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.
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 Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department
Cassety Hall 202
1300 Elmwood Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-6116
gpp.buffalostate.edu
Admission Requirements
All matriculated students who are in good academic standing may enroll in this program, including incoming students.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. Appraise the existing literature in a given topic area of international relations and how the major historical schools of thought explain that topic.
2. Implement skills to generate scientific hypotheses in a given topic area of international relations.
3. Implement appropriate statistical techniques for research design in a given topic area of international relations.
4. Defend valid conclusions concerning international relations topic area based on analysis of literature, theory development, hypothesis generation, statistical analysis of data, and discussion of study outcomes.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the civic dispositions and skills conducive to democratic involvement and global awareness.
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements (33 credit hours)
International Relations Major Requirements (39 credit hours)
Required Courses (21 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
PSC101 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC104 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC203 POLITICAL ANALYSIS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC204 POLITICAL STATISTICS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC352 HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT II | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC399 RESEARCH SKILLS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC470 SENIOR SEMINAR | 3 - Credit Hours
OR PSC488 INTERNSHIP | 1 - 15 Credit Hours
Area Studies Electives (3 credit hours)
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
PSC240 EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC333 AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC335 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC340 POLITICS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC341 GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, AND POLICIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC345 POLITICS AND HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST | 3 - Credit Hours
GEG300 WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY | 3 - Credit Hours
GEG360 GEOGRAPHY OF ASIA | 3 - Credit Hours
Major Electives (12 credit hours)
Complete at least 4 of the following Courses:
PSC210 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC305 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC308 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC309 INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC330 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC337 POLITICS OF GLOBALIZATION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC344 COMPARATIVE DEMOCRACY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC430 UN AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS | 3 - Credit Hours
Foreign Language or Elective (3 credit hours)
Any 1XX or 2XX ARA, CHI, FRE, ITA, or SPA course chosen based on advisement and proficiency.
Students who receive foreign language exemption should take an additional course chosen with their advisor from those courses listed above or the electives listed here.
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
PSC495 SPECIAL PROJECT | 1 - 3 Credit Hours
PSC497 CAPSTONE INTERNSHIP | 3 - 16 Credit Hours
PSC499 INDEPENDENT STUDY | 1 - 12 Credit Hours
All College Electives (48 credit hours)
120 Total Credit Hours