International Affairs Major
International Affairs Major
The Baccalaureate Program
The International Affairs major is a study of the behavior of states, international organizations, and domestic political actors within the international community. The major provides a basis for analyzing international issues such as international cooperation and conflict, the global political economy, US foreign policy, world cultures, global health and environmental concerns, and international law and organization.
Although International Affairs majors take most of their courses in political science, they also may take courses in history, economics, anthropology, public health, and other liberal arts disciplines. Beyond learning theories, concepts, and principles within the study of international relations, students in the major develop research, analytical, presentation, and communication skills. Additionally, students much acquire knowledge of at least one foreign language, and participation in study abroad programs is highly encouraged.
The International Affairs major provides excellent preparation for law school and/or graduate school, and majoring in International Affairs can lead to employment in many sectors of the economy. Potential positions of employment include policy analyst, social science teacher, international business management, foreign correspondent, consultant, legislative aide, intelligence officer, Foreign Service Officer, non-governmental organization researcher or manager, Peace Corps office, and United Nationals staff member.
Major Requirements
Total credits required for graduation: 120 hours
All majors are required to take fifteen credits in the Major Field Core of the following courses:
| PSCI 1120 Introduction to American Government | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 2210 Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 2220 Introduction to World Politics | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 3310 International Relations | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 3750 International Law and Organizations | 3 hrs |
Major Field Electives Total Credits: 18 hours
Comparative Political Systems: Students must choose two courses (6 credits) from the following:
| PSCI 3010 Chinese Politics | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 3800 European Politics | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 3830 Government and Politics of Latin America | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 4820 Politics of Development and Change | 3 hrs |
| *PSC1 4957/5957 Government & Politics of Russia and East Europe | 3 hrs |
(*Government & Politics of Russia and East Europe is currently offered as a special topics course)
Issues in International Affairs: Students must choose two courses (6 credits) from the following:
| PSCI 4300 International Politics | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 3350 International Political Economy | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 3000 Peace, Security, and Development | 3 hrs |
| PSCI 4330 American Foreign Policy | 3 hrs |
| ECON 4257 International Economics | 3 hrs |
Contemporary Societies and Cultures: Students must complete two 3-credit hour courses or one 6-credit hour course. The following list of courses is illustrative only. These courses or others not listed should be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.
| PSCI 4007/5007 Study Abroad | 6 hrs |
| SOAA 1240 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 hrs |
| SOAA 3700 Peoples and Cultures of Latin America | 3 hrs |
| HIST 3720 History of Africa | 3 hrs |
| HIST 3740 History of Asia | 3 hrs |
| HIST 4730 Latin America: Revolution and Nationalism | 3 hrs |
| SPAN 3413 Civilization of Latin America | 3 hrs |
| HIST 3340 Modern Europe | 3 hrs |
| PUBH 4707 International Health: An Overview of Problems and Issues | 3 hrs |
| HIST 4717 Modern Middle East | 3 hrs |
| ECON 4527 International Economics | 3 hrs |
Other credits: Minor Program (18-28 credit hours)
Additional university general electives (10-22 credit hours)
Three credit hours of a foreign language course numbered 2020 or above, and three credit hours of a non-US history course are required in addition to forty-one to forty-two credit hours of the University General Education requirements.
For more information regarding the International Affairs Major, please contact Dr. Michele Crumley at (423) 439-6629 or http://crumleyml@etsu.edu