of how this region fits into the world community politically, historically, and economically. To achieve this understanding, students take courses in the social sciences and the humanities, and are strongly encouraged to study a Middle Eastern language. MinorMinor Requirements 28-30 credits as follows:
*The list of Middle East electives is maintained by the Middle East studies program. For the current list of such courses, see http://jsis.washington.edu/advise/undergraduate/minors.shtml. Portuguese Language and Luso-Brazilian StudiesMinorMinor Requirements: 25 credits
Student Outcomes and Opportunities
Graduate Program
Graduate Program Information In addition to the PhD, nine programs that lead to a Master of Arts in International Studies degree: seven world area-studies programs, a comparative religion program, and a comparative and thematic program in international studies that concentrates on the interaction of international, economic, political, and cultural processes with states and societies around the world. Area-studies programs include China studies; Japan studies; Korea studies; Middle East studies; Russian, East European, and Central Asian studies; South Asian studies; and Southeast Asian studies. The comparative and thematic international studies program can be taken as a concurrent degree program with several professional schools. Specific requirements vary, but all stress interdisciplinary study within the context of the historical cultures, contemporary situations, and languages either of world areas or comparatively. Master of Arts in International StudiesAdmission Requirements: For all MAIS programs shown below.
Degree Requirements: See individual programs, below. China StudiesMadeleine Yue Dong, Chair Provides a broad understanding of the Chinese people and their culture, historical development, and contemporary problems. Curriculum emphasizes the attainment of facility in Chinese language, a grounding in history, and a familiarity with the approaches of the social sciences. Cultural aspects are covered through offerings of several departments, with special strengths in art history and literature. Admission RequirementsSee above under under Master of Arts in International Studies. Previous study of Chinese language highly recommended. Degree Requirements36 credits, plus language training.
Comparative ReligionJames K. Wellman, Chair Required core seminars focus on methodology and comparative perspective in the study of religion. P Primary and secondary curricular concentrations are available in Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Biblical and Near Eastern religion, and religion and culture; further secondary curricular concentrations are available in Greco-Roman religions, religions in America, East Asian indigenous traditions, African traditions, and Native American traditions. Admission RequirementsSee above under Master of Arts in International Studies. Sufficient language preparation and background in the study of religion. Degree Requirements
International StudiesSara R. Curran, Chair Students prepare to undertake sophisticated analyses of international affairs and typically hold positions after graduation with international divisions of federal and state governments, international divisions of banks, trading companies, policy-study institutes, corporations with international operations, and international development and educational organizations. About half the students enroll in a concurrent graduate professional-degree program, which adds approximately one year to the course of study. Admission RequirementsSee above under Master of Arts in International Studies. Students applying concurrently to a professional program (Foster School of Business, Public Affairs, Marine Affairs, Environmental and Forest Sciences, Law, or Public Health) must also be accepted by the professional school. For non-concurrent applicants, preference is given to those who have a professional interest, or previous professional experience or education. Prior study of a foreign language and preparation in intermediate-level microeconomics and macroeconomics are highly recommended. Degree Requirements
Japan StudiesMarie Anchordoguy, Chair Gives students in-depth knowledge of many facets of Japan, including history, political economy, society, and language. Designed (1) for students who need language and interdisciplinary training on Japan to pursue their career goals, or (2) as preparation for doctoral work in an academic discipline involving Japan for students with little or no training on Japan or in the language. A concurrent degree program with the Foster School of Business (MAIS/MBA) is offered; other combinations (e.g., with Public Affairs and Law) can be arranged. Admission RequirementsSee above under Master of Arts in International Studies. Minimum one year in Japanese language strongly recommended. Degree Requirements46 credits, plus language training.
Korea StudiesClark W. Sorensen, Chair Offers courses in Korean language, history, and society. Emphasizes the study of Korea in the context of East Asian civilization and the modern world economy. Admission RequirementsSee above under Master of Arts in International Studies. Previous language training recommended. Degree Requirements36 credits, plus language training.
Middle East StudiesArzoo Osanloo, Chair Social, political, economic, and legal systems of the Middle East and/or Islamic Central Asia. Students take courses in the social sciences, humanities, and a Middle Eastern or Central Asian language. Admission RequirementsSee above under Master of Arts in International Studies. One year's study (or equivalent) of language in which the student plans to concentrate. Degree Requirements
Russian, East European, and Central Asian StudiesScott Radnitz, Chair Includes language training, a concentration of study in a chosen discipline, and a combination of courses in other disciplines. Students usually focus on one region (Russia, East Europe, the Baltic States, or Central Asia), although they may take courses on another region. Admission RequirementsSee above under Master of Arts in International Studies. Two years of college-level language courses or the equivalent: Russian for those focusing on Russia; for other regions of the former Soviet Union and East Europe, two years of a language of the region, or another relevant language. Degree Requirements48 credits, plus language training.
