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POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The Department of Political Science and International Relations
administers separate academic programs in political
science and in international relations.
Political science majors acquire a broad introduction to the study of government and politics within a liberal arts tradition. Majors are required to complete at least sixty percent of their work in upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses in four of the five subfields in the discipline, a way to gain appreciation for non-U.S., international, and philosophical topics. Coursework typically helps students develop analytic and communication skills that have lifetime benefits as preparation for a wide array of careers (including law) and active citizenship. Beyond traditional classroom experiences , majors may also engage in several experiential learning opportunities: internships in political organizations, public agencies, and community service agencies; independent research under faculty direction; participation in a department-sponsored study abroad experience. Detailed explanations of requirements and opportunities are available in the department office.
Students changing their major to political science must have completed POSC 105 with a grade of C or better and completed at least 12 additional hours of University courses. Students must have a minimum of a 2.3 average to change their major to political science. Students transferring into the major from outside the University of Delaware will have their transcripts evaluated by the Department on a case-by-case basis.
The department maintains an advisory program for prelaw students and for students interested in government service.
Except as otherwise indicated, nonmajors may enroll in any political science course without prerequisites.
International Relations (IR) is an interdisciplinary major in the College of Arts and Science with core (24 credits), concentration (18 credits), and regional specialization (9 credits) requirements. Students must choose one of four concentrations and one of six regional specializations (see the B.A. curriculum). An Honors degree option is available.
Area Studies Programs: Students whose regional specialization is Africa, East Asia, or Latin America should give serious consideration to adding one of the university's Area Studies programs: African Studies, East Asian Studies, and Latin American Studies. Course work in these area studies programs will allow students to develop much richer and deeper knowledge of these regions. Moreover, most of the courses approved for the Regional Specialization within the International Relations major are also approved as fulfilling the Area Studies requirements thereby facilitating a minor or double major with an area studies program.
Study Abroad, Internships, and Undergraduate Research: International Relations majors are strongly encouraged to consider a study abroad experience as a part of their program. Students participating in study abroad programs not only enrich their education through exposure to foreign cultures, but often have the opportunity to take courses, internships, and undertake other educational experiences abroad not otherwise offered in University of Delaware course lists. In many instances, these courses may count towards IR Concentration and Regional Specialization requirements. Similarly, internships and undergraduate research experiences offered from the Newark campus may be applied to IR Concentration and Regional Specialization requirements. Students should check with the IR Program Director when enrolling in study abroad courses and programs, internships, and undergraduate research programs to determine if the specific course, program, or educational experience meets a particular IR major requirement, or, if some major requirement might be waived by means of study abroad, internships, or undergraduate research programs.
Transfer Students: Students changing their major to international relations must have completed POSC 240 with a grade of C or better and completed at least 12 additional hours of university courses. Students must have a minimum of a 2.3 average to change their major to international relations. Students transferring to the major from outside the University of Delaware will have their transcripts evaluated by the director on a case-by-case basis.
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