International Relations Major
Goals for the International Relations 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-Political Science majors will be familiar with the historical study of international relations across both world regions and centuries, complete at least five courses in the International Relations subfield, and engage in intensive research, writing, and interaction with a faculty member.
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 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 educational systems requiring them to read, write, and speak 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 must take the following courses:
ECON 101; ECON 102; 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 Political Science:
Students who elect the International Relations-Political Science major take the following courses in addition to the International Relations core:
- Five political science courses in international relations (i.e., POL3 courses or POL2 courses that the director agrees may count as POL3), at least two of which must be at the 300 level and one of which must be a seminar
- Two political science courses in comparative politics:
- Either POL2 202 or POL2 204, and one of the following area studies courses: POL2 205, POL2 206 [2009-10], POL2 207, POL2 208, POL2 209 [2008-2009], or POL2 211
- One political science course in American politics or in political theory or statistics and data analysis
- One additional 200- or 300-level course in Africana Studies, Anthropology, Economics, History, Sociology, or Women’s and Gender Studies
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.