International Politics Concentration

International Politics Concentration in Political Science

The Department is pleased to offer a concentration in the Political Science (PSC) major which provides students the opportunity to focus their studies on international affairs.

The International Politics Concentration promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity with respect to international politics; it enables students to progress toward their educational, personal, and career goals in international politics; and it encourages students to develop the skills and experience, both inside and outside of the classroom, to address critical global issues and contribute to the public good.

The purpose of the program is to encourage students to concentrate in the study of international politics. Students are required to acquire knowledge about both politics within other countries and politics among countries, and the research skills necessary to engage in the study of international politics. Students are encouraged to develop ancillary skills in foreign languages and international economics.

Students completing the International Politics Concentration will be prepared for graduate study and/or to enter professional careers in international diplomacy, business, and development. Students looking to declare a concentration in International Politics can fill out the Undergraduate Major Minor Concentration Change Form under Student Forms.

Requirements

 • International Politics Concentration Tracking Form


Foundation Courses

Students take the same foundation courses as other PSC majors:

  • PSC 101 Intro. to American Politics
  • PSC 151 Intro. to Comparative Politics
  • PSC 161 Intro. to International Relations
  • PSC 171 Intro. to Political Theory

Upper Level Courses

Students must complete seven courses above the PSC 100-level, not including PSC 349 and/or PSC 305:

► At least two of these upper levels must be taken in courses focused on international relations.

Examples of International Relations specialized courses include: 

  • PSC 261 Topics in International Relations
  • PSC 284 Model UN
  • PSC 347 Environmental Law & Policy
  • PSC 381 Topics in International Relations
  • PSC 382 American Foreign Politics
  • PSC 384 International Organizations
  • PSC 385 The Politics of Global Climate Change
  • PSC 477 Seminar in International Relations (various topics)

► At least two of these upper levels must be taken in courses focused on comparative/regional politics.

Examples of Comparative Politics specialized courses include: 

  • PSC 239 African American Politics
  • PSC 251 Topics in Comparative Politics
  • PSC 361 Chinese Government and Politics
  • PSC 362 Topics in Comparative Politics
  • PSC 363 Politics & Government of the Middle East
  • PSC 366 Islam and Politics
  • PSC 367 African Political Systems
  • PSC 450 Seminar in Comparative Politics (various topics)

Additional Internship or Study Abroad Requirement

Students must also choose at least one of the following:

  • Study abroad of at least four weeks' duration
  • An internship that is internationally oriented and fulfills the departmental internship requirement
  • A non-internationally oriented internship that fulfills the departmental internship requirement plus an additional course from either the international or regional categories

Important Notes about the Additional Requirement:

  • Students who wish to complete an internationally oriented internship must meet with the faculty coordinator of the International Politics Concentration before beginning to search for an internship in order to ensure that the internship will meet the requirements of both the major and the concentration.
  • Students in the International Politics Concentration who choose not to undertake an internationally oriented internship must nevertheless fulfill the departmental internship requirement.
  • Students who study abroad for four or more weeks may request a waiver of the departmental internship requirement, provided that he/she takes an additional 300+ PSC course in lieu of PSC 305.

Students will take the same core courses as other political science majors, but they will be required to focus their upper level PSC coursework in International Relations (2 courses) and Comparative Politics (2 courses) as per the concentration description sheet. Additionally, students will be required to complete an additional international politics course, an internship focused on international politics or study abroad. As other political science students are required to complete an internship or study abroad, the arrangement for tracking these requirements will be covered as part of existing department procedures and arrangements.

Recommended Coursework in Other Departments

Students in the International Politics Concentration are encouraged (but not required) to complete the following courses outside of PSC:

  • Coursework required to achieve competence in a foreign language to the third-year level (for example, Spanish 301 and 302)
  • ECO 231 Microeconomics and ECO 232 Macroeconomics
  • At least one of the following intermediate Economics courses:
    • ECO 331 Economics of Developing Countries
    • ECO 337 Environmental Economics
    • ECO 371 International Trade
    • ECO 372 International Finance