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International Bachelor of Arts (iBA)

LA&PS is home to a unique international bachelor’s degree which prepares you for success in the global workforce and provides international perspectives and experiences.

The iBA program reflects York's continuing commitment to providing you with the opportunities to gain international experience and skills. You will have the opportunity to learn a new language and complete a term abroad, providing you with the cross-cultural knowledge that is in demand in today's global workplace.

These additions to your BA will help distinguish you and your degree!

iBA Benefits

Gain a Globally Recognized Credential 

Increase Your Intercultural Understanding & Global Awareness

Strengthen Your Language & Communication Skills

Open Doors to International Study & Career Opportunities

Programs


university student back to school

Choose among the Honours iBA, Honours Double Major or Honours Major/Minor in 11 specializations:

Requirements


Students are required to complete internationally-oriented courses (12 credits), language courses (18 credits) and an international exchange with one of York University's 120+ global partners within the 120 credits.

What is the difference between an Honours BA and an Honours iBA? Check out the detailed breakdown.

Internationally-Oriented Courses Requirement

Complete ANTH 2300 3.00 plus at least 9 credits of internationally-oriented courses.

Language Requirement

At least 18 credits in a modern language offered by York University.

Academic Exchange Requirement

At least one full term abroad as a full-time student at one of York University’s 120+ exchange partners.

Happy woman studying English in London and walking down the street carrying notebooks while smiling

Internationally-Oriented Courses Requirement


To pursue the iBA, you will need to complete ANTH 2300 3.00 - Intercultural Training Skills, plus at least 9 credits of internationally-oriented courses to be completed from the list of pre-approved courses; these courses can be additional courses in your major.

ANTH 2300 prepares you to negotiate learning goals in a cross-cultural context while on university exchange. Topics covered may include culture, participant observation, culture shock, risk & safety, managing intercultural conflict, friendship, travel, politeness, cleanliness, gender & sexuality, gifts, poverty, religion and health. (This course should be completed before the term(s) abroad.)

See below for pre-approved internationally-oriented courses. To select other courses to fill this requirement, consult with your iBA Coordinator.

Candid portrait of young Asian student studying in public park. She's sitting on the grass and is looking happy

Language Requirement


Language credits: at least 18 credits in a modern language offered by York University, including the advanced-level course in the chosen language.

A student may be exempted from some of the language requirement credits if he/she has a degree of fluency in a language. If an iBA student is fluent in a language, he/she may undergo an examination to test language proficiency by the Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics (or the Department of French Studies for French language). Students exempted from one or more of the language courses may substitute the required credits with another language or cultural course. Please speak with your program iBA Coordinator for more details.

Young caucasian slim tourist woman visiting Budapest. Walking over Heroes' Square with luggage and map.

Academic Exchange Requirement


International exchange: at least one full term abroad as a full-time student at one of York University’s 120+ exchange partners. Course credits earned on exchange will be transferred to the degree, and can be classified as fulfilling major, internationally-oriented, language, or free choice credit requirements.

Students are recommended to apply during second year in order to spend their third year abroad. By third year, students should have adapted to the demands of university life and have the skills required for study in a foreign teaching environment. Those in their final year of studies have less flexibility in course selection and may experience increased difficulties in finding courses abroad.

All academic exchanges are organized through the Office of York International.

Pre-approved Internationally-oriented Courses


Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/ANTH 1120*6.00Making Sense of a Changing World: Anthropology Today
AP/ANTH 21006.00Global Capitalism, Culture and Conflict
AP/ANTH 31206.00The Anthropology of Tourism
AP/ANTH 34106.00Race, Ethnicity, and Nationalism: Us and Them

*This course is an approved LA&PS General Education course, it cannot be used to satisfy both the General Education Degree Requirement and the International-Oriented Course Requirement.

Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/CMDS 37703.00Transnational Media Cultures and Global Youth
Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/EN 31753.00Travel Writing in English
Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/HIST 10306.00Imperialism and Nationalism in Modern Asia
Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/HUMA 1770*6.00One World: Historical and Cultural Perspectives on Globalization
AP/HUMA 18606.00Nation of Religion
AP/HUMA 23106.00The Caribbean and Canada: Culture, Identity and Diaspora
AP/HUMA 26006.00Humanities for a Global Age

*This course is an approved LA&PS General Education course, it cannot be used to satisfy both the General Education Degree Requirement and the International-Oriented Course Requirement.

Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/HREQ 1910* (cross-listed w/ AP/SOSC 1910)6.00The Global South, Human Rights and Development
AP/HREQ 1960 (cross-listed w/ AP/SOSC 1960)6.00Indigenous Resistance in Global Contexts
AP/HREQ 3595 (cross-listed w/ AP/PHIL 3595)3.00International Ethics

*This course is an approved LA&PS General Education course, it cannot be used to satisfy both the General Education Degree Requirement and the International-Oriented Course Requirement.

Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/ARB 27006.00Introduction to Arabic Culture
AP/CH 3790/37916.00Contemporary Chinese Culture Through Literary Texts and Film (Course 3791 is in Translation)
AP/HND 37103.00Contemporary Literatures of the South Asian Diaspora
AP/JP 27006.00Contemporary Japanese Culture and Society
AP/KOR 36003.00Contemporary Korean Culture
Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/POLS 29406.00Introduction to International Politics
AP/POLS 29506.00States and Societies in the Global Context : Introduction to Comparative Politics
AP/POLS 32403.00Multilateralism I: The United Nations, Regional Organizations and International Law
AP/POLS 32503.00Multilateralism II: The Political Economy of International Organizations
AP/POLS 3260 (cross-listed w/ AP/MIST 3260)6.00War and Peace in the Middle East
AP/POLS 34103.00Globalization, State Theory and City Regions
AP/POLS 35153.00China: 21st Century Superpower
AP/POLS 3553 (cross-listed w/ AP/SOSC 3410)6.00Political Economy of Latin America and the Caribbean
AP/POLS 35703.00Africa: The Politics of Transition and Resistance
AP/POLS 39003.00Local to Global: City and Nation in the Age of Globalization
Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/PPAS 3560/3569 (cross-listed w/ AP/ECON 3560/3569)3.00Economic Policy in Developing Countries
Course CodeCredit ValueCourse Title
AP/SOSC 1430*9.00Introduction to International Development Studies
AP/SOSC 34806.00Culture, Democracy and Development in Africa

*This course is an approved LA&PS General Education course, it cannot be used to satisfy both the General Education Degree Requirement and the International-Oriented Course Requirement.

iBA Coordinators

iBA MajorCoordinatorEmailDepartment Contact
AnthropologyLisa Davidsonupdanth@yorku.caDepartment of Anthropology
Communication & Media StudiesCasey Mecijacmdsupd@yorku.caDepartment of Communication & Media Studies
French StudiesLuke Arnasonfrenud@yorku.caDepartment of French Studies
German StudiesChristina Kraenzlekraenzle@yorku.caDepartment of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
Global Political StudiesDennis Pilonpolschr@yorku.caDepartment of Politics
HistoryStephen Brookechairhis@yorku.caDepartment of History
HumanitiesAvron Kulakakulak@yorku.caDepartment of Humanities
Italian StudiesSamia Tawwababdeltaw@yorku.caDepartment of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
Philosophy of LawMichael Giudicegiudice@yorku.caDepartment of Philosophy
PoliticsDennis Pilonpolschr@yorku.caDepartment of Politics
Sexuality StudiesNick Mulésxtcoord@yorku.caSchool of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies

Questions?

Do you have any general questions about iBA degree programs offered in LA&PS that are not answered here or by the Program Coordinators listed above? Connect with the LA&PS Study Abroad team at studyabr@yorku.ca for more information.