International Relations specialization
Students majoring in political science and international relations have the option of declaring an International Relations (IR) specialization within the major. To complete the IR specialization, students take at least 4 political science and international elective courses with a substantial IR focus (out of 7 total political science and international relations electives required for the major).
The political science and international relations major with the IR specialization is 42 credits, or 14 courses.
- 7 of those 14 courses are specifically required: POL 102, 103, 210, 230, 250, 400, and 420
- 7 political science and international relations electives
- to include at least 4 IR courses from this list [POL 240, 241, 244, 280, 306, 332, 375, 380, 381, 382, 384, 385, 386, 388],
- and to include at least 1 of these [240. 241, 332].
- Any POL (or equivalent) course taken during an approved study abroad program that is being used as a major elective will automatically count towards the IR specialization. POL (or equivalent) courses on an IR topic transferred from another institution may be counted as an IR elective with approval. We strongly encourage students in this specialization to complete at least one semester-long study abroad program; it is possible for students to complete up to 4 total semesters abroad while graduating within 8 semesters total.
Separately, some students in this specialization also complete the interdisciplinary International Studies minor.
This is a sample degree plan for students pursuing a major in Political Science and International Relations with a specialization in International Relations and a minor in International Studies. All students must consult with an advisor in making course selections that meet their individual needs. Students pursuing a this program should consider completing at least one full semester studying abroad (as many as four full semesters abroad will fit in the sample graduation plan below) and should consult with a faculty advisor in Political Science and International Relations early in their program to plan effectively.
| Year One | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| EN 101 – Composition I | EN 102 – Composition II |
| POL 103 – Comparative Politics | POL 102 – International Relations |
| TRS 100 – Theological Inquiry | PH 100 – Introduction to Philosophy |
| SOC 203 – The Global Village | Introductory History course |
| POL 101 – Power and Society | University elective |
| Year Two | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| Introductory Social Science (SS-1) / IS elective: ECO 211 – Macroeconomics |
Introductory Literature / IS elective: EN 204 – World Literature: Romanticism through Post Modernism |
| POL 250 – Research and Writing | Advanced Theology / IS elective: TRS 202 – Religions of the World |
| POL 230 – American Policy Process | Political Science elective (IR) |
| Political Science elective | POL 210 – Theory of Democracy |
| Natural Science (NS) with a lab | University elective |
| Year Three | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| Fine Arts, Advanced History, or Advanced Literature | Fine Arts, Advanced History, or Advanced Literature |
| Political Science elective (IR) | Political Science elective (IR) |
| Foreign Language | Math |
| University elective | University elective |
| University elective | University elective |
| Year Four | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| POL 400 – Internship | POL 420 – Senior Seminar |
| Political Science elective (IR) | Political Science elective |
| Moral Reasoning course | University elective |
| University elective | University elective |
| University elective | University elective |
