BA in International Relations with an emphasis in Refugee Studies

• Learning Objectives
• Degree Requirements
• Special Requirements
• Required Courses
• Course Descriptions

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the program, students should:

• Be able to demonstrate knowledge of key subfields and theories of International Relations as a discipline.
• Be able to identify major actors and institutions of international relations and to know their functions.
• Be able to analyze international issues from perspectives other than their own.
• Be able to display familiarity with foreign cultures and languages.

• Back to top

Degree Requirements

• 36 required credit hours
• 27 general education credit hours
• 65 elective credit hours

Students are required to complete 36 credit hours within the department, including methods, a research requirement (fulfilled by taking the seminar, senior thesis, or a designated upper-division course), and senior overview. A minimum of 18 credit hours of international relations at Webster University is required. At least 12 credit hours of upper-level (3000 or above) coursework in the department with an international focus must be completed in addition to methods and overview.

There is a study residency requirement of at least one term (eight weeks) outside the United States or an international relations practicum in the United States. To satisfy the residency, students may study at one of Webster University's international campuses or at an approved alternative location. Students unable to study outside the United States must take the international relations practicum (3-6 credit hours), which does not apply to the 36 total credit hours.

Students are required to have significant international language experience. This requirement can be met by taking 12 sequential credit hours in an international language or by passing an advanced-level proficiency examination. This requirement will be waived for students whose native language is not English and who are studying in English. Their mastery of English as a second language fulfills the requirement.

Emphasis in Refugee Studies (36 credit hours)

Students in Geneva may elect the emphasis in refugee studies. They must fulfill the above requirements in international relations, with the stipulation that their selections in the minimum distribution include the following: POLT 2550, POLT 3400 (with subtitle Migration and Refugee Movements), and INTL 4280 (with subtitle Migration and Refugee Movements).

Two additional courses, HIST 2130 Refugee and Migration Movements and ANSO 2000 Issues in Contemporary Society: Sociocultural Factors behind Migration and Refugee Movements, are also required within the 36 credit hours. Students must take INTL 2700 Methods of Political Inquiry (subtitled National and Transnational Issues in Migration and Refugee Movements) and INTL 4600 International Relations Seminar (subtitled Migration and Refugee Movements) in addition to the research requirement.

• Back to top

Special Requirements

Courses completed with a grade of D+ or below do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.

HIST 1800 may not be used to satisfy the 36-credit-hour requirement in international studies. Teacher certification courses (HIST 3800 and HIST 3810) may not be used to satisfy the upper-level coursework or practicum requirement. A maximum of 3 credit hours of individualized learning experiences (INDZ), practicum, or debate may be applied to total upper-level coursework. A maximum of 6 credit hours of INDZ, practicum, or debate may apply to the total 36 credit hours. Students majoring in both international relations and international studies may not count the same course(s) for both majors .

With permission of the student's advisor, the following courses offered by other areas of study at Webster University may be applied toward the 36 credit hours required in international relations:

Qualified students may take selected graduate-level courses in international business and international relations as part of an international relations major with permission of the department and the instructor of the course.

• Back to top

Required Courses

There is a required minimum distribution of coursework as well as the above requirements:

One course from the following:

One course from the following:

Two courses from the following:

• Back to top