International Relations

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Dean: Joel Kassiola

Department of International Relations
HSS 336
415-338-2055
Chair: DeVere Pentony

Graduate Coordinator: Sanjoy Banerjee

Faculty

 Professors--Aviel, Giardina, Lawson, Miller, Pentony, Simpson, D., Yansane

Associate Professors--Banerjee, Hanami

Programs

B.A. in International Relations

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 (consult Index for page reference).

Units

Core

IR 104	International Relations: An Intro-

duction			3

IR 301	Fundamentals of International 

Relations: Data Analysis			4

IR 302	Introduction to International 

Political Economy			4

IR 303	Introduction to Computer Applica-

tions for International Relations			1


IR 310	United States Foreign Policy		4

Total for core		16

Emphasis/Electives

 
Students are expected to specialize in one of 

three fields of emphasis by selecting 

course work in area studies, international 

institutions, or global problems in consul-

tation with an adviser		12

Select additional units in field of emphasis, 

relevant course work in theory and/or 

methodology, or other electives with  

consent of major adviser		8

Culminating Requirement

 
IR 550	Proseminar in Foreign Policy 


	Analysis		6

Total for major		42
NOTE:Twelve of the twenty units in the emphasis/electives area must be in course work having an IR prefix.

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

IR 104	International Relations: An Intro-

duction			3

IR 302	Introduction to International 

Political Economy			4

IR 310	U.S. Foreign Policy		4

IR 550	Proseminar in Foreign Policy 

Analysis			6


Electives in International Relations		4

Total		21

MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Admission to Program

 Applicants should show a grade point average of 3.5 in the last 60 units taken. Those with a strong International Relations background will be admitted as fully classified. Others will be admitted as conditionally classified. Conditions will be communicated upon admission. An upper division course on the politics of a single nation is a prerequisite. 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) above and current information about the graduate program are available in the program office.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One:successful completion of IR 720 with a grade of B or better. Level Two:completion of the master's thesis course, IR 898, or sponsored research, IR 895, 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 (consult Index for page reference).

Units

Core Requirements

IR 720	Theory and Approaches in Interna-

tional Relations			3

IR 725	The Analysis of Foreign Policy		3

IR 730	The International System and its 

Problems			3

IR 740	Comparative Foreign Policies			3


Graduate-level course in International Relations		3

Total for core		15

Academic Emphasis

 
Core Requirements		15

PLSI 493	Data Analysis		4

IR 750	Methods and Thesis Selection in 

International Relations			3

Electives in Theory and Methods chosen from 

any BSS discipline		8

For example:

ANTH 710	Proseminar in Anthropological 

Theory and Method

PLSI 720	Seminar in Comparative 

Politics (4)

PLSI 730	Seminar in Political Theory (4)

SS 710	Interdisciplinarity in the Social 

Sciences

Culminating Experience

 

IR 898	Master's Thesis		3

Minimum total		33

Professional Emphasis

 
Core Requirements		15

Sequence selected from courses in the following 

areas of inquiry and training with approval 

of graduate adviser		15

Field of Public Administration

Fields of International Business, Manage-
ment, or Finance in the College of Business

Field of International Development

Field of International Environmental Studies

Other related career fields

Culminating Experience

 

IR 895	Research Project		3

Minimum total		33
Grades.Students in the graduate program must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. A grade lower than B in IR 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 Languages Department of this university. Non-native speakers of English are excused from this requirement.