A group of students in Wisconsin apparel posing for the camera in front of rugged green mountains and ancient ruins

The Business: International Business, BBA no longer admits new students after Summer 2023 and the program will be discontinued Fall 2028. If you have any questions, please contact the department (see contact box).

Students interested in this area of study should pursue the new Certificate in International Business.

The international business major helps students develop an understanding of the global macroeconomic environment and the complexities of cross-border transactions. International business is an interdisciplinary field and courses focus on knowledge acquisition as well as application of concepts. A selected regional emphasis provides a platform to gain language and area studies knowledge that often underpins successful adaptation for regional and local markets. The embedded study abroad requirement helps students develop cross-cultural awareness and skills.

International business careers span industries and economic sectors, and business functions and geographies, and often include domestic positions with global scope. Positions in international business involve strategy, leadership, research, government relations, creativity, technical expertise, and cultural fluency.

How to Get in

The Business: International Business, BBA no longer admits new students after Summer 2023 and the program will be discontinued Fall 2028. If you have any questions, please contact the department (see contact box).

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.

General Education
  • Breadth—Humanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • Breadth—Natural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • Breadth—Social Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A & Part B
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

Business: International Business Major Requirements

International business responsibilities and careers typically arise after graduates first develop skills in a functional area of business, such as marketing, finance, management and operations.  This functional expertise typically drives initial career placement and advancement. Therefore, the international business major must be paired with another major within the School of Business.

Some international business issues are global in nature, but many challenges and opportunities faced by multinational firms are regional and local in nature and often arise due to differences in institutions, politics and cultures among nations. This 'glocal' reality means that international business leaders must possess both global and local awareness. To develop some perspective on regional and local cultural issues, international business majors select a geographic region of emphasis and select language and area studies courses accordingly. Studying abroad on an approved program in the selected region of emphasis for one fall or spring semester is also required for the major. 

A student must complete a minimum of 24 credits, distributed as follows: 

Required Course
INTL BUS 200International Business3
International Business Coursework
Select 9 credits from the following. A minimum of 3 credits must be from the International Business (INTL BUS) department.9
Intercultural Communication in Business
Contemporary Topics
Global Issues in Management
Global Marketing Strategy
Multinational Business Finance
Latin American Economic Development
Globalization, Poverty and Development
The Growth and Development of Nations in the Global Economy
Study Abroad in Intermediate Economics
Study Abroad in Advanced Economics
International Trade
International Industrial Organizations
Economic Growth and Development in Southeast Asia
Economic Problems of Developing Areas
Global Interdisciplinary Perspective
Select one course from the following:3
World Regions in Global Context
Introduction to International Studies
Cultural Anthropology and Human Diversity
Introduction to International Relations
Coursework in Foreign Language and Area Studies
Select 9 credits of approved coursework for the specified region (found below)9
Semester Abroad
Complete a semester abroad on an approved program within the region of emphasis selected (found below)
Total Credits24

Regions of Emphasis

Students must take 9 credits of language or area studies courses applicable to the region of emphasis. It is recommended to take at least one 3 credit language course applicable to your study abroad destination (unless the official language of that nation is English). Students must also choose a study abroad program that aligns with their region of emphasis. 

Africa

Study Abroad Programs

  • South Africa, Cape Town: Univ of Cape Town Exchange (ISP-CPTOWN)

Language Courses

Arabic
First Semester Arabic
Second Semester Arabic
Third Semester Arabic
Fourth Semester Arabic
Fifth Semester Arabic
Sixth Semester Arabic
Hausa
First Semester Hausa
Second Semester Hausa
Swahili
First Semester Swahili
Second Semester Swahili
Third Semester Swahili
Fourth Semester Swahili
Wolof
First Semester-A Language of West Africa
Second Semester-A Language of West Africa
Third Semester-A Language of West Africa
Fourth Semester-A Language of West Africa
Zulu
First Semester-A Language of Southern Africa
Second Semester-A Language of Southern Africa

Area Studies Courses

A A E/​ECON  477Agricultural and Economic Development in Africa3
AFRICAN 100Introduction to African Cultural Expression3
AFRICAN/​HISTORY  129Africa on the Global Stage3-4
AFRICAN 201Introduction to African Literature3
AFRICAN/​FOLKLORE  210The African Storyteller3
AFRICAN 212Introduction to African Popular Culture3
AFRICAN/​AFROAMER  220HipHop, Youth Culture, and Politics in Senegal3
AFRICAN 230Introduction to Yoruba Life and Culture3
AFRICAN 231Introduction to Arabic Literary Culture3
AFRICAN/​AFROAMER  233Global HipHop and Social Justice3
AFRICAN/​AFROAMER/​ANTHRO/​GEOG/​HISTORY/​POLI SCI/​SOC  277Africa: An Introductory Survey4
AFRICAN/​AFROAMER/​HISTORY/​POLI SCI  297African and African-American Linkages: An Introduction4
AFRICAN 300African Literature in Translation3
AFRICAN 303African Literature and Visual Culture3
AFRICAN/​ASIAN/​RELIG ST  370Islam: Religion and Culture3-4
AFRICAN 402Theory of African Literature3-4
AFRICAN 405Topics in African Cultural Studies3
AFRICAN 412Contemporary African Fiction3
AFRICAN/​AFROAMER  413Contemporary African and Caribbean Drama3-4
AFRICAN/​FRENCH  440African/Francophone Film3
AFRICAN/​PORTUG  451Lusophone African Literature3
AFRICAN 605Advanced Topics in African Cultural Studies3
AFROAMER/​ART HIST  241Introduction to African Art and Architecture3
AFROAMER/​ART HIST  242Introduction to Afro-American Art3
AFROAMER/​DANCE/​MUSIC  318Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas3
AFROAMER/​HISTORY  347The Caribbean and its Diasporas3
AFROAMER/​AFRICAN  413Contemporary African and Caribbean Drama3-4
AFROAMER 675Selected Topics in African American Culture3
DANCE 118African Dance1
DANCE 2182
GEOG 355Africa, South of the Sahara3
HISTORY 179Afro-Atlantic Histories and Peoples, 1791-Present3-4
HISTORY/​RELIG ST  205The Making of the Islamic World: The Middle East, 500-15003-4
LITTRANS 226Introduction to Luso-Afro-Brazilian Literature3
POLI SCI 329African Politics3-4

