The requirements for a major in International Relations are summarized in the box on the next page. The requirements are quite simple. What follows is a brief summary of the rationale for each of the three types of requirements.
Subsequent sections provide a detailed description of each.
A planning sheet for completing the major is also included on page 64 of this Handbook. You should begin this sheet immediately, in consultation with your advisor, and you should bring the sheet to each session with your advisor before preregistration. The core requirements constitute the foundation of knowledge that is needed by all majors in International Relations, regardless of your ultimate career plans or plans for postgraduate study. That is, before you can pursue the study of international relations in depth, we believe that you must complete a basic survey of the field of international relations, as well as basic courses in economics, history, US foreign policy, and theories of society and culture. In addition, majors in international relations need advanced preparation in a second language and at least one literature or arts course in the same language area.