About the Program
International relations (IR) focuses on understanding the interactions and interconnectedness of nation-states and other non-state participants in international affairs. IR practitioners investigate the crucial global issues and agendas of our times such as international and intrastate conflicts, sustainable development, terrorism, foreign policy, international trade and economic integration, international development, and the protection of human dignity. IR is one of the fastest growing disciplines within political science, and is the second largest IR discipline next to American politics.
The IR program challenges students to think with diverse world views and intense study of current global events. The program equips students for future careers in foreign service, nonprofit work, international business, and global governance. It also offers training in foreign language skills, analytic empirical analysis skills, and international field experience either through an internship or a study-abroad program.
About the Pol Sci, Public Admn,and Plan Department
202 Cassety Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-6116
Fax: (716) 878-3369
https://politicalscience.buffalostate.edu/
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. be able to select and critically evaluate existing literature in a given topic area of International Relations.
2. demonstrate mastery of research report writing.
3. demonstrate the ability to generate a scientific hypothesis in a given area of International Relations.
4. be able to apply appropriate statistical techniques for a given research design.
5. demonstrate the rudimentary skills to design and implement research to test scientific hypotheses.
6. demonstrate the ability to apply valid conclusions based on topic area, hypothesis, review of literature, and study outcomes.
7. demonstrate an understanding of the major historical schools of thought and approaches in International Relations.
8. demonstrate global awareness and engagement skills.
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements
33 credit hours 33
International Relations Major Requirements (48 credit hours)
Required Courses (24 credit hours)
PSC 101 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS 3
PSC 104 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3
PSC 203 POLITICAL ANALYSIS 3
PSC 204 POLITICAL STATISTICS 3
PSC 330 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY 3
PSC 352 HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT II 3
PSC 399 RESEARCH SKILLS 3
PSC 470 SENIOR SEMINAR 3
or PSC 488 INTERNSHIP
Area Studies Electives (6 credit hours)
Select two from the following: 6
PSC 240 EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS
or PSC 341 GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, AND POLICIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
PSC 333 AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PSC 335 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
or PSC 345 POLITICS AND HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST
PSC 340 POLITICS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GEG 360 GEOGRAPHY OF ASIA
Concentrations (12 credit hours)
Students are required to complete one of the following concentrations: 12
Peace and Conflict
Sustainable Development
Electives (0-6 credit hours)
Students who receive foreign language exemptions should take additional International Relations or Comparative courses. 0-6
Note: Courses not used to fulfill Area Studies Electives and Concentrations may also be used as general electives in International Relations.
PSC 495 SPECIAL PROJECT (1-3)
PSC 497 WASHINGTON SEMESTER (1-16)
PSC 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY (3-12)
All College Electives
44-50 credit hours 44-50
Total Credit Hours 120
Peace and Conflict Concentration
Select four from the following: 12
PSC 210 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
PSC 302 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND PEACEFUL RESOLUTION
PSC 308 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
PSC 309 INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
PSC 337 POLITICS OF GLOBALIZATION
Total Credit Hours 12
Sustainable Development Concentration
Select four from the following: 12
GEG 101 WORLD NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
GEG 300 WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
GEG 307 CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
GEG 478 GLOBAL CHANGE
PSC 305 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Total Credit Hours 15