International RelationsInternational RelationsProfessors—Aviel, Giardina, Lawson, Miller, Pentony, Simpson, D., Yansane
Associate Professors—Banerjee, Hanami
Lecturers—Clarier, Craig, Fieldman, Fischer, Pastorino
B.A. in International Relations
Minor in International Relations
M.A. in International Relations
The courses of study for the Bachelor of Arts in International Relations have three objectives: to impart knowledge of basic concepts, theories and methods in international relations; to develop in each student at least one area of special individual competence in international relations; and to train students in research, analytical and presentation/communication skills. Liberal arts educational goals are emphasized but the program seeks also to develop marketable skills appropriate to the field. These include report writing, statistical and computer applications, public policy analysis, oral briefing techniques, and audio-visual production.
Utilizing the extensive course offerings in the International Relations Program and in other departments, students are able, on advisement, to develop individual areas of specialization within geographical, functional (e.g., international political economy), problem-oriented (e.g., arms control), theoretical/methodological, and other categories. Field work may also be part of an area of specialization.
The emphasis upon elective courses of study requires that a student consult with an adviser every semester. The director of the program will assign an appropriate adviser.
Employment possibilities for graduates in international relations exist in business, government, electronic and print journalism, teaching and private international service (e.g., U.N. Association, Red Cross, etc.). Students completing a degree find it excellent preparation for entry into highly competitive programs of advanced study or work abroad in areas of special interest or knowledge.
Online course descriptions are available.
| Core | Units | |
| I R 104 | International Relations: An Introduction | 3 |
| I R 300 | International Careers | 3 |
| I R 301 | Fundamentals of International Relations Analysis | 4 |
| I R 302 | Introduction to International Political Economy | 4 |
| I R 303 | Introduction to Computer Applications for International Relations | 1 |
| I R 310 | United States Foreign Policy | 4 |
| Total for core | 19 | |
| Emphasis/Electives Students are expected to specialize in one of three fields of emphasis by selecting course work in area studies, international institutions, or global problems in consultation with an adviser. Up to six units of course work may be in non-IR courses. |
18 | |
| Culminating Requirements | ||
| I R 550 | Proseminar in Foreign Policy Analysis | 6 |
| I R 600 | Learning Outcomes Assessment | 2 |
| Total for major | 45 | |
Requirements under the major program relating to upper division work, limitations on CR/NC grading, and order in which courses are taken also apply to the minor.
| Program | Units | |
| I R 104 | International Relations: An Introduction | 3 |
| I R 302 | Introduction to International Political Economy | 4 |
| I R 310 | U.S. Foreign Policy | 4 |
| I R 550 | Proseminar in Foreign Policy Analysis | 6 |
| Electives in International Relations | 4 | |
| Total | 21 | |
Applicants should show a grade point average of 3.5 in the last 60 units taken. Those with a strong International Relations background will be admitted as fully classified. Others will be admitted as conditionally classified. Conditions will be communicated upon admission. An upper division course on the politics of a single nation is a prerequisite. Applicants who have not had a course in statistics will be required to take an elementary statistics course with a grade of CR (credit). They must also submit: (a) results of the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Tests (for non-native speakers of English, TOEFL); (b) three letters of recommendation; and (c) a personal statement about reasons for embarking on graduate study in International Relations. Forms for (b) above and current information about the graduate program are available in the program office.
Level One: successful completion of I R 720 with a grade of B or better. Level Two: completion of the master's thesis course, I R 898, or sponsored research, I R 895, with a grade of CR (credit).
After completing not less than twelve units but not more than twenty-four units of work applicable to the master's degree, with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, the student must prepare in consultation with the graduate adviser a Graduate Approved Program showing in detail the course of study proposed. At this time, all general requirements for advancement to candidacy and all conditions imposed at the time of admission to the program must have been met. Approval of the proposed course of study by the Dean of the Graduate Division signifies advancement to candidacy.
Online course descriptions are available.
| Core Requirements | Units | |
| I R 720 | Theory and Approaches in International Relations | 3 |
| I R 725 | The Analysis of Foreign Policy | 3 |
| I R 730 | The International System and its Problems | 3 |
| I R 740 | Comparative Foreign Policies | 3 |
| Graduate-level course in International Relations | 3 | |
| Total for core | 15 | |
| Academic Emphasis | ||
| Core Requirements | 15 | |
| PLSI 493 | Data Analysis | 4 |
| I R 750 | Methods and Thesis Selection in International Relations | 3 |
| Electives in Theory and Methods chosen from any BSS discipline | 8 | |
| For example: | ||
| ANTH 710 | Proseminar in Anthropological Theory and Method | |
| PLSI 720 | Seminar in Comparative Politics (4) | |
| PLSI 730 | Seminar in Political Theory (4) | |
| SS 710 | Interdisciplinarity in the Social Sciences | |
| Culminating Experience | ||
| I R 898 | Master's Thesis | 3 |
| Minimum total | 33 | |
| Professional Emphasis | ||
| Core Requirements | 15 | |
| Sequence selected from courses in the following areas of
inquiry and training with approval of graduate adviser |
15 | |
| Field of Public Administration | ||
| Fields of International Business, Management, or Finance in the College of Business | ||
| Field of International Development | ||
| Field of International Environmental Studies | ||
| Other related career fields | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| I R 892 | Graduate Sponsored Internship in International Relations |
3 |
| Minimum total | 33 | |
Grades. Students in the graduate program must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. A grade lower than B in I R 720 is sufficient to disqualify a student from the program.
Foreign Language or Other Basic Skill. Candidates in international relations must demonstrate competence in one modern foreign language, or in a "basic skill" such as statistics or computer applications in international relations. A "basic skill" must be demonstrated through application in research; language competence may be shown either by completion of at least ten units of college-level language instruction with a grade no lower than C or CR, or by a passing grade in the Language Proficiency Test administered by the Foreign Languages Department of this university. Non-native speakers of English are excused from this requirement.