International Affairs

What Is International Affairs ?

Effective Autumn 2009, the college will significantly change the A&S core requirements. Continuing students should consult their new degree audits for changes until the information below can be updated!

International affairs is an interdisciplinary major that combines courses in political science, history, economics, geography and foreign languages. The curriculum is designed to allow students to acquire a variety of analytical tools with which to examine an ever-expanding array of international issues and problems. The distinguishing feature of the major is its multidisciplinary approach.

Success Factors

International affairs majors typically possess (or are willing to develop) the strong analytical skills necessary for interpreting and evaluating arguments. Most like to read, enjoy studying foreign languages and cultures and have the capacity to work independently. International affairs students enjoy vigorous in-class discussion and like to apply their learning to real-world problems as well as theoretical concerns. Consequently, these students enjoy researching and debating different points of view on wide-ranging issues involving international affairs.

Career Possibilities

Graduates of this major pursue careers in fields including:

• Non-governmental organizations  
• Business                                                 
• Journalism
• Law                                                          
• Foreign Service (diplomatic)
• Intelligence                                              
• Military
• Politics
• International organizations                   
• Public relations

Major Details

Administered by the Department of Political Science, the international affairs  program is an interdisciplinary major that combines courses in political science, history, economics, geography and foreign languages. The multi-disciplinary approach allows students to acquire a variety of analytical tools while looking at international issues and problems from multiple perspectives. Study abroad is encouraged as is fluency in a second language.

Minor Details

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

I.  Co- or Prerequisites
Note: Certain INTA-approved upper-division foreign language courses also count toward fulfillment of A&S college requirements for humanities and literatures. To identify these, compare A&S list and INTA foreign language list (see section IIC below).

A. Behavioral/Social Sciences (15 hours):
15 ECON 101     Introduction to Economics
15 ECON 102     Introduction to Economics

And any 9 hours from:
15 ECON 103       Introduction to Economics
15 GEOG 104       Introduction to Human Geography
15 GEOG 105       Introduction to Human Geography
15 GEOG 106       Introduction to Human Geography
15 GEOG 123       Americas: NAFTA Nations
15 GEOG 124       World Regional Geography: Europe
15 GEOG 125       World Regional Geography: Africa
15 GEOG 126       World Regional Geography: Asia

B. History (9 hours):
15 JUDC 127       History of Jewish Civilization
15 JUDC 128       History of Jewish Civilization
15 JUDC 129       History of Jewish Civilization
15 HIST 101       Ancient History
15 HIST 102       Ancient History
15 HIST 103       Ancient History
15 HIST 113       European Civilization 1000-1500
15 HIST 114       European Civilization 1500-1800
15 HIST 115       European Civilization 1800- Present
15 HIST 121       Asian Civilizations: India
15 HIST 122       Asian Civilizations: China
15 HIST 123       Asian Civilizations: Japan
15 HIST 130       World History I: Worlds Forming
15 HIST 131       World History II: Worlds Connecting
15 HIST 132       World History III: Worlds Interacting
15 HIST 170       Middle East/North Africa History 660-1258
15 HIST 171       Middle East/North Africa History 1258 ? 1850
15 HIST 172       Middle East/North Africa History 1850 ? Present
15 HIST 224       Latin American History
15 HIST 225       Latin American History
15 HIST 226       Latin American History

C.  Statistics: Probability and Statistics
15 MATH 147       Elementary Probability and Statistics I
15 MATH 148       Elementary Probability and Statistics II
15 MATH 149       Elementary Probability and Statistics III

II. Required Courses

A.  Introductory Courses in Political Science (12 hours): any four courses among:
15 POL 110       Introduction to American Politics I
15 POL 111       Introduction to American Politics II
15 POL 140       Introduction to Political Theory
15 POL 160       Introduction to Comparative Politics
15 POL 180       Introduction to International Relations

B. Political Analysis ? Recommended sophomore year (6 hours):
15 POL 253        Political Inquiry I: Approaches
15 POL 254       Political Inquiry II: Methods

C. Foreign Language: This requirement may be fulfilled in one of four ways:

1). 18 credits beyond the A&S requirement in either French, German or Spanish:

