International Relations

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Total Credits in Major Required for Major: 39-56

Basic Requirements: (39 Credits)

One course on World Culture from:

One of the following Statistics courses:

One Capstone course from:

Thematic Cluster Track (15-20 Credits)

Five courses from one of the tracks listed below.  Distribution of course-levels in the thematic cluster track must meet the following conditions: 1) at least 1 course at the 400 level; 2) an additional 3 courses at the 300 or 400 level; 3) the remaining course at any level; and 4) students must select track courses with a minimum of three different departmental prefixes. New, experimental, study abroad, and transfer courses may also be considered for various tracks if content relevant and contingent upon advance approval by the IR Coordinator.

Note that many 300/400 level courses listed in the tracks have prerequisites that are not listed among the basic requirements. Students should plan their electives carefully to ensure they have met these pre-requisites in order to enroll in the course. 

Footnotes

Students must complete an approved study abroad or an approved internship with an organization engaged in activities relevant to international relations. Information can be obtained from faculty advisors in the International Relations program. If appropriate in content, study abroad courses or internship approved for academic credit may be applied to the major requirements with advance approval of the IR Program Coordinator.

Related requirements: (0-16 Credits)

Foreign language through the first intermediate level or its equivalent is required.*

The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by one of the following:

  1. Satisfactory completion of course work in a single language through the 213-level (including meeting this requirement through high school years or placement testing)** or
  2. Satisfactory completion of coursework in one foreign language through the 102 level (including meeting this requirement through high school years or placment testing) AND completion of coursework in a second foreign language through the 102 level.

Footnotes

*Geneseo regularly offers Spanish, French, and German through the 213 level each year. Other languages are offered through the 213 level when demand is sufficient. Consult Department of Languages and Literatures listings. Additional advanced foreign language study, whether at Geneseo or overseas, is strongly encouraged for International Relations majors.

** Students who place into a 300 level language through a placement exam have met the requirement.

Minimum Competence Requirement

A grade of C- or better is required for all courses used in fulfillment of the major including required related courses.

Note: The Departmental writing requirement is satisfied through satisfactory completion of the major research paper for any 300 level PLSC course (grade of C or higher), including those in the tracks and the IR Capstones. The paperwork on this requirement is taken care of automatically by the department.

The Global Political Economy Track

It is strongly recommended that students do not register for this track unless they are a double major in Management, Economics, or Accounting. Please meet with your advisor to carefully discuss whether you will be able to complete the track.

War and Peace Studies Track

Regional and Comparative Studies Track

Development and Sustainability Studies Track