The interdisciplinary major program in International Affairs is designed to provide the student with a broad knowledge of the contemporary international system as well as with specific expertise in a given geo-graphic area and/or academic discipline. To this end, the major combines required courses that examine international affairs from a variety of disciplinary perspectives (i.e., economics, geography, history, and political science) with related field courses that permit students to pursue in depth their particular geographical and/or disciplinary interests. Students majoring in International Affairs have ample opportunities to pursue internships with the numerous governmental agencies and private “think tanks” located in Washington, D.C., which focus on different aspects of contemporary international economic, political, and social issues.

Career opportunities for the major in International Affairs range from such traditional areas as work with government or private agencies engaged in research on foreign policy or intelligence issues to such new and rapidly expanding areas as employment with multinational corporations or international banking institutions.

Requirements for the International Affairs Major

Thirty-nine (39) credits, to include Political Science 321, 350, 356; Economics 382 or 384; History 371 or 372; Geography 336 or 338; additional 21 credits to be chosen by student and advisor from among, but not limited to, the following disciplines: Economics, French, Geography, German, History, Italian, Political Science, Spanish.

Additional Foreign Language Requirement:

Option A – completion of two languages through the intermediate level.
Option B – at least six credits in one language at the advanced level.

International Affairs Course Offerings

471 – International Affairs Seminar (3)

Intensive reading and group discussion of selected topics in international affairs.

491 – Individual Study in International Affairs (3)

Directed individual research on approved problems in international affairs.

499 – Internship (Credits variable)

Supervised off-campus experience. Up to 6 credits can be applied to major.