Minor in International Relations

The International Relations (IR) minor is an inter-disciplinary course of study that allows students to examine international relations from different perspectives within a liberal arts curriculum. The International Relations minor introduces students to the major themes in IR: IR theories and approaches, peace and security, international political economy, foreign policy, and international norms and institutions.

Requirements

15 credit minor—Students are required to complete at least one course from Group A and at least one course from two of the other four categories (Groups B-E).
Students can take no more than three courses from one department.
Students must complete at least one 300-level course to fulfill the requirements of the IR minor.
No more than two courses from the student’s major can be applied toward the IR minor.

Note: Though not a requirement for the IR minor, students are strongly encouraged to study a foreign language.

A. IR Theories and Approaches

These courses teach students the skills necessary to think and write clearly about IR.

B. Foreign Policy and Analysis

These courses emphasize the foreign policies of countries or regions and research design and methods in IR.

C. International Norms and Institutions

These courses teach students how global cooperation has been achieved through the creation of international law, international norms, and international institutions.

D. International Political Economy

These courses emphasize international trade, finance, and development.

E. International Peace and Security

These courses focus on peace, security, conflict, violence, war, and terrorism.

POLSC 28200 - International Security (W) 3 cr.
POLSC 28300 - Terrorism (W) 3 cr.
POLSC 37900 - War and Strategy (W) 4 cr.
POLSC 38000 - European Security (W) 4 cr.
POLSC 38200 - Causes of War (W) 4 cr.