Program: International Relations Program Code: (INTR)
Program Faculty: Buzicky, Carroll, Downs, Harlowe*, Jewell, Shikha, Smith (*coordinator)
Program Description:
The international relations major aims to give students an understanding of political and economic structures in the various cultures of the world and in different historic periods. From this base, it then encourages them to master the complexities of international relations in the modern world.
The major is composed of courses drawn from the departments of economics, history and political science. It demands foreign language competence that goes beyond the requirements for the B.A. degree. The major is designed to provide background for graduate study in international relations; for law school, especially the study of international law; for government service; and for other careers in international service. With other appropriate courses, it can provide preparation for careers in areas such as international business as well.
The international relations major can be obtained only as a B.A. degree.
Course List & Descriptions
No Details Available in Online Catalog
Major Requirements:
Requirements for the major are a common core of five courses plus seven courses selected by the student from the departments of economics, history and political science. Of the seven selected courses, three are to be taken from one department and two from each of the remaining two departments. A seminar on a subject appropriate to international relations must make up one of the seven selected courses.
In addition, each student majoring in international relations must complete two courses beyond the intermediate level in a modern foreign language. Those courses must be in the same foreign language taken to satisfy the liberal arts requirement. Though not required, students who intend to prepare for a career in foreign service are strongly urged to complete two additional courses in the same language (a total of four courses beyond the intermediate level).
Students majoring in international relations must complete at least one semester's study abroad or its equivalent, preferably during the junior year.
COMMON CORE
ECON 262 Principles of Macroeconomics
HIST 106 Modern Europe
HIST 116 East Asia Since 1600 or HIST 359 Modern Latin America
POSC 220W Introduction to Comparative Government
POSC 225 Introduction to World Politics
Two language courses beyond the intermediate level.
APPROVED COURSES COMPRISING THE MAJOR
Select seven courses: three from one department and two from each of the remaining departments as listed below. (Other upper-division courses -- numbered 300 or above -- in international affairs may be substituted for some of the following with the approval of the coordinator.) International students may substitute courses devoted to United States history or politics.
ECON 261 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 345 Economics of Development and Growth
ECON 348W International Economics
ECON 349 Comparative Economic Systems
HIST 355 Twentieth Century China
HIST 360 Germany: From Unification to Reunification
HIST 362 The Twentieth Century: Shaping the Contemporary World
HIST 370 History of Feminism in Western Society
POSC 303 Politics in Europe
POSC 320 American Foreign Policy
POSC 330 Haves and Have-nots
POSC 335 Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
POSC 340 International Political Economy
POSC 359 Modern Latin America
POSC 499 Topics (consult coordinator for appropriate topic)
Course descriptions for these courses can be found in listings for Political Science, History and Economics.
The recommended minors for students who major in international relations are economics, history and political science.
Minor Requirements:
HIST 106 Modern Europe
POSC 225 Introduction to World Politics
Four courses from the three disciplines that constitute the major including: two courses from one discipline and one course from each of the other two disciplines.
The same language foundation (six semesters or their equivalent) is strongly recommended but not required.
International relations majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing POSC 220W. They complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 100W and CORE 399W, and any other writing-intensive course in this or another department).
