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2024-2025 University Catalog
International Relations, B.A.
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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, communication, 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, Africa, 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.
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Program Requirements
Majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in international relations must satisfy University General Education requirements. 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 three tracks: Globalization Studies; Culture and Development; or Area Studies; 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 above or through placement by examination; and they must complete a sufficient number of general electives to total 120 credits. Study abroad is strongly encouraged to fulfil track elective requirements and foreign language proficiency. Independent study is also encouraged.
It is recommended that majors use the General Education minor requirement to enhance their knowledge of a single discipline or foreign language and to apply electives toward a related minor or second major. Note:
Double counting courses for the University General Education requirements, a minor, or second major is limited to courses required for the major or track not track electives. Foundation Requirements:
The following five courses are required of all majors and are prerequisites for many of the more advanced courses in the major. 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. International Relations Tracks:
Majors are required to complete a minimum of eight thematically related courses (24 credits) from ONE of the following three 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, anthropology, economics, environmental science, history, management studies, and sociology Globalization Track Requirements:
Globalization Track Electives
Take 3 courses (or 9 credits) from the Globalization Track Electives Group and
Take 1 additional course (or 3 credits) from any Track Electives Group. Track #2 - Culture and Development
This culture and development track seeks to prepare students to study and analyze the processes of human agency in pursuing development and social change that enrich human well-being, protect and conserve healthy and productive ecosystems, minimizes the depletion of essential resources, support shared economic prosperity, and protects the culture and identity of current and future generations. Courses are situated in fields such as political science, anthropology, literature, sociology, communication, art and architecture, and psychology.
Culture and Development Track Requirements
Culture and Development Track Electives
Take 3 courses (or 9 credits) from the Culture and Identity Track Electives Group and
Take 1 additional course (or 3 credits) from any Track Electives Group.
Track #3 - Area Studies
The Area Studies track allows students to explore develop an in-depth understanding of a particular region of the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East. Particular attention is given to the development of the modern international system and the regional systems that emerged post-colonialism. Students examine the international political, economic, social, and cultural systems with the student’s choice of regional area specialization. Students will select from broad interdisciplinary course options in poliitcal science, economics, history, art, and literature
Area Studies Track Requirements
Students will select a region of specialization Area Studies Track Electives
Take 3 courses (or 9 credits) from the Area Studies Track Electives Group and
Take 1 additional course (or 3 credits) from any Track Electives Group.
Globalization Track Electives Group:
Electives for Globalization Track.
Courses marked with an “*” may require a non-IR prerequisite.
Culture and Development Track Electives Group
Electives for Culture and Development Track Courses marked with an “*” may require a non-IR prerequisite. Area Studies Track Electives Group
Electives for Area Studies Track
Courses marked with an “*” may require a non-IR prerequisite.
Additional Elective Options
- Special Topics courses from relevant disciplines may be used as electives with approval.
- Participation in a Macro Seminar in conjunction with the Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy.
Study Abroad and Internships
Study abroad is strongly encouraged. Courses taken abroad will be considered for courses required for the major, especially with respect to the tracked course electives, in consultation with your advisor.
Internships are also encouraged either in Washington, DC or locally and may be used to replace track electives in any track.
Foreign Language
All students are required to demonstrate at least minimum proficiency in a foreign language. This can be achieved by successful completion of courses at the 202-level or above or through placement by examination.
Students entering the major without a language are encouraged to use foreign language to meet the general education with minor requirement. Capstone Course:
The capstone course is normally completed in the second semester of the senior year and 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. The preference is to complete a senior thesis in POLSC 442.
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