The United States is no longer the great island of the world; it ceased to be this some time ago. For example:

- According to the Bureau of Census, in 2003 the U.S. imported more than $1.25 trillion worth of commodities and exported $720 billion worth of commodities. The U.S. exports to about 240 countries and regions of the world and imports from nearly the same number of countries and regions. The U.S. lifestyle depends upon the world.

- Figures from Fiscal Year 2003 show that immigrants came from over 45 countries in Europe; about 40 countries in Asia, over 50 countries in Africa; more than ten countries in Oceania; more than 20 countries in the Caribbean; and about 20 countries in Central and South America. From fiscal year 1820 through fiscal year 2003, just over 68.9 million people have legally immigrated to the United States. http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/aboutus/statistics/2003Yearbook.pdf

- The USA agreed to sell more than $26 billion in arms trade in 2003 (Grimmett, August 2004, CRS-17); over $126 billion in the years 2000-2003 and more than $133 billion in the years 1996-1999 (CRS-3). “In 2003, the United States led in arms transfers agreements worldwide [emphasis removed], making agreements valued at $14.5 billion (56.7% of all such agreements) … Russia ranked second with $4.3 billion in agreements (16.8% of these agreements globally) … Germany ranked third, its arms transfer agreements worldwide standing at $1.4 billion in 2003” (CRS-3). This means that only three nations account for nearly 79% of all agreements to transfer arms.

(Richard F. Grimmett. August 26, 2004. “Conventional arms transfers to developing nations, 1996-2003.” Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. http://www.fas.org/man/crs/RL32547.pdf )

- During the last half of the 20th century, the U.S. military had a yearly average of 2.3 million solders on duty. Twenty three percent of these soldiers were abroad (Tim Kane. October 27, 2004. “Global U.S. troop deployment, 1950-2003.” Center for Data Analysis. Report # 04-11. The Heritage Foundation. http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/cda04-11.cfm ).

- The U.S. has a military presence in about 130 countries. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/global-deployments.htm

The United States is significantly affected by, and to an important degree responsible for, an internationalized and globalized U.S. economy and society. To be a more astute employee, and a more capable citizen, students should understand the U.S. – and themselves – from an international and global perspective. Therefore, FHSU is pleased to offer to programs related to International Studies: a Certificate of International Studies (IS) and an IS Minor. Both the IS Certificate and the IS Minor are interdisciplinary; both can complement any major offered by FHSU.