The International Relations Major
The international relations major seeks to promote a sophisticated understanding of the trans-boundary interactions of governments, organizations, cultures and people–both in terms of how such interactions exist today and how they can be improved in the future. In addition, the major seeks to help students cultivate practical analytical and communication skills that will foster professional excellence and personal achievement. Because it is difficult to understand our dynamic and increasingly interdependent world through a single lens, the major works across multiple academic disciplines, while also providing students with the flexibility to focus upon subjects and themes of greatest interest to them. The major draws upon faculty and courses representing some twelve academic programs at RWU, including political science, history, economics, sociology, anthropology, communications, art and art history, and languages, among others.
To study international relations is to celebrate human endeavor, global diversity and new opportunities. At the same time, our world is deeply troubled. From the persistence of global poverty and disease to the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction and regional conflicts in Asia and the Middle East, global problems are many and often deeply disturbing. The aim of the international relations major is to give students the tools to flourish in the world while also encouraging students to use these tools to help make the world more secure, more prosperous, and more humane than it is at present. Students are encouraged to understand the world, as it really is, and also to engage themselves as global citizens working to make a difference.
Degree Requirements
Majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in international relations must satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements and the College speech requirement, COMM 210. In addition, majors must complete five international relations foundation courses; a two-course sequence intended to promote intercultural negotiating skills; a minimum of eight thematically-related courses in one of four tracks: Globalization Studies; Culture and Identity; Area Studies: Europe; or Area Studies: Non-Western; and one final capstone course completing the major. Majors must demonstrate minimum proficiency in a foreign language, either by successful completion of courses at the 202-level or by test; and they must complete a sufficient number of general electives to total 120 credits. Independent study and study abroad are encouraged. It is recommended that majors use core concentration requirements to enhance their knowledge of a single discipline or language—and to apply electives toward a related minor or second major. Note: Double counting courses is not permitted in meeting requirements for the core concentration,a minor or a second major.
Foundation Courses
The following five courses are required of all majors and are prerequisites for many of the more advanced courses in the major.
POLSC 110 The US in World Affairs
ECON 101 Macro Economics
HIST 102 History of Western Civilization II
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
POLSC 210 International Relations
Intercultural Negotiation Sequence
All majors are required to take the following two courses. It is recommended that they be taken in the sequence which follows.
COMM 250 Intercultural Communication
Note: COMM 101 is waived for IR majors as a prerequisite for COMM 250.
POLSC 335 International Negotiation
International Relations Tracks
Majors are required to complete a minimum of eight thematically-related courses from ONE of the following four tracks:
Track #1—Globalization Studies
The Globalization Studies track examines ongoing transformations in international politics, economics and culture. The study of globalization focuses especially upon patterns of increasing interdependence and communication across cultures, as well as emerging systems of global governance and the roles of states, international organizations, multinational corporations and transnational activist networks. Courses are situated in fields such as political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, management studies and environmental science.
Note: Courses marked with an “*” may require a non-IR prerequisite.
The following are required for this track:
POLSC 340 International Political Economy
MGMT 340 International Management
SOC 330 Globalization and Identity
Select One:
POLSC 346 Foreign Policies of the Major Powers
or
POLSC 348 Rogue States, Allies, Regional Powers
Electives: Select Four electives drawn from:
AAH 122 History of Art and Architecture II
BIO 240 Concepts of Ecology*
BIO 312 Conservation Biology*
COMM 330 International Communications
ECON 350 International Trade*
ECON 360 International Macro Economics
POLSC 215 Strategy and National Security Policy
POLSC 221 Comparative Politics of the Developing World
POLSC 346 Foreign Policies of the Major Powers
or
POLSC 348 Rogue States, Allies, Regional Powers
POLSC 330 Revolution and Social Change
PSYCH 355 Social Psychology*
SOC 201 Social Stratification
SOC 350 Comparative Social Movements
Additional Elective Options are:
- Special topics courses and independent study with permission
- Participation in a Macro Seminar, Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy.
- Courses from Study abroad or relevant internship (a maximum of two could be counted against any two elective courses. Directly-related courses could, in addition, count against other IR courses.)
- Courses from the other tracks (up to two courses).
Track #2--Culture and Identity
The Culture and Identity track explores how myriad cultural traditions around the globe have evolved and influenced each other throughout history and also shaped the formation of personal identity. While scholars today debate the possible emergence of a universal global culture, global communication has reinforced particular identities, attachments and allegiances along national, ethnic, religious and tribal lines. Courses are situated in fields such as anthropology, literature, sociology, communication, art and architecture, political science, psychology.
Note: Courses marked with an “*” may require a non-IR prerequisite.
The following are required for this track:
ANTH 100 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
and
One additional Anthropology elective with International content content to be selected from the Anthropology electives listed below
SOC 330 Globalization and Identity;
POLSC 321 Politics and Ethnic Conflict.