East Asia

Study Abroad Programs

  • China, Beijing: Tsinghua University Exchange (ISP-TSIBUS)
  • Hong Kong:  City U Hong Kong Exchange (ISP-CITHKB)
  • Hong Kong:  Hong Kong Univ Sci & Tech Exch (ISP-HKUSTB)
  • Japan, Tokyo: Sophia University Exchange (ISP-SOPHIA)
  • South Korea, Seoul: Yonsei University Exchange (ISP-SEOYON)

Language Courses

Chinese
First Semester Chinese
Second Semester Chinese
Elementary Chinese I
Elementary Chinese II
Third Semester Chinese
Fourth Semester Chinese
Fifth Semester Chinese
Sixth Semester Chinese
Chinese Conversation
Business Chinese
ASIALANG 401
Topics in Chinese Literature
Study Abroad in Chinese Topics
Survey of Chinese Film
Introduction to Chinese Linguistics
History of the Chinese Language
History of Chinese Literature I
Studies in Chinese Fiction
Chinese Language Pedagogy
Japanese
First Semester Japanese
Second Semester Japanese
First Semester Elementary Japanese
Second Semester Elementary Japanese
Third Semester Japanese
Fourth Semester Japanese
Fifth Semester Japanese
ASIALANG 304
Japanese Conversation
Business Japanese Communication
ASIALANG 403
Modern Japanese Literature
Lovers, Warriors and Monks: Survey of Japanese Literature
Language in Japanese Society
Love and Politics: The Tale of Genji
Study Abroad in Japanese Topics
Introduction to Japanese Linguistics
Readings in Classical Japanese Literature
Korean
First Semester Korean
Second Semester Korean
Third Semester Korean
Fourth Semester Korean
Fifth Semester Korean
Sixth Semester Korean
Seventh Semester Korean
Eighth Semester Korean

Area Studies Courses 

ANTHRO 357Introduction to the Anthropology of Japan3-4
ART HIST 411Topics in Asian Art3-4
ART HIST 4753
ART HIST 575Proseminar in Japanese Art3
ART HIST 576Proseminar in Chinese Art3
ASIAN/​HISTORY  103Introduction to East Asian History: China3-4
ASIAN/​HISTORY  104Introduction to East Asian History: Japan3-4
ASIAN/​HISTORY/​POLI SCI  255Introduction to East Asian Civilizations3-4
ASIAN 277Kendo: Integration of Martial Arts and Liberal Arts2
ASIAN 301Social Science Topics in Asian Studies3
ASIAN/​HISTORY/​RELIG ST  308Introduction to Buddhism3-4
ASIAN/​HISTORY  341History of Modern China, 1800-19493-4
ASIAN/​HISTORY  342History of the Peoples Republic of China, 1949 to the Present3-4
ASIAN 351Survey of Classical Chinese Literature3
ASIAN 352Survey of Modern Chinese Literature3
ASIAN 353Lovers, Warriors and Monks: Survey of Japanese Literature3
ASIAN 354Early Modern Japanese Literature3
ASIAN 375Survey of Chinese Film3
ASIAN 433Topics in East Asian Visual Cultures3
ASIAN/​HISTORY  454Samurai: History and Image3-4
ASIAN/​HISTORY  456Pearl Harbor & Hiroshima: Japan, the US & The Crisis in Asia3-4
ASIAN 563Readings in Modern Japanese Literature3
ASIAN 672Studies in Chinese Fiction3
HISTORY/​ASIAN  108Introduction to East Asian History - Korea3-4
HISTORY 336Chinese Economic and Business History: From Silk to iPhones3-4
LITTRANS 261Survey of Chinese Literature in Translation3
LITTRANS 263Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation3
LITTRANS 264Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation3
LITTRANS 373Topics in Japanese Literature3
POLI SCI 3463-4
THEATRE 526The Theatres of China and Japan3

Latin America and the Caribbean

Study Abroad Programs

  • Argentina, Buenos Aires:  IES Buenos Aires LA Soc & Cult (ISP-IESARG)

