Focusing on the social and cultural aspects of countries, International Studies is a growing interdisciplinary field that spans the humanities and social sciences. Given an emphasis on history, culture, feminist theory and philosophy, critical race theory, and various forms of artistic expression, International Studies courses at Alexander College address content that is deeply embedded the humanities, while also delving into topics traditionally associated with political science, economics, sociology, and anthropology.
Select a course below to see full descriptions. (#) Indicates amount of credits per course
This course analyzes how global forces and processes affect individuals, nation-states, and the global community. The integration of capital, technology, and information across national borders reflects the emergence of a global society. As such it is appropriate that issues such as war, peace, environmental collapse, cultural transformation, and social justice ought to be examined as global and no longer only national concerns. This course considers politics, economics, institutional transformation, religion, environmental issues, and alternatives to globalization, and is constructed in the spirit of interdisciplinary scholarship that has been at the heart of the development of International and Global Studies.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 099
Transfer to:
UBC POLI 1st (3)
SFU IS 101 (3) B-Hum/Soc
UVIC POLI 240 (1.5)
UNBC INTS 100 (3)
TRU POLI 2600 (3)
China’s drive for modernization is explored with reference to the role of the Communist Party, the government and the individual.
A survey of domestic policy and international relations. Students will draw upon a variety of sources: text readings, scholarly journals, popular literature, film/video assignments, and internet (www) sources in this interdisciplinary study of Chinese society.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 098
Transfer to:
UBC ASIA 1st (3)
SFU HIST 2XX (3), B-Hum/Soc
UVIC HSTR 265B (1.5)
UNBC INTS 204 (3)
TRU SSEL 1XXX (3)
*Prior to Fall 2024 term, this course was listed as ASIA 100
Japan’s place in the world is explored with reference to the government, the Imperial family, society and the individual. A survey of domestic policy and international relations. Students will draw upon a variety of sources: text readings, scholarly journals, popular literature, film/video assignments, and internet (www) sources in this interdisciplinary study of Japanese society.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 098
Transfer to:
UBC ASIA 1st (3)
SFU ASC 201 (3), B-Hum. Transfer credit granted once for ALEX ASIA 101 or ALEX ASIA 201
UVIC HSTR 2XX (1.5)
UNBC INTS 203 (3)
TRU SSEL 1XXX (3)
*Prior to Fall 2024 term, this course was listed as ASIA 101
This course covers selected aspects of Chinese history with an emphasis on cultural factors which have shaped Chinese viewpoints and perspectives. Modern themes will be placed in geographical and historical context.
Students will draw upon a variety of sources: text readings, traditional art and literature, film/video assignments, and internet (www) sources in this interdisciplinary study of Chinese society.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 099
Transfer to:
UBC ASIA 2nd (3)
SFU ASC 200 (3), B-Hum
UVIC HSTR 265B (1.5)
UNBC INTS 2XX (3)
TRU HUEL 1XXX (3)
*Prior to Fall 2024 term, this course was listed as ASIA 200
This course covers selected aspects of Japanese history with an emphasis on cultural factors which have shaped Japanese viewpoints and perspectives. Modern themes will be placed in geographical and historical context.
Students will draw upon a variety of sources: text readings, traditional art and literature, film/video assignments, and internet (www) sources in this interdisciplinary study of Japanese society.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 099
Transfer to:
UBC ASIA 2nd (3)
SFU ASC 201 (3), B-Hum. Transfer credit granted once for ALEX ASIA 101 or ALEX ASIA 201
UVIC HSTR 2XX (1.5)
UNBC INTS 2XX (3)
TRU JAPA 2XXX (3)
*Prior to Fall 2024 term, this course was listed as ASIA 201
This course introduces Japanese popular culture as seen in manga, anime, TV dramas, cinema, advertising, literature, music, food, and fashion.
The themes focus on the representation of gender and sexuality, cultural/national identity and ethnicity, and the impact of globalization.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 099
Transfer to:
UBC ASIA 2nd (3)
SFU ASC 202 (3)
UVIC PAAS 2XX (1.5)
UNBC INTS 2XX (3)
TRU SSEL 2XXX (3)
*Prior to Fall 2024 term, this course was listed as ASIA 202
The interdisciplinary approach in this field will expose students to multimodal instructional methods including music appreciation, interactive role-playing and communications games, flipped classrooms and group presentations, and of course, traditional lectures.
The eclectic nature of the subject matter requires mixed pedagogical and learning approaches.
International studies graduates work in all sectors of life and their skills with intercultural understanding, collaborative problem-solving in diverse groups, and general knowledge about all matter global and international leave them well-placed in the community.
Scholars of international studies are often employed by international non-governmental organizations and supranational institutions, in national government, in global multi-national corporation, in research and think tanks, in the media and in journalism and various international cultural and educational milieu all around the world.
Our essentially global society will consistently require the diverse and practical knowledge that students of international studies develop in their scholarship with their instructors and professors – and that knowledge is increasingly what is demanded of leaders in all kinds of organizations.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
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