Electives
Select Four electives drawn from:
ANTH 220 Self, Culture and Society
ANTH 356 World Cultures
ANTH 380 Culture Change and Development
ANTH 400 Culture and Power
AAH 122 History of Art and Architecture II
AAH 311 History of American Art*
AAH 312 History of Modern Art
AAH 313 History of African Art
AAH 316 History of European Painting
AAH 323 Art and Architecture in the Islamic World
COMM 330 International Communications*
COMM 380 Cultural Differences in Visual Media*
ENG 290 British Literature II*
ENG 301 American Literature III*
ENG 320 Continental Literature*
ENG 340 Roots of the English Language*
ENG 360 Race, Gender and Class in Literature*
MRKT 402 International Marketing*
PHIL 258 American Philosophy*
POLSC 302 Political Parties and Interest Groups*
POLSC 307 Race and Gender in Politics
POLSC 346 Foreign Policies of the Major Powers
POLSC 348 Rogue States, Allies, Regional Powers
POLSC 325 European Politics
PSYCH 335 Social and Emotional Development*
PSYCH 355 Social Psychology*
SOC 201 Social Stratification
SOC 230 Population and Society
THEAT 331 Modern Drama
THEAT 332 British Theatre and Performing Arts
THEAT 333 Asian Drama and Dance.
Additional Elective Options are:
- Special topics courses and independent study with permission
- Participation in a Macro Seminar, Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy.
- Courses from Study abroad or relevant internship (a maximum of two could be counted against any two elective courses. Directly-related courses could, in addition, count against other IR courses.)
- Courses from the other tracks (up to two courses).
Track #3--Area Studies: Europe
The European Area Studies track examines the history, politics, economics, literature, arts and cultural traditions of Europe. Particular attention is given to the pivotal role of Europe in shaping modernity as well as prospects for European-based international organizations, especially the European Union, to serve as prototypes in strengthening channels of global collaboration. The longstanding impact of Europe in propelling economic capitalism and political liberalism is examined alongside themes such as immigration and resurgent nationalism. Courses are situated in fields such as economics, history, political science, art and literature.
Note: Courses marked with an “*” may require a non-IR prerequisite.
The following are required for this track:
POLSC 120 Comparative Politics
HIST 305 20th Century Europe
POLSC 346 Foreign Policies of the Major Powers
POLSC 325 European Politics
Select Four electives drawn from:
AAH 122 History of Art and Architecture II
AAH 316 History of European Painting*
ECON 320 Labor Economics*
ECON 360 International Macro Economics
ENG 320 Continental Literature*
HIST 304 19th Century Europe
HIST 310 Studies in European History
PHIL 254 Contemporary Philosophy*
POLSC 326 Post Communist World
POLSC 340 International Political Economy
SOC 330 Globalization and Identity
Additional Elective Options are:
- Special topics courses and independent study with permission
- Participation in a Macro Seminar, Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy.
- Courses from Study abroad or relevant internship (a maximum of two could be counted against any two elective courses. Directly-related courses could, in addition, count against other IR courses.)
- Courses from the other tracks (up to two courses).
Track #4--Area Studies: Non Western
The Non-Western Area Studies track examines the history, politics, economics, literature, arts and cultural traditions of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Special attention is given to economic restructuring and political transitions to democracy in the aftermath of colonialism as well as communism. Courses are situated in fields such as anthropology, history, political science, sociology and management studies.
Note: Courses marked with an “*” may require a non-IR prerequisite.
The following are required for this track:
POLSC 120 Comparative Politics
POLSC 221 Comparative Politics of the Developing World
Select one:
HIST 381 Critical Periods in Asian History
HIST 382 Critical Periods in African History
or
HIST 383 Critical Periods and Topics Latin American History
and
POLSC 348 Rogue States, Allies, Regional Powers.
Electives
Select Four electives drawn from:
ANTH 336 World Cultures*
ANTH 430 World Religions*
AAH 313 History of African Art*
AAH 323 Art and Architecture in the Islamic World*
COMM 330 International Communications
ECON 360 International Macro Economics
Select one:
HIST 381 Critical Periods in Asian History
HIST 382 Critical Periods in African History
or
HIST 383 Critical Periods and Topics Latin American History
PHIL 212 Eastern Philosophy*
POLSC 326 Post Communist World
POLSC 330 Revolution and Social Change
POLSC 340 International Political Economy
POLSC 428 Mexican Politics
SOC 201 Social Stratification
SOC 330 Globalization and Identity
Additional Elective Options are:
- Special topics courses and independent study with permission
- Participation in a Macro Seminar, Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy.
- Courses from Study abroad or relevant internship (a maximum of two could be counted against any two elective courses. Directly-related courses could, in addition, count against other IR courses.)
- Courses from the other tracks (up to two courses).
Capstone Course
The capstone course is intended, in most cases, to reconnect students to the general interdisciplinary study of international relations; and to provide culmination—and real world context--for their personalized studies.
Note: Normally, to be taken second semester of senior year.
All majors are required to take either:
- A directed senior research project, independent study or
- Senior seminar, such as ANTH 460 Senior Seminar, HIST 420 Senior Seminar, or POLSC 460 Senior Seminar
or
- POLSC 386 International Law and Organization—covering the management of international relations (including a substantial research paper).
Language and Study Abroad
All students are required to demonstrate at least minimum proficiency in a foreign language, either by successful completion of courses at the 202-level or by test.
Students entering the major without a language are encouraged to use foreign language to meet the core concentration requirement.
Study abroad is strongly encouraged—consideration to be given with respect to substituting courses for the major, especially with respect to the tracked courses.
Note: As listed above under track electives, any two courses taken abroad or in a related internship could be used to count against up to two elective courses in a student’s track provided they are international in content--even if the content of these courses does not substitute for the recommended electives.