Language Courses

Spanish
First Semester Spanish
Second Semester Spanish
Third Semester Spanish
Fourth Semester Spanish
Introduction to Hispanic Cultures
Introduction to Hispanic Literatures
Intermediate Language Practice with Emphasis on Writing and Grammar
Advanced Language Practice
Topics in Spanish Language Practice
Spanish Phonetics
The Structure of Modern Spanish
Survey of Early Hispanic Literature
Survey of Modern Spanish Literature
Advanced Conversation
Survey of Spanish American Literature
Spanish Business Area Studies
Literature of the Castilian Middle Age (XII-XV centuries)
Introduction to the Romance Languages
Cervantes
Literature of the Twentieth Century
Spanish American Literature
The Spanish American Short Story
Spanish American Poetry and Essay
US Latinx/e Literature
Topics in Hispanic Culture
Topics in Latinx Culture
Undergraduate Seminars in Hispanic Literature/Culture/Linguistics
Hispanic Screen Studies
Study Abroad in Spanish Language Practice
Study Abroad in Spanish Linguistics
Study Abroad in Hispanic Literatures
Study Abroad in Hispanic Cultures
Border and Race Studies in Latin America
SPANISH 503
Old Spanish
SPANISH 545
Theory and Practice of Hispanic Theatre
Topics in Hispanic Linguistics
Senior Honors Thesis
Senior Honors Thesis
First Semester Senior Thesis
Second Semester Senior Thesis
Directed Study
Portuguese
First Semester Portuguese
Second Semester Portuguese
Third Semester Portuguese
Fourth Semester Portuguese
Introduction to Luso-Brazilian Literatures
Third Year Conversation and Composition
Third Year Conversation and Composition
Intensive Portuguese
Intensive Portuguese
Fourth Year Composition and Conversation
Fourth Year Composition and Conversation
History of the Portuguese Language
Survey of Portuguese Literature before 1825
Introduction to the Romance Languages
Brazillian Women Writers
Lusophone African Literature
Survey of Portuguese Literature since 1825
Survey of Brazilian Literature since 1890
Topics in Luso-Brazilian Literature
Quechua
Elementary Quechua
Elementary Quechua
Intermediate Quechua
Advanced Quechua
Yucatec Maya
First Semester Yucatec Maya
Second Semester Yucatec Maya

Area Studies Courses 

AFROAMER/​HISTORY  347The Caribbean and its Diasporas3
AFROAMER/​AFRICAN  413Contemporary African and Caribbean Drama3-4
ANTHRO 237Cut 'n' Mix: Music, Race, and Culture in the Caribbean3
GEN&WS/​PORTUG  450Brazillian Women Writers3
GEN&WS/​PORTUG  460Carmen Miranda3
HISTORY 179Afro-Atlantic Histories and Peoples, 1791-Present3-4
HISTORY/​INTL ST/​LACIS  242Modern Latin America4
HISTORY/​CHICLA/​LACIS/​POLI SCI  355Labor in the Americas: US & Mexico in Comparative & Historical Perspective3
HISTORY 403Immigration and Assimilation in American History3-4
HISTORY/​CHICLA  435Colony, Nation, and Minority: The Puerto Ricans' World3
HISTORY/​HIST SCI/​MED HIST  564Disease, Medicine and Public Health in the History of Latin America and the Caribbean3
LACIS/​AFROAMER/​ANTHRO/​C&E SOC/​GEOG/​HISTORY/​POLI SCI/​SOC/​SPANISH  260Latin America: An Introduction3-4
LACIS 440Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies1-4
LITTRANS 226Introduction to Luso-Afro-Brazilian Literature3
LITTRANS 252Spanish Literary Masterpieces in Translation3
POLI SCI/​CHICLA/​HISTORY  422Latino History and Politics3
POLI SCI/​INTL ST  431Contentious Politics3-4
PORTUG 221Introduction to Luso-Brazilian Literatures4
PORTUG 330History of the Portuguese Language3
PORTUG 361Portuguese Civilization3
PORTUG 362Brazilian Civilization3
PORTUG 467Survey of Portuguese Literature since 18253
PORTUG 468Survey of Brazilian Literature since 18903
PORTUG 573Study Abroad in Portuguese Topics1-6
PORTUG 640Topics in Luso-Brazilian Literature3
PORTUG 642Topics in Luso-Brazilian Culture3
SOC/​CHICLA  470Sociodemographic Analysis of Mexican Migration3
SPANISH 223Introduction to Hispanic Cultures3
SPANISH 224Introduction to Hispanic Literatures3
SPANISH 324Survey of Modern Spanish Literature3
SPANISH 326Survey of Spanish American Literature3
SPANISH 359Spanish Business Area Studies3
SPANISH 361Spanish Civilization3
SPANISH 363Spanish American Civilization3
SPANISH 435Cervantes3
SPANISH 453Literature of the Twentieth Century3
SPANISH 460Spanish American Literature3
SPANISH 461The Spanish American Short Story3
SPANISH 464Spanish American Poetry and Essay3
SPANISH 468Topics in Hispanic Culture3
SPANISH 470Undergraduate Seminars in Hispanic Literature/Culture/Linguistics3
SPANISH 472Hispanic Screen Studies3
SPANISH 475Study Abroad in Hispanic Literatures1-4
SPANISH 476Study Abroad in Hispanic Cultures1-4

Middle East

Study Abroad Programs

  • Israel, Tel Aviv: Tel Aviv University (ISP-AVIV)

Language Courses

Arabic
First Semester Arabic
Second Semester Arabic
Third Semester Arabic
Fourth Semester Arabic
Fifth Semester Arabic
Sixth Semester Arabic
Hebrew
First Semester Hebrew
Second Semester Hebrew
Third Semester Hebrew
Fourth Semester Hebrew
Introduction to Hebrew Literature
Turkish
First Semester Turkish
Second Semester Turkish
Third Semester Turkish
Fourth Semester Turkish
Fifth Semester Turkish and Azeri
Sixth Semester Turkish and Azeri
Persian
First Semester Persian
Second Semester Persian
Third Semester Persian
Fourth Semester Persian
Fifth Semester Persian
Sixth Semester Persian

