Fall Semester 2000 through Summer Semester 2002
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International Relations (B.A.)
At-a-Glance

Minimum hours required for major: 35 hours - 17-hour core in political science, three hours in economics, and 15 to 16 hours in political science, other arts and sciences, or in business, depending on the specific concentration.

Language Competence: Students must demonstrate mastery in a major world language of relevance to their concentration comparable to that obtained from two years of college-level instruction. No course work in languages is required. Competence may be demonstrated by examination.

Admission to Major: No requirement other than good academic standing in the College of Arts and Sciences. Double majors are encouraged.

Evening Program: Because courses are offered in a variety of departments no assurance can be given that the major can be fully completed at night. All core courses will be available (in political science and economics) over a two-year cycle.

Foreign Study Programs: Students may apply for credit toward their concentration for study abroad programs including programs at Clermont (France), Germany, and China, as well as for other programs administrated through the Center for International Services and Programs at CSU.

Internship Opportunities: Students can acquire valuable work experience, and can earn up to 5 credit hours through an internship in the U.S. or abroad (sign up for PSC 406). The department maintains a list of established internship opportunities, particularly in international business. Specific intern assignments will be worked out on an individual basis by the department's International Relations Intern Advisor. Hours earned will not reduce the minimum 35 required to satisfy the major.

Advising: When a student signs up as an IR major, the Director of the International Relations program assigns the student an advisor. Phone 687-4541, or email g.tan@csuohio.edu.

Additional Information: This major is designed to give students the opportunity to engage in a multidisciplinary study of the variety of subjects concerned with international affairs. Successful completion of the major does not assure job placement in an international career. It does offer a number of advantages to students seeking entry placement in domestic and overseas private-sector firms and nongovernmental organizations where a premium is placed on the ability to interact successfully with people and economic and political practices in other cultures. It also provides an excellent foundation for more specialized graduate study in international studies, and for taking entry-level examinations into international service.

All students follow a series of core courses in political science and economics. In addition, students choose from one of a number of concentrations in the areas of international business and economics, Western European studies, Central Europe and the former Soviet Union, Asia, and a combined concentration in Africa and the Middle East. For each of these concentrations students take four courses from a recommended list. Students, with the agreement of the IR Director, may also design their own concentration if a grouping of appropriate courses is available.

In addition to the analytic tools of political science and economics, all International Relations majors are required to demonstrate competence in at least one major world foreign language at a level comparable to two years of college instruction. Competence may be demonstrated either by completing course work or passing an examination. Non-native English speakers may submit English as their foreign language. All other students must obtain approval for their language and show its relevance to their area of concentration. IR majors are encouraged to gain or deepen their language competence through a period of residence and/or study abroad. The department works closely with the Center for International Services and Programs to develop study abroad opportunities for International Relations majors. In some cases scholarship support may be available to assist with travel expenses. Foreign language majors or minors are welcome to double major in International Relations.

The Department of Political Science also encourages students to benefit from an internship program which will further deepen their knowledge of international affairs and improve their marketability. The Director of the International Relations program will work with interested students to arrange internship opportunities in Cleveland, elsewhere in the U.S. or in some instances with foreign corporations or organizations abroad. Students can consult a list of existing opportunities, or additional ones can be developed on an individual basis.

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Major Requirements

The curriculum for the International Relations major consists of a common core and an area of concentration. The following courses are required of all International Relations majors:

The Core:

plus one additional 300-level elective (4 hours) from among the following:

The Concentration: (15 to 16 hours all at the 300-level or above, except for PSC 221, in area studies concentrations)

The purpose of the concentration is to enable students to pursue an in-depth study of one area of international studies corresponding to their intellectual and/or career interests. Courses in the concentration may be chosen from among a variety of courses in different disciplines of Arts and Sciences and from the College of Business. All courses selected for the concentration must be approved by the student's advisor or by the director of the International Relations major. Students can select from among the four concentrations listed below, or may create their own concentration with the approval of their advisor. Courses listed below for each concentration are indicative and may not all be available as needed. Students should see their advisors to work out their specific set of concentration courses.

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