International Relations Major

Goals for the International Relations-Economics Major

• A student who completes a major in international relations will acquire the depth of knowledge and intellectual skills equivalent to completing a major in one of the three component disciplines (economics, history, political science).
• The student will also acquire the breadth of knowledge about the other two component disciplines necessary for an interdisciplinary approach to the study of international relations.
• The student will demonstrate advanced competence in the reading, writing, and speaking of a language other than English.
• International Relations-Economics majors will acquire a more in-depth understanding of international trade, development or finance, as well as a familiarity with empirical research done in one of these three areas.

Requirements for the International Relations Major

International Relations majors consist of 14 units of course work—five core courses plus nine courses in one of the three tracks. In addition to this course work, all International Relations students are required to demonstrate advanced academic proficiency in a modern language, normally defined as two units of language study beyond the minimum required by the College. Language courses do not count toward the minimum 14 courses. Students who studied in a secondary system where the primary language of instruction was a language other than English have met the language requirement for the IR major. If you intend to fulfill your language requirement this way, please provide your advisor with a signed statement attesting to the above under the honor code.

 

Five core courses: All students majoring in International Relations-Economics must take the following courses:

ECON 101 or ECON 101P; ECON 102 or ECON 102P; ECON 213 or ECON 214 or ECON 220; HIST 205; POL3 221.

It is strongly recommended that students complete all core courses by the end of the sophomore year.

Nine courses in Economics:

• Students who elect the International Relations-Economics major take the following courses in addition to the International Relations core:
• ECON 103/SOC 190, ECON 201, ECON 202, and ECON 203.
• At least two of the following electives:
• ECON 311, ECON 312, ECON 313, ECON 314, ECON 320, or ECON 328. These courses must be completed at Wellesley.
• One intermediate or advanced history course dealing with a country or region outside the United States or with international or diplomatic history
• One 300-level political science course in an area related to economic issues or policies
• One additional course in Africana Studies, Anthropology, History, Political Science, Sociology or Women’s and Gender Studies, dealing with a particular country or region, or with relations among nations, or with transnational institutions or phenomena

Honors in International Relations

The policies governing eligibility for honors work in International Relations-Economics, International Relations-History, or International Relations-Political Science are set by the individual departments. Students interested in pursuing honors should consult the relevant departmental entry in the Bulletin.

Advanced Placement Policy in International Relations

The International Relations program’s policy about AP/IB credits follows that established by the relevant department. Please consult directions for election in the departments of Economics, History, and Political Science. In no case do AP credits count toward the minimum major in International Relations.

International Study in International Relations

International Relations majors are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester in an international study program. Transfer credits from international study programs must be approved by the appropriate department chair. Students are strongly encouraged to seek the relevant approval before studying abroad. At least two 300-level units must be completed at Wellesley.