International Relations

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of key subfields and theories of international relations as a discipline.
• Identify major actors and institutions of international relations and know their functions.
• Analyze international issues from perspectives other than their own.
• Display familiarity with foreign cultures and languages.

The 42 credit hours required for the international relations major include the following:

• INTL 1050/POLT 1050 Introduction to International Relations (3 hours)
• POLT 1070 Introduction to Political Theory (3 hours)
  or INTL 2680 International Relations Theory (3 hours)
• POLT 1080 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 hours)
  or POLT 1060 Introduction to American Politics (3 hours)
  or POLT 2250 Politics in the Industrialized World (3 hours)
  or POLT 2550 The Politics of the Developing World (3 hours)
• INTL 2700 Methods of Political Inquiry (3 hours)
  or POLT 2600 Research Methods and Approaches in Political Science (3 hours)
• INTL 1500 The World System since 1500 (3 hours)
• A 2000-level or above HIST course with an international focus (3 hours)
• Three of the following sub-field courses (9 hours):
  
  • INTL 2030 International Law (3 hours)
  • INTL 3100 International Political Economy (3 hours)
  • POLT 3310 Conduct of Foreign Policy (3 hours)
  • INTL 3800 International Security (3 hours)
  • INTL 3500 Environmental and Energy Security (3 hours)
  • INTL 3700 International Organizations: Structure and Political Conflict (3 hours)
• INTL 4000 Research Requirement (to be taken in conjunction with a designated 3000-level or 4000-level course) (0 hours) 
• INTL 4620 Overview (0-1 hours)
• INTL/POLT/HIST electives (15 hours, 9 of which must have an international focus)

At least 12 credit hours of upper-level (3000-level or above) coursework in the department with an international focus must be completed in addition to methods and overview. Note: In Athens, the research requirement and overview are satisfied by the seminar course (INTL 4600).

To satisfy the study abroad residency, students may study at one of Webster University’s international campuses or at an approved alternative location. International students who have lived outside of the country of their home campus are exempt from this requirement.

Students are required to have significant international language experience. This requirement can be met by completing the full elementary and intermediary sequence in a single foreign language (usually consisting of four 3-credit hour sequential courses), completing a 3000-level or 4000-level course in a foreign language with a grade of C- or better, or by passing an advanced-level proficiency examination. This requirement will be waived for students whose native language is not English and who are studying in English. Their mastery of English as a second language fulfills the requirement.

You can get a Minor in International Relations with a required 18 hours in INTL classes at Webster University. Note: Students majoring in political science or international relations are not permitted to double-count courses toward their major and minor requirements.