The BA in International Relations program at Webster Leiden campus is designed to prepare students for leadership and service in the international community. Students examine the great political powers, humanitarian issues and the dynamics of the global community using contemporary American and European approaches.
Through our program, you are given the opportunity to explore, critique and understand the social, political and economic interactions of our contemporary globalized world.
Webster’s undergraduate programs follow the Liberal Arts system, which is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education and a broad background for their future career. Along with our Global Citizenship Program, students will be able to combine areas within their major with electives in other fields, allowing them to gain knowledge in different areas. International Relations courses are taught by academics, political scientists, lawyers and ambassadors. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the study abroad possibilities within the Webster system and to pursue internship opportunities. The international nature of the faculty and the student body enriches this academic experience. Students experience international relationships firsthand on campus.
Program Details
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of key subfields and theories of International Relations as a discipline.
- Identify major actors and institutions of international relations and to know their functions.
- Analyze international issues from perspectives other than their own.
- Display familiarity with foreign cultures and languages.
For information on the general requirements for a degree, see Baccalaureate Degree Requirements under the Academic Policies and Information section of this catalog.
- 39 required credit hours
- Language proficiency up to the 3000-level
- International travel through a Webster study abroad program
or an approved ISTL 2500 International Field Experience in International Studies - Applicable University Global Citizenship Program hours
- Electives
Three of the following sub-field courses (9 hours):
- INTL 2030 International Law (3 hours)
- INTL 3100 International Political Economy (3 hours)
- POLT 3310 Conduct of Foreign Policy (3 hours)
- INTL 3800 International Security (3 hours)
- INTL 3500 Environmental and Energy Security (3 hours)
- INTL 3700 International Organizations: Structure and Political Conflict (3 hours)
Below courses are not included in "Sub-field Courses"
- INTL 4000 Research Requirement (to be taken in conjunction with a designated 3000-level or 4000-level course) (0 hours)
- INTL 4620 Senior Overview (0-1 hours)
- INTL/POLT/HIST electives (15 hours, 9 of which must have an international focus)
The 42 credit hours required for the International Relations major include the following*:
- INTL 1050/POLT 1050 Introduction to International Relations (3 hours)
- POLT 1070 Introduction to Political Theory (3 hours)
or INTL 2680 International Relations Theory (3 hours) - POLT 1080 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 hours)
or POLT 1060 Introduction to American Politics (3 hours)
or POLT 2250 Politics in the Industrialized World (3 hours)
or POLT 2550 The Politics of the Developing World (3 hours) - INTL 2700 Methods of Political Inquiry (3 hours)
or POLT 2600 Research Methods and Approaches in Political Science (3 hours) - INTL 1500 The World System since 1500 (3 hours)
- A 2000-level or above HIST course with an international focus (3 hours)
Three of the following sub-field courses (9 hours):
- INTL 2030 International Law (3 hours)
- INTL 3100 International Political Economy (3 hours)
- POLT 3310 Conduct of Foreign Policy (3 hours)
- INTL 3800 International Security (3 hours)
- INTL 3500 Environmental and Energy Security (3 hours)
- INTL 3700 International Organizations: Structure and Political Conflict (3 hours)
- INTL 4000 Research Requirement (to be taken in conjunction with a designated 3000-level or 4000-level course) (0 hours)
- INTL 4620 Senior Overview (0-1 hours)
- INTL/POLT/HIST electives (15 hours, 9 of which must have an international focus)
*Note: Not all courses from the curriculum will be available in one academic year. For more information on course planning, please contact the undergraduate advisor.
Career Prospects
- Graduates of International Relations, through their insight, knowledge and transferrable skills, are prepared for the workforce and a wide range of careers in international agencies, governmental organizations and the global private sector on an international scale.
- Webster students pursue internships and are provided with valuable opportunities to embark on careers in organizations such as the United Nations network, the OPCW, the Peace Corps, government ministries, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, multinationals and embassies/consulates, or to work as political consultants, lobbyists or journalists.
- For current internship opportunities, events and students’ achievements, please visit the International Relations Department Facebook Page.
International Human Rights Certificate
This certificate is well suited to students with a strong interest in human rights, but who are majoring in another subject.
Core Courses
- HRTS 1100 Introduction to Human Rights (3 hours)
- HRTS 3590 Theories of Human Rights (3 hours)
- HRTS 4500 Human Rights Field Experience (3 hours)
One course from each of the 3 following groups*:
- HIST 2050 Topics in African History (3 hours)
- HIST 2040 Topics in Latin American History (3 hours)
- HIST 2070 Topics in Non-Western History (3 hours)
- HRTS 2500 Current Problems in Human Rights (3 hours)
- HRTS 3500 International Human Rights Law (3 hours)
- POLT 1080 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 hours)
- POLT 2550 The Politics of the Developing World (3 hours)
- INTL 1500 The World System Since 1500 (3 hours)
- INTL 2030 International Law (3 hours)
- INTL 3300 Governments and Politics of Eastern Europe (3 hours)
- ANTH 1100 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 hours)
- ANTH 4260 Globalization (3 hours)
- ANTH 4330 Gender and Sex (3 hours)
- SOCI 4475 Class, Status and Power (3 hours)
- ANTH 3130 Race and Ethnicity (3 hours)
- HRTS 3210 Prejudice and Discrimination (3 hours)
- HRTS 3600 Topics in Mass Violence (3 hours)
- HRTS 3700 Human Rights and Business (3 hours)
- ENGL 1060 Protest Literature (3 hours)
- HRTS 2086 Topics in Human Rights (3 hours)
- HRTS 3080 Advanced Topics in Human Rights (3 hours)
- HRTS 3160 Human Rights in Film: Documentaries (3 hours)
- HRTS 3170 Human Rights in Film: Narrative Films (3 hours)
- HRTS 3200 Human Rights Area Studies (3 hours)
- HRTS 3400 Human Rights and the Environment (3 hours)
- MULC 1100 Introduction to Multicultural Studies (3 hours)
- MEDC 2800 Cultural Diversity in the Media (3 hours)
- PHIL 2320 Contemporary Moral Problems: Emphasis in Human Rights Issues (3 hours)
- RELG 2050 Religion and Human Values (3 hours)
*Note: Not all courses from the curriculum will be available in one academic year. For more information on course planning, please contact the undergraduate advisor.
Additional Information
This program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in the United States. We have been accredited by the HLC for more than 95 years. This program is not Dutch accredited and does not lead to a degree based on Dutch law, Wet op het Hoger Onderwijs (Law on Higher Education).
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