French:
15 FREN 251       Composition and Conversation
15 FREN 252       Composition and Conversation
15 FREN 253       Composition and Conversation
15 FREN 300       Grammar and Composition
15 FREN 301       Speaking in French
15 FREN 302       French Phonetics
15 FREN 310       Introduction to Literature
15 FREN 311       Modern French Literature
15 FREN 312       Francophone World
15 FREN 335       Business French
15 FREN 336       Business French
15 FREN 337       Business French
15 FREN 371       French Civilization
15 FREN 372       French Civilization
15 FREN 373       French Civilization
15 FREN 424       Advanced Grammar and Composition
15 FREN 491       Advanced Grammar and Composition
15 FREN 492       Advanced Grammar and Composition
15 FREN 493       Stylistics

German:
15 GRMN 121       Introduction to German for Music Students
15 GRMN 122       Introduction to German for Music Students
15 GRMN 123       Introduction to German for Music Students
15 GRMN 341       Introduction to German Studies
15 GRMN 342       Introduction to German Studies
15 GRMN 343       Introduction to German Studies
15 GRMN 421       Advanced Topics in Language and Culture
15 GRMN 422       Advanced Topics in Language and Culture
15 GRMN 423       Advanced Topics in Language and Culture
15 GRMN 541       Advanced Topics in Language and Culture
15 GRMN 542       Advanced Topics in Language and Culture
15 GRMN 543       Advanced Topics in Language and Culture

Spanish
15 SPAN 251       Composition and Conversation
15 SPAN 252       Composition and Conversation
15 SPAN 253       Composition and Conversation
15 SPAN 300       Grammar and Composition
15 SPAN 301       Speaking in Spanish
15 SPAN 302       Spanish Texts
15 SPAN 305       Business Spanish
15 SPAN 306       Business Spanish
15 SPAN 307       Business Spanish
15 SPAN 310       Las Tres Culturas
15 SPAN 311       Latin American Today
15 SPAN 312       Spain Today
15 SPAN 320       Spanish Civilization I
15 SPAN 321       Spanish Civilization II
15 SPAN 322       Latin American Civilization I
15 SPAN 323       Latin American Civilization II
15 SPAN 354       Conversation And Pronunciation in Spanish
15 SPAN 372       Spanish Literature of the Medieval Period
15 SPAN 373       Spanish Literature of the Gold Age
15 SPAN 374       Spanish Literature of the Eighteenth and Ninetieth Centuries
15 SPAN 375       Spanish Literature of the Twentieth Century
15 SPAN 381       Latin American Literature Before Columbus
15 SPAN 431       Spanish Civilization and Culture I
15 SPAN 432       Spanish Civilization and Culture II
15 SPAN 433       Spanish Civilization and Culture III
15 SPAN 441       Latin American Civilization and Culture I
15 SPAN 442       Latin American Civilization and Culture II
15 SPAN 443       Latin American Civilization and Culture III
15 SPAN 452       Speech and Debate
15 SPAN 453       Stylistics
15 SPAN 454       Grammar and Stylistics

2).  15 credits beyond the A&S requirement in Arabic

15 ARAB 201       Second Year Literary Arabic
15 ARAB 202       Second Year Literary Arabic
15 ARAB 203       Second Year Literary Arabic
15 ARAB 301       Advanced Intermediate Literary Arabic
15 ARAB 302       Advanced Intermediate Literary Arabic
15 ARAB 303       Advanced Intermediate Literary Arabic

3). 9 credits beyond the A&S requirement in either Hebrew or Japanese:

Hebrew:
15 JUDC 331       Advanced Hebrew
15 JUDC 332       Advanced Hebrew
15 JUDC 333       Advanced Hebrew

Japanese:
15 ASIA 301       Japanese Composition and Conversation
15 ASIA 302       Japanese Composition and Conversation
15 ASIA 303       Japanese Composition and Conversation

4). Meet the A&S requirement in any two of the following languages, pending availability: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Modern Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili or Swedish with the exception of the following combinations: German-French, German-Spanish and French-Spanish. (Note: this exception applies not only to language study undertaken at UC but also to students who test out of German, French or Spanish at the A&S level or who otherwise enjoy advanced standing in one of these languages.)

