The International Affairs option in Political Science will provide students with the opportunity to focus their undergraduate studies on topics involving:

  • The political systems and dynamics of different countries and regions around the world
  • Relations among countries and non-state actors
  • Global issues, problems, and institutions

There are a growing number of career opportunities in government, international organizations, non-profit organizations and the private sector, as well as advanced degree programs in academic institutions, that offer students with a focused area of study in International Affairs greater opportunities to pursue their interests and chosen fields.

 

Requirements

Note: Major options are not available for Ecampus students.

 

I. Foundation courses (12 credits)

Students must take at least 3 of the introductory courses, including:

  1. PS 204. Introduction to Comparative Politics (4), AND
  2. PS 205. Introduction to International Relations (4), AND
  3. EITHER PS 201. Introduction to United States Government and Politics (4) OR PS 206. Introduction to Political Thought (4)

 

II. Methods/WIC (4 credits)

PS 300. Research Methods (4)

 

III. Upper Division Option Courses (24 credits)

Select 24 credits from the list below.  Up to 8 upper division credits can come from classes listed below in the programs of Economics and Sociology. Other courses as approved by the department.

PS 341. European and EU Politics (4)
PS 342. The Politics of Corruption (4)
PS 343. Russian Politics (4)
PS 344. Latin American Politics (4)
PS 345. The Politics of Developing Nations (4)
PS 346. Middle East Politics (4)
PS 348. Chinese Politics (4)
PS 350. Japanese Politics (4)
PS 351. American Foreign Policy (4)
PS 354. International Law and Organizations (4)
PS 356. International Politics of Asia Pacific (4)
PS 427. Nuclear Nonproliferation and Arms Control (4)
PS 428. Terrorism and Global Security (4)
PS 441. Democratization (4)
PS 446. East Asian Political Economy (4)
PS 453. International Development Policy (4)
PS 455. The Politics of Climate Change (4)
PS 457. US-China Relations (4)
PS 458. International Political Economy (4)
PS 470. Global Food Politics and Policy (4)
PS 474. International Energy Politics and Policy (4)
PS 477. International Environmental Politics and Policy (4)
 

ECON 340. International Economics (4)
ECON 440. Economics of Globalization (4)
ECON 441. International Finance Theory and Policy (4)
ECON 455. Economic Development (4)
SOC 360. Population Trends and Policy (4)
SOC 460. The Sociology of Globalization (4)
 

IV. Political Science Electives (12 credits)

Any political science courses may be taken to reach the minimum of 52 total credits in the major with at least 36 of these at the upper-division level.

 

V. Learning Outside the Classroom

Political science majors are strongly encouraged to pursue educational opportunities outside of the classroom, and these experiences can fulfill some political science graduation requirements.  Such experiences can include research, thesis writing, projects or internships.  Credits will be placed in the appropriate PS 401 - 410 designator.  A maximum of 8 credits from any combination of PS 401 - 410 may be applied to the major, although additional credits from courses in this range may be applied to general graduation requirements.  Additional experiential learning opportunities include "field schools" and study abroad.  Students can discuss all of these opportunities with the political science undergraduate advisor.