MAJOR IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Department of Politics and International Relations
Advisors:
David Skidmore (Director), Meredith 213. (515) 271-3843; david.skidmore@drake.edu
Debra DeLaet, Meredith 210. (515) 271-1884; debra.delaet@drake.edu
Eleanor Zeff, Meredith 209. (515) 271-3102; eleanor.zeff@drake.edu 


Note: Requirements in the IR major were revised in the spring of 2002. The requirements given below apply to students who enter the program in the Fall of 2002 or later. For the previous requirements, which apply to students entering the program prior to Fall, 2002, click on the following link: http://www.drake.edu/artsci.ir/ir_requirements.html

 The International Relations major is an interdisciplinary program designed to meet the needs of those interested in understanding and/or working in international affairs. The goal is to train students for entry into internationally-oriented jobs in business, government, education or international public or private agencies. The curriculum is designed to provide greater breadth than is possible by concentration in a single discipline, yet to permit sufficiently focused study in international matters to prepare the student for direct entry into the field of international service or continued postgraduate study.

 The requirements in the major are outlined below. As a rule, students should expect to concentrate on courses in the basic core during the first year and begin the language sequence. Courses in the regional and functional concentrations should be taken from the sophomore through senior years with careful attention to sequential connections where appropriate. The capstone International Relations Seminar (Pols 192) should be taken during the spring semester of a student's final year of study. Courses listed under more than one area may be counted toward one area or the other, but not both.

 Students are encouraged, though not required, to study abroad during their junior year. Study abroad options should be considered in consultation with the student's academic adviser and the study abroad coordinator. Information concerning careers, internships and graduate programs related to international affairs can be obtained from your academic adviser, the International Relations webpage or the Center for International Programs and Services. 


 I. Foreign Language: Students must take two years of coursework or credits (including DULAP) in a single language or demonstrate equivalent competence. 


 II. The Basic Core: All International Relations majors must complete the following basic requirements (18 hours):

Econ 001 & 002 Principles of Economics, I & II    
Pols  065 Comparative Politics                    
Pols 075 World Politics   

and either
Geog 003 World Regional Geography           
or
Geog 002 Human Geography
                            
and either
Pols 179 American Foreign Policy
or
Hist 113 America as a World Power



III. Specialized Tracks:

Comparative Perspectives:
Majors are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours under Comparative Perspectives. Three of these required hours may be waived, however, if a student studies abroad on a semester or year-long program. Six hours must be taken in a single regional area. Options include Europe, Latin America and Asia. Three hours must be taken in the Cross-Regional area. The final three hours (for students not studying abroad) may be taken in any of the three regional areas (i.e., Europe, Latin American or Asia). Relevant courses taken through study abroad programs may count toward Comparative Perspectives. Also, relevant Drake courses offered on an occasional basis may be considered. In all cases, the choice of courses must be made with the approval of the studentís academic adviser. See the course description section in the back in the catalog for information on the courses listed below.

 A. Europe

Scsg 132 Europe
Hist 099 European Women's History, 1900-1945
Hist 133 Europe in the 19th Century
Hist 134 Contemporary Europe
Hist 137 France Since 1799, Napoleon to de Gaulle
Pols 128 Nationalism and Ethnicity in Eastern Europe
Pols 160 Modern European Political Systems
Pols 161 Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe
Pols 171 Politics of European Integration

B. Latin America

Eng 164 Latino/a Literature
Hist 123 Modern Mexico
Hist 125 Colonial Latin America
Hist 126 Modern Latin America
Hist 170 The Mexican Revolution
Pols 164 Government & Politics in Latin America

C. Asia

Scsg 135 Asia
Hist 022 East Asian Civilization since 1600
Hist 127 Modern China
Hist 170 Modern Japan
Soc 130 Contemporary Chinese Society

SCSA 150 Post-Colonial South Asia
Pols 162 Contemporary Asian Politics

D. Cross-Regional

Scsg 192 The Cultural Geography of Islam
Hist 061 Rise and Demise of Colonialism in Africa
Hist 161 Africa, Africans and Atlantic Slavery
Pols 129 Transitions to Democracy
Pols 165 Government and Politics in Developing Nations
Pols 166 Comparative Political Parties and Intererst Groups
Pols 168 Politics and Parliaments
Rel 005 World Religions
Scss 146 Gender and Culture in Islam
Span 190 The Image of the U.S. in Latin America



Thematic Perspectives: Majors are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework under Thematic Perspectives. Nine hours must be taken in a single area. Options include International Politics and Economics and International Peace and Conflict and International Values and Ethics. The remaining 3 hours must be selected from among the courses listed under one of the two remaining areas. Relevant courses taken through study abroad programs may count toward Thematic Perspectives. Also, relevant Drake courses offered on an occasional basis may be considered. In all cases, the choice of courses must be made with the approval of the studentís academic adviser. See the course description section in the back in the catalog for information on the courses listed below.

 A. International Politics and Economics

Econ 130 International Economics
Econ 175 Developing Economies
Pols 109 Globalization: Salvation, Scourge or Myth?
Pols 127 Global Public Health and World Politics
Pols 171 Politics of European Integration
SCSA 150 Women in the Global Factory
SCS 150 Global Reproductive Politics
SCSS 072 Global Social Change

B. International Peace and Conflict Studies

Eng 166 The Literature of War
Hist 170 The U.S. and the Origins of the Cold War
Hist 170 The U.S. and Vietnam
Pols 109 National Security in the 21st Century
Pols 176 Gender and World Politics
Pols 121 The United Nations and Global Security
Pols 123 Revisiting the Vietnam War
Pols 175 Peace & World Order
Psy 134 Ethnopolitical Conflict and Peacemaking

C. International Values and Ethics

Pols 079 Ethics in a Globalizing World
Pols 124 Grassroots Globalism
Pols 125 Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Justice
Pols 170 International Law
Pols 173 Human Rights & World Politics
Pols 176 Gender & World Politics
Rel 155 Liberation Theology

Dils/Jmc 148 Intercultural Communication
SCSS 150 Global Citizenship



IV. International Relations Seminar. Majors are required to complete Pols 192: International Relations Seminar. This course is offered each spring and must be taken during the Senior year. Politics 192 counts as a senior capstone under the Drake Curriculum. 

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