III. Field Distribution Requirements: 45 hours, including at least one course from each of the four fields below. Each course counts only once, but some are listed under multiple headings. (Note: Capstone in Section IV and any electives in Section V count toward the total of 45 hours.)

A. International Politics and Political Theory:
15 POL 240       Development of Political Thought I
15 POL 241       Development of Political Thought II
15 POL 245       American Political Thought
15 POL 248       Mass Political Movements
15 POL 280 / 580       Approaches to International Politics
15 POL 281 / 581       US Foreign Relations: Institutions & Processes
15 POL 282 / 582       NATO and Alliances in International Politics
15 POL 283 / 583       International Cooperation
15 POL 284 / 584       National Security Policy
15 POL 285 / 585       Politics of Terrorism
15 POL 286 / 586       Security & Conflict in Asia 
15 POL 287       Politics of Human Rights
15 POL 288       International Law
15 POL 289       International Organization
15 POL 344       The Internet and Democratic Politics
15 POL 348       Politics of Protest
15 POL 380 / 587       Regional Politics in Asia
15 POL 440       Individual Work: Political Theory
15 POL 480       Individual Work: International Relations
15 POL 540       Progressive Political Theory  (formerly 15 POL 340)
15 POL 541       Marx and Marxist Tradition  (formerly 15 POL 341)
15 POL 543       Citizenship and Terrorism (formerly 15 POL 343)
15 POL 546       State Theory (formerly 15 POL 346)
15 POL 588       U.S. Foreign Policy: Globalization (formerly 15 POL 382)
15 POL 589       International Conflict (formerly 15 POL 383)
15 POL 590       International Crisis Management (formerly 15 POL 384)
15 POL 591       International Politics in East Asia (formerly 15 POL 386)
15 POL 592       International Political Economy (formerly 15 POL 389)
15 GEOG 322       Cities and Globalization I
15 GEOG 333/353       Political Geography (Geopolitics)


B. Foreign Policy, History, and Diplomacy:
15 POL 281 / 581       U.S. Foreign Relations: Institutions & Processes
15 POL 282 / 582       NATO and Alliances in International Politics
15 POL 588       U.S. Foreign Policy: Globalization (formerly 15 POL 382)
15 HIST 431       Hitler and the Nazi Party
15 HIST 432       Hitler and the Nazi Party
15 HIST 442       Greek and Roman Warfare
15 HIST 471       History of Rome: Gracchi
15 HIST 472       History of Rome: Augustus
15 HIST 473       The Early Empire
15 HIST 474       Early Greece
15 HIST 475       Greece: Pericles
15 HIST 476       Greece: Hellenistic
15 HIST 485       Film and History of World War II
15 HIST 487       History of Christianity
15 HIST 488       History of Christianity
15 HIST 516       History of American National Security Policy
15 HIST 517       History of American National Security Policy
15 HIST 518       History of American National Security Policy
15 HIST 528       War in the Modern World
15 HIST 529       War in the Modern World
15 HIST 530       War in the Modern World
15 HIST 534       Eastern Europe Since 1918
15 HIST 555       U.S. in the Twentieth Century: 1920-1940
15 HIST 556       U.S. in the Twentieth Century: 1940-1960
15 HIST 557       U.S. in the Twentieth Century: 1960- Present
15 HIST 559       Fascism in Europe
15 HIST 560       Communism in Europe
15 HIST 562       Women in European Society: 1850 - Present
15 HIST 594       Italian Renaissance
15 HIST 595       Renaissance Europe: 1500-1600
15 HIST 647       Twentieth Century Britain
15 HIST 659       European Diplomatic History: 1919 - Present
15 HIST 680       History of Sexuality in America
15 JUDC 382      Studies in the Holocaust

