About the Program

Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department
Cassety Hall 202
(716) 878-6116
https://gpp.buffalostate.edu/

The international relations minor primarily focuses on the interactions and interconnectedness of nation-states at the international level, but also encompasses other participants in international affairs, such as international organizations, non-governmental organizations, sub-national entities, and individual citizens. The minor emphasizes the conceptual and methodological tools used to examine international relations and investigates the crucial global issues and agendas of our time. These global issues include international and local conflicts, terrorism, international trade and economic integration, international development, international organizations, and the protection of human dignity.

Students will be challenged with evaluating opposing world views and contentious issues. Upon the completion of this program, students will be better prepared to enter into a professional career or further their education, armed with analytical thinking and writing skills, and develop a broader and more informed vision of international relations.

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. Demonstrate an understanding of the civic dispositions and skills conducive to democratic involvement and global awareness.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (9 credit hours)
PSC 104 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3
PSC 330 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY 3
GEG 300 WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY 3
Electives (9 credit hours)
Select 9 credit hours (at least one from International Relations and one from Comparative Politics): 9
International Relations
PSC 302 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND PEACEFUL RESOLUTION
PSC 305 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
PSC 308 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
PSC/AAS 333 AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PSC 335 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
PSC 337 POLITICS OF GLOBALIZATION
Comparative Politics
PSC 340 POLITICS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
PSC 345/HIS 313 POLITICS AND HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Total Credit Hours 18