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 governance, international political economy, and international peace and conflict. The department also offers a 18-credit 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 should consider complementing their preparation with another major or minor in Business, Communication Studies, Economics, History, Intercultural Studies, International and Community Development, Criminal Justice, Philosophy and Theology, TESOL, or Writing.
General Education
Students majoring in International Relations will complete the following General Education requirements and competencies with the listed courses. Where no course is specified, students are free to choose courses that meet the university requirements.
Communication Competency: COM-100 (division requirement)
Intercultural Competency: GEO 202
Math Requirement: MAT-112 or equivalent
Overview
The International Relations major requires a 16-hour Global Studies Core, 18 hours of discipline-specific courses, and a 12 credit hour cognate. The cognate can be a group of courses from a second major or a minor. Otherwise, the cognate credit hours must be completed from major electives, selected by students for professional preparation or personal enrichment. Depending on their career goals, students are encouraged to consider gaining proficiency in a foreign language at the intermediate level.
Requirements (46 credits)
Global Studies Core (16 credits)
| ENG-170 | Introduction to Language | 3 |
| INT-220 | Intercultural Relationships | 3 |
| GEO-202 | Political and Cultural Geography | 3 |
| PHL-248 | Religions of the World | 3 |
| POL-371 | International Studies | 3 |
| INT-390 | Intercultural Engagement Seminar | 1 |
Lower-Division Courses (6 credits)
Upper-Division Courses (12 credits)
Cognate or Major Electives (12 credits)
Twelve credit hour cognate (group of courses from a second major or a minor) OR any courses listed below not previously taken. If the student does not have a second area of study, the major electives must be completed from the courses below.
| CDV-227 | Transformational Community Development | 3 |
| CDV-320 | Issues in Human Trafficking | 3 |
| CHI-117 | Beginning Mandarin Chinese I | 3 |
| CHI-118 | Beginning Mandarin Chinese II | 3 |
| CHI-237 | Intermediate Mandarin Chinese I | 3 |
| CHI-238 | Intermediate Mandarin Chinese II | 3 |
| CRJ-322 | Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism | 3 |
| CRJ-340 | Intelligence and National Security | 3 |
| ECO-270 | Comparative Economic Systems | 3 |
| ECO-340 | Globalization and Economic Development | 3 |
| ECO-454 | International Economics | 3 |
| FRE-117 | Beginning French I | 3 |
| FRE-118 | Beginning French II | 3 |
| FRE-237 | Intermediate French I | 3 |
| FRE-238 | Intermediate French II | 3 |
| HST-256 | Africa and the World | 3 |
| HST-280 | History of Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| HST-301 | American Foreign Relations | 3 |
| HST-321 | History of the Muslim-Christian Encounter | 3 |
| HST-341 | History of England to 1688 | 3 |
| HST-342 | History of England 1688 - Present | 3 |
| HST-361 | History of Russia and Eastern Europe | 3 |
| HST-381 | History of East Asia | 3 |
| HST-442 | World War II | 3 |
| POL-350 | Political Science Practicum | 1 to 3 |
| POL-354 | Foreign Governments | 3 |
| POL-365 | Religion and Politics | 3 |
| POL-475 | Independent Learning in Political Science | 1 to 3 |
| SPA-117 | Beginning Spanish I | 3 |
| SPA-118 | Beginning Spanish II | 3 |
| SPA-237 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
| SPA-238 | Intermediate Spanish II: Spanish for the Professions | 3 |
| SOC-250 | Global Child Advocacy Issues | 3 |
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 Residential Academic Services Office. Students majoring in International Relations should strive to maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA.
