International Relations Major

The major in international relations is organized around three sub-fields of international relations theory, international security and international political economy. The purposes of the major are threefold: (1) to understand the major analytical perspectives and key concepts used by scholars to study international relations; (2) to use the theoretical literature to analyze global issues and problems; and (3) to engage in a discussion of the complex issues and developments that drive and define contemporary global politics. The 100-, 200-, and 300-level courses are designed to provide a foundation in the theory and practice of international politics, and encourage critical thinking for interpreting the different perspectives on the complexities of international relations in the 21st century. The major requires 36 credits of course work.

International relations majors must take the following:
PSC 114 (IR)
PSC 111 (Theory) or PSC 112 (Comparative)
PSC 250 (Majors declaring in 06-07 or later)
PSC 257*
PSC 350

Students must take two of the following:
PSC 224*
PSC 259
PSC 264*
PSC 258*
PSC 263*
HIS 286

* See writing proficiency requirements.

Students must take five additional courses from the list below. Two of these must be at the 300 level, and one of the 300-level courses must be from a discipline other than political science. In addition, three of the five electives must be in political science. Courses cross-listed with political science will not count as a course outside the discipline.

Anthropology
ANT 238. Cultures of Contemporary Europe
ANT 255. Political Anthropology

Communication
COM 200. Understanding World Cinema
COM 335. International Mass Media
COM 257. Intercultural Communication

Economics
EC 271. International Trade

History
HIS 200. World History I
HIS 201. World History II
HIS 220. Russia from Peter the Great to the Revolution
HIS 222. Russia and the Soviet Union in the 20th Century
HIS 224. Europe 1914-1945
HIS 227. Nation, Memory, and Identity
HIS 231 The Rise and Fall of the European Left
HIS 233 Modern German History: From Unification to Unification
HIS 238. Comparative History of Colonialism in Asia
HIS 277. Morality and Power in 20th-Century American Foreign Policy
HIS 286. Twentieth-Century Asia HIS 288. History of Cross-Cultural Trade in Asia
HIS 295. Latin American History: An Introduction
HIS 338. Seminar in Modern European and American History
HIS 387. Seminar in 20th-Century Asia

Management
MGT 221. Special Topics in International Business
MGT 231. Environment of International Business
MGT 331. Case Studies in International Business
MGT 335. Special Topics in International Business

Peace Studies
PCE 230 Special Topic in African Literature and Film
PCE 241. Issues in Conflict Resolution
PCE 310 International Human Rights Law
PCE 340 Special Topics in U.S. and International Peace Studies

Political Science
PSC 130. Issues in World Politics
PSC 200.* Tragic, Platonic, and Christian Political Thought
PSC 201. Modern Political Thought
PSC 202. Contemporary Political Thought
PSC 221. Comparative Political Analysis
PSC 224.* European Politics Today
PSC 225. British Politics
PSC 229. Inequality and Social Policy in South Africa
PSC 243. The American Political System
PSC 250. Theories and Research Methods in International Politics
PSC 251. American Foreign Policy from 1917-the Present
PSC 253 Military Strategy and National Policy
PSC 256. The United Nations in World Affairs (seven-week course)
PSC 257 International Political Economy: Theories, Issues and Practice
PSC 258.* The International Politics of the Middle East
PSC 259. Africa: Past and Present PSC 263.* The Pacific Rim
PSC 264.* Latin American Politics
PSC 267. Model United Nations (seven-week course)
PSC 282. Analysis of Public Policy: A Substantive Approach
PSC 290. Political Science and International Relations Internship
PSC 316. Seminar in Scope and Method in Political Science
PSC 321. Terrorism, Political Violence, and Revolution
PSC 323. Comparative Public Policy and Gender (WS 323)
PSC 350. Seminar in International Relations Theories
PSC 359. Seminar on African Politics
PSC 304. Seminar in Comparative Politics
* See writing proficiency requirements.

Sociology
SOC 220. Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations
SOC 222. Understanding Inequality
SOC 274. Women and Work: A Global Perspective

Women’s Studies
WS 240. Women, War, and Peace

The international relations major also requires reading and speaking competence in a modern foreign language. The choice of language is up to the student and need not be limited to the languages available at Goucher. Cooperative arrangements with seven local colleges and universities open many opportunities for instruction in a variety of modern languages. The language requirement may be met by satisfactory performance on a test to be arranged with the Modern Languages and Literatures Department. It may also be met by completion of any of the following courses and combinations of courses:
FR 245
FR 258
FR 333
RUS 251
RUS 260
SP 250
SP 260
SP 263
GER 240

Given the importance of language skills to the pursuit of any internationally oriented career, students are encouraged to pursue language study beyond that required. Students majoring in international relations are normally expected to participate in an approved study abroad program or international internship.