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Political Science Major, International Relations Concentration

Political Science Major, International Relations Concentration

The International Relations (IR) concentration within Political Science addresses a significant need in an era of globalization. Mercyhurst students can now specialize in International Relations, focus on courses most relevant to this field, and graduate with a diploma that explicitly identifies IR as their chosen field of study. Students who select the International Relations concentration are preparing for a variety of careers, including diplomacy, academia, journalism, public service, or work with the vast array of non-governmental organizations engaged in advocacy and service around the world. The marketable skills at the heart of this concentration are research skills, the ability to read critically and engage in thoughtful analysis, an appreciation of diverse views and complexity, an enhanced understanding of world events and the political actors and conditions that influence these events, plus an increased interest in – and tolerance for – different cultures and societies.

All students complete nine required courses and six electives. Pre-approved off-campus study and cognate courses from other disciplines may be used to fulfill political science elective courses.

Required Courses: (1) American Government, (2) Geopolitics, (3) American Foreign Policy or International Relations, (4) International Organizations and Diplomacy, (5) Global Issues, (6) Senior Project, (7) and three Comparative Politics courses (Comparative Politics: Asia, Comparative Politics: Europe, Comparative Politics: Latin America, Comparative Politics: Africa, Comparative Politics: Countries at the Crossroads, the Politics of Russia).

Electives: (1) The Vietnam War, American Foreign Policy (if not taken as a requirement above), Intelligence and National Security, International Relations (if not taken as a requirement above), Politics of the Global Economy, Nationalism, Political Theory, World Politics, Research Methods in Social Science, the Politics of Migration, and any other 3-credit Political Science course (limit TWO).

Language: Level III foreign language or equivalency.