Program Overview

International Relations, B.A.

The International Relations major offers courses to open doors around the world. A foreign language component is required. It is preferable that minors and electives be in foreign languages, humanities, or social science offerings that significantly contribute to an understanding of economic, geographical, historical, and cultural factors in international relations or in areas that provide students with substantive skills related to a professional environment such as business and computer science.

Program Requirements

• Major Requirements: 37 hours
• Foreign Language: 6 hours
• Minor: 15-18 hours
• Electives: 12-18 hours
• TOTAL: 120 hours

Major Requirements

The following courses are required for the International Relations major:

• PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics
• PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Profession
• PS 3001 - Research Methods in Political Science
• PS 3210 - International Relations
• PS 3220 - Comparative Politics
• PS 4240 - American Foreign Policy
• PS 4801 - Senior Seminar in International Relations

International Relations

The following courses are available in International Relations:

• PS 4275 - NGOs and Non-Profits
• PS 3335 - International Development
• PS 3500 - International Law
• PS 4510 - International Political Economy
• PS 3780 - Study Abroad
• PS 3910 - International Organization
• PS 4030 - Human Rights
• PS 4070 - Political Violence and Terrorism
• PS 4210 - International Conflict: Causes, Consequences, and Responses
• PS 4260 - Women and Public Policy
• PS 4325 - Chinese Politics
• PS 4690 - International Relations of the Middle East
• PS 4860 - Topics in International Relations

Comparative Government

The following courses are available in Comparative Government:

• PS 3780 - Study Abroad
• PS 4180 - Contemporary African Politics
• PS 4190 - Contemporary Middle East Politics
• PS 4260 - Women and Public Policy
• PS 4300 - Policymaking in the European Union
• PS 4310 - Comparative Asian Government
• PS 4325 - Chinese Politics
• PS 4770 - Russian Politics
• PS 4850 - Topics in Comparative Politics
• PS 4900 - Latin American Politics

Political Science Electives

The following courses are available as electives:

• PS 4150 - Global Issues in Human Trafficking
• PS 4200 - Directed Studies
• PS 4230 - Classical Political Theory
• PS 4280 - The Washington Experience
• PS 4290 - Public Service Internship
• PS 4700 - American Political Thought
• PS 4800 - Senior Seminar
• PS 4850 - Topics in Comparative Politics
• PS 4860 - Topics in International Relations
• PS 4920 - Modern Political Theory
• PS 4930 - Introduction to Contemporary Political Philosophy
• PS 4950 - Community-Based Research Practicum
• PS 4970 - Undergraduate Research

Foreign Language Requirement

B.A. students must successfully complete 2010 and 2020 or any courses numbered above the 2000 level in a single foreign language.

Minor

Students must complete a minor of 15-18 hours.

Electives

Students must complete 12-18 hours of electives.

Curriculum

The following is a suggested four-year schedule of courses:

Freshman

• PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics
• PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Profession
• Written Communication: 3 credit hours
• Information Literacy: 3 credit hours
• History and Civic Learning: 3 credit hours
• Quantitative Literacy: 3 credit hours
• Scientific Literacy: 8 credit hours
• Creativity and Cultural Expression: 3 credit hours
• Foreign language: 6 credit hours
• Subtotal: 33 Hours

Sophomore

• PS 3001 - Research Methods in Political Science
• PS 3210 - International Relations
• PS 3220 - Comparative Politics
• Creativity and Cultural Expression: 3 credit hours
• Literature: 3 credit hours
• Non-Written Communication/Elective: 3 credit hours
• PS elective in International Relations: 3 credit hours
• General elective: 3 credit hours
• Human Society and Social Relationships: 3 credit hours
• Creativity and Cultural Expression: 3 credit hours
• History and Civic Learning: 3 credit hours
• Subtotal: 30 Hours

Junior

• PS 4240 - American Foreign Policy
• PS elective in Comparative Government: 6 credit hours
• Minor courses: 6 credit hours
• FL 2010 and 2020: 6 credit hours
• PS elective: 3 credit hours
• General electives: 6 credit hours
• Subtotal: 30 Hours

Senior

• Minor courses: 9 credit hours
• Minor course/Elective: 3 credit hours
• PS elective: 3 credit hours
• PS elective in International Relations: 3 credit hours
• General electives: 6 credit hours
• PS 4801 - Senior Seminar in International Relations
• Subtotal: 27 Hours