Summary of the IR Major: Old IR Curriculum
(view old curriculum overview)
Each student majoring in International Relations is expected to complete 12 major related courses plus courses fulfilling the IR Language Requirement. Students should immediately begin using an IR planning & concentration sheet to better understand the requirements and to track their progress. It should be updated before each registration period and used in consultation with your advisor.

I. Core Requirements (7 courses)
The Core Requirements constitute the foundation of knowledge that is needed by all majors in International Relations, regardless of your ultimate career plans or plans for postgraduate study. That is, before you can pursue the study of international relations in depth, we believe that you must complete a basic survey of the field of international relations, as well as basic courses in economics, history, US foreign policy, and theories of society and culture. In addition, majors in international relations need advanced preparation in a second language and at least one literature or arts course in the same language area.

1. PS 61: Introduction to International Relations
2. EC 5: Principles of Economics
3. International Economics (one course from approved list)
4. U.S. Foreign Policy (one course from list)
5. Theories of Society and Culture (one course from approved list)
6. The Historical Dimension (one course from approved list)
7. IR Culture Requirement (one course from approved list)

II. Thematic Concentration Requirement (4 courses from one concentration or sub-concentrations)
For a variety of reasons, ranging from personal interest and experience to career plans, students with an interest in international relations must develop a substantial, in-depth knowledge of at least one aspect of international affairs. The purpose of the Thematic Concentration Requirement is to provide guidance and coherence to the pursuit of this type of knowledge.

Each IR major will choose one of the five thematic concentrations (or sub-concentrations) listed and complete four courses within that concentration. You are free to fulfill your Thematic Concentration Requirement as you see fit, so long as you use approved courses either from the course announcement booklet or properly transferred courses. However, you should plan in advance: discuss your academic, career and personal interests with your advisor and others to construct a concentration of four courses that makes sense in terms of your goals. To ensure that the IR major helps you gain some degree of mastery over a sub-set of international affairs, discuss with your advisor how your courses will best cohere and build your knowledge to increasingly sophisticated levels.

1. Foreign Policy Analysis
2. Regional and Comparative Analysis (choose one sub-concentration)
   1. Europe and the Former Soviet Union
   2. East and Southeast Asia
   3. Africa
   4. Middle East and South Asia
   5. Latin America
3. Global Conflict, Cooperation and Justice
4. International Economics and Environment (choose one sub-concentration)
   1. International Economics and Trade
   2. International Economics and Finance
   3. International Economics and Environment
   4. International Economics and Development
5. Nationalism, Culture and Identity (four courses from approved list)

Note: Independent Study and Internships
Students may petition to apply one academic internship credit or one independent study credit to the Thematic Concentration requirement. See the internships and independent study policies for more information.

III. Seminar/Research Requirement (one seminar from approved list or a research alternative)
All majors will "cap" their concentration in IR by taking a seminar or by completing the research alternative. Seminars provide students with an invaluable opportunity to interact closely with faculty, and they help students develop the speaking and writing skills that can only be addressed in a small-group setting.

If possible, you should choose a seminar to build on your courses and knowledge acquired in the Thematic Concentration requirement. (Sophomore Seminars do not count for this requirement because they are not a capstone of your work in your concentration.

IV. Language Requirement
Students of international relations must have oral and written proficiency in at least one other language besides their native tongue. Thorough language study is an essential tool for developing cultural literacy and sensitivity which are vital to today's world. Superior language ability is a very important goal of the IR major.

PLEASE NOTE: Classes 2009-2010 may choose to follow the new curriculum if possible, or continue their studies with the old curriculum. Prior course choice will generally determine whether it is possible for a student to migrate from the old curriculum to the new. For more information, please see the new curriculum.

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Historical Core Requirement list ] Historical Thematic Concentration list ] Historical Seminar list ] Language Requirement ]