International Relations

Required Courses (27 credits)

• Foundation Courses (12 credits)

• POL (0158) 102 - Introduction To Politics Credits: 3.00
• POL (0158) 260 - Comparative Political Analysis Credits: 3.00
• POL (0158) 280 - Theories And Practice of International Relations Credits: 3.00
• POL (0158) 246 - Research Design And Methods Credits: 3.00

• Analytical Skills Courses (12 credits)

• POL (0158) 200 - Public Policy: Theory And Issues Credits: 3.00
• ISP (0187) 201 - Analysis of Global Issues Credits: 3.00
• MTH (0144) 113 - Survey of Statistics Credits: 3.00
• SOC (0170) 302 - Quantitative Research Methods Credits: 4.00

• Regional and Cross-Regional Analysis (3 Credit Variable Requirement: Choose 1)

• POL (0158) 360 - European Politics Credits: 3.00
• POL (0158) 361 - Politics of Russia and The Former Soviet Republics Credits: 3.00
• POL (0158) 365 - Politics of the Middle East Credits: 3.00
• POL (0158) 362 - Politics of Africa Credits: 3.00
• POL (0158) 382 - International Politics of East And Southeast Asia Credits: 3.00
• PHI (0154) 222 - World Religions Credits: 3.00

2. Interdisciplinary Thematic Track (15 credits)

The Global Economy track focuses on the global nature of economic interactions and interplay of the public and private sectors across borders and prepares students for careers in international business or government affairs.  The Global Politics track focuses on conflict and cooperation and prepares students for careers in diplomacy, international law, Foreign Service or international organizations.  The Global Development track engages with the challenges of development and social justice on the global level, preparing students to pursue careers in global advocacy and non-governmental organizations.  Students select one thematic track and take the required course(s) as well as interdisciplinary electives.  

Within the track, students must take courses from at least two disciplines, and at least two courses must be at the 300+ level.*

*Other courses, such as special topics courses, internship courses or independent study courses, may fulfill electives for the track, by approval of director

3. International Relations 0159-499: Senior Capstone Seminar (3 credits)

Students will apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the International Relations major to different professional contexts.  Students will research a variety of career options, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, international organizations, academia, and the private sector, and complete an original research project appropriate to that field. 

4. International Immersion/Experience

All International Relations majors are required to pursue an international immersion as part of the major.  This could be a study abroad experience (such as short-term faculty led programs, a semester or year study abroad program), an internationally located  internship, or an internationally-focused internship within the US (the Washington Center, EU or other national delegations to the UN, NGOs, US State Department, etc.), or an international service learning experience.  Academic credit may be earned–and may count toward the major–for some of these options should a student fulfill the requirements for academic credit (e.g. enrolling in the Political Science internship course and working with a faculty member while undertaking the internship).  If the international experience is not part of an Adelphi-administered or monitored program or credit-bearing course, students must obtain pre-approval for the intended international experience from the IR program committee and obtain certification of experience. At the conclusion of the international immersion/experience, students must also present a paper or presentation in a major’s meeting. Independent or individual student travel does not qualify.