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, 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 | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
| 1 | ECON 101 is not a prerequisite for ECON 227. 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 may count toward the Economics major. Students counting ECON 427 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. |
| 2 | IREL 250 Theories of International Relations should be taken in the second semester of the sophomore year or in the first semester of the junior year. Students planning to spend 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 toward 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. 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. |
| 6 | All thematic track courses must be completed on campus. 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 Women & Social Action | 1 |
| ECON 235 | African Economic Development | 1 |
| ENST/AFST 263 | Conservation in Africa | 1 |
| FREN 336 | Francophone African Spaces | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| HIST 276/IREL 271 | Popular Culture in Africa | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 8 | 1 |
| HIST 291 | Africa: Ancient to Early Modern Times 4000BCE-1400CE 8 | 1 |
| HIST/AFST 292/IREL 293 | Making Contemporary Africa: 'Early Modern' to the 'Post-Modern' World - 1400 to the Present 8 | 1 |
| HIST 299 | Topics in Non-western History (when relevant) 8 | 1 |
| IREL/ANTH 235 | Modern Africa See also UNIV 200 Integrative Perspectives Course (Modern Africa) | 1 |
| IREL 273/HIST 277/WMST 277 | Gender in Africa | 1 |
| IREL 274 | Africa and International Relations in Historical Perspective | 1 |
| IREL 293 | Making Contemporary Africa: 'Early Modern' to the 'Post-Modern' World - 1400 to the Present | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| UNIV 200 | Integrated Perspectives Course See also IREL 235/ANTH 235 (Modern Africa) | 1 |
| Language Competency: | ||
| Intermediate Arabic Conversation I and Intermediate Arabic Conversation II | ||
A one-credit, 200-level French course taught in French | ||
Asia
| ANTH/WMST 232 | Gender and Sexuality in South Asia | 1 |
| ANTH 243 | Violence and Politics in Southeast Asia | 1 |
| CHIN 201 | Chinese III (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
| or JAPN 201 | Japanese III | |
| EAST 228 | China Through the Lens | 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 |
| ECON/EAST 339/ECON 439 | China & East Asian Economics | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 225/EAST 269 | Chinese Politics | 1 |
| IREL/POLS/EAST 226 | East Asian Politics | 1 |
| IREL 272 | Poverty Amid Plenty: Development in India and South Asia | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 283/EAST 248 | East Asian International Relations | 1 |
| RELI 200/EAST 251 | Buddhism | 1 |
| RELI 202 | Hinduism | 1 |
| RELI 243 | Religions of South Asia | 1 |
| RELI/EAST 244 | Ghosts, Gods, & Immortals: The Taoist Religion in China | 1 |
| RELI 245/EAST 252 | Marketing Chinese Religions | 1 |
| RELI 246/EAST 253 | Death of Religion in Japan | 1 |
| Language Competency: | ||
Europe, Eurasia & 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 247 | Topics in European History (when relevant and must be taken on campus) | 1 |
| HIST 252 | Soviet Russia | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 8 | 1 |
| HIST 330 | European History (when relevant) 8 | 1 |
| IREL 218/POLS 284 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| ITAL 295 | Topics in Italian Studies (when relevant) | 1 |
| POLS 210 | Political Theory 8 | 1 |
| POLS 223 | European Politics | 1 |
| POLS 288 | French Foreign Policy Since 1945 ( open only to Bucknell en France students) | 1 |
| RUSS 330 | Nabokov and His Worlds | 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 | |
A one-credit, 200-level French course taught in French | ||
| German Conversation and Composition | ||
| Discovering Italy | ||
| Advanced Russian I | ||
| Toward Advanced Spanish | ||
Latin America & Caribbean
| ECON 266 | Political Economy of Caribbean | 1 |
| ECON/LAMS 273 | Latin American Economic Development | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| GEOG 237 | Grassroots Development: Nicaragua | 1 |
| GEOG/IREL/LAMS/ECON 292 | Service-Learning in Nicaragua | 1 |
| GEOG 309 | Topics in Advanced Economic Geography | 1 |
| HIST 282/LAMS 295 | Modern Latin America 8 | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 8 | 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 8 | 1 |
| LAMS/IREL 201 | Modernization and Social Revolution in Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 202/ENST 209/ANTH 202 | Ecopolitics in Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 224 | Becoming Latinos | 1 |
| LAMS 228 | Violence and Human Rights in Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 250 | Latin America: Challenges for the 21st Century | 1 |
| LAMS 297 | Colonial Latin America 8 | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 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 |
| Language Competency: | ||
| SPAN 207 | Toward Advanced Spanish (or equivalent taken elsewhere) | 1 |
Middle East
| ARBC 203 | Unveiling the Hijab's Culture | 1 |
| HIST 285 | The Middle East in Global Perspective | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 8 | 1 |
| HIST 299 | Topics in Non-western History (when relevant) | 1 |
| IREL 229 | Middle East Conflict and Revolution | 1 |
| POLS 224 | Government and Politics of the Middle East 8 | 1 |
| POLS 287 | U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East 8 | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process | 1 |
| RELI 201 | Islam | 1 |
| RELI 209 | Israel: Land, People, and Tradition 8 | 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 |
| 8 | This course satisfies the history requirement for the area. |
Thematic Tracks
Each track is anchored by a required core course.
