Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (B.A.I.S.) degree empowers students to critically evaluate international affairs from an interdisciplinary perspective while preparing them for professional careers or further graduate study. BAIS students learn to engage the world around them through a challenging course of study that blends history, political science, economics, anthropology, and sociology. They specialize in International Relations, International Development, or Middle Eastern Studies.

Program Details

The International Studies program at AUD is interdisciplinary in every way. It addresses an increasingly urgent set of global concerns by instilling in its graduates transferrable skills, including critical thinking, data analysis, research, and writing. Our graduates continue to prove highly successful in attaining post-graduate positions in some of the best European and American graduate schools; they also become leaders in the marketplace, regionally as well as internationally.

The 124-hour, 4-year program allows students to select a specialization from one of three tracks:

• International Relations Track
• International Development Track
• Middle Eastern Studies Track

All students must meet the following credit hours to complete the degree.

Course Classification

Course Classification	Credit Hours Required
International Studies Core	39
International Studies Core Languages	16
Track Electives	24
Arts & Sciences Core	36
General Electives	9
Total	124

Facilities

Located on the main campus of AUD, the School of Arts & Sciences is conveniently positioned in the center of campus, within the cafeteria and food court buildings, and houses a gym, library, and many other facilities.

Admissions Entry

All applying students must have:

• A high school/secondary school certificate or equivalent from an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education in the U.A.E. or by the relevant national or regional institutional accrediting body;
• International TOEFL or Academic IELTS or the equivalent score on another internationally-recognized English exam.

Career

Graduates of International Studies go on to pursue further study or careers in various sectors, including:

• Government Service
• Diplomacy
• Security and Intelligence
• International Organizations
• Nongovernmental Organizations
• Research and Policy Think Tanks
• International Law
• International Banking
• International Business
• International Development
• Journalism- International Reporting or War Correspondent
• Public Relations
• Academia

Faculty

The faculty includes:

• Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor of English
• Chair of the Department of International and Middle Eastern Studies and Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies
• Program Director, Master of Arts in International Affairs and Associate Professor of Political Science
• Associate Professor of Sociology
• Assistant Professor of Anthropology
• Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Arabic
• Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies
• Assistant Professor of History
• Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the degree program, students will be able to:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing at an intermediate level in a language other than English;
• Demonstrate understanding of the connections between culture, business, economics, and politics;
• Apply the principles of political science to analyze key topics in international affairs and the interconnection between local and global geo-political issues and events;
• Synthesize fundamental tenets of business and economics with increased awareness and basic understanding of how international corporations and global markets operate;
• Critically examine personal values, religious beliefs, social norms, and issues coming from diverse cultures, world views, and experiences;
• Identify historical events, issues, and themes which have shaped current world conditions.