| Bachelor of Arts in International Relations | |
The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations gives students an understanding of the world and analyzes the nature of modern global relationships. Scholars, horrified by the events of World War I, founded the discipline of international relations. Through the study of past lessons learned in politics, economics, culture and history, students will debate and explore global economies, societies and cultures. This undergraduate program focuses on the central concerns of international relations - diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, international organizations, global development and international relations theory. Students study the possibility of another world war and explore ways to prevent it. This major provides an excellent foundation for careers in government agencies, the diplomatic service, international organizations, world trade, and finance and international media. |
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Degree Program Objectives American Foreign Policy - Compare and contrast the political, economic, and military components of foreign policy decision making and analyze the impact of foreign policy on domestic decisions.
- Draw conclusions about the implications of foreign policy as it is currently applied to various regions of the world.
- Evaluate the "national interest" and how it is formulated, assess alternatives to current policies, and examine their likely impact on the United States, its allies, and other nations.
Diplomacy - Examine the theory, nature, and causes of war and their relationship to diplomacy; assess the contributions of diplomacy to accomplishment of war objectives.
International Organizations and Development - Critically assess the unique principles, structure, and organization of the major international organizations.
- Examine the prospects of governance by international organizations.
- Assess the economic and political processes in international development; diagnose social issues in international development; appraise the need for sustainable international development.
- Evaluate the multidimensional effects of globalization.
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Degree Program Requirements | Required Course - 3 semester hours | | | | | | | | | |
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General Education Requirements (34 semester hours) |
| English - 6 semester hours | | | | | | | | | |
| Social Sciences - 6 semester hours | | | | | | | | | |
| Science - 4 semester hours including the required 1 hour labs | | | | | | | | | |
| Mathematics - 3 semester hours | | | | | | | | | |
| History - 6 semester hours | | | | | | | | | |
| Humanities - 3 semester hours | | | | | | | | | |
| Literature - 3 semester hours | | | All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101 - Proficiency in Writing | | | | | | |
| Political Science - 3 semester hours | | | | | | | | | |
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| Core Courses (21 semester hours) | | | | | | | | | |
| Major Courses (24 semester hours) | | | | | Because of the nature of the discipline, a student enrolled in International Relations should take eight (8) courses within a single concentration from the following list. | | | | |
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| International Studies Concentration | | | | | Objectives Students in this concentration undertake an in-depth examination of international and transnational issues that affect the global community as a whole and nation-states as individual entities. Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to: - Comprehend various theories about the nature of conflict and cooperation in the post-Cold War era
- Explore the norms and purposes of international structures and regimes
- Identify the various manifestations of globalization and its impact on various political, economic and social systems
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| Concentration Requirements Required courses: Select 4 courses from the following: | | | |
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| Comparative Politics Concentration | | | | | Objectives Students in this concentration undertake an in-depth examination of cross-national analysis. Students will learn how to think about politics in systematic and comparative terms by focusing on the domestic politics a variety of countries. Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to: - Comprehend the roles of various actors in the development and implementation of both domestic and international policy
- Explore the political history, social background, culture, and institutions of various countries
- Identify the various manifestations of globalization and its impact on various public policies as they relate to cultural, economic, political, and social institutions
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| Concentration Requirements Required courses: Select 4 courses from the following: | | | |
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| Peacekeeping Concentration | | | | | Objectives Students in this concentration undertake an in-depth study of the principles and foundations of peace operations within the context of international and regional mechanisms. The student gains valuable insight into the skills necessary to step into international incidents between countries and among peacemakers to assist in the resolution of difficult problems. Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to: - Understand the nature of conflict and diplomatic negotiations in the post-Cold War era
- Identify the evolving theory and practices of United Nations peacekeeping operations
- Describe the role of UN and regional peacekeeping initiatives in specific peace-building, peace making, and peace-keeping operations in conflict areas
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Concentration Requirements Required courses: Select 4 courses from the following: | | | | |
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| African Studies Concentration | | | | | Objectives The student who graduates with a concentration in African Studies will be able to: Compare and contrast the history, essential tenets, and central practices of different cultures within Sub-Saharan Africa Explain the historical, sociological, economic, geographic, political, and defense factors as they relate to current events within Sub-Saharan Africa Discuss the key issues that lie ahead for Sub-Saharan Africa within the regions, but externally as well Assess the ethnic, tribal, cultural, and religious divides that exist in Sub-Saharan Africa and their impact of internal and regional stability
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| Concentration Requirements Required Courses: IRLS321 / IR384 - African Political Economy IRLS322 - African Politics IRLS420 / IR487 - African International Relations
Select 4 courses from the following:
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| Asian Studies Concentration | | | | | Objectives The student who graduates with a concentration in Asian Studies will be able to: - Compare and contrast the history, essential tenets, and central practices of different cultures within various Asian societies
- Explain the historical, sociological, economic, geographic, political, and defense factors as they relate to current events within Asia
- Discuss the key issues that lie ahead for Asian relations within the regions, but externally as well
- Assess the ethnic, tribal, cultural, and religious divides that exist in Asia and their impact of internal and regional stability
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| Concentration Requirements Required Courses: Select 4 courses from the following: | | | |
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| European Studies Concentration | | | | | Objectives The student who graduates with a concentration in European Studies will be able to: Compare and contrast the history, essential tenets, and central practices of different cultures within various European societies Explain the historical, sociological, economic, geographic, political, and defense factors as they relate to current events within Europe Discuss the key issues that lie ahead for European relations within the regions, but externally as well Assess the ethnic, tribal, cultural, and religious divides that exist in Europe and their impact of internal and regional stability
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| Concentration Requirements Required Courses: IRLS344 - European Politics IRLS345 - European Political Economy IRLS346 - European International Relations
Select 4 courses from the following: | | | |
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| Latin American Studies Concentration | | | | | Objectives The student who graduates with a concentration in Latin American Studies will be able to: Compare and contrast the history, essential tenets, and central practices of different cultures within various Latin American societies Explain the historical, sociological, economic, geographic, political, and defense factors as they relate to current events within Latin America Discuss the key issues that lie ahead for Latin American relations within the regions, but externally as well Assess the ethnic, tribal, cultural, and religious divides that exist in Latin America and their impact of internal and regional stability
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| Concentration Requirements Required Courses: IRLS355 - Latin American Politics IRLS356 - Latin American Political Economy IRLS357 - Latin American Peoples and Cultures IRLS450 / IR364 - Latin American International Relations
Select 4 courses from the following: | | | |
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| Final Program Requirements (3 semester hours) | | | | | | | | | |
| Electives (36 semester hours) | | | | | | Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill core or major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major. | | | | |
Total = 121 semester hours |
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