90 credits minimum
The Associate in Integrated Studies Degree with the Global Studies Emphasis prepares students for the myriad of academic, interpersonal, and professional opportunities and challenges posed by transformations within the world. More specifically, students who successfully complete this degree take a strong proactive step toward competency in a different language, are able to engage and negotiate multiple perspectives and analyze intercultural issues and develop increased global awareness and a better appreciation of the common human destiny and dignity shared by all in the world.
Upon successful completion of this degree a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate interdisciplinary understanding of an increasingly interconnected world in which economies, environments, cultures and societies are being transformed through transnational forces. The AIS-GS curriculum encourages learning of cultural, historical, socioeconomic and political experiences in a global context
- Better compete in professional areas which increasingly emphasize global and language training and competency. These include education, international law, business, media, sustainable development and government
- Access, process, construct, and express knowledge across cultures; develop an increased awareness of a global context for ideas and facts; take responsibility for encountering and mastering new knowledge
- Learn actively and gain comprehensive understanding; think critically, creatively, and reflectively in order to solve problems; communicate with clarity and originality for personal growth and productive work; and interact in diverse and complex environments and complicated, dynamic, and ambiguous situations
Completion Requirements
The Associate in Integrated Studies Degree is a direct transfer degree that requires at least 90 credit hours in college level courses (numbered 100 or above), a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average, a minimum of 25 credits in residence at Cascadia, and completion of all of the requirements for this degree. Students must meet with an advisor to complete and submit an application for graduation.
General Education Core Courses
Foundations for College Success
Must be completed within the first 30 credits.
Communication
Quantitative or Symbolic Reasoning
Equity, Diversity, and Power Requirement
Students must complete a 150-series EDP course and at least one more additional EDP-designated course-- totaling ten (10) credits-- to meet the Equity, Diversity, and Power completion requirement. EDP courses in the 150-series ground students in the needed cognitive tools and background to critically analyze their position in our increasingly interconnected, complex, and diverse world so they can pursue further study and seek out their careers more intentionally. EDP designated courses may also apply toward Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science, or General Elective distribution requirements as indicated. See the Cascadia catalog for the complete list of EDP-designated courses.
Global Studies Distribution Requirement
Students must complete a minimum of 45 college-level courses (numbered 100 or above) from the Global Studies Emphasis (GS) distribution area with at least ten credits in each of the program requirement areas below. These courses can be within the General Education Core Courses, any of the Distribution Requirements, or the Program Electives.
Humanities Distribution Requirement
Courses must be from at least two different disciplines. No more than five credits may be included from courses designated HP as performance/skills, applied theory, or lecture/studio courses. Only five credits of world language or ASL at the 100 level may be included. CMST 150, GS 150, HIST 150, or HUMAN 150 may be used to fulfill 5 credits of the Humanities Distribution requirement.
Social Sciences Distribution Requirement
Students must complete courses from at least two different disciplines. GS 150, HIST 150, or SOC 150 may be used to fulfill 5 credits of the Social Sciences Distribution requirement.
Natural Sciences Distribution Requirement
Students must complete courses from at least two different disciplines and include at least five credits of a lab course (LAB). At least 10 credits required in physical, earth, and/or biological sciences.
Program Required Elective Credits
Students must complete sufficient elective credits in college-level courses (numbered 100 or above) to bring the total credits for the AIS degree to 90, which must include 45 credits from GS designated courses. No more than 10 credits may be included from Restricted Elective list.
In addition:
- Students must complete or show competency at (a) the 221 level in a single world language, OR (b) the 123 level in one world language and any five-credit course in an additional world language.*
AND - Students must complete:
- A credit-bearing course with a globally focused community-based learning component.
OR - A credit-bearing study abroad experience. (International students on a student visa who satisfactorily complete a credit-bearing course at Cascadia College would have completed the Study Abroad requirement.)
OR - A globally focused internship.
*Cascadia College recognizes prior learning in world languages. To demonstrate that the world language requirement for the GS has been met through prior learning, students must demonstrate equivalent language competency by: - A 200-level placement on a language proficiency exam.
OR - A high school transcript showing successful completion of the equivalent language level with a grade of 2.0 or higher.
OR - Proof of completion of one-year of high school or one credit-bearing college-level course in a language other than English.
- A credit-bearing course with a globally focused community-based learning component.