Culture & identity
| ANTH/WMST 232 | Gender and Sexuality in South Asia | 1 |
| ANTH 235 | Modern Africa | 1 |
| ANTH 243 | Violence and Politics in Southeast Asia | 1 |
| ANTH 256 | Anthropology of Native North America | 1 |
| ARBC 203 | Unveiling the Hijab's Culture | 1 |
| EAST 111 | East Asian Civilization | 1 |
| EAST 120 | Introduction to Chinese Culture | 1 |
| EAST 228 | China Through the Lens | 1 |
| ECON/WMST 253 | Gender and Migration | 1 |
| ECON 268 | Migrations: Africa to America and the (Re)Making of Culture | 1 |
| ENLS 227 | Caribbean Literature | 1 |
| ENST 232 | Identity, Inequality, and the Environment | 1 |
| ENST 320/ANTH 307/LING 320 | Language & Environmental Politics | 1 |
| FREN 236 | Topics in Francophone Literature and Culture | 1 |
| HIST 239 | Contemporary Europe, 1890-1995 | 1 |
| HIST/IREL 274 | Africa and International Relations in Historical Perspective | 1 |
| HIST 276/IREL 271 | Popular Culture in Africa | 1 |
| HIST 286 | Contemporary Japanese History | 1 |
| HIST 292 | Making Contemporary Africa: 'Early Modern' to the 'Post-Modern' World - 1400 to the Present | 1 |
| IREL 216 | Borders and Politics of Mobility | 1 |
| IREL 265 | Culture, Identity, and Power (Core Course) | 1 |
| IREL 272 | Poverty Amid Plenty: Development in India and South Asia | 1 |
| IREL 273/HIST 277/WMST 277 | Gender in Africa | 1 |
| ITAL 385 | Corsets and Curses | 1 |
| SOCI 245 | Remaking America: Latin American Immigration | 1 |
| SOCI 309 | How Holocausts Happen | 1 |
| SPAN 266 | Black Africans in the Hispanic Black Atlantic: Then and Now | 1 |
| SPAN 346 | Utopia/Dystopia in Urban Latin America | 1 |
| WMST/ECON 224 | African Women & Social Action | 1 |
Development & Sustainability
| ANTH/IREL 235 | Modern Africa | 1 |
| See also UNIV 200 Integrative Perspectives course (Modern Africa) | ||
| ANTH 251 | Women and Development | 1 |
| ECON 235 | African Economic Development | 1 |
| ECON/LAMS 273 | Latin American Economic Development | 1 |
| ECON/EAST 339/ECON 439 | China & East Asian Economics | 1 |
| ECON 357 | Economic Development | 1 |
| ENST 215 | Environmental Planning | 1 |
| ENST 226 | Water Politics and Policies | 1 |
| ENST 232 | Identity, Inequality, and the Environment | 1 |
| ENST 245/POLS 291 | Environmental Policy and Politics | 1 |
| ENST 255 | Environmental Injustice | 1 |
| ENST/AFST 263 | Conservation in Africa | 1 |
| ENST 320/ANTH 307/LING 320 | Language & Environmental Politics | 1 |
| ENST/GEOG 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 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 | Climate Change | 1 |
| GEOG/IREL/LAMS/ECON 292 | Service-Learning in Nicaragua | 1 |
| GEOG 312 | Geographies of Health | 1 |
| GEOG 345 | Food and the Environment | 1 |
| IREL 210 | The Politics of International Aid and Development | 1 |
| IREL 234 | Environment & Development | 1 |
| IREL 240 | Human Security | 1 |
| IREL 252 | Political Economy of Global Resources (Core Course) | 1 |
| IREL 272 | Poverty Amid Plenty: Development in India and South Asia | 1 |
| LAMS 202/ENST 209 | Ecopolitics in Latin America | 1 |
| POLS/IREL 277 | International Political Economy | 1 |
| UNIV 200 | Integrated Perspectives Course (Modern Africa) | 1 |
| WMST/ECON 253 | Gender and Migration | 1 |
Foreign Policy & Diplomacy
| EAST 248 | International Relations in East Asia | 1 |
| ECON/EAST 339/ECON 439 | China & East Asian Economics | 1 |
| ECON 418 | American Economic History | 1 |
| GEOG 211 | Political Geography | 1 |
