International Relations (IREL)
International relations is a field of study concerned with the cultural, economic, environmental, historic, military, and political interactions among the major units of the world, such as states, international organizations, transnational corporations, nongovernmental organizations, groups and individuals. Courses from a number of departments and programs are drawn upon to offer a multidisciplinary major in international relations for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
The purposes of the major are to increase general knowledge about the history, institutions, interactions, and events of the international system; to develop insight into the objectives, decisions, and policies of state and nonstate actors; to provide a conceptual vocabulary and diverse theoretical perspectives to help explain and interpret international behavior; to build skills in critical analysis and evaluation of global issues; to develop an appreciation of commensurability and difference and acceptance of “others”; and to encourage evaluation and the solving of global problems. International relations majors will develop skills in writing, speaking, and information literacy throughout their studies, but particularly in IREL 250 Theories of International Relations and their senior seminar Culminating Experiences.
The international relations major provides a general education for students seeking greater knowledge about world affairs. It also provides a sound preparation for students interested in pursuing an M.A. or Ph.D. in international relations and related social sciences or a J.D. in law, and for careers in the Foreign Service, the federal government, international law, international business, banking and finance, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations. International relations alumni have been accepted to the top graduate programs and law schools in the country, and are well represented in all of the listed international careers.
Major Requirements
The international relations major consists of at least 11 courses to count exclusively toward the major.
| ECON 227 | International Economics (completed by end of junior year) 1 | 1 |
| or ECON 427 | International Economic Theory | |
| POLS 170 | International Politics (completed by end of sophomore year) | 1 |
| IREL 250 | Theories of International Relations 2 | 1 |
| IREL 350 | Globalization 3 | 1 |
| Two area concentration courses (see list below) 4 | 2 | |
| Area concentration History course 5 | 1 | |
| Thematic core course (see list below) 6 | 1 | |
| Two thematic courses 6 | 2 | |
| One Culminating Experience seminar 7 | ||
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations | 1 |
| or IREL 425 | International Relations of Migration | |
| or IREL 482 | U.S.-China Relations | |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
| 1 | Students who are double majoring in international relations and economics should take ECON 427 International Economic Theory instead of ECON 227 International Economics. In those instances, ECON 427 International Economic Theory can count toward the economics major. Students counting ECON 427 International Economic Theory toward their economics major will need to take an additional IREL course to compensate. The additional course should be taken from the student’s Area Concentration or Thematic Track. History courses taken abroad that are to be counted toward the area concentration must focus on the region or country of study. Histories of individual cities will not be accepted as satisfying the history requirement for the area concentration. |
| 2 | IREL 250 Theories of International Relations should be taken second semester of the sophomore year or the first semester of the junior year. Students planning on spending a full year abroad should make sure that they complete IREL 250 before they go abroad. Students will ordinarily take POLS 170 International Politics before enrolling in IREL 250 Theories of International Relations, which is a W2 and will develop skills in writing, speaking, and information literacy. |
| 3 | IREL 350 Globalization should ordinarily be taken during the fall of the junior year. If a student is spending the entire junior year abroad, it may be taken during the senior year. Students will ordinarily take ECON 227 International Economics before enrolling in IREL 350 Globalization. |
| 4 | No more than two of these courses may be in the same department. A course that is counted toward the area concentration may not simultaneously count towards a thematic track. |
| 5 | One course must satisfy the history requirement for this area. The acceptable history courses for each area concentration are indicated by an 8 on the area concentration course lists. |
| 6 | It is recommended that students take the core course first. A course that is counted toward a thematic track may not simultaneously count toward an area concentration. |
| 7 | Students must enroll in a seminar either semester of the senior year. This seminar, taught by international relations faculty and enrolled in by international relations students, will serve as the College Core Curriculum’s Culminating Experience requirement. These courses will be taught as W2s and will develop skills in writing, speaking, and information literacy. IR seminars that are Culminating Experiences are designated by IREL 4XX course number. |
