2021-2022 Catalog

 

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-170Introduction to Language

3

INT-220Intercultural Relationships

3

GEO-202Political and Cultural Geography

3

PHL-248Religions of the World

3

POL-371International Studies

3

INT-390Intercultural Engagement Seminar

1

Lower-Division Courses (6 credits)

POL-230World Politics

3

POL-232Comparative Politics

3

Upper-Division Courses (12 credits)

 
INR-317Ethics of Global Engagement

3

INR-332International Peace and Security

3

INR-375Foreign Policy Analysis

3

INR-432Global Governance

3

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-227Transformational Development Principles

3

CDV-320Issues in Human Trafficking

3

CHI-117Beginning Mandarin Chinese I

3

CHI-118Beginning Mandarin Chinese II

3

CHI-237Intermediate Mandarin Chinese I

3

CHI-238Intermediate Mandarin Chinese II

3

CRJ-322Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism

3

CRJ-340Intelligence and National Security

3

ECO-270Comparative Economic Systems

3

ECO-340Globalization and Economic Development

3

ECO-454International Economics

3

FRE-117Beginning French I

3

FRE-118Beginning French II

3

FRE-237Intermediate French I

3

FRE-238Intermediate French II

3

HST-256Africa and the World

3

HST-280History of Middle East and North Africa

3

HST-301American Foreign Relations

3

HST-321History of the Muslim-Christian Encounter

3

HST-341History of England to 1688

3

HST-342History of England 1688 - Present

3

HST-361History of Russia and Eastern Europe

3

HST-381History of East Asia

3

HST-442World War II

3

POL-350Political Science Practicum

1 to 3

POL-354Foreign Governments

3

POL-365Religion and Politics

3

POL-475Independent Learning in Political Science

1 to 3

SPA-117Beginning Spanish I

3

SPA-118Beginning Spanish II

3

SPA-237Intermediate Spanish I

3

SPA-238Intermediate Spanish II: Spanish for the Professions

3

SOC-250Global 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.

Indiana Weselayan