About the Program

International relations (IR) focuses on understanding the interactions and interconnectedness of nation-states and other non-state participants in international affairs. IR practitioners investigate the crucial global issues and agendas of our times such as international and intrastate conflicts, sustainable development, terrorism, foreign policy, international trade and economic integration, international development, and the protection of human dignity.

The IR program challenges students to think with diverse world views and intense study of current global events. The program equips students for future careers in foreign service, nonprofit work, international business, and global governance. It also offers training in foreign language skills, analytic empirical analysis skills, and international field experience either through an internship or a study-abroad program.

About the Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department
Cassety Hall 202
1300 Elmwood Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-6116
gpp.buffalostate.edu

Admission Requirements

All matriculated students who are in good academic standing may enroll in this program, including incoming students.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

1. be able to select and critically evaluate existing literature in a given topic area of International Relations.
2. demonstrate mastery of research report writing.
3. demonstrate the ability to generate a scientific hypothesis in a given area of International Relations.
4. be able to apply appropriate statistical techniques for a given research design.
5. demonstrate the rudimentary skills to design and implement research to test scientific hypotheses.
6. demonstrate the ability to apply valid conclusions based on topic area, hypothesis, review of literature, and study outcomes.
7. demonstrate an understanding of the major historical schools of thought and approaches in International Relations.
8. demonstrate global awareness and engagement skills.

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements
33 credit hours 33

International Relations Major Requirements (39 credit hours)
Required Courses (21 credit hours)
PSC 101 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS 3
PSC 104 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3
PSC 203 POLITICAL ANALYSIS 3
PSC 204 POLITICAL STATISTICS 3
PSC 352 HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT II 3
PSC 399 RESEARCH SKILLS 3
PSC 470 SENIOR SEMINAR 3
or PSC 488 INTERNSHIP

Area Studies Electives (3 credit hours)
Select one from the following: 3

PSC 333 AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PSC 335 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
PSC 340 POLITICS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
PSC 345 POLITICS AND HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST
GEG 300 WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
GEG 360 GEOGRAPHY OF ASIA

Major Electives (12 credit hours) 12
Select four from the following:
PSC 210 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
PSC 302 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND PEACEFUL RESOLUTION
PSC 305 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
PSC 308 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
PSC 330 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY
PSC 337 POLITICS OF GLOBALIZATION
PSC 344 COMPARATIVE DEMOCRACY
PSC 430 UN AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS

Foreign Language or Elective (3 credit hours) 3
Any 1XX or 2XX ARA, CHI, FRE, ITA, or SPA course chosen based on advisement and proficiency
Students who receive foreign language exemption should take an additional course chosen with their advisor from those courses listed above or the electives below
PSC 495 SPECIAL PROJECT (1-3)
PSC 497 WASHINGTON SEMESTER (1-16)
PSC 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY (3-12)

All College Electives
48 credit hours 48
Total Credit Hours 120