Area Concentrations
The area concentrations offered are:
Africa
| ECON 224 | African Political Economy | 1 |
| ECON 235 | African Economic Development | 1 |
| FREN 336 | Francophone Africa | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 8 | 1 |
| HIST 291 | African History I 8 | 1 |
| HIST 292 | African History II 8 | 1 |
| HIST 299 | Topics in Non-western History (when relevant) 8 | 1 |
| IREL 235 | Modern Africa | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| FREN 150 | L'Ecriture fantastique (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
| or ARBC 201 & ARBC 202 | Intermediate Arabic Conversation I and Intermediate Arabic Conversation II | |
Asia
| EAST 274 | The Greater Chinese Economy | 1 |
| EAST 278 | Asian Economic Development | 1 |
| EAST 340 | Comparative Pacific Basin Economics | 1 |
| EAST 234/HIST 294 | China Since 1800 8 | 1 |
| EAST 255/HIST 296 | Modern Japanese History 8 | 1 |
| EAST 267/HIST 297 | The People's Republic of China 8 | 1 |
| IREL 225 | Chinese Politics | 1 |
| IREL 226 | East Asian Politics | 1 |
| IREL 283 | East Asian International Relations | 1 |
| RELI 200/EAST 251 | Buddhism | 1 |
| RELI 202 | Hinduism | 1 |
| RELI 245/EAST 252 | Religions of China | 1 |
| RELI 246/EAST 253 | Religions of Japan | 1 |
| CHIN 201 | Chinese III (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
| or JAPN 201 | Japanese III | |
Europe, Eurasia and Russia
| ECON 277 | The French Economy: Structures and Policies (open only to Bucknell en France students) | 1 |
| ECON 324 | European Economic History 8 | 1 |
| ECON 405 | Comparative Economic Systems | 1 |
| FREN 270 | La France actuelle | 1 |
| FREN 370 | Topics in Civilization | 1 |
| GEOG 214 | Europe in an Age of Globalization | 1 |
| GRMN 270 | The Bourgeois Era: 19th-century Germany | 1 |
| GRMN 272 | Modern German Culture 1945-1990 (when relevant) | 1 |
| GRMN 295 | Topics in German Studies (when relevant) | 1 |
| GRMN 393 | Advanced Seminar in Selected Cultural Topics (when relevant) | 1 |
| HIST 233 | European State Systems (1660-1815) 8 | 1 |
| HIST 236 | Nineteenth-century Europe 8 | 1 |
| HIST 239 | Contemporary Europe, 1890-1995 8 | 1 |
| HIST 248 | Topics in Russian History 8 | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 8 | 1 |
| HIST 330 | European History (when relevant) 8 | 1 |
| IREL 218 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| IREL 245 | Race, Nation-state and International Relations 8 | 1 |
| ITAL 295 | Topics in Italian Studies (when relevant) | 1 |
| POLS 210 | Political Theory 8 | 1 |
| POLS 222 | Russian Politics 8 | 1 |
| POLS 223 | European Politics | 1 |
| POLS 288 | French Foreign Policy Since 1945 ( open only to Bucknell en France students) | 1 |
| RUSS 302 | Twentieth-century Russian Culture and Civilization | 1 |
| SPAN 270 | Spanish Cultural Tradition | 1 |
| SPAN 295 | Topics in Spanish (when relevant) | 1 |
| Select one of the following: (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 | |
| L'Ecriture fantastique | ||
| German Conversation and Composition | ||
| Discovering Italy | ||
| Advanced Russian I | ||
| Toward Advanced Spanish | ||
Latin America and Caribbean
| ECON 266 | Political Economy of Caribbean | 1 |
| ENGL 397 | Seminar in Special Topics (when relevant) | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| GEOG 237 | Grassroots Development: Nicaragua | 1 |
| GEOG 309 | Topics in Advanced Economic Geography | 1 |
| HIST 282 | Modern Latin America 8 | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 8 | 1 |
| IREL 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations | 1 |
| LAMS 150 | Latin America: An Introduction | 1 |
| LAMS 225 | Becoming Latinos: A History | 1 |
| LAMS 297 | Colonial Latin America 8 | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| POLS 350 | Seminar in Comparative Politics (when relevant) | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives | 1 |
| SOCI 245 | Remaking America: Latin American Immigration | 1 |
| SOCI 290 | Caribbean Society Music and Ritual | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| SOCI 354 | Development, Dictators and Diaspora | 1 |
| SPAN 264 | Hispanic Topics (when relevant) | 1 |
| SPAN 280 | Latin American Cultural Traditions | 1 |
| SPAN 207 | Toward Advanced Spanish (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
Middle East
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 8 | 1 |
| POLS 224 | Government and Politics of the Middle East 8 | 1 |
| POLS 287 | United States and the Middle East 8 | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Studies | 1 |
| RELI 201 | Islam | 1 |
| RELI 209 | Israel: Land, People, and Tradition 8 | 1 |
| RELI 210 | Judaism | 1 |
| ARBC 201 & ARBC 202 | Intermediate Arabic Conversation I and Intermediate Arabic Conversation II (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
| 8 | This course satisfies the history requirement for the area. |
Thematic Tracks
Each track is anchored by a required core course.
