International Relations (POSC)

Program Option: B.A.

As a St. Kate's international relations major, you will gain an understanding of political and economic structures in the various cultures of the world and in different historic periods. You will study these structures from a variety of perspectives. Your courses are designed to help you master the complexities of international relations in the modern world.

International relations major courses are drawn from the departments of economics, history and political science. The major demands foreign language competence that goes beyond the basic liberal arts language requirement. The major requires that you complete at least one semester's study abroad or its equivalent, preferably during your junior year. You can travel around the globe. Students have studied in Europe, Asia and South America.

Majoring in international relations at St. Kate's will prepare you for careers in government or international service; for law school, especially the study of international law; or for graduate study in international relations. Combined with other appropriate courses, the international relations major can prepare you for careers in areas such as international business, as well.

Recommended minors for international relations majors are economics, history and political science.

See also:  Political Science, Education - Social Studies with Grades 5-12 Teaching Licensure (for those interested in teaching political science in secondary schools).

Major Requirements:

Requirements for the major are a common core of five courses plus seven courses you select 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, you 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, if you intend to prepare for a career in foreign service, you are strongly urged to complete two additional courses in the same language (a total of four courses beyond the intermediate level).

You must complete at least one semester's study abroad or its equivalent, preferably during your junior year.

COMMON CORE

ECON 2620 Principles of Macroeconomics
HIST 1060 Europe Since 1800
HIST 1160 East Asia Since 1600
POSC 2200 Introduction to Comparative Government
POSC 2250 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 3000 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 2610 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 3450 Economics of Development and Growth
ECON 3480 International Economics
ECON 3490 Comparative Economic Systems

HIST 3550 Twentieth Century China
HIST 3600 Germany: From Unification to Reunification
HIST 3620 Europe Since World War II
HIST 3700 History of Feminism in Western Society

POSC 3030 Politics in Europe
POSC 3200 American Foreign Policy
POSC 3300 Haves and Have-nots
POSC 3350 Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
POSC 3400 International Political Economy
POSC 4994 Topics (consult coordinator for appropriate topic)

International relations majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing POSC 2200. You complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000 and CORE 3990, and any other writing-intensive course in this or another department).