Statement of Purpose
The minor in International Relations is a multidisciplinary concentration of courses and academic experiences that seeks to prepare students to be more informed citizens and more effective leaders of an increasingly transnational world.
Curriculum
Students must meet the specified requirements in each of the categories outlined below. Courses used to satisfy elective requirements in a student’s major may also be used to satisfy elective requirements in the minor in International Relations. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all courses taken to satisfy the requirements for the minor in International Relations.
A. History/Geography (6 hours)
Any TWO of the following courses:
- HIST 204: History of the Non-Western World
- HIST 333: Europe since 1914
- HIST 337: History of Modern Russia
- HIST 351: Islam and the Middle East
- HIST 353: Modern Latin America
- HIST 356: History of Modern China
- HIST 357: History of Japan
- HIST 376 : American Foreign Policy since World War II
- GEOG 209: World Geography
- OTHER: Any Special Topics Course, Independent Study Project, or Academic Internship whose primary focus is International Relations and which is approved by the Director of the Program.
B. Modern Language (6 hours)
Students must demonstrate proficiency through the third year (302) level — i.e. six hours above the college’s core requirement — in a language other than English. Entering students can obtain bypass credit for elementary and intermediate courses. Eligibility for bypass credit is determined by performance in Department of Modern Languages placement testing; the credit confers to the eligible student upon completion, with a final grade of “C” or better, either of the language course of initial placement, or of one of its sequels. Mastery of a second language greatly advances scholarship and professional competence in international affairs. Students are, therefore, encouraged to take additional language courses if possible.
C. Political Science/Business Administration (6 hours) Semester at Sea
ONE of the following:
- BADM 201: Principles of Macroeconomics
- BADM 320: International Business
- BADM 412: International Economics
- PSCI 433-ST: International Political Economy
And ONE of the following:
- PSCI 231: International Politics
- PSCI 232: Comparative Politics
- PSCI 331: International Law
- PSCI 333: International Organization
- PSCI 335: Comparative Foreign and Defense Policies
- PSCI 342: International Terrorism
- PSCI 343: Introduction to Non-Western Studies
- PSCI 346: Multinational Peacekeeping
- PSCI 348: Theories of War and Peace
- PSCI 431: American Foreign Relations
- OTHER: Any Special Topics Course, Independent Study Project, or Academic Internship whose primary focus is International Relations and which is approved by the Director of the Program.
Study Abroad or Internship
As part of their prescribed work, students who minor in International Relations are required to complete successfully at least one of the following two academic experiences:
A. Study Abroad: a formal study abroad program of at least four weeks in duration. The Department of Modern Languages has scholarship monies available for highly qualified applicants to its Summer Studies in France and Spain/Latin America, and for study at the Goethe Institute in Germany. Moreover, Citadel Summer Scholarships are available to students posting a 3.5 GPA or better.
B. Internship in International Relations: an academic internship in some aspect of international relations with an appropriate agency, business, or institution. Examples include: the U.S. Department of State, The U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Congress, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Atlantic Council, and the domestic or overseas offices of international corporations.
Students must submit their proposals to study abroad or to undertake internships in advance to the Director of the program for his or her approval. No student will be allowed to receive credit for these exercises without the approval of the Director.
Declaration of Minor
Students who wish to earn the minor in International Relations must file a declaration of intent with the Director of the Program by the beginning of their junior year. This declaration must outline the projected course of study and be approved by the Director.
Credit Hours Required
A total of EIGHTEEN credit hours is required, of which SIX must be completed at the Citadel.
Information
For further information, please contact Dr. Joelle Neulander in the Department of History.