Research Facilities: In addition to extensive holdings in Russian, East European, and Baltic language materials, the library has a major Central Asian language collection and the largest collection of Latvian books outside Latvia. Graduate Certificate in Russin, East European, and Central Asian StudiesObjectives:
Requirements (16 credits): JSIS A 504 (5 credits); two elective REECA focused courses (10 credits); certificate capstone (1 credit).
Maximum six credits may apply to a student’s degree program (double counted credits must be elective coursework in the degree program). South Asian StudiesAnand Yang, Chair Encompasses India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Nepal. Admission RequirementsSee above under Master of Arts in International Studies. Degree Requirements
Research Facilities: The University of Washington library participates in the U.S. Library of Congress Public Law 480 program, which supplies current publications from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka; and is a member of the South Asian Microfilm Program of the Center for Research Libraries, providing access to a large collection of microfilm newspapers, journals, and documents on South Asia. Graduate Certificate in South Asian StudiesObjectives include grounding in South Asian history and key economic, social, and political issues affecting contemporary South Asia; understanding the relationship between South Asia and other areas of the world, and considering global questions of political, social, cultural, and environmental change; improving oral and written communication skills; developing interdisciplinary analytical and thinking skills. Requirements (16 credits): JSIS A 508; JSIS A 509; one elective South-Asia-focused course (5); JSIS A 513, capstone portfolio (1). Southeast Asian StudiesLaurie J. Sears, Chair Encompasses Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Loro'sae, and Vietnam. The curriculum combines training in one or more Southeast Asian languages with study of various aspects of modern and classical Southeast Asian civilizations. Admission RequirementsSee above under Master of Arts in International Studies. Degree Requirements36 credits, plus language training.
Doctor of PhilosophySaadia M. Pekkanen, Director Framed around four foundational fields: (1) "Religions, Cultures, and Civilizations (RCC)," the diversity of cultural and religious life anchored in concrete studies of world areas, histories, cultural and political movements, as well as religious institutions and practices; (2) "States, Markets, and Societies (SMS)," theoretical and empirical debates about the engagement of states with their societies and with transnational actors in their historical, political, and social settings; (3) "Peace, Violence, and Security (PVS)," theoretical and foreign policy debates about global security challenges, conflicts, and violence, as well as issues of their prevention; and (4) "Law, Rights, and Governance (LRG)," theoretical and policy debates about the causes and consequences of legal evolution, rule of law, and a broad range of governance concerns in world affairs. Offers two tracks for the dissertation. (1) Writing three thematically linked article-length research papers; (2) Writing one book-length monograph. Doctoral candidates situate their dissertations under an overarching theme/topic in one of the four foundational fields of the PhD Program, and also ground them in one of the existing area-based MAIS degrees in the Jackson School. Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements100 credits minimum, as follows:
Research Facilities:Along with entry to the UW library system, students have access to research resources, facilities, and networks of formal programs in the Jackson School, including those on Africa, Canada, China, Comparative Religion, Europe, Japan, Jewish Studies, Korea, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East, Russia, East European and Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Further, programs and resources of Title-VI National Resource Centers (NRCs) in the Jackson School, including the Canadian Studies Center, Center for Global Studies, Center for West European Studies, East Asia Center, The Ellison Center for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, Middle East Center, South Asia Center, and Southeast Asia Center. Also, resources of other centers at the Jackson School, including the Center for Human Rights, Center for Korea Studies, East Asia Resources Center, European Union Center of Excellence, and the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center. Students also draw on the Jackson School’s affiliation with the Center for Statistics and the Social Sciences (CSSS). Research and training facilities for specific areas include the following: For East Asia, the East Asia Library, with a comprehensive collection of manuscripts, books, and serials on China, Japan, and Korea. In addition, the University is affiliated with the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies in Beijing, language programs in Japan and the People's Republic of China sponsored by the Council on International Educational Exchange, the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama, and other programs which provide intensive language training for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. For descriptions of research facilities in other areas, see Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia as well as South Asia under the appropriate headings above. Financial Aid:Financial awards are made at the time of admission and during the course of a student’s time at JSIS. Funding guarantees for consecutive years is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. All accepted doctoral candidates are automatically considered for fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. Financial support is available on a competitive basis to U.S. citizens and permanent residents in the form of Title VI Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships. Additional funding comes from the master’s-level programs as well as other sources in the Jackson School. |
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