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 44 credits, or 14 courses.
- Just like all majors in political science and international relations, students must take the following 7 courses:
- POL 102 International Relations
- POL 103 Comparative Politics
- POL 210 Theory of Democracy
- POL 230 American Policy Process
- POL 250 Research & Writing
- POL 400 Internship
- POL 420 Senior Seminar
- In addition, students take 7 political science and international relations electives, which include at least 4 international relations electives:
- at least 4 courses from this list
- POL 240 Global Security
- POL 241 Global Political Economy
- POL 242 Politics of Migration
- POL 244 Civil Wars, Insurrections, and Terrorism
- POL 280 Contemporary Issues in Latin American Politics
- POL 281 Central American Political Development
- POL 306 Gender and Politics
- POL 332 American Foreign Policy
- POL 375 Politics of Climate Change
- POL 380 Politics of Latin America
- POL 381 Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
- POL 382 Politics of Western Europe
- POL 383 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
- POL 385 Politics of South Asia
- POL 386 Politics of East Asia
- POL 388 Politics of North America
- POL 390 China – Latin America Relations
- and among those 4, to include at least 1 of these
- POL 240 Global Security
- POL 241 Global Political Economy
- POL 332 American Foreign Policy
- 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.
- at least 4 courses from this list
Separately, some students in this specialization also complete one or more minors as well. We specifically encourage students to consider minoring in applied statistics, communication, economics, gender and society, history, international business, international studies, philosophy, sociology, sustainability, theology and religious studies, or writing.
Most courses in the major are 3 credits; POL 250 and POL 420 are each 4 credits. Note that POL 420 is typically only offered in the spring semester.
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 101 – Power and Society | POL 103 – Comparative Politics |
| POL 102 – International Relations | PH 100 – Introduction to Philosophy |
| SOC 203 – The Global Village | Introductory History course |
| TRS 100 – Theological Inquiry | 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 or Advanced Theology / IS elective: TRS 202 – Religions of the World |
POL 250 – Research and Writing or 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 |
