Requirements for the Major

Five introductory core courses, an intermediate course, two advanced electives, two thesis courses, and a semester abroad is required for the International Relations major.

1. Introduction to International Relations (Politics 8)
2. U.S. Foreign Policy (Politics 7)
3. International Economics (Economics 123)*
4. Statistics for Politics and International Relations (Politics 90)
5. An approved history course such as:
   Modern Europe: Since 1789 (History 71)
   The New Asia: China, Japan, India and Indonesia in the Modern Era (History 61)
   The United States and the World from 1890 to the Present (History 128)
   U.S. Foregin Relations and the Cold War (History 123)
   International History of the Cold War (History 129)
   Latin America since Independence (History 32)
   History of Africa (History 41CC)
   Economic History of Europe (Economics 118)
   Economic History of Japan, Russia, and the United States (Economics 119)
6. Intermediate Global Studies Seminar.
   (IR 100 is a theory-oriented seminar to be taken by majors in the second semester of their second or third year)
7. Advanced Electives
   At least two courses must be selected from this list of courses in consultation with faculty advisers. The choices should reflect a curricular theme that will complement study abroad and senior thesis plans. Students may petition to have advanced courses taken at other Claremont Colleges or in study abroad programs that meet this requirement.
8. Study Abroad
   Students are required to spend at least one semester in a study abroad program in the second or third year. The choice of program should conform to the student's plans for their senior thesis.
9. Senior Thesis
   This is a two-course sequence. The student must complete IR 191a during the first semester of the senior year. This thesis seminar emphasizes research design and methodology, and the main objective is a finished thesis research proposal. The student enrolls in IR 191b in the second semester during which the student writes a substantial and original research paper under the supervision of two faculty readers.
   

*Economics 51 (Principles: Macroeconomics) and 52 (Principles: Microeconomics) are prerequisites for Economics 123. (return to core courses)