| HIST 214 | Topics in American History (when relevant) | 1 |
| HIST 233 | European State Systems (1660-1815) | 1 |
| HIST 247 | Topics in European History (when relevant) | 1 |
| HIST 265 | 20th Century World Wars | 1 |
| HIST 284 | Global History of Modern Warfare | 1 |
| HIST 287 | Perspectives: The Vietnam War | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism | 1 |
| HIST 299 | Topics in Non-western History (when relevant) | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 (when relevant) | 1 |
| HIST 399 | Non-western History (when relevant) | 1 |
| IREL/GEOG 216 | Borders and Politics of Mobility | 1 |
| IREL 218/POLS 284 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| IREL 231 | Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution | 1 |
| IREL 240 | Human Security | 1 |
| IREL 274 | Africa and International Relations in Historical Perspective | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| IREL 276 | Comparative Foreign Policy (Core Course) | 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 | U.S. Foreign Policy 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/IREL 481 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process | 1 |
Global Governance & Conflict Resolution
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 (when relevant) | 1 |
| HIST 399 | Non-western History (when relevant) | 1 |
| IREL 200 | International Relations: Topics/Issues | 1 |
| IREL/GEOG 216 | Borders and Politics of Mobility | 1 |
| IREL 218/POLS 284 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| IREL 229 | Middle East Conflict and Revolution | 1 |
| IREL 231/POLS 281 | Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution | 1 |
| IREL 240 | Human Security | 1 |
| IREL 255/POLS 278 | International Law | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 275 | Global Governance (Core Course) | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 277 | International Political Economy | 1 |
| IREL/POLS 286 | Nonstate Actors in International Relations | 1 |
| PHIL/UNIV 233 | The Philosophy of Peace and Nonviolence | 1 |
| POLS 273 | The Atlantic Alliance | 1 |
| POLS 280 | War | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 381/IREL 481 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process | 1 |
| SOCI 235 | Nongovernmental Organizations | 1 |
| SOCI 309 | 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 exempt, 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. To receive credit for study abroad, it is expected that the country visited will fit with the area of concentration. With prior approval, students may transfer credit from study abroad that is outside 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 who are interested in pursuing a subject in greater depth are encouraged, in consultation with their academic adviser, to consider independent study or honors thesis. Students planning to pursue graduate study in international relations should consider taking a course in social science methods, 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 on the major's page). 1 | ||
Three courses from one thematic track (see lists on the major's page). | ||
It is recommended that students majoring in Economics who intend to pursue an International Relations minor take ECON 427 International Economic Theory, instead of ECON 227 International Economics.
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 8 in the lists on the major's page. 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.