Area Studies Courses

AFRICAN/​ASIAN/​RELIG ST  370Islam: Religion and Culture3-4
ART HIST 201History of Western Art I: From Pyramids to Cathedrals4
ART HIST 305History of Islamic Art and Architecture3
ART HIST/​ASIAN  379Cities of Asia3
ART HIST 413Art and Architecture in the Age of the Caliphs3
ART HIST 440Art and Power in the Arab World3
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  206The Qur'an: Religious Scripture & Literature3
HISTORY 139Introduction to the Modern Middle East3-4
HISTORY/​JEWISH  220Introduction to Modern Jewish History4
INTL ST 266Introduction to the Middle East3
JEWISH/​LITTRANS  318Modern Jewish Literature3-4
JEWISH 356Jerusalem, Holy City of Conflict and Desire3
POLI SCI/​JEWISH  341Israeli Politics and Society3-4
POLI SCI 529Arab-Israeli Conflict3-4

Russia, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Study Abroad Programs

  • Czech Republic, Prague: CET Academic Prog Prague (ISP-PRAGCZ)

Language Courses

Czech
First Semester Czech
Second Semester Czech
Third Semester Czech
Fourth Semester Czech
First Semester Intensive Czech
Second Semester Intensive Czech
Fourth Semester Intensive Czech
Kazakh
First Semester Kazakh
Second Semester Kazakh
Third Semester Kazakh
Fourth Semester Kazakh
Fifth Semester Kazakh
Sixth Semester Kazakh
Polish
First Semester Polish
Second Semester Polish
Third Semester Polish
Fourth Semester Polish
Third Year Polish I
Third Year Polish II
Introduction to Intensive Polish
Fourth Year Polish I
Fourth Year Polish II
History of Polish Literature until 1863
SLAVIC 472
Russian
First Semester Russian
Second Semester Russian
Intensive Second Year Russian
Intensive Second Year Russian
Third Semester Russian
Fourth Semester Russian
Third Year Russian I
Third Year Russian II
Russian Language and Culture I
Russian Language and Culture II
Fourth Year Russian I
Fourth Year Russian II
Women in Russian Literature
Chekhov
Gogol
Dostoevsky
Tolstoy
Serbo-Croatian
SLAVIC 141
SLAVIC 142
Third Semester Serbo-Croatian
Fourth Semester Serbo-Croatian
SLAVIC 341
SLAVIC 342
SLAVIC 449

Area Studies Courses 

ASIAN/​AFRICAN/​RELIG ST  370Islam: Religion and Culture3-4
FOLKLORE/​LITTRANS  347In Translation: Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore3-4
FOLKLORE/​RELIG ST  352Shamanism3
FOLKLORE 4443
GNS/​HISTORY  265An Introduction to Central Asia: From the Silk Route to Afghanistan3
HISTORY/​GEOG/​POLI SCI/​SLAVIC  253Russia: An Interdisciplinary Survey4
HISTORY/​GEOG/​POLI SCI/​SLAVIC  254Eastern Europe: An Interdisciplinary Survey4
HISTORY 350The First World War and the Shaping of Twentieth-Century Europe3-4
HISTORY 357The Second World War3-4
HISTORY 359History of Europe Since 19453-4
HISTORY 419History of Soviet Russia3-4
HISTORY 420Russian Social and Intellectual History3-4
HISTORY 424The Soviet Union and the World, 1917-19913-4
HISTORY/​CURRIC/​ED POL/​JEWISH  515Holocaust: History, Memory and Education3
LITTRANS 201Survey of 19th and 20th Century Russian Literature in Translation I3
LITTRANS 202Survey of 19th and 20th Century Russian Literature in Translation II3
LITTRANS 203Survey of 19th and 20th Century Russian Literature in Translation I4
LITTRANS 204Survey of 19th and 20th Century Russian Literature in Translation II4
LITTRANS/​GEN&WS  205Women in Russian Literature in Translation3-4
LITTRANS 208The Writings of Vaclav Havel: Crtitique of Modern Society3
LITTRANS 220Chekhov: The Drama of Modern Life3
LITTRANS 221Russia's Greatest Enigma: Nikolai Gogol3
LITTRANS 222Dostoevsky in Translation3-4
LITTRANS/​ENGL  223Vladimir Nabokov: Russian and American Writings3
LITTRANS 224Tolstoy in Translation3-4
LITTRANS 229Representation of the Jew in Eastern European Cultures3
LITTRANS 234Soviet Life and Culture Through Literature and Art (from 1917)3-4
LITTRANS 2413
LITTRANS 247Topics in Slavic Literatures in Translation3
LITTRANS/​GERMAN/​JEWISH  269Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe3
LITTRANS/​FOLKLORE  327Vampires3
LITTRANS/​THEATRE  423In Translation: Slavic Drama in Context3
LITTRANS 4543
LITTRANS 4733
POLI SCI 334Russian Politics3-4
POLI SCI 340The European Union: Politics and Political Economy3-4
POLI SCI 6593-4
SCAND ST/​FOLKLORE  443Sami Culture, Yesterday and Today4
SCAND ST/​MEDIEVAL  444Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore4
SLAVIC 2423
SLAVIC 245Topics in Slavic Literatures3
SLAVIC 285Slavic Culture in Context: An Honors Course3
SLAVIC 405Women in Russian Literature3-4
SLAVIC 420Chekhov3-4
SLAVIC 421Gogol3-4
SLAVIC 422Dostoevsky3-4
SLAVIC 424Tolstoy3-4

South Asia 

Study Abroad Programs

  • There are currently no approved study abroad programs available in this region; international business majors should select another region of emphasis.  This information will be updated when an approved program becomes available.