Development and Sustainability
| IREL 252 | Political Economy of Global Resources (Core Course) | 1 |
| ANTH 235 | Modern Africa | 1 |
| ANTH 251 | Women and Development | 1 |
| ECON 235 | African Economic Development | 1 |
| ECON 357 | Economic Development | 1 |
| ECON 439 | China and the World Economy | 1 |
| ENST 215 | Environmental Planning | 1 |
| ENST 226 | Water Politics and Policies | 1 |
| ENST 245 | Environmental Policy and Politics | 1 |
| ENST 255 | Environmental Injustice | 1 |
| ENST 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 1 |
| ENST 356 | Nationalism, Conflict & Nature | 1 |
| ENST 393 | International Environmental Aid | 1 |
| GEOG 209 | Economic Geography | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| GEOG 237 | Grassroots Development: Nicaragua | 1 |
| GEOG 257 | Global Environmental Change | 1 |
| GEOG 312 | Geographies of Health | 1 |
| GEOG 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 1 |
| GEOG 345 | Food and the Environment | 1 |
| IREL 235 | Modern Africa | 1 |
| IREL 240 | Human Security | 1 |
| IREL 251 | International Inequality and Poverty | 1 |
| IREL 253 | International Development Controversies | 1 |
| IREL 270 | Global Governance of Climate Change | 1 |
| POLS 291 | Environmental Policy and Politics | 1 |
| POLS 393 | International Environmental Aid | 1 |
| UNIV 200 | Integrative Perspectives Course ((Modern Africa)) | 1 |
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
| IREL 276 | Comparative Foreign Policy (Core Course) | 1 |
| EAST 248 | International Relations in East Asia | 1 |
| GEOG 211 | Political Geography | 1 |
| ECON 418 | American Economic History | 1 |
| ECON 439 | China and the World Economy | 1 |
| GEOG 216 | Borders, Traffic, Statelessness | 1 |
| HIST 214 | Topics in American History | 1 |
| HIST 233 | European State Systems (1660-1815) | 1 |
| HIST 247 | Topics in European History | 1 |
| HIST 287 | Perspectives: The Vietnam War | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism | 1 |
| HIST 299 | Topics in Non-western History | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 | 1 |
| IREL 216 | Borders, Traffic, Statelessness | 1 |
| IREL 218 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| IREL 231 | Conflict Resolution | 1 |
| IREL 240 | Human Security | 1 |
| IREL 260 | Humanitarianism | 1 |
| IREL 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| IREL 280 | Terrorism | 1 |
| IREL 390 | American Global Strategy | 1 |
| POLS 271 | American Foreign Policy | 1 |
| POLS 272 | U.S. National Security Policy | 1 |
| POLS 273 | The Atlantic Alliance | 1 |
| POLS 280 | War | 1 |
| POLS 287 | United States and the Middle East | 1 |
| POLS 288 | French Foreign Policy Since 1945 | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 380 | Seminar in International Politics (when relevant) | 1 |
| POLS 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Studies | 1 |
Global Governance and Conflict Resolution
| IREL 200 | International Relations: Topics/Issues | 1 |
| IREL 216 | Borders, Traffic, Statelessness | 1 |
| IREL 218 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| IREL 229 | Middle East Conflict and Revolution | 1 |
| IREL 231 | Conflict Resolution | 1 |
| IREL 240 | Human Security | 1 |
| IREL 255 | International Law | 1 |
| IREL 260 | Humanitarianism | 1 |
| IREL 270 | Global Governance of Climate Change | 1 |
| IREL 275 | Global Governance (Core Course) | 1 |
| IREL 277 | International Political Economy | 1 |
| IREL 280 | Terrorism | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 286 | Nonstate Actors in International Relations | 1 |
| IREL 390 | American Global Strategy | 1 |
| POLS 273 | The Atlantic Alliance | 1 |
| POLS 280 | War | 1 |
| POLS 281 | Peace Studies | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Studies | 1 |
| PSYC 330 | Conflict and Peace in Northern Ireland | 1.5 |
| SOCI 235 | Nongovernmental Organizations | 1 |
| SOCI 409 | How Holocausts Happen | 1 |
Additional Requirements
There are three additional requirements and rules for the international relations major as stipulated below:
- Of the 11 courses recorded for the major, no more than six courses may be taken from one department.
