International Relations
Coordinator: Darlene L. Boroviak
Department home page: http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/Acad/IR/
The international relations program prepares students for the complexities of globalization by challenging them to develop a broad understanding of international issues from historical, economic and political perspectives. Students can tailor the program to meet their specific objectives.
Students wishing to participate in various exchange programs, junior year abroad, or other relevant programs should consult with the program coordinators at an early date to ensure that they can complete all requirements. International relations majors are encouraged to participate in relevant internship and/or field work experiences, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Major
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The major in international relations consists of 10 courses, plus competency at the intermediate level in a modern foreign language. The major includes five core courses, at least four courses in one geographical area concentration and at least one applied topics course. Each major's program should be carefully constructed with the coordinators. Students who plan to do graduate work in international relations should develop substantial proficiency in a foreign language. Students are also encouraged to develop the research and analytical skills appropriate for the major by taking either a research methods course in political science or history or an analysis course in economics. Students should take Math 141 for their quantitative analysis requirement.
Core courses
Required of all students.
Econ 305 International Finance
or Econ 306 International Trade
(note that Econ 101 and Econ 102 are prerequisites)
Pols 109 International Politics
Pols 229 United States Foreign Policy
Pols 309 International Law and Organization
or Pols 339 Theories of International Relations
Ir 402 Senior Seminar
Foreign language
Competence at the intermediate level in a modern foreign language. (For languages taught at Wheaton, the equivalent would be passing Fr 211, Ger 202, Itas 200, Russ 211 or Hisp 150.)
Area concentrations
Each major must choose four courses in one of the following areas, including courses from at least two departments, at least one of which must be political science. With permission, students may substitute an appropriate course other than those listed.
Europe and Russia
Hist 102 The Development of Modern Europe since 1789
Hist 215 History of Russia
Hist 240 German History: 1648 - Present
Hist 321 European Imperialism, 1757-1939
Pols 215 Contemporary European Governments and Politics
Pols 225 Italian Politics
Pols 249 Russian Foreign Policy
Pols 255 Russian Politics
Pols 265 Politics and Society in Eastern Europe
Pols 325 European Integration
Pols 345 Understanding Russian Politics and Society through the Prism of Film
Pols 375 The Politics of Social and Economic Problems in Post-Communist Russia
Asia
Anth 285 Peoples and Cultures of the Pacific
Anth 295 Peoples and Cultures of South Asia
Hist 222 Introduction to Chinese Civilization
Hist 223 Introduction to Indian Civilization
Hist 224 Introduction to Japanese Civilization
Hist 365 Modern China
Hist 367 Modern Japan
Pols 209 Chinese Foreign Policy
Pols 223 Contemporary Chinese Politics
Rel 212 Sacred Texts of Asia
Rel 328 Buddhism and Development
Middle East/Africa/Latin America
Anth 225 Peoples and Cultures of Africa
Anth 235 Peoples and Cultures of Latin America
Anth 245 Indigenous Movements of Latin America
Hist 217 Mundo Brasileiro
Hist 219 Norte y Sur: Modern Spanish America
Hist 251 Early Islamic Societies
Hist 252 The Modern Middle East 1800-1992
Pols 203 African Politics
Pols 233 The Politics of Latin America
Pols 263 The Politics of the Middle East
Pols 273 Inter-American Relations
Pols 333 Popular Movements and Religious Sentiment in the Americas
Rel 316 Islam: Faith and Practice
Applied topics courses
At least one of the following courses must be part of the major:
Anth 210 Feast or Famine: The Ecology and Politics of Food
Anth 240 Urban Anthropology
Anth 250 Political Anthropology
Anth 260 Women and Development
Anth 333 Economic Anthropology
Econ 232 Economic Development
Econ 233 Sweatshops in the World Economy
Hist 214 European Military History
++Pols 309 International Law and Organization
Pols 323 Comparative Political Development
++Pols 339 Theories of International Relations
Pols 379 National Security Policy
Soc 200 Social Movements
Soc 240 Conflict and Genocide
Soc 270 Immigration
Evaluated field work experience (overseas internship program or relevant Washington, D.C., U.N. or other domestic experience.)
++ Pols 309 and Pols 339 may not be used as both core courses and applied courses. Each may count for either a core course or an applied course.
Minor
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The minor in international relations requires the completion of Econ 305 or Econ 306, Pols 109, Pols 229, Pols 309 and one course from the Applied Topics Courses of the major program.