Changing the world should start first with understanding it

While many of us want to make a difference in the world, we may not even know where to start. The Indiana Wesleyan University International Relations (IR) major is a great place to begin comprehending the complexity of global politics, diversity in the domestic politics of foreign countries, and issues of concern for the world community. IR also aids you in confronting the prospects for exercising Christian influence and promoting change. Complete your journey understanding the world and be prepared to make an impact at home and abroad.

Students who complete this program develop a theoretical and practical understanding of global politics and contemporary international affairs. Graduates are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills for professional careers in government agencies, international organizations, domestic and international non-governmental organizations, and think tanks. Students completing this program will also be prepared to pursue teaching, research and graduate studies in international relations, and global public policy.

Students may also choose to minor in International Relations as a supplement to another IWU major as they globalize their studies.

Those majoring in International Relations may consider complementing their preparation with another major or minor in:

• Business Administration
• Communication Studies
• Economics
• History
• Intercultural Studies
• International and Community Development
• Political Science
• Philosophy and Theology
• TESOL
• Writing

Courses

One of the best ways to discover a degree program is to check out the course listings. By simply clicking on the course titles below, you can get a preview of the classes you will attend as a student at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Preview your classes

Major Core Courses

Required Lower-Division Courses

Required Upper-Division Courses*

*Students choose four of the above courses

Cognate or Major Electives

Twelve hour cognate (group of courses from a second major or a minor) OR any courses listed above not previously taken. If the student does not have a second area of study, the major electives must be completed from the electives listed above.

Electives for International Relations Majors

Electives

General Education Requirements

Intercultural Competency: POL232 Comparative Politics
Math Requirement: MAT112 or higher
Social Sciences: POL100 American Government, ECO213 Macroeconomics, and History, Psychology or Sociology Elective.

Language Proficiency Requirement: four years of high school foreign language with no grade below a "C," OR satisfactorily passing a language examination rated for the intermediate level of proficiency, OR taking two years (12 credit hours) of college foreign language.

Faculty

The IWU faculty members who facilitate courses in the International Relations major take seriously their students' understanding of global political processes, problems, and possibilities. They do so to prepare you to be knowledgeable and engaged citizens, committed to being doers of justice and seekers of peace.

The faculty has a record of empowering students to be engaged in the field, researching problems and potential solutions, presenting scholarly papers at national conferences, rolling up their sleeves to work toward the mitigation of global issues, or serving overseas for the U.S. government.