International Relations
Contact Francine D’Amico, International Relations Office, 225 Eggers Hall, 315-443-2306, fjdamico@maxwell.syr.edu.
Faculty Douglas V. Armstrong, Michael Barkun, Subho Basu, David H. Bennett, James P. Bennett, G. Matthew Bonham, Mehrzad Boroujerdi, Steven R. Brechin, Hans C. Buechler, Horace Campbell, A.H. Peter Castro, Goodwin Cooke, Francine D'Amico, Bruce W. Dayton, Christopher R. DeCorse, Gavan Duffy, Michael R. Ebner, Ann Grodzins Gold, Tazim R. Kassam, William F. Kelleher Jr., Audie Klotz, Norman A. Kutcher, Chris Kyle, Mary E. Lovely, Amy Lutz, William P. Mangin, Frederick D. Marquardt, John G. McPeak, Devashish Mitra, Alison Mountz, Mitchell A. Orenstein, Arthur Paris, Deborah Pellow, Thomas Perreault, Jane M. Read, J. David Richardson, David J. Robinson, Ross Rubenstein, Mark Rupert, Tod D. Rutherford, S.N. Sangmpam, Hans Peter Schmitz, Michael Schneider, Jeremy R. Shiffman, Theresa A. Singleton, Brian D. Taylor, Stuart J. Thorson, Cecilia Van Hollen, Susan S. Wadley, Mitchel B. Wallerstein, Hongying Wang, Michael Wasylenko, John C. Western, Jamie L. Winders
The undergraduate major in international relations is designed to provide students with the analytic, cultural, and linguistic skills needed to understand major developments in contemporary international affairs, to function effectively in a global environment, and to prepare for further academic or professional study and international career opportunities. This multidisciplinary program provides students with analytic tools and approaches from disciplines—anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and sociology—to explore contemporary issues and to conceptualize global citizenship. For additional information, please consult our web page at www.maxwell.syr.edu/ir/irmain.asp.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Requirements for the major include either 33 or 36 credits in international relations plus demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English. Credits for internships in international relations, including IRP 471 Global Internship in Washington, D.C., and others approved by the director of undergraduate studies, may be counted toward the major.
Each major must complete:
- PSC 124 International Relations or PSC 139 International Relations (Honors) (3 credits);
- ECN 203 Economic Ideas and Issues (3 credits) or ECN 109 Honors or ECN 101 Microeconomics and ECN 102 Macroeconomics (6 credits); and
- (3) MAX 132 Global Community or ANT 185 Global Encounters (3 credits).
Of the 33 or 36 credits, 24 credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above. Eighteen (18) of these credits are devoted to two concentrations within the major: 3 courses/9 credits are taken in a geographic concentration in either Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East, and 3 courses/9 credits are taken in a topic concentration in either Intercultural Communication (ICC), International Security and Diplomacy (ISD), International Law and Organizations (ILO), or International Political Economy (IPE).
The remaining 6 credits must include one upper-division elective on any international topic or geographic area and a 400-level capstone experience. This capstone may be a senior seminar, an internship abroad or in our Maxwell-in-Washington International Relations Seminar, an independent study, or honors project on an appropriately international theme, as approved by the director of undergraduate studies in International Relations.
In addition to the 33 or 36 credits required in courses in international relations, each student major must demonstrate proficiency in a contemporary spoken language other than English. It is encouraged that this language be spoken in the geographic area chosen for concentration. Proficiency must be demonstrated either by placement examination or by coursework to at least the equivalent of Course IV (202). We strongly encourage, however, that students continue to pursue language study to a level of full literacy and fluency.
additional program opportunities
International relations majors are also expected to study abroad during their undergraduate program.
Syracuse University Abroad (SU Abroad) offers a rich variety of courses that can be applied to the IR major requirements.
In addition, participation in the
Maxwell-in-Washington International Relations Semester, a 15-credit seminar and internship program, is highly recommended. For more information on this program, contact the Global Programs coordinator in 225 Eggers Hall or call 315-443-5339.
Co-curricular activities, such as the
International Relations Learning Community, a residential program for students new to Syracuse University, as well as our International Relations Honor Society Sigma Iota Rho, Model United Nations, colloquia, and related community activities, are available.
Minor Programs
Global Political Economy
Contact Francine D’Amico, International Relations Office, 225 Eggers Hall, 315-443-8215; fjdamico@maxwell.syr.edu.
Affiliated faculty R. Ahearn, D. Armstrong, S. Brechin, S. Brown, L. Carty, S. Cronin, F. D’Amico, M. Freedman, S. Goode-Null, A. Klotz, A. Lutz, D. Mitra, A. Paris, W. Pooler, R. Ratcliff, J. Reed, J.D. Richardson, M. Rupert, S.N. Sangmpam, G. Spencer, H. Wang, J. Winders.
The Global Political Economy minor consists of 6 courses (18 credits). These include two required introductory-level courses,
PSC 124 International Relations and
GEO 273 World Political Economy, plus 12 credits in courses numbered 300 or above, which must include one course in economics, one in geography, and one in political science. Other advanced undergraduate courses (300-level or higher) designated in the International Political Economy (IPE) topic area of international relations that are global (not regional) in scope may be accepted toward completion of the minor upon approval by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in International Relations.
Affiliated Minors
There are currently several interdisciplinary minor programs affiliated with the international relations program that are supervised by other administrative units or offices. These include the minor in Nonviolent Conflict and Change administered by the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflict (PARC) as well as area studies minors in African/African American Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle East Studies, Russian and Central/Eastern European Studies, Chinese Studies, and South Asian Studies described elsewhere in the course catalog.
*As approved by the program advisor.