Language Courses

Hindi
First Semester Hindi
Second Semester Hindi
Third Semester Hindi
Fourth Semester Hindi
Fifth Semester Hindi
Sixth Semester Hindi
Persian
First Semester Persian
Second Semester Persian
Third Semester Persian
Fourth Semester Persian
Fifth Semester Persian
Sixth Semester Persian
Tibetan
First Semester Modern Tibetan
Second Semester Modern Tibetan
Third Semester Modern Tibetan
Fourth Semester Modern Tibetan
Urdu
First Semester Urdu
Second Semester Urdu
Third Semester Urdu
Fourth Semester Urdu
Fifth Semester Urdu
Sixth Semester Urdu

Area Studies Courses

ART HIST 305History of Islamic Art and Architecture3
ART HIST/​ASIAN  428Visual Cultures of India3
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  218History of Medicine in South Asia3-4
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  236Asia Enchanted: Ghosts, Gods, and Monsters3
ASIAN 252Contemporary Indian Society3
ASIAN 268Tibetan Cultures and Traditions3
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  274Religion in South Asia3
ASIAN 3113
ASIAN/​AFRICAN/​RELIG ST  370Islam: Religion and Culture3-4
ASIAN/​ART HIST  379Cities of Asia3
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  430Indian Traditions in the Modern Age3
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  460The History of Yoga3
ASIAN 4633
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  466Buddhist Thought3
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  473Meditation in Indian Buddhism and Hinduism3
ASIAN/​ENGL  478Indian Writers Abroad: Literature, Diaspora and Globalization3
ASIAN 600Capstone Seminar in Asian Humanities3
ASIAN 630Proseminar: Studies in Cultures of Asia3
COM ARTS 613Special Topics in Film3
HISTORY 142History of South Asia to the Present3-4
HISTORY 229Explorations in Transnational/Comparative History (Humanities)3
HISTORY/​GNS  265An Introduction to Central Asia: From the Silk Route to Afghanistan3
HISTORY 450Making of Modern South Asia3-4
HISTORY 4633

Southeast Asia & Oceania

Study Abroad Programs

  • Singapore: Nat Univ Singapore Bus Exch (ISP-SINBUS)
  • Thailand, Bangkok: Chulalongkorn Univ Exchange (ISP-BANGKC)
  • Australia, Melbourne: Monash University Exchange (ISP-MONASH)
  • Australia, Sydney: TEAN Univ of New South Wales (ISP-SYDNSW)
  • New Zealand: Massey University Exchange (ISP-MASSEY)

Language Courses

Filipino (Tagalong)
First Semester Filipino
Second Semester Filipino
Third Semester Filipino
Fourth Semester Filipino
Fifth Semester Filipino
Sixth Semester Filipino
Hmong
First Semester Hmong
Second Semester Hmong
Third Semester Hmong
Fourth Semester Hmong
Fifth Semester Hmong
Sixth Semester Hmong
Indonesian
First Semester Indonesian
Second Semester Indonesian
Third Semester Indonesian
Fourth Semester Indonesian
Fifth Semester Indonesian
Sixth Semester Indonesian
Thai
First Semester Thai
Second Semester Thai
Third Semester Thai
Fourth Semester Thai
Fifth Semester Thai
Sixth Semester Thai
Vietnamese
First Semester Vietnamese
Second Semester Vietnamese
Third Semester Vietnamese
Fourth Semester Vietnamese

Area Studies Courses

ANTHRO 330Topics in Ethnology3-4
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  206The Qur'an: Religious Scripture & Literature3
ASIAN/​RELIG ST  236Asia Enchanted: Ghosts, Gods, and Monsters3
ASIAN/​HISTORY/​RELIG ST  308Introduction to Buddhism3-4
ASIAN/​ART HIST  379Cities of Asia3
ASIAN 600Capstone Seminar in Asian Humanities3
GEOG/​ASIAN/​HISTORY/​POLI SCI/​SOC  244Introduction to Southeast Asia: Vietnam to the Philippines4
GEOG 358Human Geography of Southeast Asia3
GEOG/​ENVIR ST  557Development and Environment in Southeast Asia3
HISTORY/​ASIAN/​ASIAN AM  246Southeast Asian Refugees of the "Cold" War4
HISTORY/​ASIAN  319The Vietnam Wars3-4
HISTORY/​ASIAN  458History of Southeast Asia Since 18003-4

Western Europe

Study Abroad Programs 

  • Austria, Vienna: Wirtschaftsuniversitat-Wien Exchange (ISP-VIENNB)
  • Belgium, Leuven: KU Leuven Belgium (ISP-LEUVEN)
  • Denmark, Copenhagen: Copenhagen Bus School Exchange (ISP-COPBUS)
  • England, Coventry: Univ of Warwick Exchange (ISP-WARWEX)
  • England, London:  IES University of London (ISP-IESLON)
  • England, London: UW in London (ISP-LONDON)
  • England, London: Univ of Westminster (ISP-WESTMN)
  • France, Paris: IES Paris Bus & Inter Affairs (ISP-IESPAR)
  • France, Rouen: NEOMA Rouen (ISP-NEOMA)
  • Germany, Vallendar: WHU Otto Beisheim Mgt Exchange (ISP-WHU)
  • Ireland, Dublin:  University College Dublin (ISP-DUBBUS)
  • Ireland, Galway: Natl Univ of Ireland, Galway (ISP-GALWAY)
  • Italy, Milan: Bocconi University Exchange (ISP-BOCCON)
  • Italy, Paderno:  CIMBA Italy (ISP-CIMBA)
  • Italy, Rome: CEA Rome Business & Psychology (ISP-CEAROM)
  • Netherlands, Maastricht: Maastricht University Exchange (ISP-MAAST)
  • Norway, Oslo: BI Norwegian Business Exchange (ISP-OSLOBU)
  • Spain, Barcelona: IES Lib Arts & Bus Barcelona (ISP-BARCEL)
  • Spain, Barcelona: CIEE Bus & Culture Barcelona (ISP-BARCB)
  • Spain, Madrid: University Carlos III Exchange (ISP-CARLOS)
  • Spain, Pamplona:  University of Navarra Exchange (ISP-NAVARR)
  • Spain, Seville: CIEE Seville Bus & Society (ISP-SEVIBU)

