International Relations BA

The international relations degree examines the nature of the global economy, communications, politics, and cultures; the consequences of the increasing environmental interdependence among regions of the world; and the unfolding of a variety of other crossborder issues. The program aims to provide its graduates with the conceptual and substantive tools necessary to function more advantageously and effectively in a “shrinking” world; the global village concept. The degree consists of courses from many academic disciplines such as government, economics, business, history, and sociology, and contains a foreign language requirement.

The courses you choose to meet the requirement for the international relations major may not count as General Education courses. See your advisor for further information.

Careers

Graduates can opt for careers in local, state, national, and international government institutions or in trade and commerce chambers or in professional associations or other nongovernmental agencies such as contracting and consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, foundations and research establishments, and political support and interest groups. Careers are also possible in the growing national and international tourist industry or in international business and finance, print and broadcast media, public relations, and advertising firms. Graduates can also pursue a variety of related graduate studies (i.e., international relations, political science, law).

Degree Requirements

General Education Program		40 Hours
International Relations majors cannot double-count courses that satisfy both their major and GEP requirements. STAT 1150 is required for the Quantitative Reasoning Component of the GEP. Students are subject to all applicable curricula rules and restrictions issued by the GEP. Further information is listed in the General Education Program.
First Year Experience: University Foundations		1 Hour
International Relations Courses		56 Hours
University Electives		23 Hours

Total Hours Required		120 Hours

SPECIAL NOTES:

Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in any course required and elected in both the international relations and the cognate concentration areas. Students are subject to all applicable degree and curricula rules and restrictions issued by the Department of Social Sciences.
All students seeking a Bachelor Degree at Shawnee State University, MUST complete a minimum of two (2) Writing Intensive (WI) courses (denoted with “WI” in the course descriptions). These courses may be completed within the General Education Program, the Major, or Electives. It is strongly recommended that students choose WI courses from their chosen major.
International Relations majors are strongly encouraged to take travel/study abroad courses (offered as special topics courses in Sociology), or to spend a semester studying at our sister institutions in other countries through the Center for International Programs and Activities (CIPA).

First Year Experience: University Foundations

Complete the following course:

UNIV 1100 - First Year Experience: University Foundations

International Relations Core Courses (21 Hours)

Unless otherwise noted all courses listed below are 3 semester credit hours each.

Foundational Core Courses

Complete all 5 courses:

Integrative Core Courses

Complete both courses:

The Global Economy (3 Hours)

Select one of the following courses:

Specialized International Relations (3 hours)

Select one of the following courses:

Modern International History (6 Hours)

Select two of the following courses:

The International Relations Environment (6 Hours)

Select one course (3 hours) from the following list:

Foreign Language (Minimum of 4 semesters of college coursework in a single language*)

*Up to 6 hours may be waived based upon high school language experience and placement. Bilingual students, including international students, who are fluent in English and a second language, may have all 14 hours waived. If you believe that your experience with foreign language might be sufficient to achieve a waiver, you MUST contact the Chairperson of the Social Sciences Department by the end of Spring Semester of your freshman year.

Shawnee State University offers courses in the following languages:

French

German

GRMN 1111 - Elementary German I
GRMN 1112 - Elementary German II
GRMN2211 - Currently offered as a topics course.
GRMN2212 - Currently offered as a topics course.

Spanish

University Electives (23 Hours)

Complete additional coursework such that at least 120 semester hours are completed.

You may select from the broad spectrum of university courses. It is recommended, however, that you should choose from among courses in the social sciences, business, and the humanities, and, especially, more courses in your chosen foreign language. It is also recommended that students consider a minor offered by the Department of Social Sciences, or in business, or in other related fields.