Faculty: Professor Watanabe and Associate Professor Roy (coordinator).
The Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations is inherently interdisciplinary and courses in the major incorporate the threads of women’s leadership, social responsibility, and global awareness—and relate to themes in environmental studies, and/or English. Additionally, experiential learning is a fundamental component of the International Relations major, with one semester of study abroad required.
The International Relations program emphasizes the study of areas such as relations among states, the influence of globalization, and comparative politics. It considers such issues as the status of women in developing countries, poverty, and inequalities. In addition, the interconnectedness of these areas is emphasized through complementary electives in areas including anthropology; sociology; psychology; history; environmental studies; geography; religion; and women, gender, & sexuality studies. Some highlights include:
- One semester of course study abroad taken in the geographic location of the student’s choice.
- Experiential learning components which allow students to apply their in-class learning. For example, internships are encouraged.
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations Program Goals
Communicates Effectively
Student demonstrates the ability to construct and articulate clearly well-reasoned arguments, grounded in evidence.
Thinks Critically
Student demonstrates the ability to explore issues in international relations before accepting arguments or forming conclusions of their own.
Foundational
Choose one:
Choose one:
Major Subject Area
Required:
Electives in Major
Eight courses in International Relations are required. Preferably, at least three of these should be taken as part of the study abroad experience.
The additional five may be taken abroad or selected from the following:
Supporting Requirements
Divisional Elective
One course must be taken from the following disciplines: (Must be 200 level or above; May be taken during study abroad).
Anthropology
International
Business Economics
Sociology
English
Philosophy
Environmental Studies
Psychology
Geography
Religion
History Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies
Language Requirement
For native English speakers:
Five semesters of foreign language courses (If a student starts in a 200 or above level course, two semesters of 100-level courses are exempted)
For nonnative English speakers:
1) One course in speech communication (3 credit hours)
Choose from: SPE 101 or SPE 121
and
2) At least one semester of a third language course (3-4 credit hours)
Study Abroad and Experiential Learning Requirement
At least one semester of study abroad, with a full academic load is required.
Students are encouraged to enroll in credit-bearing and approved internship activities.
Students may work for political parties, NGOs, MNCs, or local, state, and federal governments in the US and/or in the country where they study abroad.
International students may fulfill their study abroad requirement with INR or related electives offered at Cottey College.
Exceptions to the study abroad requirement may be made for domestic students under extraordinary circumstances. In both cases, program faculty must approve elective courses that would substitute the study abroad requirement.