Language Courses 

Czech
First Semester Czech
Second Semester Czech
Third Semester Czech
Fourth Semester Czech
First Semester Intensive Czech
Second Semester Intensive Czech
Third Semester Intensive Czech
Fourth Semester Intensive Czech
Danish
First Semester Danish
Second Semester Danish
Second Year Danish
Second Year Danish
Readings in Danish Literature
Dutch
First Semester Dutch
Second Semester Dutch
Third Semester Dutch
Fourth Semester Dutch
Topics in Dutch Literature
Finnish
First Semester Finnish
Second Semester Finnish
French
First Semester French
Second Semester French
Third Semester French
Fourth Semester French
Intermediate Language and Culture
Literature, Comics, and Film in French
Practical French Conversation
Practical French Conversation
Advanced Composition and Speaking
Advanced Writing Workshop
Medieval and Early Modern French Literature
Modern French and Francophone Literature
Introduction to the Romance Languages
Readings in Medieval and Renaissance Literature
Readings in Early Modern Literature
French/Francophone Literary Studies Across the Centuries
French/Francophone Cultural Studies Across the Centuries
Aspects of Contemporary French Literature
Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Literary Studies
Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Cultural Studies
Introduction to Phonetics
FRENCH 630
17th-Century French Literature
17th-Century Literature
FRENCH 647
German
First Semester German
Second Semester German
Third Semester German
Fourth Semester German
Intermediate German - Speaking and Listening
Intermediate German-Reading
Intermediate German-Writing
Literatur des 20. und 21. Jahrhunderts
Advanced Composition & Conversation
Introduction to German Linguistics
Topics in German Linguistics
Topics in German Literature
Study Abroad in German Literature
Study Abroad in German Culture
Study Abroad in German Linguistics
Topics in German Culture
Honors Seminar in German Literature
Kultur des 20. und 21. Jahrhunderts
German-Jewish Culture Since the 18th Century
History of the German Language
Introduction to Middle High German
Advanced Seminar in German Studies
Senior Honors Seminar in German Literature
Italian
First Semester Italian
Second Semester Italian
ITALIAN 201
Third Semester Italian
Fourth Semester Italian
Advanced Italian Language
Writing Workshop
Studies in Italian Literature and Culture I
Studies in Italian Literature and Culture II
Structures of Italian
Introduction to the Romance Languages
The 18th Century
Features in Italian Literature
Features in Italian Literature
The Italian Novel
Dante's Divina Commedia
The 13th Century
Norwegian
First Semester Norwegian
Second Semester Norwegian
Second Year Norwegian
Second Year Norwegian
Readings in Norwegian Literature
Polish
First Semester Polish
Second Semester Polish
Third Semester Polish
Fourth Semester Polish
Third Year Polish I
Third Year Polish II
Introduction to Intensive Polish
Fourth Year Polish I
Fourth Year Polish II
History of Polish Literature until 1863
SLAVIC 472
Portuguese
First Semester Portuguese
Second Semester Portuguese
Third Semester Portuguese
Fourth Semester Portuguese
Introduction to Luso-Brazilian Literatures
Third Year Conversation and Composition
Third Year Conversation and Composition
Intensive Portuguese
Intensive Portuguese
Fourth Year Composition and Conversation
Fourth Year Composition and Conversation
History of the Portuguese Language
Survey of Portuguese Literature before 1825
Introduction to the Romance Languages
Brazillian Women Writers
Lusophone African Literature
Survey of Portuguese Literature since 1825
Survey of Brazilian Literature since 1890
Topics in Luso-Brazilian Literature
Spanish
First Semester Spanish
Second Semester Spanish
Third Semester Spanish
Fourth Semester Spanish
Introduction to Hispanic Cultures
Introduction to Hispanic Literatures
Intermediate Language Practice with Emphasis on Writing and Grammar
Advanced Language Practice
Topics in Spanish Language Practice
Spanish Phonetics
Survey of Early Hispanic Literature
Survey of Modern Spanish Literature
Advanced Conversation
Survey of Spanish American Literature
Spanish Business Area Studies
Literature of the Castilian Middle Age (XII-XV centuries)
Introduction to the Romance Languages
Cervantes
Literature of the Twentieth Century
Spanish American Literature
The Spanish American Short Story
Spanish American Poetry and Essay
US Latinx/e Literature
Topics in Hispanic Culture
Topics in Latinx Culture
Undergraduate Seminars in Hispanic Literature/Culture/Linguistics
Hispanic Screen Studies
Study Abroad in Spanish Language Practice
Study Abroad in Spanish Linguistics
Study Abroad in Hispanic Literatures
Study Abroad in Hispanic Cultures
Border and Race Studies in Latin America
SPANISH 503
Old Spanish
SPANISH 545
Theory and Practice of Hispanic Theatre
Topics in Hispanic Linguistics
Senior Honors Thesis
Senior Honors Thesis
First Semester Senior Thesis
Second Semester Senior Thesis
Directed Study
Swedish
First Semester Swedish
Second Semester Swedish
Second Year Swedish
Second Year Swedish
Readings in Swedish Literature

