MA in International Relations

Program Description

The master of arts (MA) in international relations enables students to analyze the complexities and processes involved in world politics and international affairs. Coursework provides exposure to the key subfields of the discipline and relevant issues such as globalization, human rights, humanitarian action, and economic development. The program can help prepare students to compete for work with a governmental agency, an intergovernmental organization, a nongovernmental organization, or a multinational corporation. This program is also recommended to students planning to pursue a PhD, or an academic career at another institution.

• Back to top

Program Outcomes

Students who complete this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate  a working knowledge of several subfields of the discipline.
• Demonstrate  strong research skills.
• Critically analyze international events and issues.
• apply theories of international relations to the practice of international affairs.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
• Develop the requisite skills  to seek employment relevant to the field by having the necessary education.

• Back to top

Program Curriculum

The 36 credit hours required for the master of arts (MA) degree must include the following courses for a major in international relations:

Comparative Politics Cluster (2 courses)

International Politics Cluster (4 courses)

International Relations Elective Courses (3 courses)

Any additional courses from the two clusters above, or any of the following:

Pre-approved courses (non-INTL) related to International Relations

Not all of the courses listed above will be available to students at all locations.

If the requisite course is waived, the student must choose an elective course from this major.

 *Advanced Research Methods may be substituted for a course in the Comparative cluster or in the International cluster.

The required courses and electives listed in this core may be taken as directed studies, subject to the conditions stated in the Directed Studies section under Academic Policies and Procedures.

• Back to top

Course Descriptions

INTL 5000 Introduction to International Relations (3)

Students are introduced to the discipline of international relations through an overview of international security, foreign policy, international organizations, international law, and international political economy. Students examine the basic structure, processes, and issues relating to international affairs.

INTL 5050 Comparative Politics (3)

Students explore how we use comparison to theorize about politics and to identify both what holds across cultures and nations and what is idiosyncratic requiring area studies expertise. Topics may include democratization, state and nation building, stability and decay of institutions, systems of representation, parliamentary versus presidential governance, political development, and ideology.

INTL 5100 Research Methods and Perspectives (3)

Students are introduced to skills, methodological issues, and bibliographic resources, which enhance their ability to evaluate critically and to conduct research in the field of international relations.

INTL 5300 Field Work (3-6)

Students are involved actively with operations of non-academic institutions and engage in various aspects of field research. Policies and procedures in Directed Studies must be followed. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 5400 International Political Economy (3)

Students explore, historically and conceptually, the interplay of economics and politics at the global level. They examine such phenomena as: the clash of the market and state, the north-south conflict, and the worldwide impact of technological change, transnational corporations, and the competition for accumulation. Prerequisite: INTL 5000.

INTL 5500 Professional Seminars (1-3)

Students participate in seminars designed to examine contemporary issues in international relations. The professional seminar supplements the core and elective courses in the area of international relations by focusing on issues of current and special interest. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs. This course may not be completed by directed study.

INTL 5510 Theories of International Relations (3)

Students consider the growing literature on international relations theory, classical and modern, including realism, liberalism, feminism, behavioralism, globalism, and Marxist and imperialist theories, and the people who have elaborated these ideas and the context in which they did so. Students methodologically critique and compare theories, as well as gain an appreciation for the relevance of theory for international relations.

INTL 5530 International Law (3)

This course surveys trends and practices that are part of the process of adjudication across national boundaries. Some historical background is provided. Current cases and procedures are the major focuses of course content.

INTL 5540 International Organizations (3)

Various approaches to international organizations are explored, and the contribution of these organizations to peace and economic and social progress is examined. Current issues facing the United Nations and its associated agencies are discussed within this context.

INTL 5550 War and Diplomacy (3)

Students examine the evolution of diplomacy and warfare in international relations. Specifically, students examine the roots of conflict between nations and study the mechanisms through which international conflicts are resolved.

INTL 5560 U.S. Foreign Policy (3)

Students examine the issues, agents, and models surrounding the American foreign policy decision-making process and the issues facing the United States in contemporary international relations.

INTL 5570 Comparative Foreign Policy (3)

This course compares how various governments develop the strategies that guide their actions in international affairs. This course employs an institutional and cross-national approach to demonstrate how foreign policy is formulated and influenced by domestic and international considerations. Course may be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5580 Politics of Development (3)

The student examines problems of social, economic, and political development in Third World nations. Course content focuses on problems of nation building in the postcolonial era and the role of the developing nations in world politics.

INTL 5600 Area Studies (3)

The student examines the history, culture, politics, and economic systems of regions and countries that play an important role in world politics. Specific content varies from term to term and includes regions such as Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and North America. The course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 5610 Non-Thesis Readings/Research (3)

This is an intensive, one-on-one reading and/or research course for students with special interests in cooperation with an individual professor. This course may not duplicate other courses in the curriculum. Policies and procedures in Directed Studies must be followed. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 5700 Humanitarian Issues in International Politics (3)

This course provides a forum for investigating such transnational issues as: regionalism, the environment, human rights, and refugees. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 5800 Globalization (3)

Globalization is the intensification of economic, political, social, and cultural relations across international borders. The course will focus on the uneven process of globalization and its effects in terms of cross-national intensity, geographical scope, and national and local depth. Further, the course will explore the factors which have led to globalization in the context of the debate about the real content of the globalization process and the degree of change they invoke in the international system. In addition the course will focus on several key international issues that are currently shaping the global political and economic environment.

INTL 5860 Issues in International Politics (3)

The course examines in depth such issues and topics as: terrorism, controlling weapons of mass destruction, illicit trade, imperialism, and conflict resolution. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 5900 Advanced Research Methods (3)

This course builds upon INTL 5100 by providing additional analytical and theoretical background relating to research methods, data analysis, qualitative techniques, and statistical theory. Prerequisite: INTL 5100.

INTL 6000 International Relations: Theory and Practice (Integrated Studies) (3)

Various contemporary theories of international relations are examined. The relationship of theory to the practice of international relations is considered. This course presents an overview for students who are completing a major in international relations. Prerequisite: completion of at least 30 credits toward major.

INTL 6250 Thesis (6)

The student completes a thesis project under the supervision of two faculty members. The thesis option is recommended for those considering graduate study at the doctoral level. All theses must follow university guidelines and be deposited in the Webster University library. Proposal forms are available from the department web site. Students must secure approval of their proposal from the academic director or coordinator of the program at the site where the thesis is to be done. General policy is to expect proposals to be submitted before the 24th credit hour is completed.

• Back to top