International Relations, B.A.

Advisor: David Yamanishi (chair)

This interdisciplinary major has been designed to prepare students either for further study of international relations or for future employment in government or business. The curriculum consists of a four-year program in history, politics, and at least one modern foreign language.

Requirements

The major consists of the following requirements, totaling at least eleven courses. Prerequisites are noted where they are not already part of the major. Before registration each year, the International Relations committee will announce to majors which additional courses, if any, will count toward requirements.

1. 205-level competence in a modern foreign language, as evidenced by completion of FRE 205 , GER 205 , RUS 205 , or SPA 205 ; or placement into the 300 level of a modern language on a Cornell language placement exam; or equivalent transfer credit.
2. ECB 101 and one additional course in international economics or political economy selected from ECB 223 (additional prerequisite: ECB 102 ), ECB 261 , POL 346 (prerequisite: POL 143 ), or POL 349 .
3. Four courses in international politics:
- a. POL 142
- b. POL 333 or POL 348
- c. Two courses selected from POL 330 (prerequisite: POL 143 ), POL 331 (prerequisite: POL 143 ), POL 332 , POL 333 , POL 334 (prerequisite: POL 143 ), and POL 348 .
4. Two courses in the history of international relations selected from HIS 104 , HIS 210 , HIS 256 , HIS 304 , HIS 315 , HIS 317 , HIS 323 , and HIS 324 .
5. One course having to do with how members of another culture/society view participation in the international community, selected from FRE 206 (France in the Maghreb), FRE 255 (Immigration in French and Francophone Film), FRE 303 (Cultures of France and the Francophone World), RUS 181 (Introduction to Russian Culture in Literature and Film), RUS 250 (Russian Spies and Statesmen in their Own Words) and SPA 385 (Latin American Culture and Civilization).
6. A study abroad experience (class, internship, or independent study) that has to do with international relations, broadly conceived. Generally speaking, the committee will accept any study abroad class offered in Anthropology, the modern languages in Classical and Modern Languages, Economics, History, Politics, and Sociology. As an alternative, students may complete FRE 301 , GER 301 , JPN 301, RUS 301 , or SPA 301 .
7. As a capstone to the major, completion of an independent project (IRE 390 ) or senior honors thesis having to do with international relations, broadly conceived, with a core faculty member of the International Relations program. This should be completed after at least eight other courses (or equivalents) counted toward the major.

Note: International students whose first language is not English are exempt from requirements 1 and 6, and need not substitute alternative requirements.