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International Security Studies
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  1. Home
  2. Programs
  3. Undergraduate
  4. International Security Studies
  5. Interdisciplinary Honors

Interdisciplinary Honors

IHN
  • Institute for International Studies opens in a new tab
Program Minimum Units
10 Units
Interests
Community Engagement & Organizing, Government, Politics & Current Events
Academic Areas
Social Sciences, Law

Overview

The CISAC Interschool Honors Program in International Security Studies provides an opportunity for seniors from all undergraduate schools and majors to conduct rigorous, scholarly research on international security issues, and to graduate with Honors in International Security Studies. The conferral of Honors is in addition to the student's major, which may be in any department or program. Students are admitted to the Honors Program on a competitive basis, with applications due winter quarter of junior year. The CISAC Honors Program has drawn students from 28 different departments and programs since its inception in 2000 and has an alumni network of over 200 students. Alumni consistently cite multiple strengths of the program, including the inclusion of undergraduates in CISAC's vibrant intellectual environment, highly personalized attention from faculty, the program's unique focus within the university and beyond, and the program's interdisciplinary character.

Applying to the Honors Program: Application forms can be found here opens in a new tab when they open for submission in early-December. Applications are due in mid-February. There is also an information session on the application process and the program itself in late-January.

Requirements

Program Requirements

Requirements Overview

The program has five requirements:

  • Required Preparatory Coursework: Select any two courses to complete as required as part of the application process. These courses do not count towards the units required for completion of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program.

    • EPS 194 - Technology, National Security, and Sustainability

    • INTNLREL 115 - Spies, Lies, and Algorithms

    • POLISCI 114S - International Security in a Changing World

  • Policy Relevant Internship: Policy relevance is broadly defined. In addition to policy-focused institutions like government bodies or think tanks, this can include work at corporations and technology companies engaged in international business with significant policy implications. This internship must be completed prior to the start of senior year.

  • Honors College: The CISAC Honors College, which takes place during early September in Washington D.C., is associated with the Bing Honors College and is free-of-charge for all students enrolled in the program.

  • Honors Seminars:

    • IIS 198: This 1-unit course takes place in the spring quarter of students' junior year and provides an introduction to the thesis research process.

    • IIS 199: This year-long course guides students through the thesis drafting process. This course is 3-5 units per quarter; 9-15 units total upon completion of all 3 quarters.

  • Honors Thesis: Completion of an original research thesis represents the culmination of the Honors Program. Submission of theses to the Stanford Electronic Repository is a requirement for Honors conferral.

Core Required Courses

IIS 198 to be completed in the spring of the student's junior year, followed by IIS 199 in the fall-spring quarters of their senior year. IIS 199 culminates in a thesis on the topic of international security.

Complete all of the following course(s):
IIS 198

Interschool Honors Program in International Security Studies

1 Units
IIS 199

Interschool Honors Program in International Security Studies

3-5 Units

Required Preparatory Coursework

Additional course requirements considered as part of the application process. These courses do not count towards the units required for completion of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program.

Complete at least 2 of the following courses:
EPS 194

Technology, International Security, and Sustainability

3-4 Units
INTNLREL 115

Spies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence

5 Units
POLISCI 114S

International Security in a Changing World

5 Units