Area Studies Courses

ART HIST 336Study Abroad in Renaissance/Baroque/Northern Art1-6
ART HIST 346British Art and Society from the Eighteenth Century to the Present3
ART HIST 408Topics in Twentieth-Century Art (Modern Italian Art)3-4
ART HIST 555Proseminar in 19th Century European Art3
ART HIST 556Proseminar in 20th Century European Art3
COM ARTS 455French Film3
COM ARTS/​ITALIAN  460Italian Film3
CURRIC/​ED POL/​HISTORY/​JEWISH  515Holocaust: History, Memory and Education3
ENGL 345Nineteenth-Century Novel3
ENGL 351Modernist Novel3
ENGL 352Modernist Poetry3
ENGL 353British Literature since 19003
ENGL 443Outstanding Figure(s) in Literature since 18003
ENGL 453Topic in British Literature and Culture since 19003
ENGL 454James Joyce3
FOLKLORE/​MEDIEVAL/​RELIG ST/​SCAND ST  342Nordic Mythology3
FOLKLORE/​LITTRANS  347In Translation: Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore3-4
FOLKLORE/​SCAND ST  443Sami Culture, Yesterday and Today4
FRENCH/​INTL BUS  313Professional Communication and Culture in the Francophone World3
FRENCH/​INTL BUS  314Contemporary Issues in Business, Government and NGOs3
FRENCH 322Modern French and Francophone Literature3
FRENCH 325Visual Culture in French/Francophone Studies3
FRENCH 348Modernity Studies3
FRENCH 461French/Francophone Literary Studies Across the Centuries3
FRENCH 462French/Francophone Cultural Studies Across the Centuries3
FRENCH 465French/Francophone Film3
FRENCH 467Aspects of Contemporary French Literature3
FRENCH 567Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Literary Studies3
FRENCH 568Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Cultural Studies3
GEN&WS/​LITTRANS  270German Women Writers in Translation3
GEOG/​HISTORY/​POLI SCI/​SLAVIC  254Eastern Europe: An Interdisciplinary Survey4
GEOG/​URB R PL  305Introduction to the City3-4
GERMAN 245Topics in Dutch Life and Culture3
GERMAN 2663
GERMAN 267Yiddish Song and the Jewish Experience3-4
GERMAN/​JEWISH/​LITTRANS  269Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe3
GERMAN/​LITTRANS  276Special Topics in German and World Literature/s3
GERMAN 272Nazi Culture3
GERMAN 275Kafka and the Kafkaesque3
GERMAN 278Topics in German Culture3
GERMAN 325Topics in Dutch Literature3
GERMAN 362Topics in German Literature3-4
GERMAN 367Study Abroad in German Literature2-5
GERMAN 368Study Abroad in German Culture2-5
GERMAN 372Topics in German Culture3-4
GERMAN 377Study Abroad in Dutch Literature2-5
GERMAN 378Study Abroad in Dutch Culture2-5
GERMAN 385Honors Seminar in German Literature3
GERMAN/​JEWISH  510German-Jewish Culture Since the 18th Century3
GERMAN 612German Literary Movements Since 17503
GERMAN 683Senior Honors Seminar in German Literature3
HISTORY 120Europe and the Modern World 1815 to the Present4
HISTORY 124Britain since 16884
HISTORY/​JEWISH  220Introduction to Modern Jewish History4
HISTORY 223Explorations in European History (H)3-4
HISTORY 2243
HISTORY 271Study Abroad in History: European History1-4
HISTORY/​ENVIR ST  328Environmental History of Europe3
HISTORY 349Contemporary France, 1914 to the Present3-4
HISTORY 357The Second World War3-4
HISTORY 358French Revolution and Napoleon3-4
HISTORY 359History of Europe Since 19453-4
HISTORY 410History of Germany, 1871 to the Present3-4
HISTORY/​SCAND ST  432History of Scandinavia Since 18153
HISTORY/​JEWISH/​SOC  518Antisemitism in European Culture3
ILS 201Western Culture: Science, Technology, Philosophy I3
ILS 202Western Culture: Science, Technology, Philosophy II3
ILS 203Western Culture: Literature and the Arts I3
ILS 204Western Culture: Literature and the Arts II3-4
ILS 205Western Culture: Political, Economic, and Social Thought I3
ILS 206Western Culture: Political, Economic, and Social Thought II3
ILS/​ITALIAN  350Rome: Lust for Glory3-4
ITALIAN 230Modern Italian Culture3
ITALIAN 321Studies in Italian Literature and Culture I3
ITALIAN 322Studies in Italian Literature and Culture II3
ITALIAN/​ILS  350Rome: Lust for Glory3-4
ITALIAN 450Special Topics in Italian Literature3
ITALIAN 452Special Topics in Italian Studies: Culture, Film, Language3
ITALIAN/​COM ARTS  460Italian Film3
LITTRANS 209Masterpieces of French Literature and Culture3
LITTRANS 213Love and Sex in Italian Comedy3-4
LITTRANS 226Introduction to Luso-Afro-Brazilian Literature3
LITTRANS 249Literature in Translation: Nineteenth-Century French Masterpieces3
LITTRANS 252Spanish Literary Masterpieces in Translation3
LITTRANS 254In Translation: Lit of Modern Italy-Existentialism, Fascism, Resistance3
LITTRANS 260Italy and the Invention of America: from Columbus to World War II3
LITTRANS/​GERMAN/​JEWISH  269Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe3
LITTRANS 274In Translation: Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature-the 20th Century3-4
LITTRANS 275In Translation: The Tales of Hans Christian Andersen3-4
LITTRANS/​GERMAN  276Special Topics in German and World Literature/s3
LITTRANS 2773
LITTRANS 324Topics in Scandinavian Literature3-4
LITTRANS 326Topics in Dutch Literature in Translation3
LITTRANS 334In Translation: The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen3-4
LITTRANS/​THEATRE  335In Translation: The Drama of Henrik Ibsen3-4
LITTRANS 350Scandinavian Decadence in its European Context3-4
LITTRANS 410In Translation: Special Topics in Italian Literature3
MEDIEVAL/​SCAND ST  444Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore4
MUSIC 416Survey of Music in the Twentieth Century3
MUSIC 513Survey of Opera3
PHILOS/​JEWISH  442Moral Philosophy and the Holocaust3
PHILOS 530Freedom Fate and Choice3
PHILOS 549Great Moral Philosophers3
POLI SCI 340The European Union: Politics and Political Economy3-4
POLI SCI 5383-4
POLI SCI 6593-4
PORTUG 361Portuguese Civilization3
PORTUG 467Survey of Portuguese Literature since 18253
RELIG ST/​FOLKLORE/​MEDIEVAL/​SCAND ST  342Nordic Mythology3
SCAND ST 276Culture & Community in Scandinavia3
SCAND ST/​FOLKLORE/​MEDIEVAL/​RELIG ST  342Nordic Mythology3
SCAND ST 374Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: the Twentieth Century3-4
SCAND ST 411Areas in Scandinavian Literature1
SCAND ST 419Scandinavian Children's Literature4
SCAND ST 422The Drama of Henrik Ibsen4
SCAND ST 424Nineteenth-Century Scandinavian Fiction3-4
SCAND ST 426Kierkegaard and Scandinavian Literature3
SCAND ST 427Contemporary Scandinavian Literature4
SCAND ST/​LITTRANS  428Memory and Literature from Proust to Knausgard3
SCAND ST 434The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen4
SCAND ST 436Topics in Scandinavian Literature3-4
SCAND ST/​GEN&WS/​LITTRANS  438Sexual Politics in Scandinavia3
SCAND ST/​FOLKLORE  443Sami Culture, Yesterday and Today4
SCAND ST/​MEDIEVAL  444Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore4
SCAND ST/​FOLKLORE/​MEDIEVAL  446Celtic-Scandinavian Cultural Interrelations3
SCAND ST 450Scandinavian Decadence in its European Context3-4
SCAND ST 476Scandinavian Life and Civilization II4
SCAND ST/​HISTORY  577Contemporary Scandinavia: Politics and History3-4
SPANISH 223Introduction to Hispanic Cultures3
SPANISH 224Introduction to Hispanic Literatures3
SPANISH 322Survey of Early Hispanic Literature3
SPANISH 324Survey of Modern Spanish Literature3
SPANISH 359Spanish Business Area Studies3
SPANISH 361Spanish Civilization3
SPANISH 453Literature of the Twentieth Century3
SPANISH 468Topics in Hispanic Culture3
THEATRE/​LITTRANS  335In Translation: The Drama of Henrik Ibsen3-4
THEATRE 336
THEATRE/​ENGL  575British Drama, 1914 to Present3
THEATRE 619Special Topics in Theatre and Drama1-3

