Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations is an interdisciplinary major that focuses on the changing political, economic, and cultural relations within a globalized system. The program explores how global, regional, and domestic factors influence relations between actors on the world stage.

Degree Overview

International Relations (IR) is an interdisciplinary major that prepares students for future careers, civic engagement, and life-long learning with strong analytical, writing, research, and presentation skills steeped in theory, history, and practice.

Program Learning Outcomes

Courses for the Bachelor of Arts in International Relations have three objectives:

1. To impart knowledge of basic concepts, theories, and methods in international relations.
2. To train students in research, writing, analytical, and presentation/communication skills.
3. To use tools of critical analysis to address, identify, and analyze the sources of global social, political, and economic change.

Major Requirements

• Core (19 units)
  • I R 104: Introduction to International Relations: Politics, Economics, Environment, and People (3 units)
  • I R 208: Fundamentals of International Relations Theories, Issues, and Perspectives (4 units)
  • I R 309: International Relations Writing Workshop (1 unit)
  • I R 309GW: International Relations Analysis and Application - GWAR (3 units)
  • I R 310: U.S. Foreign Policy (4 units)
  • I R 312: Introduction to International Political Economy (4 units)
• Electives (18 units)
  • Students are required to complete 18 elective units related to international relations.
  • At least twelve units of coursework must be upper-division I R courses (300-level or above) or be cross-listed with I R.
  • Six additional units may be taken outside of the department upon the approval of a major advisor.
• Culminating Requirements (6 units)
  • I R 550: Senior Thesis in International Relations (6 units)

Complementary Studies

Twelve units of Complementary Studies are required of all candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations. These units must come from courses bearing a prefix other than I R, and not cross-listed with I R.

General Education Requirements

• Oral Communication (3 units)
• Written English Communication (3 units)
• Critical Thinking (3 units)
• Physical Science (3 units)
• Life Science (3 units)
• Lab Science (1 unit)
• Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)
• Arts (3 units)
• Humanities (3 units)
• Arts or Humanities (3 units)
• Social Sciences (3 units)
• Social Sciences: US History (3 units)
• Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (LLD) (3 units)
• Ethnic Studies (3 units)
• Physical and/or Life Science (3 units)
• Arts and/or Humanities (3 units)
• Social Sciences (3 units)

SF State Studies

Courses certified as meeting the SF State Studies requirements may be upper or lower division in General Education (GE), a major or minor, or an elective.

• American Ethnic and Racial Minorities (3 units)
• Environmental Sustainability (3 units)
• Global Perspectives (3 units)
• Social Justice (3 units)

Roadmaps

• First-Time Student Roadmap (4 Year)
• SF State Scholar Roadmap
• Transfer Student Roadmap (2 Year)

General Advising Information for Transfer Students

1. Before transfer, complete as many lower-division requirements or electives for this major as possible.
2. The following courses are not required for admission but are required for graduation.
   • A course in U.S. History
   • A course in U.S. & California Government

Previous Bulletins

Students following earlier "Bulletin" requirements can access the appropriate year using the Previous Bulletins link.