International Relations Program
Welcome to our web site!
IR is one of the larger majors on campus with 659 declared majors. Our curriculum is highly interdisciplinary and allows students to choose among four tracks: World Trade and Development; Peace and Security; Global Environment, Health, and Natural Resources; and Peoples and Nationalities
. In addition, students are required to demonstrate competence in a second language (two years university study or equivalent fluency) and to develop an expertise in one region of the globe.
IR students, especially the fifty percent who study or do internships abroad, gain first-hand, interdisciplinary understanding of humanity’s local and global challenges. Students who participate in local internships gain a personal understanding of the close interconnections that exist between local communities and the larger international system.
Honors Seminar. Qualified students desiring additional intensive work may enroll in an Honors Seminar
offered in the fall and winter quarters. Participants work closely with faculty advisers and write a thesis. In the spring quarter students have the opportunity to participate in the Undergraduate Research Conference with a fully developed project.
Undergraduate Research Internships.
In spring 2005 IR instituted a pilot program of undergraduate research internships. Faculty doing research on international relations sponsor IR students as interns who participate meaningfully in an ongoing faculty research project. Student interns receive a stipend at the end of the internship.
IRE 192 Internship Credit. Students with international relations-related internships
may apply to receive academic credit under the sponsorship of the IR Director.
Education Abroad. The IR Program strongly encourages students to study abroad and is continuing to work with the University-wide Education Abroad Program (EAP) office to develop programs that will allow IR students to enroll in both required and elective courses abroad, ensuring the greatest degree of flexibility in integrating study abroad with timely completion of the major. In a recent survey we learned that more than fifty percent of IR seniors have taken advantage of an international educational experience; this is one of the highest levels of participation on campus. (See Announcements
for information about a new study abroad requirement and other changes to Track IV.)
Student Activities Associated with the Major. Two lively student organizations, Model United Nations (MUN) and the International Relations Student Association (IRSA)
, are sponsored by the IR Program. IR staff serve as consultants to leaders from these groups, and we provide office space, web sites, and part of their financial support. IR’s support of these organizations encourages the development of the intellectual and leadership capacity of our students.
I hope our web site answers many of the questions you might have about the IR major. If you have unanswered questions, please feel free to contact any of the IR Program staff personally.
Zeev Maoz
Professor, Department of Political Science and
Director, International Relations Program