Program Overview

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Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

The International Relations department seeks to equip students with the skills needed to engage effectively in regional and world affairs, and to pursue a range of possible careers in the public and private sectors, as well as in academia.

Program Overview

The proposed programme meets the ambitions of the University of Sharjah, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and HH's vision in expanding its programs to meet local, regional, and global needs on knowledge in liberal arts and sciences.

Goals

1. Provide students with a sound understanding of the history, theory, and practice of International Relations
2. Equip graduates with the knowledge and skills needed for effective communication in the field of International Relations
3. Provide students with basic research skills
4. Develop students' critical and analytical abilities to help them to pursue higher studies
5. Help graduates understand the international relations process and its techniques

Admission Requirements

• High School certificate
• The UAE Secondary School Scientific or Literary Stream Certificate, or its equivalent, as approved by the Ministry of Education and Youth
• The average should be 70%
• In order to be admitted to the program, students are required to have 500 or more on TOEFL exam, or an IELTS certificate with a minimum overall score of Band 5

Program Learning Outcomes

By the end of successful completion of the program, students should be able to:

1. Identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, and the relationships between them
2. Compare and contrast alternative systems of governance throughout the Arab Gulf region and other parts of the world
3. Analyze international affairs by using theoretical concepts and ideas from more than one international relations-related discipline
4. Apply qualitative and quantitative methods and problem-solving skills to analyze international relations
5. Evaluate and apply diverse perspectives to complex subjects within natural and human systems
6. Adapt existing arguments, hypotheses, models, etc. or propose alternative ones to describe, explain, or predict instances of cooperation and conflict in regional and/or international relations
7. Develop scenarios of the possible outcomes of the interactions between socioeconomic and political realities in specific national context(s) and regional and international actors and institutions

Career Opportunities

• Academia
• Journalism
• Diplomacy and Government Service
• International Organizations
• International Business
• Global Finance
• Mass Communication and Media

Program Structure

The International Relations Program encompasses three course categories: university, college, and department courses.

Mandatory/Elective Credits

• Mandatory Credits: 60
• Electives Credits: 63
• Total: 123

University Requirements

Every student working for the B.A. in International Relations is required to take 24 credit hours of general education courses distributed over four domains.

Domain 1:

• Islamic Civilization
• Human Rights in Islam and International Declarations
• Introduction to Arabic Language
• History of the Sciences among Muslims
• Arts and Medicine
• History of the Arabian Gulf
• French Language
• History of Medical and Health Sciences

Domain 2:

• Astronomy and Space Sciences
• Man and the Environment
• Health Awareness and Nutrition
• Fitness and Wellness

Domain 3:

• Fundamentals of Islamic Education
• UAE society
• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Economics
• Introduction to Business
• Media in Modern Societies
• Personal Finance
• Analytical Biography of the Prophet

Domain 4:

• Islamic Culture
• Arabic Language (For Arabic Speakers)
• Arabic Language (For Non-Arabic Speakers)
• English for Academic Purposes
• Introduction to IT
• Fund of Innovation

College Requirements

Students must complete a total of 15 credits from the following list:

• Art of writing Arabic
• Islamic History
• History of the Islamic City
• Arab Society
• Introduction to Education
• English for Humanities
• Woman and Development

Department Electives

Students are required to take 51 credits of elective courses: 24 credits chosen from Group 1, 24 credits from Group 2, and 3 credits from Group 3.

Group I:

• Identity, Nations, and Nationalism
• Globalization
• Ethnic Conflict
• International Organization
• International Human Rights
• International Terrorism
• Environment and Sustainable Development
• Refugees and Displacement
• Selected Topics in International Relations
• Independent Study

Group II:

• Governance in the UAE
• Homeland Security
• Comparative Governments of GCC
• Islamic Political System
• Islamic World in IR
• American National Government
• Great Powers Foreign Policy
• Middle East in International Relations
• Political Economy of the Middle East
• EU's International Relations
• China in International Relations
• Japan in International Relations
• Africa in International Relations
• Russia in International Relations
• Central Asia in International Relations
• Turkey in International Relations
• The Palestinian Question

Group III:

• National Internships
• International Internships
• International Programs

Course Descriptions

Mandatory Courses

• Introduction to International Relations
• Introduction to Political Science
• Introduction to Comparative Politics
• Research Methods
• Political Theory
• Theory of International Relations
• International Law
• International Security
• International Political Economy (IPE)
• Foreign Policy
• Diplomacy

Elective Courses

• Identity, Nations, and Nationalism
• Globalization
• Ethnic Conflict
• International Organization
• International Human Rights
• International Terrorism
• Environment and Sustainable Development
• Refugees and Displacement
• Selected Topics in International Relations
• Independent Study
• Governance in the UAE
• Homeland Security
• Comparative Governments of GCC
• Islamic Political System
• Islamic World in IR
• American National Government
• Great Powers Foreign Policy
• Middle East in International Relations
• Political Economy of the Middle East
• EU's International Relations
• China in International Relations
• Japan in International Relations
• Africa in International Relations
• Russia in International Relations
• Central Asia in International Relations
• Turkey in International Relations
• The Palestinian Question

National Internships

The objective of the National Internships is to provide students with the opportunity to gain a first-hand practical experience in a national institution.

International Internships

The objective of the International Internships is to provide students with the opportunity to obtain practical experience with an international organization.

International Programs

Each student at the Department of International Relations is highly encouraged to take part in the international programs organized by the department.