University Degree Requirements

Total Degree To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.
Residency Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs.
Quality of Work Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Know and be able to apply international business theories and concepts to a variety of business situations.
  2. Formulate business strategies appropriate to global, regional and local contexts.
  3. Know the skills necessary for cross-cultural adaptation and know how to access resources to continue future learning.

Advising and Careers

Advising

Advising is an integral part of any student’s educational journey in the School of Business Undergraduate Program. Starting at Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR), we encourage all students to connect with academic advisors. Business academic advisors have a wealth of knowledge about courses on campus, as well as policies and procedures.

Business career coaches help students with career exploration, internships, resumes, job search, interviewing, and more. We encourage students to connect with their career coach once they arrive on campus.

Business academic advisors and career coaches are passionate about student success. Students experiencing academic difficulty or personal struggles are encouraged to talk to their advisor about how their individual situation may affect their academic performance.

Assigned Academic and Career Coaches

Admitted business students will have one assigned academic advisor. Career coaches are assigned by academic major to be able to provide industry-specific career guidance. If a student has more than one major, they may have more than one assigned career coach. Students can find their assigned advisor and coach by logging into the Starfish portal through MyUW.

For students not yet admitted to the School of Business, there is a team of pre-business advisors available.

Accessing Advising

Drop-in advising and scheduled appointments are available for admitted business students. Pre-business students may also schedule an appointment with a pre-business academic advisor or utilize drop-in academic advising. 

For more information on accessing academic advising, please see our Academic Advising page.

For more information on accessing career coaching, please see our Career Coaching page.

Careers

The perspective, intercultural awareness, and regional knowledge gained through the study of international business is always relevant, but has greatest career impact several years into one's career. Therefore, the international business major is designed to serve as a complement to another business major. International business careers develop after graduates first develop skills and expertise in a functional area of business, which drives initial career placement and advancement.

Careers in international business are not necessarily located overseas or even in major cities. Many positions are in U.S.-based offices or divisions of international firms.

Accreditation

AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2026-2027.