International Relations Undergraduate Programs
B51 328/ (320) 308-2162
A program of the Department of Political Science
Also see School of Public Affairs description and requirements.
The B.A. program in international relations is methodologically grounded in the discipline of political science. While political science is a broad study of governments, policies and processes, governing systems and political behavior, the international relations major offers students an opportunity to focus on the policies and processes, governing systems, and political behavior of actors in the international system. The program examines the interaction of state and non-state actors in the international system and how these interactions impact each other in areas concerning international security, conflict, conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, governance, environmental sustainability, and political economy. The minor offers students a more limited opportunity to pursue these endeavors while majoring in other academic disciplines.
In order to be admitted to the international relations major, a student must already have completed POL 101, POL 105 and POL 251 with a "C-" or better in each course. The student must also submit a transcript or course summary. See the Department of Political Science for instructions on the application process. The department strongly advises that the student enroll in the major no later than the first semester of the junior year. The department expects transfer students to make application as soon as is possible, after admission to the university. After the student acquires a specified number of credits, the university prohibits advanced registration without admission to a major. Lower division courses are offered each semester. Required upper division courses are offered annually. Elective courses are offered only in alternate years. The University required Upper Division Writing Requirement is met in the senior project course (POL 420). The requirement is met by completing a portfolio of work, a single written paper or through multiple papers with a grade of C-.
A student may apply to the Political Science chairperson to pursue the International Relations honors program. Upon successful completion of this process, a notation of departmental honors will appear on the student's transcript at graduation. See the political science program description for honors requirements.
Bachelor of Arts
Major (40)
Requirements:
A student must have completed POL 101, POL 111, and POL 251 with a "C-" or better in each course in order to be admitted into the major.
All course work must receive at least a "C-" to count towards the major.
Required Introductory Core (12 credits): POL 101, 111, 201,251.
Required Upper Level Core (15 credits): POL 337, 353, 354, 355, 454.
Electives, International Relations (6 credits): Select 6 credits from POL 351, 451, 452, 453, 456, 457.
Electives, Comparative Governments (6 credits): POL 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 338, 339, 434, 436.
Senior Project course POL 420 of 1 credit hour. The course meets the University Upper Division Writing Requirement. It is taken in conjunction with a 300-400 level international relations or comparative government course. Consent of the instructor is required.
Minor (21)
Requirements:
Students must take POL 101 and POL 251 before being admitted to the minor.
Required Introductory Core (6 credits): POL 101, 251.
Required Upper Level Core (9 credits): POL 337, 353, 355.
Electives, International Relations (3 credits): POL 354 or 454.
Electives, Comparative Governments (3 credits): POL 331, 332, 333, 334, 355, 336, 338, 339, 434, 436.
