Professors: Aviel, Banerjee, Hanami, Tsygankov, Yansane
Associate Professors: Blanchard, von Wahl
Assistant Professors: Clavier, Darling, Ellis, McAfee, Monshipouri, Skonieczny
Lecturer: Leahy
Visiting Diplomat in Residence: Fischer
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.
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.
Note: Core courses and I R 550 cannot be taken on a CR/NC basis.
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.
| Core | Units | |
| I R 104 | Introduction to World Affairs | 3 |
| I R 308 | Fundamentals of International Relations: Theories, Issues, and Perspectives | 4 |
| I R 309 | International Relations: Analysis and Application | 4 |
| I R 310 | U.S. Foreign Policy | 4 |
| I R 312 | Introduction to International Political Economy | 4 |
| Total for core | 19 | |
| Emphasis/Electives Students are expected to select an emphasis by choosing course work in area studies, international institutions, or global problems in consultation with an adviser. 12 units of course work must be in IR courses. |
18 | |
| Culminating Requirements | ||
| I R 550 | Proseminar in Foreign Policy Analysis | 6 |
| Total for major | 43 | |
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.
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.
| Program | Units | |
| I R 308 | Fundamentals of International Relations: Theories, Issues, and Perspectives | 4 |
| I R 310 | U.S. Foreign Policy | 4 |
| I R 312 | Introduction to International Political Economy | 4 |
| Electives with an international relations prefix including international relations cross-listed courses that appear under an alternative prefix. | 8 | |
| Total | 20 | |
Applicants should have a bachelor's degree with relevant course work, have a grade point average of at least 3.25 (out of 4.0) in the last 60 units of undergraduate study, and have taken an upper division course in international relations. Applicants are looked on favorably if they have skills in statistics, computer applications, media production, or foreign language. Successful applicants come from a wide variety of undergraduate backgrounds. Before admission to classified status, successful applicants may be asked by the graduate coordinator to make up deficiencies in international relations. Applicants should submit results of the Graduate Record Examination (or the TOEFL examination for students with bachelors' degrees not in English-medium). Successful applicants should score above median in verbal and analytical sections of the GRE and at least median in the quantitative section. Usually the minimum TOEFL score is 565. Applicants should submit three letters of recommendation, a personal statement of reasons for embarking on graduate study in international relations, an unofficial transcript, and a 3-4 page writing sample (please send an email to irgrad@sfsu.edu for the latest information).
Level One: successful completion of I R 720 with a grade of B or better. Level Two: completion of I R 898 or I R 892 with a grade of CR (credit).
After completing not less than 12 units but not more than 24 units of work applicable to the master's degree within the selected emphasis, 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.
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.
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line 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 728 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| I R 730-I R 739, I R 760 | The International System and its Problems | 3 |
| I R 740-I R 749 | Comparative Foreign Policies | 3 |
| Units chosen from either of the above series (I R 730-739 and I R 760, or I R 740-749) | 3 | |
| Total for core | 18 | |
| Academic Emphasis | ||
| Core Requirements (see above) | 18 | |
| Course in data analysis such as PLSI 493 or PSY 772 | 3-4 | |
| I R 750 | Methods and Thesis Selection in International Relations | 3 |
| Electives in international relations or related disciplines | 6 | |
| Culminating Experience | ||
| I R 898 | Master's Thesis | 3 |
| Minimum total | 33-34 | |
| Professional Emphasis | ||
| Core Requirements (see above) | 18 | |
| Thematic combination of courses in fields of inquiry and training such as: Public Administration; International Business, Management, or Finance; International Development; International Environmental Studies; other fields related to international careers. Approval of graduate adviser required. | 12 | |
| Culminating Experience | ||
| I R 892 | Graduate Internship in International Relations |
3 |
| Minimum total | 33 | |