2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
Requirements for a Major in International Relations
The international relations major leads to a B.A. degree. Students must demonstrate fourth-semester proficiency in a foreign language and are strongly encouraged to undertake additional language study.
Students majoring in international relations are required to complete at least 36 credit hours, including the major requirements listed as follows. The remaining 15 hours should be selected from the list of international relations course electives as follows and must include a minimum of three hours at the 300-level or above in each of the first three categories: economics and business, geography and history, and political science. Students should not regard this list as definitive. With the permission of the program coordinator, study abroad courses, internship credits, and upper-level GVSU courses not included in this list can be used as electives for the international relations major. These choices should be made in consultation with an advisor and approved by the program coordinator.
Core Requirements
- ECO 210 - Introductory Macroeconomics (3 credits)
- ECO 211 - Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- GPY 235 - Geography for a Changing World (3 credits)
- HST 317 - History of American Foreign Relations (3 credits)
- IR 495 - Seminar in International Relations (Capstone) (3 credits)
- PLS 211 - International Relations (3 credits)
- PLS 312 - U.S. Foreign Policy (3 credits)
International Relations Course Electives
A total of 15 hours must be completed.
Business and Economics Courses
Choose a minimum of one course at the 300-level or above.
- ECO 349 - Emerging Markets Issues (3 credits)
- ECO 365 - Comparative Economic Systems (3 credits)
- ECO 369 - International Economic Issues (3 credits)
- FIN 429 - International Financial Management (3 credits)
- HTM 202 - International Tourism (3 credits)
- MGT 303 - International Business and Culture (3 credits)
- MGT 466 - International Management and Multinational Corporations (3 credits)
- MKT 359 - Multinational Marketing (3 credits)
Geography and History Courses
Choose a minimum of one course at the 300-level or above.
- GPY 350 - Geopolitics, Energy and Environment of Russia and Central Eurasia (3 credits)
- GPY 351 - Geography of Africa (3 credits)
- GPY 352 - Geography of Latin America (3 credits)
- GPY 354 - Geography and Globalization of Asia (3 credits)
- GPY 356 - The Geography, Culture and Land Use Management of Europe (3 credits)
- GPY 362 - Farmers, Crops, and Our Challenging Agricultural World (3 credits)
- GPY 412 - Global Climate and Environmental Change (3 credits)
- HST 211 - History of Islamic Civilization (3 credits)
- HST 230 - Latin America in World History (3 credits)
- HST 235 - Africa in World History (3 credits)
- HST 241 - A History of East Asia since 1800 (3 credits)
- HST 307 - United States since 1970 (3 credits)
- HST 310 - Cultural and Social Topics in Nonwestern History (3 credits)
- HST 331 - Modern Latin America (3 credits)
- HST 332 - Emergence of Modern India and South Asia (3 credits)
- HST 333 - Modern China (3 credits)
- HST 334 - The Making of the Caribbean (3 credits)
- HST 336 - Africa After 1870 (3 credits)
- HST 337 - The Age of Islamic Empire (3 credits)
- HST 338 - Modern Middle East (3 credits)
- HST 339 - Modern Iran (3 credits)
- HST 343 - History of South Africa (3 credits)
- HST 344 - Urban Africa (3 credits)
- HST 375 - History of Mexico (3 credits)
- HST 377 - History of Warfare (3 credits)
- HST 385 - Europe 1900-1945 (3 credits)
- HST 386 - 20th Century Europe (3 credits)
- HST 389 - Russian History (3 credits)
- HST 390 - Soviet History (3 credits)
- LAS 374 - Revolution in the Americas (3 credits)
Political Science Courses
Choose a minimum of one course at the 300-level or above.
- AAA 300 - U.S. - Africa Relations (3 credits)
- LAS 320 - Model Organization of American States (3 credits)
- MES 370 - Contemporary Issues in the Middle East: The Model Arab League (3 credits)
- PLS 212 - Great Decisions (3 credits)
- PLS 215/GSI 215 - Global Migration (3 credits)
- PLS 221 - Government and Politics of Western Europe (3 credits)
- PLS 283 - Chinese Politics and U.S.-China Relations (3 credits)
- PLS 284 - Latin American Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 311 - International Conflict and Conflict Resolution (3 credits)
- PLS 313 - International Organization (3 credits)
- PLS 314 - International Law (3 credits)
- PLS 315 - International Political Economy (3 credits)
- PLS 316 - Human Rights in International Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 319 - African Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 320 - Comparative Politics of the Middle East (3 credits)
- PLS 321 - The European Union (3 credits)
- PLS 325 - Human Rights and Democracy in Russia and the Post-Communist World (3 credits)
- PLS 327 - Politics of Developing Countries (3 credits)
- PLS 339 - Democracy and the Authoritarian Challenge (3 credits)
- PLS 350 - Comparative Public Opinion (3 credits)
- SOC 350 - Family and Gender in the Developing World (3 credits)
Special Topics and Independent Study - Optional
- IR 380 - Special Topics in International Relations (1 to 3 credits)
- IR 399 - Independent Readings (1 to 3 credits)
- IR 490 - International Relations Internship (2 to 6 credits)
- IR 499 - Independent Research (1 to 3 credits)
Suggested Order of Coursework
The flexibility in course selection makes it important for students to seek the advice of an international relations faculty advisor when choosing courses to fit their specific needs and interests. No sample curriculum will be appropriate for everyone, although these general guidelines should be helpful to nearly everyone. It is also assumed that some counseling will take place to match the curriculum with career plans. We strongly recommend study abroad and an internship.
Year One
Fall Semester:
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits) or MTH 110 - Algebra (4 credits)
- PLS 211 - International Relations (3 credits) Major requirement.
- Language 101 - First of four-semester requirement.
- General education-Arts, History, Science (two), or Philosophy and Literature
Winter Semester:
- WRT 150 or MTH 110
- GPY 235 - Geography for a Changing World (3 credits) Major + general education Social Science + Global Perspectives.
- Language 102 - Second of four-semester requirement.
- General education-Arts, History, Science (two), or Philosophy and Literature
Year Two
Fall Semester:
- ECO 210 - Introductory Macroeconomics (3 credits) Major requirement + Social and Behavioral Science
- Language 201 - Third of four-semester requirement
- General education-Arts, History, Science (two), or Philosophy and Literature
- General education-Math
Winter Semester:
- ECO 211 - Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits) Major requirement + Social and Behavioral Science
- PLS 312 - U.S. Foreign Policy (3 credits) Major requirement
- Language 202 - Fourth of four-semester requirement
- General education-Arts, History, Science-two, or Philosophy and Literature
- General education-Math
Year Three
Fall and Winter Semesters -- study abroad or on campus:
- IR electives (15 hours total)
- General education-Arts, History, Science (two), or Philosophy and Literature
- General education Issues
- Continue language study
- Pursue minor, if desired
Year Four
Fall and Winter Semesters:
- HST 317 - History of American Foreign Relations (3 credits) Major requirement
- IR 495 - Seminar in International Relations (Capstone) (3 credits) Major requirement
- IR elective courses
- Other options:
- Internship
- Additional language instruction
- Complete minor