C.   International Economics:
15 POL 592          International Political Economy (formerly Pol 389)
15 ECON 271       Microeconomics
15 ECON 301       Economic Thought and Literacy
15 ECON 341       Microeconomic Theory
15 ECON 342       Microeconomic Theory
15 ECON 343       Microeconomic Theory
15 ECON 371       Money, Banking, and the Economy
15 ECON 372       Macroeconomics
15 ECON 482       Public Economics: Expenditures
15 ECON 483       Macroeconomic Theory
15 ECON 507       Development of the International Economy
15 ECON 508       Economic Theory of Population
15 ECON 509       Development of Economic Ideas
15 ECON 541       Economy of China and Vietnam: Transition
15 ECON 542       Contemporary Japanese Economy: Business
15 ECON 543       East Asian Economies: Development and Crisis
15 ECON 549       Rise and Fall of Soviet Economy
15 ECON 551       International Economics
15 ECON 552       International Economics
15 ECON 558       Labor Market Analysis
15 ECON 559       Labor Market Issues
15 ECON 564       Economics of Industrial Policy
15 ECON 567       Politics and Economics
15 ECON 569       Anti-Trust Policy and Trade Regulation
15 ECON 575       Economic Development
15 ECON 660       International Trade Theory
15 ECON 662       Institutions and Policies of International Trade
15 ECON 663       Foreign Exchange Markets and International Money
15 ECON 665       Case Studies in International Economics
15 GEOG 261       People and the Environment I
15 GEOG 262       People and the Environment II
15 GEOG 263       People and the Environment III
15 GEOG 341       Economic Geography: The Geography of Consumption
15 GEOG 342       Economic Geography: The Geography of Production
15 GEOG 343       Industrial Location

D. Comparative Studies:
15 POL 269       Politics in Developing Countries
15 POL 380/587 Regional Politics in Asia
15 POL 460       Individual Work: Comparative Politics
15 POL 560       Approaches to Comparative Politics (formerly 15 POL 360)
15 POL 561       Government and Politics of Japan (formerly 15 POL 261)
15 POL 562       Government and Politics of Korea (formerly 15 POL 262)
15 POL 563       Government and Politics of China (formerly 15 POL 263)
15 POL 564       Politics in South Asia (formerly 15 POL 264)
15 POL 565       Government and Politics of Latin America (formerly 15 POL 265)
15 POL 566       Government and Politics of Canada (formerly 15 POL 266)
15 POL 567       Civil War and Political Violence (formerly 15 POL 367)
15 POL 568       Nationalism and Identity Politics (formerly 15 POL 368)
15 POL 570       Comparative Political Behavior (formerly 15 POL 270)
15 POL 571       Government and Politics of Middle East I (formerly 15 POL 271)
15 POL 572       Government and Politics of Middle East II (formerly 15 POL 272)
15 POL 574       Government and Politics of Russia (formerly 15 POL 274)
15 POL 575       Government and Politics of East & Central Europe (formerly 15 POL 275)
15 POL 576       Politics of the European Union (formerly 15 POL 376)
15 POL 577       Government and Politics of Europe I (formerly 15 POL 277)
15 POL 578       Government and Politics of Europe II (formerly 15 POL 278)
15 POL 579       Women and Politics in the Third World (formerly 15 POL 365)
15 POL 586       Security and Conflict: Asia
15 HIST 301       Africa to Twentieth Century
15 HIST 302       Africa 1700-1935
15 HIST 303       African History 1945- Present
15 HIST 396H-399H    Topics in History
15 HIST 408       Latin American Film and History after 1900
15 HIST 431       Hitler and the Nazi Party
15 HIST 450       The Medieval West
15 HIST 451       History of Germany
15 HIST 452       History of Germany
15 HIST 453       History of Germany
15 HIST 471       History of Rome: Gracchi
15 HIST 472       History of Rome: Augusts
15 HIST 473       The Early Empire
15 HIST 484       World War I
15 HIST 531       Women in India and China to 1800
15 HIST 532       Women in India and China since 1800
15 HIST 533       East Europe To 1815
15 HIST 534       East Europe Since 1918
15 HIST 536       History of the Balkans
15 HIST 561       Women in European Society 1600-1850
15 HIST 563       Film and India: Empire and Nationalism
15 HIST 567       History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
15 HIST 570       The Making of the Modern Middle East
15 HIST 572       Film and Middle East History
15 HIST 574       India to 1526
15 HIST 575       Indian Empires: 1526-1905
15 HIST 576       Twentieth Century South Asia
15 HIST 601       Modern Mexico
15 HIST 618       Postwar Britain
15 HIST 641       Eastern Europe 1815-1919
15 HIST 642       Eastern Europe 1919-present
15 HIST 647       Twentieth Century Britain 1870-1945
15 HIST 662       China from the 9th to the 19th Century 1368-1874
15 HIST 663       Chinese History: Age of Revolution, 1874-present
15 HIST 664       Rise of Modern Japan: 1830-present
15 HIST 674       20th Century Britain
15 HIST 675       Russia 1574-1682
15 HIST 678       Russia 1854-1917
15 HIST 679       Russia 1924-present
15 HIST 680       History of Sexuality in America
15 HIST 683       Gender and Latin American History to 1900
15 HIST 684       Gender and Latin American History after 1900
15 GEOG 211     Geography of Latin America
15 GEOG 216     Geography of Europe
15 GEOG 226     Geography of Africa
15 GEOG 231     Geography of the Middle East
15 GEOG 236     Geography of Eastern and Southern Asia
15 GEOG 237     Geography of China
15 GEOG 241    Geography of Australia and Southwest Pacific
15 GEOG 303    Environmental Geography
15 GEOG 335    Geography of Religion
15 GEOG 351    Recreation Geography
15 ECON 541    Economy of China and Vietnam: Transition
15 ECON 542    Contemporary Japanese Economy: Business
15 ECON 543    East Asian Economies: Development and Crisis
15 ECON 549    Rise and Fall of Soviet Economy
15 JUDC 325     Jerusalem
15 JUDC 326     Jewish Nationalism
15 JUDC 327     Modern Israel
15 ASIA 210     Asian Religions
15 ASIA 481     Individual Work in Asian Studies
15 ASIA 482     Individual Work in Asian Studies
15 ASIA 483     Individual Work in Asian Studies
15 ASIA 491     Senior Project in Asian Studies
15 ASIA 492     Senior Project in Asian Studies
15 ASIA 493     Senior Project in Asian Studies
15 ASIA 550     Introduction to Asian Studies
15 LAS 401       Individual Work in Latin American Studies
15 LAS 402       Individual Work in Latin American Studies
15 LAS 403       Individual Work in Latin American Studies
15 LAS 421       Individual Work in Latin American Studies
15 LAS 422       Individual Work in Latin American Studies
15 LAS 423       Individual Work in Latin American Studies

