The BA in International Relations at the 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 have 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 disciplines. 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 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.
- 36 required credit hours with the Department of History, Politics and International Relations
- A study abroad experience outside the student's country of origin or 12 international language credits (or advanced proficiency)
- Applicable University Global Citizenship Program hours
- Electives
Curriculum
- 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 4600 International Relations Seminar (3 hours)
- INTL 4000 Research Requirement (to be taken in conjunction with a designated 3000-level or 4000-level course) (0 hours)
- INTL 4620 Overview (0-1 hours)
- INTL/POLT/HIST electives (9 hours, 6 of which must have an international focus)
With permission of the student's advisor, the following courses offered by other areas of study at Webster University may be applied toward the elective credit hours required in International Relations:
- HRTS 1100 Introduction to Human Rights (3 hours)
- ECON 3700 Economics of Development (3 hours)
- JOUR 3080 Global Journalism (3 hours)
- MNGT 3320 Business Law: International (3 hours)
- BUSN 4650 International Business (3 hours)
Emphasis-Specific Learning Outcomes
- Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Identify the costs and the benefits of the global economy.
- Demonstrate their ability to define and critically analyze economic problems.
- Understand basic macroeconomic and microeconomic concepts.
Required Courses for the Emphasis in International Economics
Students in St. Louis and Geneva may elect an emphasis in international economics by fulfilling the above core requirements for International Relations and by structuring five of their courses (15 hours) around the following list:
- ECON 2030 Principles of Macroeconomics (3 hours)
or ECON 2000 Survey of Economics* (3 hours) - ECON 2020 Principles of Microeconomics (3 hours)
or ECON 2000 Survey of Economics* (3 hours) - ECON 3030 Intermediate Macroeconomics (3 hours)
- ECON 3700 Economics of Development (3 hours)
- ECON 3720 International Trade and Finance (3 hours)
- ECON 4600 Comparative Economic Systems (3 hours)
- INTL 4280 International Economics (3 hours)
- INTL 3290 Politics of International Economic Relations (3 hours)
- INTL 3330 International Economic Integration (3 hours)
- HIST 3000 Ideas in History: History of Economic Thought (3 hours)
or ECON 4900 History of Economic Thought (3 hours)
*Students using credit for ECON 2000 cannot count ECON 2020 or ECON 2030 toward the
emphasis.
Required Courses for the Emphasis in Migration and Refugee Studies
Students may elect an emphasis in migration and refugee studies by fulfilling the above core requirements for International Relations and by structuring five of their elective courses (15 hours) around the following list:
- HIST 2360 Refugee and Migration Movements (3 hours)
- POLT 2550 Politics of the Developing World (3 hours)
- POLT 3400 Comparative Politics (subtitled Refugee and Migration) (3 hours)
- INTL 2610 Advocacy, NGOs, and Civil Society (3 hours)
- INTL 3030 Advanced Studies in International Law (subtitled International Refugee Law) (3 hours)
- INTL 4280 International Economics (3 hours)
- INTL 4600 International Relations Seminar (subtitled Refugee and Migration Studies) (3 hours)
- Field Experience (0 hours)
Career Prospects
- Graduates of International Relations, through their insight, knowledge and transferable 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, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, multinationals and embassies and consulates or to work as political consultants, lobbyists or journalists.
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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