- Understand the major concepts of international relations, including: power, the international system, balance of power, hegemony, conflict, cooperation, integration, globalization, interdependence, dependence, regimes, globalization, equality, justice, sustainability, and international political economy.
- Understand and critically evaluate the theories and approaches to international relations, including realism, liberalism, classical and neo-Marxism, Neo-Gramscian, critical, post-modernist, post-colonial, sexuality and feminist.
- Identify the key actors in international relations—including states, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, transnational corporations, global civil society, and individuals—and understand how these actors interact to give substance to international relations.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the key dimensions, events and processes of international relations within their historic context, such as: the formation of the modern state system, the Treaty of Westphalia, the evolution of global capitalism, the origins of the Cold War, the shift to the post-Cold War system, the role of race, gender and class in the structure of the modern world system, major conflicts, such as the world wars, U. S. intervention in various places in the world, ascendant conflicts, the features and effects of globalizing market capitalism, growing environmental problems, and human rights.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the multi-disciplinary nature of international relations by establishing connections with the disciplines that have shaped and continue to influence international relations: politics, economics, society, culture, history, language, race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.
- Demonstrate skills of critical analysis and written and oral communication, including the ability to:
- Read and reflect on disciplinary materials and literature carefully, critically, and insightfully;
- Write well-organized, informed, logically argued, clear, persuasive, and stylistically correct essays and papers;
- Participate actively in class discussions, verbally expressing ideas clearly, logically and persuasively.
- Work effectively in teams and project groups.
Courses
IREL 100. Globalization & World (Dis)Order. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course will explore the restructuring of the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of the global world by a way of the theoretical literature on globalization and a series of case studies. This course cannot be taken for IR major credit.
IREL 200. International Relations: Topics/Issues. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Selected topics in international relations.
IREL 201. Modernization and Social Revolution in Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This class examines how technological and political processes combine focusing on the Latin American region.
IREL 204. Naming Violence: Language, space and power in the Israeli Palestinian conflict. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:3
This IP course adopts an integrative approach of two fields of knowledge: sociolinguistics and political geography. The course aims to explore the Palestinian-Israeli struggle and how this struggle is constructed and reproduced in various spaces that are directly related and those that are assumed to be related to the struggle. Crosslisted as UNIV 204 and ARBC 204.
IREL 206. Sacred Objects: Religion, Violence and History. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines religion and violence through a social history of sacred objects circulating in medieval and modern South Asia. It explores political ideologies of the Indian state by studying how objects (images, buildings, idols, books, jewels) become imbued with religious power and motivate cataclysmic violence. Crosslisted as RELI 206.
IREL 210. The Politics of International Aid and Development. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
“Development” is arguably one of the most powerful concepts defining North-South international relations in the post-WWII era. What does effective development look like? Why have so many development schemes failed? Even in places that have successfully “developed,” why are large segments of the population left out of these gains?.
IREL 212. Politics of India/South Asia. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course provides an introduction to the major contemporary political issues and trends in the region of India/South Asia. Themes will include colonialism, nationalism, economic growth and development, democracy vs. authoritarianism, religious fundamentalism, and ethnic conflict. Crosslisted as POLS 212.
IREL 216. Borders and Politics of Mobility. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Explores the politics of contemporary nation state borders, issues of territory, sovereignty, mobility, migration, identity, citizenship, statelessness, and focuses on borders at other scales. 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 227. Latin American Politics and Development. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course introduces students to key themes in Latin American politics and development, including modernization, populism, revolution, structural adjustment, the Pink Tide, and the new right. Potential and emerging alternatives to neoliberalism in the region are also explored.
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. Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Topics examined include pacifism, conflict resolution techniques and approaches, and finally actual case studies to illustrate peacemaking in two contexts: interstate wars and internal or civil strife. Crosslisted as POLS 281.
IREL 234. Environment & Development. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
What is the relationship between development and the environment? This course lays out frameworks for understanding the engagement of development with the environment. This includes exploring circuits through which processes (economic, environmental, and social) and goods circulate, including cases from “sustainable” forestry, carbon economies, and the global trade in waste.
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 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 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 101 or ECON 103.
