International Relations
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Dean: Joseph Julian
Department of International Relations
HSS 382
415-338-2055
Chair: DeVere Pentony
Graduate Coordinator: Sanjoy Banerjee
Faculty
Professors—Aviel, Giardina, Lawson, Miller, Pentony, Simpson, D., Whitaker, Yansane
Assistant Professors—Banerjee, Hanami
Programs
B.A. in International Relations
B.A. in International Relations: Honors Concentration
Minor in International Relations
M.A. in International Relations
Program Scope
The courses of study for the Bachelor of Arts in International Relations have three objectives: to impart knowledge of basic concepts, theories and methods in international relations; to develop in each student at least one area of special individual competence in international relations; and to train students in research, analytical and presentation/communication skills. Liberal arts educational goals are emphasized but the program seeks also to develop marketable skills appropriate to the field. These include report writing, statistical and computer applications, public policy analysis, oral briefing techniques, and audio-visual production.
Utilizing the extensive course offerings in the International Relations Program and in other departments, students are able, on advisement, to develop individual areas of specialization within geographical, functional (e.g., international political economy), problem-oriented (e.g., arms control), theoretical/methodological, and other categories. Field work may also be part of an area of specialization.
The emphasis upon elective courses of study requires that a student consult with an adviser every semester. The director of the program will assign an appropriate adviser.
Career Outlook
Employment possibilities for graduates in international relations exist in business, government, electronic and print journalism, teaching and private international service (e.g., U.N. Association, Red Cross, etc.). Students completing a degree find it excellent preparation for entry into highly competitive programs of advanced study or work abroad in areas of special interest or knowledge.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see International Relations discipline in the Announcement of Courses section).
Units
I R 104 International Relations: An Intro-
duction 3
I R 300 Fundamentals of International Relations:
The World System 3
I R 301 Fundamentals of International Relations:
Data Analysis 3
I R 302 Introduction to International Political
Economy 3
I R 310 United States Foreign Policy 4
I R 350 Fundamentals of International Relations:
Foreign Policy Analysis 6
Upper division electives in international
relations (nine units may be selected from
related departments if they are specified as a
concentration or emphasis and with consent of
the major adviser) 14
Total units 36
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: HONORS CONCENTRATION
Prerequisites
In order to be eligible for admission to the Honors Program, the following requirements must be met.
- A GPA of 3.0 in all courses at the college level.
- Students must establish competence in the following areas prior to being admitted. The courses listed below are SFSU courses. Equivalent courses at other institutions are also acceptable.
Prerequisite Courses
Units
ECON 102 Introduction to Economic
Analysis I and II (ECON 100 and
101 at 3 units each may be
substituted) 6
GEOG 102 The Human Environment 3
PLSI 100 Understanding Politics 3
HIST 110 History of Western Civiliza-
tion I 3
One of the following: 3
HIST 111 History of Western
Civilization II
HIST 109 Ancient African
Civilization
HIST 112 Latin American
Civilization
HIST 113 Asian Civilization
Total prerequisite units 18
Core Courses
I R 104 International Relations: An
Introduction 3
I R 300 Fundamentals of International
Relations: The World System 3
I R 301 Fundamentals of International
Relations: Data Analysis 3
I R 302 Introduction to International
Political Economy 3
I R 310 U.S. Foreign Policy 4
I R 350 Fundamentals of International
Relations: Foreign Policy
Analysis 6
I R 695 Honors Seminar 3
Additional International Relations courses
selected with the consent of the honors program
adviser 12
Additional courses from related departments or
programs with the consent of the honors program
adviser 8
Total for core 45
Total for major 63
Language Proficiency
In order to graduate in the International Relations Honors Program, a student must demonstrate proficiency in a modern foreign language at a level of proficiency expected of students who have successfully completed two years of college courses.
This level of proficiency is to be demonstrated as follows:
- Either two years of college-level language with a grade of C or better (at SFSU this will require 16 units of study);
- Or equivalent proficiency on the basis of an examination to be administered by the Foreign Languages Department.
Grade Performance Requirement
Students are expected to maintain a minimum grade of B in each course offered to meet the honors major requirement, and a grade point average of 3.4 in all courses taken to complete the honors program. Students failing to do so will be dropped from the program. Additionally, students will be required to have an overall grade point average of 3.25 in all university-level courses taken to fulfill the university requirements for the honors degree.
MINOR IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Requirements under the major program relating to upper division work, limitations on CR/NC grading, and order in which courses are taken also apply to the minor.
Units
I R 300 Fundamentals of International Relations:
The World System 3
I R 302 Introduction to International Political
Economy 3
I R 310 U.S. Foreign Policy 4
I R 350 Fundamentals of International Relations:
Foreign Policy Analysis 6
Electives in International Relations 5
Total 21
MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Admission to Program
Applicants must have a B.A. in International Relations or a closely related field, and show a grade point average of 3.25 in the last 60 units taken. Applicants not having such a major, but who show sufficient promise, may be admitted on condition that they take, and pass with a grade of "B" or better, one or both of the following courses: I R 300 and/or I R 750). Applicants who have not had a course in statistics will be required to take an elementary statistics course with a grade of CR (credit). They must also submit: (a) results of the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Tests (for non-native speakers of English, TOEFL); (b) three letters of recommendation; and (c) a personal statement about reasons for embarking on graduate study in International Relations. Forms for (b) and (c), and current information about the graduate program, are available in the program office.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
Level One: successful completion of I R 720 with a grade of B or better. Level Two: completion of the master's thesis course, I R 898, with a grade of CR (credit).
Advancement to Candidacy
After completing not less than twelve units but not more than twenty-four units of work applicable to the master's degree, with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, the student must prepare in consultation with the graduate adviser a Graduate Approved Program showing in detail the course of study proposed. At this time, all general requirements for advancement to candidacy and all conditions imposed at the time of admission to the program must have been met. Approval of the proposed course of study by the Dean of the Graduate Division signifies advancement to candidacy.
Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence (see International Relations discipline in the Announcement of Courses section).
Program Units
I R 720 Theory and Approaches in International
Relations 3
I R 721 Methods and Thesis Selection in
International Relations 2
I R 722 International Relations Colloquium 1
I R 730-739 The International System and
its Problems 3-9
I R 740-749 Comparative Foreign Policies 3-9
Related courses in international relations
(except 300, 301, and 350) and other disci-
plines such as economics, geography, history,
political science, etc. 3-9
I R 898 Master's Thesis 3
Minimum total 30
Grades
Students in the graduate program must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. A grade lower than B in I R 720 is sufficient to disqualify a student from the program.
Foreign Language or Other Basic Skill
Candidates in international relations must demonstrate competence in one modern foreign language, or in a "basic skill" such as statistics or computer applications in international relations. A "basic skill" must be demonstrated through application in research; language competence may be shown either by completion of at least ten units of college-level language instruction with a grade no lower than C or CR, or by a passing grade in the Language Proficiency Test administered by the Foreign Language Department of this university. Non-native speakers of English are excused from this requirement.