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Undergraduate Catalog

2010 - 2011

BA in International Relations
(60–86 hours*)

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Program Requirements    |    View MAP

  1. No double counting courses within the major unless noted otherwise.

  2. Complete the following introductory core courses:

  3. Complete the following research foundations and methods courses:

  4. Complete the following:

  5. Complete one course from the following:

  6. Complete one course from the following:

  7. Complete one of the following international relations courses:

  8. Complete one of the following comparative politics courses:

  9. Complete a foreign language proficiency: Students are to complete one language at a specified level with all attendant prerequisites. Some prerequisites may be waived depending upon previous language experience. The specific requirements for each language are listed on a separate sheet available from the International and Area Studies Advisement Office or the international relations coordinator.

  10. Specializations: Complete one of the following tracks (no double-counting of major courses allowed):
    1. International Politics

    2. Political Economy

    3. Asian Politics and History

    4. Latin American Politics and History

    5. Middle Eastern Politics and History

    6. European Politics and History

    7. Economic and Political Development

      8. With the prior approval of the international relations coordinator, a maximum of 3 hours of IR 398R, 399R, or IAS 351R may be used toward meeting the four-course requirement of specialization. Only the second semester of IAS 351R would be allowed.

  11. Complete a capstone research experience in one of the following ways:
      ASIAN 495 : Senior Seminar. (1-3:Arr:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
      PREREQUISITE: Asian studies coordinator's consent.
      DESCRIPTION: Learning research and writing skills necessary to prepare and present major senior research paper.
      NOTE: Most all major requirements should be completed before registering for this course.

      IR 398R : Directed International Study. (1-3:Arr:0.0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      IR 398R : Directed International Study. (1-3:Arr:0.0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PREREQUISITE: Instructor's consent; international relations major coordinator's consent.
      DESCRIPTION: Study and research in an international setting.

        (requires prior approval of the international relations coordinator)
      IR 399R : Academic Internship: International. (.5-12:0:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      IR 399R : Academic Internship: International. (.5-12:0:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PREREQUISITE: Acceptance into program; international relations major coordinator's consent.
      DESCRIPTION: Individualized work or volunteer experience in an international setting.
      NOTE: Must be coordinated through International Study Programs.

        (requires prior approval of the international relations coordinator)
      LT AM 495 : Senior Seminar in Latin American Studies. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      LT AM 495 : Senior Seminar in Latin American Studies. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PREREQUISITE: Instructor's consent for minors.
      DESCRIPTION: Sources, materials, and methods of research and writing; critical analysis of a research project.
      NOTE: Required for all Latin American Studies majors their senior year.

      MESA 495 : Senior Seminar in Middle East Studies. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      MESA 495 : Senior Seminar in Middle East Studies. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Winter
      PREREQUISITE: ARAB 300 & ARAB 302 & ARAB 311R & ARAB 331 & PL SC 200; Advanced Arabic Study Abroad
      DESCRIPTION: Capstone course, including major research paper demonstrating ability to integrate cross-disciplinary information and methodology.

      PL SC 450 : Capstone Seminar in Comparative Politics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PL SC 450 : Capstone Seminar in Comparative Politics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand
      PREREQUISITE: PL SC 150 & PL SC 200; Some sections also require Pl Sc 328. Major status.
      DESCRIPTION: Seminar in comparative politics and government for students in their senior year.

      PL SC 470 : Capstone Seminar in International Relations. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PL SC 470 : Capstone Seminar in International Relations. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand
      PREREQUISITE: PL SC 170 & PL SC 200; Some sections also require Pl Sc 328. Political Science major status.
      DESCRIPTION: Seminar in international relations and politics for students in their senior year.

      Note 1: Only MESA 495, Pl Sc 450, or 470 can fill the GE Advanced Written and Oral Communication requirement when coupled with Pl Sc 200.

      Note 2: For students in the relevant specialization, Asian 495, Lt Am 495, and MESA 495 will satisfy the capstone requirement.

      Note 3: It is possible to fulfill the capstone requirement by completing a substantial research paper in an internship, Study Abroad, or other setting. Students who wish to do this must meet the requirements listed on the International Relations Web site, http://kennedy.byu.edu/academic/internationalrelations/index.html, and receive prior approval of the IR coordinator.

      Note 4: Students majoring in international relations may not pursue a double major or minor in either economics or political science because of the course overlap between international relations and those majors.

Recommended

    Either Hist 201, 202
    Or Pl Sc 201, 202.

    Rel C 351.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.