International Relations Minor Requirements

This course introduces students to the concepts, themes, and classic cases in international relations, the highest level of politics. It focuses on the role that states, international organizations, and non-state actors (e.g. Microsoft, al-Qaeda) play in the world arena and the intervening force of globalization.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

The course introduces the environment of international business; an examination of the international organizations, the international monetary system and their impact on business; a focus on the uncontrollable forces within the foreign environment; and illustrations and examples of their effects on business practice.

Offered fall semester. (3 Credits)

This course serves as an introduction to the field of intercultural communication. Students will develop an understanding of the intercultural communication process, learn to appreciate diverse ways of communicating in different cultures, and increase their understanding of cultural issues – both at home and abroad – that influence communication effectiveness.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: None

An introduction to the economic theories which explain national economic conditions in the United States. Topics include unemployment, inflation, economic fluctuations, productivity, and economic growth in the context of a global economy.

Offered fall semester. (3 Credits)

Students make decisions of war and peace in real time by role-playing as leaders of the major European nations from 1908 to 1914. Thrust into a simulation of the tense pre-war international scene, students will be forced to respond to the crises that led up to the war and in the process discover the role of diplomacy and nationalism played in the coming of Great War. Ultimately, students will come to some conclusions as to how wars are started and who is “at fault” for starting them.

Offered every other fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

A survey of the political, social, and economic trends that have shaped the present European community. Topics studied include post-war reconstruction, the rise of the common market, unity and diversity on both sides of the “Iron Curtain,” the cultural upheavals of the 1960s and
1970s, and the collapse of communism.

Offered every other year, fall semester. (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to the study of foreign governments, foreign political behavior, foreign political economy, and foreign political culture across the globe. It focuses on the objective comparison of how other societies organize their governments, how their people vote, how they solve common problems, and how their cultures influence their political behavior. The course surveys major democracies in the Western world as well as prominent non-Western countries.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

This course examines the role of ethics in International Relations. International politics is ripe with ethical and normative issues, including when is the use of force justified? Should human rights be important for state behavior? Who should be responsible for environmental protection? This course will ask students to address these and other important questions, as well as think about the consequences and responsibilities that follow for us, our political leaders, and the world.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to international organizations. We study the importance and effectiveness of international organizations in such areas as peace and security, economic globalization, protection of the environment, and human rights.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

This course explores the social and political dimensions of sustainability. Students will study the common problems created by environmental degradation and the depletion of nonrenewable resources; the solutions to these problems proposed by governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations; and the processes by which competing preferences over these different solutions are reconciled. This course includes theoretical readings and case studies in order to provide an accurate survey of the rapidly changing politics of sustainability. At the conclusion of the course, student will have an increased awareness of what actions society must take in order develop in a sustainable manner.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

This course examines the security-seeking behavior of governments and studies the impact it has on international relations as a whole. Specific topics include terrorism, civil-military relations, peacekeeping, weapons of mass destruction, arms races, interstate war, civil war, ethnic violence, and defense policymaking.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: Student must have taken one political science course.

This course focuses on the past, present, and future role of the United Nations in world politics. Special attention is given to the requirements of participating in Model UN deliberations. Required for participation in Model UN conferences.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to the way that Americans make foreign policy and pays close attention to the uniqueness of the American method in comparison with other countries. Along the way, students will study contemporary American foreign policy issues related to trade, national security, and transnational problems like the HIV/AIDS epidemic or climate change.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: ECO 100 and ECO-0102 and PSC 290 or POI.

How do governments interact with the global economy? In the twenty-first century, the roles that governments play in trade and development have an immense impact on international relations and on the quality of life for all people. This course examines the topic of international political economy by studying explanatory theories and by analyzing classic and contemporary cases.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: None

This course examines changing roles for women and men during times of war. Through a close examination of masculinity and femininity during military conflicts, students will explore the role of gender in both warfare and pacifism.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: None

Any foreign language course at 300-Level or higher.

Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)