International Relations

The program of study in International Relations combines a rigorous and diverse set of courses from the social sciences and the humanities to help students develop conceptual and problem-solving skills to address global issues that are by nature complex and interdisciplinary. The International Relations major is administered by the Politics Department, in consultation with the History, Economics and Business, and Modern Languages Departments.

Major requirements include:

Course Requirements:

Students in the International Relations major must take a minimum of 11 courses, as specified in the requirements below.

International Politics Requirement

Students must complete the following five core courses in international politics:

PO 104 - Comparative Politics
PO 106 - International Relations
PO 230 - The Politics of Rich and Poor States
or
PO 232 - International Political Economy
PO 203 - Political Science Research Methods
PO 478 - Senior Seminar
Students may substitute one of the following courses for PO232: EC247 (International Economics*prerequisite); or BU 324 (Business in Developing and Emerging Markets*prerequisite); or EC441 (Special Topics: Economic Development*prerequisite). Students may alternatively substitute a three-course sequence of EC141, EC142, and BU272 (International Business Management).

History, Comparative Politics, and Regional Studies

Students must complete two courses in the following area (at least one of which must be an upper-level History course):

Students must complete one course in each of the following areas:

Global Governance

International Relations Theory

Security Studies

Language Requirement

Students must complete one advanced level language course (or a literature course for a language that does not offer an advanced language course). Students are also strongly encouraged to complete a language minor.

Study Abroad

Students are strongly encouraged to gain real international experience during their undergraduate years through study abroad, travel and internships.

Course Sequence Outline

Freshman Year

Fall

Spring

Sophomore Year

IR majors generally take courses in the areas of global governance, securities studies, comparative politics, and regional studies or history. Depending on initial placement, they may also be completing their modern or classical language requirement. The remainder of their schedules can be filled by other core or major requirements, general electives or courses for a minor or double major.

Junior Year

In the junior year IR majors generally take International Political Economy (PO 232) or Politics of Rich & Poor States (PO 230), plus their international relations theory requirement. They also take Research Methods in the spring semester. Students who study abroad will need to take Research Methods at a different time (typically in the fall), but should complete this requirement before fall semester senior year. The rest of students’ schedules can be occupied with other major requirements, core requirements, general electives, or courses for a minor or double major.

Senior Year

IR majors take their senior seminar requirement in the fall semester. The rest of their schedules can be occupied with other major requirements, core requirements, general electives, or courses for a minor or double major.