- No more than two off-campus courses will count toward the major per semester of study abroad. Students studying abroad for one semester may count two courses toward the major. Students studying abroad for a full year may count four courses toward the major.
- Competence must be demonstrated in a foreign language compatible with the area concentration, normally by successfully completing a one-credit fifth-semester equivalent course on the culture or society of a country or region. The language(s) appropriate to each area concentration, and the Bucknell equivalent levels that are required to satisfy the major’s language requirement, are noted in the area concentration course list. International students whose native language is not English are exempted, in consultation with the department chair, from the language requirement if they select an area concentration suitable for the native language.
One semester of study abroad is strongly recommended in a country within the area concentration and where the language being used for the language requirement is spoken or in a study abroad program compatible with the selected thematic track. In order to receive credit for study abroad, it is expected that the country visited will fit with the area of concentration. In some instances students may transfer credit from study abroad that is outside of their area of concentration, if the study abroad is intended to complement a thematic track. Off-campus study in Washington, D.C., including the Washington Semester or Washington Center, also is recommended, but not as highly as overseas study. Students should contact the Office of International Education for information about off-campus study.
The department encourages students to pursue summer internships in positions related to international relations. Students have interned in embassies abroad, as well as in government agencies in Washington, D.C. Students with high grade point averages or a scholarly bent are encouraged to apply for honors in international relations or to conduct research with a faculty member. Students planning to pursue graduate study in international relations should consider taking a course in statistics, computer science, and microeconomics and macroeconomics.
For additional information, students are encouraged to visit the Department of International Relations website at bucknell.edu/InternationalRelations where students can find, among other things, recommended sequences for students pursuing a major in international relations.
International Relations Minor
The international relations minor consists of a minimum of five courses.
| POLS 170 | International Politics | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 277 | International Political Economy | 1 |
| or ECON 227 | International Economics | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Three courses from one area concentration (see lists below) | ||
Three courses from one thematic track (see lists below) | ||
Students who choose to complete their international relations minor through an area concentration are encouraged to take one of the designated history courses, which are noted with 9 in the lists below. Students who choose to complete their international relations minor through a thematic track are encouraged to take the appropriate core course. Students minoring in international relations are strongly encouraged, but not required, to develop competence in a suitable language.
Area Concentrations
Africa
| ANTH/IREL 235 | Modern Africa (also listed under UNIV 200) | 1 |
| ECON 224 | African Political Economy | 1 |
| ECON 235 | African Economic Development | 1 |
| FREN 336 | Francophone Africa | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 9 | 1 |
| HIST 291 | African History I 9 | 1 |
| HIST 292 | African History II 9 | 1 |
| HIST 299 | Topics in Non-western History (when relevant) 9 | 1 |
| IREL 251 | International Inequality and Poverty | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| Language Competency | ||
| FREN 150 | L'Ecriture fantastique (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
| or ARBC 201 & ARBC 202 | Intermediate Arabic Conversation I and Intermediate Arabic Conversation II | |
Asia
| ANTH/WMST 232 | Gender and Sexuality in South Asia | 1 |
| ANTH 243 | Introduction to Southeast Asia Studies | 1 |
| ANTH 252 | Ritual, Resistance, and Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| EAST 234/HIST 294 | China Since 1800 9 | 1 |
| EAST 255/HIST 296 | Modern Japanese History 9 | 1 |