IV. Capstone Requirement (Fulfillment of capstone counts toward 45 hours under Section III above.)
15 POL 490  Senior Project
OR
Capstone requirement for majors in economics, geography or Asian studies (not history).
OR
700-Level graduate seminar or senior thesis (POL 495-496) may also satisfy (see advisor).


V. Additional Political Science Electives (optional with department permission):
15 POL 294       Honors: Special Topics
15 POL 295       Honors: Special Topics
15 POL 296       Honors: Special Topics
15 POL 406       Internship Practicum
15 POL 460       Individual Work: Comparative Politics
15 POL 480       Individual Work: International Relations
15 POL 499       Honors: Individual Study
15 MLTI-500     Study Abroad

Special Opportunities

Students in the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tri-state location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

Foreign language competence plus a working knowledge of other countries and cultures make international affairs majors highly valued in the marketplace. The international affairs curriculum at UC is designed so that students can easily complement the major by completing a variety of certificate programs in foreign languages and area studies (Asian studies, European studies, Middle Eastern studies, Latin American studies, Judaic studies). Political science, the administering department for the major, offers certificates in security studies (international security and homeland security) and international human rights.

In terms of activities, international affairs majors belong to the Political Science Student Association and the undergraduate chapters of the national law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta and the national honor society in political science Pi Sigma Alpha. Students also have the option of participating in Mock Trial, Model United Nations and a variety of student conferences. Many international affairs majors take advantage of study-abroad opportunities.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA. Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional college-prep subjects (2 units)

*McMicken College of Arts & Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply to the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received an associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Although midyear off-campus transfer students are not able to participate in priority registration in the quarter prior to their enrollment, they are included in the summer registration period prior to their fall quarter enrollment.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree student in one of UC's other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent, and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

Further details on individual programs are available online or in the A&S Office of Undergraduate Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Additional information regarding transfer students is available in the McMicken College Bulletin.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the university general education requirements, the requirements listed in the college bulletin are common to all potential graduates of the college, whether they are pursuing the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, the fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to Arts & Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in McMicken 102). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree  from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).