Before you can change the world, you need to understand how it works.
Learn how government, international business and non-state actors all interact together, and prepare for an exciting career working with international organizations.
The International Relations degree is housed in the Political Science Department, and gives students the opportunity to focus on international politics and global issues. Students get to examine such questions as:
- Why are some countries poorer than others?
- What does social and economic justice look like?
- What is the best way to affect change through international political institutions that currently exist?
- What is the best way to influence the systems that are broken?
In this interdisciplinary International Relations major, you will explore the interconnectivity of politics, economics and history in order to better understand:
- the differences between countries’ political systems;
- the causes of inter-state conflict and civil wars;
- peace initiatives;
- the development of human rights norms;
- the effects of globalization;
- global environmental problems;
Foreign Language Opportunities
In order to prepare you for international opportunities, we encourage students to take either 12 hours of a foreign language or earn a minor in a foreign language such as Spanish, Arabic or Chinese to attain the specific language skills employers are looking for from International Relations students. If you have no interest in learning a language, we recommend pursuing either a Political Science or Public Policy degree instead.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
The Political Science Department offers students the opportunity to participate in a Model United Nations team. Offered during the fall semester, students will prepare during the course of the semester to compete at the Model UN Conference in Chicago each November. Students will not only learn about a particular country but also sharpen their research and presentation skills.
Study Abroad Opportunities
Many International Relations degree students take advantage of summer or semester in Brazil, China, Switzerland and more.
Life after Lewis
An International Relations degree is the perfect preparation for a wide range of career options working with international organizations, including business, government and law. Some of our International Relations graduates have gone to graduate school and/or worked for the Peace Corp and various international organizations and corporations.
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