| EAST 267/HIST 297 | The People's Republic of China 9 | 1 |
| EAST 274 | The Greater Chinese Economy | 1 |
| EAST 339 | China and the World Economy | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 225 | Chinese Politics (also crosslisted as EAST 269) | 1 |
| IREL/EAST 226 | East Asian Politics (also crosslisted as POLS 226) | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 283 | East Asian International Relations (also crosslisted as EAST 248) | 1 |
| RELI 200/EAST 251 | Buddhism | 1 |
| RELI 202 | Hinduism | 1 |
| RELI 245/EAST 252 | Religions of China | 1 |
| RELI 243 | Religions of South Asia | 1 |
| RELI 246/EAST 253 | Religions of Japan | 1 |
| Language Competency | ||
| CHIN 201 | Chinese III (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
| or JAPN 201 | Japanese III | |
Europe, Eurasia and Russia
| ECON 277 | The French Economy: Structures and Policies (open only to Bucknell en France students) | 1 |
| ECON 324 | European Economic History 9 | 1 |
| ECON 405 | Comparative Economic Systems | 1 |
| FREN 270 | La France actuelle | 1 |
| FREN 370 | Topics in Civilization | 1 |
| GEOG 214 | Europe in an Age of Globalization | 1 |
| GRMN 270 | The Bourgeois Era: 19th-century Germany | 1 |
| GRMN 272 | Modern German Culture 1945-1990 (when relevant) | 1 |
| GRMN 295 | Topics in German Studies (when relevant) | 1 |
| GRMN 393 | Advanced Seminar in Selected Cultural Topics (when relevant) | 1 |
| HIST 233 | European State Systems (1660-1815) 9 | 1 |
| HIST 236 | Nineteenth-century Europe 9 | 1 |
| HIST 239 | Contemporary Europe, 1890-1995 9 | 1 |
| HIST 247 | Topics in European History (when relevant, must be taken on campus) | 1 |
| HIST 252 | Soviet Russia | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 9 | 1 |
| HIST 330 | European History (when relevant) 9 | 1 |
| IREL 218/POLS 284 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| IREL 245/HIST 260 | Race, Nation-state and International Relations (also crosslisted as POLS 274) 9 | 1 |
| ITAL 295 | Topics in Italian Studies (when relevant) | 1 |
| POLS 210 | Political Theory 9 | 1 |
| POLS 222 | Russian Politics 9 | 1 |
| POLS 223 | European Politics | 1 |
| POLS 288 | French Foreign Policy Since 1945 ( open only to Bucknell en France students) | 1 |
| RUSS 302 | Twentieth-century Russian Culture and Civilization | 1 |
| SPAN 270 | Spanish Cultural Tradition | 1 |
| SPAN 295 | Topics in Spanish (when relevant) | 1 |
| Language Competency | ||
| Select one of the following: (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 | |
| L'Ecriture fantastique | ||
| German Conversation and Composition | ||
| Discovering Italy | ||
| Advanced Russian I | ||
| Toward Advanced Spanish | ||
Latin America and Caribbean
| ANTH 252 | Ritual, Resistance, and Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| ECON 266 | Political Economy of Caribbean | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| GEOG 237/IREL 292 | Grassroots Development: Nicaragua | 1 |
| GEOG 309 | Topics in Advanced Economic Geography | 1 |
| HIST 282/LAMS 295 | Modern Latin America 9 | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 9 | 1 |
| IREL 251 | International Inequality and Poverty | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations | 1 |
| LAMS 150 | Latin America: An Introduction | 1 |
| LAMS 225 | Becoming Latinos: A History | 1 |
| LAMS 297 | Colonial Latin America 9 | 1 |
| LAMS 370 | Seminar on Latin America in the Global System | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| POLS 350 | Seminar in Comparative Politics (when relevant) | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives | 1 |
| SOCI 245 | Remaking America: Latin American Immigration | 1 |
| SOCI 290 | Caribbean Society Music and Ritual | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| SOCI 354 | Development, Dictators and Diaspora | 1 |
| SPAN 280 | Latin American Cultural Traditions | 1 |
| Language Competency | ||
| SPAN 207 | Toward Advanced Spanish (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
Middle East
| ARBC 203 | Unveiling the Hijab's Culture | 1 |
| HIST 194 | History of Modern Middle East | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 9 | 1 |
| HIST 299 | Topics in Non-western History (when relevant) | 1 |
| POLS 224 | Government and Politics of the Middle East 9 | 1 |
| POLS 287 | United States and the Middle East 9 | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Studies | 1 |
| RELI 201 | Islam | 1 |
| RELI 209 | Israel: Land, People, and Tradition 9 | 1 |
| RELI 210 | Judaism | 1 |
| Language Competency | ||
