International Affairs

major
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Program at a Glance

Degree(s)

Bachelor of Arts

College(s)/School(s)

College of Social Sciences

Department(s)

Political Science

Focus on the study of global issues, diplomacy, and international relations through topics such as international politics, economics, security, and global development. Analyze the role of international organizations, diplomacy, and foreign policy in addressing global challenges. This major prepares students for careers in diplomacy, international organizations, foreign service, global business, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Degree Requirements

Students majoring in International Affairs who complete all requirements earn the degree of BA, Political Science. The major requires the successful completion of 36 credit hours, including the following:

  • POLS 100 - Political Thought and Society
  • POLS 101 - Power and Politics in America
  • POLS 215 - Comparative and International Politics
  • POLS 352 - Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis
  • POLS 490W - Senior Seminar in Political Science

Select 21 credit hours including:

  • any two POLS courses at the 300 or 400 level
  • POLS 311W - Comparative Politics
    or POLS 402W - International Relations Theory and World Issues
  • one regional course from:
    • POLS 330 - Middle Eastern Politics
    • POLS 335 - West European Politics
    • POLS 350 - Latin American Politics and Societies
    • POLS 351 - East and Central European Politics and Societies
    • POLS 353 - East Asian Politics
  • one topical course from:
    • POLS 301 - Politics and Travel
    • POLS 322 - Conflict and Peace Studies
    • POLS 323 - American Foreign Policy
    • POLS 327 - International Law and International Organizations
    • POLS 329 - International Human Rights
    • POLS 338 - Politics of Weapons Proliferation
    • POLS 340 - Might and Right Among Nations
    • POLS 380 - Terrorism
    • POLS 381 - International Political Economy
    • POLS 391 - International Environmental Politics
    • POLS 410 - Ethnic Conflict and Nationalism
  • select 6 credit hours from:
    • POLS 301 - Politics and Travel
    • POLS 311W - Comparative Politics
    • POLS 322 - Conflict and Peace Studies
    • POLS 323 - American Foreign Policy
    • POLS 327 - International Law and International Organizations
    • POLS 329 - International Human Rights
    • POLS 330 - Middle Eastern Politics
    • POLS 335 - West European Politics
    • POLS 338 - Politics of Weapons Proliferation
    • POLS 340 - Might and Right Among Nations
    • POLS 350 - Latin American Politics and Societies
    • POLS 351 - East and Central European Politics and Societies
    • POLS 353 - East Asian Politics
    • POLS 380 - Terrorism
    • POLS 381 - International Political Economy
    • POLS 391 - International Environmental Politics
    • POLS 402W - International Relations Theory and World Issues
    • POLS 410 - Ethnic Conflict and Nationalism
Course Catalog

Career Options

  • Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat
  • International Development Specialist
  • International Relations Analyst
  • Global Affairs Consultant
  • Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Officer
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