International Relations - B.S.
The International Relations major offered by the Department of History and Political Science is designed for students interested in gaining an understanding of world politics and global affairs. Students will be introduced to important areas of study within the field of international relations including foreign policy analysis, global politics and governance, international political economy, and contemporary international policy issues. The department also offers an 18-hour International Relations minor.
Purpose
The International Relations major enables students to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of global politics and contemporary international affairs. International Relations majors will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skill for professional careers in government agencies, international organizations, domestic and international non-governmental organizations, and diplomacy. Students completing the major will also be prepared to pursue teaching, research and graduate studies in international relations, and global public policy. Students majoring in International Relations may consider complementing their preparation with another major or minor in Business, Communication Studies, Economics, History, Intercultural Studies, International and Community Development, Political Science, Philosophy and Theology, TESOL, or Writing.
General Education Competencies
Please refer to the general education requirements and competencies section under the Division of Social Sciences.
Requirements
The 51-credit-hour major in International Relations requires a core program of 42 credit hours, a nine-credit-hour concentration or cognate, and demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language at the intermediate level. The core of the program consists of required courses focusing on the foundations of international studies as well as elective courses selected by students within designated areas of international study. A concentration or cognate should be chosen according to a student's professional goals in completing the major’s requirements. Students should fulfill part of their general education requirements in the social sciences by taking POL-100 and ECO-213. SOC-225 or PSY-150 are suggested courses for completing the remaining social science general education requirement. These required and recommended courses will allow students to meet general university requirements while also serving as prerequisites for a number of upper-level courses in concentration or cognate areas.
Language Proficiency
Proficiency in a non-native modern language at the intermediate level may be met by showing four years of high school foreign language with no grade below a “C,” satisfactorily passing a language examination rated for the intermediate level of proficiency, or taking two years of college foreign language.
Requirements (51 credits)
Required Courses (18 credits)
| POL-230 | World Politics | 3 |
| POL-232 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POL-322 | Research Design and Methods in Political Science and Economics | 3 |
| INR-432 | Global Governance | 3 |
| HST-301 | American Foreign Relations | 3 |
| MAT-305 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 3 |
Choose two of the following capstone courses: (6 credits)
| POL-350 | Political Science Practicum | 1 to 3 |
| POL-371 | International Studies | 3 |
| INR-470 | International Relations Capstone | 3 |
World Politics Electives (9 credits)
Choose at least three courses from the following:
Regional History and Politics Electives (6 credits)
Choose at least two courses from the following:
Global Economics and Development Electives (3 credits)
Choose at least one course from the following:
Concentration or Cognate (9 credits)
Students should complete a concentration or cognate in a field consistent with their vocational goals. The student's advisor will provide counsel and support for the approved courses of study.
Potential concentrations:
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| Political Science | |
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| History | |
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| Economics | |
Suggested cognate areas include the following:
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| Leadership Studies | |
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| Business | |
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| Communications | |
Declaring and Maintaining an International Relations Major
In order to pursue International Relations as a first or second major, students need to consult with the coordinator of the Department of History and Political Science and then declare the major in the Registrar's Office. Students majoring in International Relations should strive to maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA.