| ARBC 201 & ARBC 202 | Intermediate Arabic Conversation I and Intermediate Arabic Conversation II (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
| 9 | This course satisfies the history requirement for the area. |
International Relations Thematic Tracks
Development and Sustainability
| IREL 252 | Political Economy of Global Resources (Core Course) | 1 |
| ANTH 251 | Women and Development | 1 |
| ECON 235 | African Economic Development | 1 |
| ECON 357 | Economic Development | 1 |
| ECON 439 | China and the World Economy | 1 |
| ENST 215 | Environmental Planning | 1 |
| ENST 226 | Water Politics and Policies | 1 |
| ENST 245/POLS 291 | Environmental Policy and Politics | 1 |
| ENST 255 | Environmental Injustice | 1 |
| ENST/GEOG 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 1 |
| ENST 356 | Nationalism, Conflict & Nature | 1 |
| ENST/POLS 393 | International Environmental Aid | 1 |
| GEOG 209 | Economic Geography | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| GEOG 237 | Grassroots Development: Nicaragua | 1 |
| GEOG 257 | Global Environmental Change | 1 |
| GEOG 312 | Geographies of Health | 1 |
| GEOG 345 | Food and the Environment | 1 |
| IREL 240 | Human Security | 1 |
| IREL 251 | International Inequality and Poverty | 1 |
| IREL 253 | International Development Controversies | 1 |
| IREL 270 | Global Governance of Climate Change | 1 |
| IREL 292 | Service-Learning in Nicaragua (Cross-listed with GEOG 292/LAMS 292) | 1 |
| POLS 393 | International Environmental Aid | 1 |
| WMST/ECON 253 | Gender and Migration | 1 |
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
| IREL 276 | Comparative Foreign Policy (Core Course) | 1 |
| EAST 248 | International Relations in East Asia | 1 |
| ECON 418 | American Economic History | 1 |
| ECON 439 | China and the World Economy | 1 |
| GEOG 211 | Political Geography | 1 |
| HIST 214 | Topics in American History | 1 |
| HIST 233 | European State Systems (1660-1815) | 1 |
| HIST 247 | Topics in European History | 1 |
| HIST 287 | Perspectives: The Vietnam War | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism | 1 |
| HIST 299 | Topics in Non-western History | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 | 1 |
| IREL/GEOG 216 | Borders, Traffic, Statelessness | 1 |
| IREL 218/POLS 284 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| IREL 231 | Conflict Resolution | 1 |
| IREL 240 | Human Security | 1 |
| IREL 253 | International Development Controversies | 1 |
| IREL 260 | Humanitarianism | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| IREL 280 | Terrorism | 1 |
| IREL 390 | American Global Strategy | 1 |
| POLS 271 | American Foreign Policy | 1 |
| POLS 272 | U.S. National Security Policy | 1 |
| POLS 273 | The Atlantic Alliance | 1 |
| POLS 280 | War | 1 |
| POLS 287 | United States and the Middle East | 1 |
| POLS 288 | French Foreign Policy Since 1945 | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 380 | Seminar in International Politics (when relevant) | 1 |
| POLS/IREL 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Studies | 1 |
Global Governance and Conflict Resolution
| IREL 275 | Global Governance (Core Course) | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 | 1 |
| IREL 200 | International Relations: Topics/Issues | 1 |
| IREL/GEOG 216 | Borders, Traffic, Statelessness | 1 |
| IREL 218/POLS 284 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| IREL 229 | Middle East Conflict and Revolution | 1 |
| IREL 231 | Conflict Resolution | 1 |
| IREL 240 | Human Security | 1 |
| IREL 251 | International Inequality and Poverty | 1 |
| IREL 255/POLS 278 | International Law | 1 |
| IREL 260 | Humanitarianism | 1 |
| IREL 270 | Global Governance of Climate Change | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 277 | International Political Economy | 1 |
| IREL 280 | Terrorism | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 286 | Nonstate Actors in International Relations | 1 |
| IREL 390 | American Global Strategy | 1 |
| PHIL/UNIV 233 | The Philosophy of Peace and Nonviolence | 1 |
| POLS 273 | The Atlantic Alliance | 1 |
| POLS 280 | War | 1 |
| POLS 281 | Peace Studies | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Studies | 1 |
| PSYC 330 | Conflict and Peace in Northern Ireland | 1.5 |
| SOCI 235 | Nongovernmental Organizations | 1 |
| SOCI 409 | How Holocausts Happen | 1 |
Courses
IREL 200. International Relations: Topics/Issues. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Selected topics in international relations. Prerequisite: POLS 170.
