International Relations

School of Humanities, Arts and Sciences

Department: History, Place and Political Science

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts

Campus: St. Paul

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Academic Plan

International relations major courses are drawn from the departments of economics, history and political science.

Foreign language requirements

As an international relations major, you must complete two courses beyond the intermediate level in a modern foreign language (must be the same language as basic foreign language requirements).

If you intend to prepare for a career in foreign service, you are strongly urged to complete two additional courses in the same language (a total of four courses beyond the intermediate level).

Study abroad requirement

The major requires that you complete at least one semester’s study abroad or its equivalent, preferably during your junior year. You can travel around the globe. Students have studied in Europe, Asia and South America.

Supporting courses

In addition to the five core courses listed in the sample course plan below, international relations majors must take additional courses to fulfill major requirements. You may choose from courses in economics, history or poltical science, with three courses from one department and two each from the remaining two departments (for a total of seven additional courses).

Fall

  • CORE 1000: The Reflective Woman*
  • HIST 1060: Modern Europe*
  • ENGL: English literature course*
  • LANG: Foreign language course*

Winter

  • HIST 1160: East Asia Since 1600
  • ECON 2620: Principles of Macroeconomics*
  • LANG: Foreign language course*
  • PHIL/THEO: Philosophy or theology course*

Fall

  • POSC 2200: Introduction to Comparative Government
  • ART/MUS/THTR: Fine arts course*
  • LANG: Foreign language course*
  • PHIL/THEO: Philosophy or theology course*

Winter

  • POSC 2250: Introduction to World Politics
  • POSC/HIST/ECON: Supporting course
  • LANG: Foreign language course*
  • MATH: Math course*

Fall

  • Study Abroad

Winter

  • POSC/HIST/ECON: Supporting course
  • POSC/HIST/ECON: Supporting course
  • PHIL/THEO: Philosophy or theology course*
  • BIOL/CHEM/PHYS: Laboratory science course*
  • EXSS: Exercise and sport science activity course*

Fall

  • CORE 3990: Global Search for Justice*
  • POSC/HIST/ECON: Supporting course
  • POSC/HIST/ECON: Supporting course
  • WOST/CRST: Women's studies or critical studies course*
  • EXSS: Exercise and sport science activity course*

Winter

  • POSC 4994: Topics
  • POSC/HIST/ECON: Supporting course
  • Elective
  • Elective

* Denotes course fulfills liberal arts and sciences core requirements (for all majors).

To see a complete list of international relations courses with detailed descriptions, visit the courses page.

Recommended minors

Recommended minors for international relations majors are economics, history and political science.