Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

International Relations, B.A.


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The International Relations major emphasizes the understanding of global issues and world cultures, and traces the political, social, ideological, and economic history of the world. This major addresses the idea of globalization as well as the challenges and opportunities present in a closely integrated world. Students graduating with a major in International Relations will be able to:

  • Understand the major analytical perspectives and key concepts used by scholars to study international relations;
  • Use the theoretical literature to analyze global issues and problems; and
  • Engage in a discussion of the complex issues and developments that drive and define contemporary global politics.

Requirements for Graduation:

To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in International Relations must complete a minimum of 120 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, satisfy the College’s residency requirements, and complete the General Education Requirements of the College. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

The General Education Requirements of the college require students to successfully complete a First Year Seminar, Foundations, Disciplinary Perspectives, and a Constellation. Students who enter the college with 30 credit hours completed will not take a First Year Seminar and therefore must take an additional 3 credits for graduation. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation.

In addition, students majoring in International Relations must maintain a 2.0 grade point average in the course requirements of the major and earn a grade of 2.0 or higher in all international relations core, political science electives, and support courses. International Relations majors must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language at the intermediate level.

General Education Requirement


First Year Seminar


Foundations Requirements


Disciplinary Perspectives Requirement


Constellation Requirement


The Constellation requirement is met when a student completes four courses from a minimum of three disciplines within the Constellation requirements.  Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation except for Education majors.

Required Major Courses:


Political Science Upper Division Electives (18 credits)


Choose six of the following:

Targeted Electives (12 credits)


Choose four of he following:

Foreign Language Requirement


Students must be proficient in a foreign language at the intermediate level, demonstrating that proficiency with one of the following options:

  • A student may complete a second major in a modern language.
  • A student may complete a minor in a modern language.
  • A student whose native language is not English may choose to use his or her native language to fulfill the language proficiency requirement.
  • Students who choose to use German, French or Spanish to fulfill the proficiency requirement must take GRM202, FRN202 or SPN202.
  • Students whose native language is English and who wish to use a modern language not taught at York College to fulfill the proficiency requirement may petition the Department Chair who will determine whether the level of proficiency in that language meets the requirement.

Students should communicate regularly and work closely with the Academic Advisor in fulfilling this requirement for graduation.

International Experience


All students must participate in an international experience approved by the Department Chair of the History and Political Science Department. International experiences may include full semester study abroad, international travel, internship or other experience in consultation with the Department Chair.

Elective Courses (15 credits)


Students may choose any 15 credits of elective courses.

Suggested Course Sequence:


Freshman Year (30 credits)


Sophomore Year (30 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  • 3 credit hours
  • 3 credit hours
  • Disciplinary Perspectives course 3 credit hours
  • Disciplinary Perspectives course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Foundations - Advanced Communication course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Targeted Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Targeted Elective course 3 credit hours

Junior Year (30 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Targeted Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Targeted Elective course 3 credit hours

Senior Year (30 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours

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