IREL 215. Cultural Dimensions of International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The impact of culture on cross-cultural communication, diplomatic negotiation, conflict eruption and resolution, technology transfer, global trade, and investment.
IREL 216. Borders, Traffic, Statelessness. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
Explores the politics of historical and contemporary national borders, debates over trafficking goods and humans across them, and their links to citizenship and statelessness. Crosslisted as GEOG 216.
IREL 218. International Relations of Europe. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the foreign policies of European countries, individually and collectively through the European Union, toward each other, regional and global intergovernmental organizations, and other regions/countries. Crosslisted as POLS 284.
IREL 225. Chinese Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines China's rich political history, its dynamic economic and social changes, its lasting political changes, its enduring struggle for modernization, and its evolving relations with the rest of the world. Crosslisted as EAST 269 and POLS 225.
IREL 226. East Asian Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course surveys history, politics, economy, and society of countries in East Asia. It investigates the continuity and change in politics and policies of China, Japan, Korea, and selected countries in Southeast Asia. Crosslisted as EAST 226 and POLS 226.
IREL 229. Middle East Conflict and Revolution. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course explores some of the most significant controversies, conflicts, revolutions, and resolutions, both historical and contemporary, that define the Middle East as a region.
IREL 231. Conflict Resolution. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine conflict resolution, conflict prevention and post-conflict peace building techniques and policies. It will focus on contemporary case studies and seek to apply insights and strategies from the readings and class discussions to various conflicts.
IREL 235. Modern Africa. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to complexity, richness, and vitality of contemporary African cultures. Interdisciplinary perspectives on issues including economy, politics, family and community, art, literature, religion. Crosslisted as ANTH 235.
IREL 240. Human Security. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Explores emerging debates around human vulnerability and: conflict, climate change, displacement, development, and other forms of "security.
IREL 245. Race, Nation-state and International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The course examines the processes by which states as expressions of social relations that are embedded in political institutions have been used by social forces, nationally and transnationally, to racialize nations, societies, and global politics. Crosslisted as HIST 260 and POLS 274.
IREL 250. Theories of International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
Analysis and evaluation of main theories of international relations, including realist, neo-realist, liberal, neo-liberal, Gramscian, Marxist, feminist, and post-modernist approaches. Theories are related to the major dimensions of international relations. Prerequisites: POLS 170. Preference given to second semester sophomores and junior IREL majors.
IREL 251. International Inequality and Poverty. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the levels, patterns, sources, and trends in international inequality and poverty as well as some of their economic, social, and political consequences.
IREL 252. Political Economy of Global Resources. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
A study of environmental and energy economics in the context of global resources and politics. The theme of sustainable development will be linked to the new realities of international relations. Prerequisite: ECON 103. Crosslisted as UNIV 252.
IREL 253. International Development Controversies. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
This course examines in-depth contemporary controversies in international development, for example obnoxious markets, farmland acquisitions by foreigners, and role of foreign aid.
IREL 255. International Law. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The nature, historical development, and sources of international law; substantive and procedural international law and its role in international relations. Crosslisted as POLS 278.
IREL 260. Humanitarianism. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
Explores the history of and contemporary politics around humanitarian intervention, including contemporary discussions of sovereignty, planning, empowerment, and humanitarian expertise.
IREL 270. Global Governance of Climate Change. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the global governance institutions for climate change and the current policies, debates and positions at the climate change summits and counter-summits.
IREL 275. Global Governance. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the rationales, processes, and institutions of multilateral governance in a globalized world. We examine the U.N., nongovernmental organizations, conflict resolution, economic development, environment, human rights, and international law. Not open to first-year students. Crosslisted as POLS 275.
IREL 276. Comparative Foreign Policy. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course is designed to introduce students to the theories that have been developed to explain foreign policy processes and foreign policy behavior. The course will also examine and discuss the foreign policies of specific international actors. Crosslisted as POLS 276.
IREL 277. International Political Economy. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the politics of international economic relations including trade, finance, and development. Crosslisted as POLS 277.
IREL 278. Latin American Economic Development. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
A historical analysis of Latin America's economic and political development. Primary emphasis on the experiences of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Central America. Prerequisite: ECON 103.
IREL 280. Terrorism. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the concept of terrorism, its historical roots and contemporary forms, its multiple meanings, and the ways it shapes global and national governance.
