Frequently Asked Questions

How do I declare an ICS major or change my major?

All Duke students must declare a major no later than the Friday before mid-semester break of the fourth semester of enrollment (students may declare a major earlier).

Before declaring the major, do your best to complete your Long Range Plan, which is available on your DukeHub record. Be sure you have read the ICS requirements. Once you have done your best to complete the Long Range Plan, meet with your Academic Advisor (in the Academic Advising Center) to review, finalize, and submit your Long Range Plan. Afterward, you will receive a welcome message from ICS with an attachment, the ICS Curricular Planning Form. Please fill the form out to the best of your ability and return it to Briani Meyers (Briani Meyers <briani.meyers@duke.edu>) as an attachment.

Within about a week, you will see on DukeHub that you have been assigned an ICS faculty advisor. Prior to registration each semester, you must meet with your ICS advisor, who will clear you to register after discussion of your progress toward graduation.

You can change your major by contacting the Registrar at 919-684-2813 or registrar@duke.edu

Back to top ⤴

When should I take ICS 195?

ICS 195, Critical Approaches to Global Issues, is required of all majors, is taught in fall and spring terms, and should be taken in the first or second year of study. Students who plan to be ICS majors are expected to complete the course before a study-away semester.

In certain situations, juniors or rising juniors may make a case to the ICS DUS for special permission to enroll in the course. If the DUS approves enrollment and the student has attended early class meetings, permission to enroll will be granted if there is space.

Back to top ⤴

How do I know who my ICS faculty advisor is?

If you are a declared ICS major, your advisor's name shows up on your personal information page on DukeHub. If you can not find the information, e-mail either the ICS Director of Undergraduate Studies or the DUS-Assistant, Denecia Miller. 

ICS requires every major (including those with a double major) to schedule a meeting with their ICS faculty advisor during the book-bagging period every semester before registering for courses. Students not in Durham should schedule phone or zoom calls with their faculty advisers. 

Back to top ⤴

Can I combine an ICS major with another major or minor?

The program places no limits on the number of courses that can simultaneously be used for the ICS major and other majors and minors. Students should consult university policy with respect to double counting for certificates and with individual departments to determine if other limits exist. 

Back to top ⤴

Does ICS offer interdepartmental majors?

 ICS does not support student-proposed IDMs. 

Back to top ⤴

Can a FOCUS course count toward the ICS major?

If you are taking or have taken a FOCUS course that you believe meets ICS global or region criteria, and this course is not already on the ICS approved list, please contact the ICS DUS with the syllabus.

Back to top ⤴

Does ICS count Independent Studies courses toward the major?

No. Independent Studies courses do not satisfy the requirements for ICS. Independent Studies courses can however be helpful to students pursuing honors projects because they can provide time to develop and hone ideas and writing.

Back to top ⤴

I notice a number of courses focused on pre-1500 classical, medieval or Renaissance studies. Can these count toward ICS?

ICS is designed to study relevant issues from 1500 onward. While classes that count for ICS can have content that begins in prior time periods, the focus must be on a time period after 1500 though it can begin earlier. 

Back to top ⤴

I see that some courses are approved for both Region and Global requirements. Can I use a single course that is approved for both categories to fulfill a Region and a Global requirement?

The short answer is no. The ICS major is designed to give students both expertise in a region and ways to understand and think critically about global issues. We want students to choose courses that challenge them in both areas, so we require four courses in your Region and four courses in the Global category.

We do, however, allow students to double-count a content course conducted in their chosen non-English language for a language credit. For example, a class on Modern French Cinema conducted in French can count for both a Region course (Europe) and a ICS language course.

Back to top ⤴

What kind of non-English language courses may I count or double count for the region or global requirement?

To count or double count in the region or global categories, the content of a language course must meet region or global criteria.

The syllabus and course description must reflect a scholarly focus structured around questions and materials that extend well beyond training in speaking, reading, and writing in the language.

The course must also be linguistically advanced enough to facilitate this level of scholarly engagement.

Please see ICS major requirements for further details and notes.

Back to top ⤴

Can I use AP credit to satisfy the ICS language requirement?

No. Because language provides unique access to a culture, the philosophy of the ICS major is that one can never become too proficient in a language. Please see ICS major requirements for further details and notes.

Back to top ⤴

What if there's no language course that is advanced enough for me?

Please see ICS major requirements for details on this language question.

Back to top ⤴

How do I know whether an ICS-approved course I took numbered in the previous system is considered advanced for the Region or Global categories?

Check the ICS course archives for old and new course numbers. Check major requirements for details on the ICS depth requirement.

Back to top ⤴

Does ICS approve petitions for transfer credit for my study away courses?

No. ICS does not approve petitions for transfer credit. As an interdisciplinary program ICS does not teach courses equivalent to what you can take at other universities. Identify the departments at Duke that teach similar classes-their DUS can tell you if they can transfer under their course code. You may never substitute any of our core classes. However we do approve these courses for Global or Regional courses.

Back to top ⤴