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 265. Culture, Identity, and Power. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Students will learn a range of theories and concepts that explain how gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, nationality, religion, and other forms of difference shape and are shaped by international affairs.
IREL 271. Popular Culture in Africa. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course allows students to explore, experience, and analyze aspects of popular culture in contemporary sub-Saharan Africa. Manifestations of popular culture are considered as markers of modern African identities, embedded in complex and varied socio-cultural, historical and political contexts. Crosslisted as HIST 276.
IREL 272. Poverty Amid Plenty: Development in India and South Asia. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course explores ideas and practices of development in India and South Asia: the promise, politics, results, and potential lessons for development.
IREL 273. Gender in Africa. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines gender and sexuality across Africa historically and contemporarily, using an examination of Africanist gender theory along with a critical examination of Western conventional categories and a critical approach to issues of family, generational tensions, sexuality, and power as useful ways for thinking through change in African history. Crosslisted as HIST 277 and WMST 277.
IREL 274. Africa and International Relations in Historical Perspective. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
From popular culture: music, film, fashion to digital technologies: cell phones, computers, fit-bits, and GOOGLE-glass to our food: morning coffee, sugar, and spices, we rely on African ideas and resources. Through novels, films, and scholarly articles we examine how International Relations across Africa and within Africa matter in our lives. Crosslisted as HIST 274 and AFST 274.
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 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. 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 291. Africa: Ancient to Early Modern Times 4000BCE-1400CE. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Survey of Africa from Ancient economic, social, cultural, economic, and political developments to the Early Modern Era and the rise of Atlantic era trade. This course focuses on social, cultural, political, and economic changes generated by populations across the continent. Crosslisted as AFST 291 and HIST 291.
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 and ECON 292.
IREL 293. Making Contemporary Africa: 'Early Modern' to the 'Post-Modern' World - 1400 to the Present. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Survey of African history from the 15th century to the contemporary period. We explore six major themes in African History: The Indian Ocean World, Making of the Atlantic World, Colonialism in Africa, Nationalism and Independence Movements, Post-Colonialism and Issues in the Making of Contemporary Africa. Crosslisted as AFST 292 and HIST 292.
IREL 2NT. International Relations Non-traditional Study. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Non-traditional 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. Prerequisites: IREL majors; Students should preferably have both ECON 227 and IREL 250.
IREL 356. Nationalism, Identity and Nature. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the geographies and politics of nationalism, the ways in which nature is nationalized, the construction of nature in environmental contestations and reactions to nationalism, and the intersection of nationalism with other social constructions. Crosslisted as ENST 356.
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. Prerequisites: permission of the supervising IREL professor and permission of the instructor.
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. Prerequisites: permission of the supervising IREL professor and permission of the instructor.
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 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. 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 430. Global Poverty: Politics and Practices. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course engages debates about the politics and practice of addressing poverty in a global context. We examine how schemes are conceptualized, come to be taken up, and circulate globally -- from micro-finance, to food supplements, and cash-transfers for the poor. Alongside this, we examine the business of “ending poverty.”.
IREL 474. Human Trafficking: Ancient to Present Day. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course covers the very real and challenging topic of human trafficking in Africa and other parts of the world. Human Trafficking illuminates the interconnectedness of multiple systems of economics, politics, and culture through the transfer and control of labor. Crosslisted as HIST 374.
IREL 481. Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the failures and successes of the peace process among Israel, Arab States, and Palestinians. Special focus is on Oslo peace process, outstanding issues, and the involvement of outside actors, particularly the role of the US. Prerequisite: POLS 170 or permission from instructor. Crosslisted as POLS 381.
IREL 482. U.S.-China Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Through tracing the evolution of U.S.-China relations from the 18th 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. Crosslisted as EAST 382 and POLS 382.
Faculty
Professors: Emek M. Uçarer, Zhiqun Zhu (Chair)
Associate Professors: Cymone Fourshey, David Mitchell, Ron J. Smith
Assistant Professors: Manuel Larrabure, Ilona Moore
Visiting Professor: Joseph Jozwiak
Visiting Assistant Professor: Luke Burgess Wood