IREL 282. European Security. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
European security issues, including NATO enlargement, the military campaigns in the Balkans, the Iraq War, terrorism, and ballistic missile defense. For Bucknell in London. Crosslisted as POLS 282.
IREL 283. East Asian International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course offers an overview of international relations in East Asia, with focus on foreign policies of major states in the region as well as their political, economic, and social interactions. Crosslisted as EAST 248 and POLS 283.
IREL 285. The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the emergence of the New Left, the production of regional spaces, the impact of the BRICS and South-South cooperation in Latin America. Crosslisted as POLS 285.
IREL 286. Nonstate Actors in International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the role nonstate actors (such as nongovernmental organizations, multinational corporations, violent nonstate actors, and individuals) can and do play in various substantive areas of international relations. Crosslisted as POLS 286.
IREL 292. Service-Learning in Nicaragua. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course focuses on the connections between Nicaraguan development processes and Brigade-based service-learning. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as GEOG 292 and LAMS 292.
IREL 2NT. International Relations Non-traditional Study. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Nontraditional study in international relations. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
IREL 300. Seminar: Topics in International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
This course considers the shift in international politics from an ethic based upon state security to one focused on human security. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
IREL 350. Globalization. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course is designed to provide IREL majors with an opportunity to study global change. The course addresses contemporary issues in globalization. Specific topics may vary. Normally taken in fall of junior or senior year for those studying abroad. Prerequisites: IREL majors; Students should preferably have both ECON 227 and IREL 250.
IREL 356. Nationalism, Conflict & Nature. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
The course explores the ways in which nature is politicized in nationalist discourse, and the role of nationalized nature ideas in social movements and environmental conflicts. May be crosslisted as ENST 356 or POLS 356. Prerequisite: POLS 205.
IREL 360. Independent Study. .5-1 Credits.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies; Repeatable
Open to international relations majors who wish to pursue individual programs of reading, research, and writing under the supervision of a professor, usually for completion of the honors thesis. Prerequisite: permission of the supervising IREL professor.
IREL 361. Independent Study. .5-1 Credits.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies; Repeatable
Open to international relations majors who wish to pursue individual programs of reading, research, and writing under the supervision of a professor, usually for the completion of the honors thesis. Prerequisite: permission of the supervising IREL professor.
IREL 381. Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course is devoted to examining the failures and successes of the peace process between Israel and the Arab States. Exploring the roots of the conflict dating back to the late 1800s and conclude with the Oslo peace process and the involvement of outside actors. Prerequisite: POLS 170 or permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as POLS 381.
IREL 390. American Global Strategy. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the changing role of the manager in the global business environment. Prerequisite: junior or senior status.
IREL 400. Seminar: Topics in International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Selected topics of international relations at an advanced level for senior seminar credit. Prerequisites: second semester junior or senior status and permission of the instructor.
IREL 410. BRICS on the Global Stage. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This seminar will focus on the emergence of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as new players in the global stage, the debates whether they represent the formation of a New World Order and the impact that the BRICS are having in different sub-regional formations. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
IREL 415. Human Rights. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The seminar will study human rights, primarily from an international perspective, including self-determination, cultural rights, ethnic and racial rights, women's rights, religious rights, and lesbian and gay rights. Preference given to international relations majors. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Preference given to international relations majors. Crosslisted as POLS 389.
IREL 418. Social Movements and Society. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This seminar examines social movements in International Relations in multiple contexts across the globe, through a variety of scales.
IREL 420. Sovereignty: Theory and Practice. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Fall Semester; Lecture hours:3
This senior seminar explores contemporary and historical theories of sovereignty and new global transformation of sovereign power.
IREL 425. International Relations of Migration. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the causes and the international consequences of human displacement. It will consider the economic, political, social, and cultural components of international migration. Crosslisted as POLS 425.
IREL 482. U.S.-China Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Through tracing the evolution of U.S.-China relations from the 19th century to the 21st century, this course discusses major issues and challenges between the two countries today. Future trends of the bilateral relationship will also be explored. Prerequisite: POLS 170. Preference given to EAST, IREL, and POLS seniors. May be crosslisted as EAST 382 and/or POLS 382.
Faculty
Professor: Emek M. Uçarer
Associate Professors: David Mitchell (Chair), Richard D. Waller, Zhiqun Zhu
Assistant Professors: Alejandra Roncallo, Ron J. Smith
Visiting Assistant Professor: David M. Rojas