Worldwide poverty, global warming, and terrorism are among the many daunting challenges facing the world today, but there are also many signs of positive change and progress. The dramatically-increased capacity for communication, understanding, and cooperation have affected relations not only between nation-states, but also among citizens of those states, leading to a global civil society. All of which brings us to the importance of a bachelor’s degree with a focus on International Studies.
What is International Relations?
International relations, in the most basic sense, is the study of these challenges, relationships, and institutions from the international level (e.g. the United Nations or the World Trade Organization) to regional or local levels, such as states, societies, organizations and even individuals. It considers the impact not only of political relations, but also of economic practices and institutions, technological developments, and matters of identity.
Program Requirements
In addition to the interdisciplinary core requirement of 60 credit hours for the B.A. degree, students who choose a focus area concentration in International Relations will complete an additional 36 credit hours, including these courses:
A bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences with a concentration in International Relations, like other liberal arts degrees, may not give you immediate entry into a specific field. However, with its broad knowledge base, it can be the differentiator you need to excel in a variety of occupations … and help you pursue careers in International Relations. These occupations include, but are not limited to the following:
In addition, the interdisciplinary scope of the International Relations focus area gives students the kind of wide-ranging background which many graduate and professional degree programs find attractive in applicants. In particular, students wishing to continue their education may go on to graduate programs in Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Business, or Law.
Curricular requirements must comply with all general academic requirements for a bachelor’s degree, including:
The program embodies three broad blocks of curricular requirements or components:
I: General Education Core (64 quarter hours);
II: BHS core and concentration courses 60 quarter hours
III: Elective courses (56 quarter hours), for a total of 180 quarter hours
I: General Education Core courses:
II: BHS Core and selected International Relations concentration area courses
III: Elective courses:
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