The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Security analyzes the nature of modern global relationships and provides you with an improved understanding of diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, international organizations, global development, and international relations theory. This online bachelor’s degree explores the interconnectedness of global economies, societies, and cultures. You will focus on civic engagement and social responsibility while developing broad critical thinking skills in politics, economics, culture, and history. This online program provides an excellent foundation for those interested in fields encompassing government agencies, the diplomatic service, international organizations, world trade and finance, and international media.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Distinguish the political, economic, social, and security theories, methods, and historic patterns of international relations as applied to contemporary issues and actors within the world system.
- Explain the process and implications of interdependence among individuals, groups, states, and regions in the context of globalization.
- Analyze the theories, assumptions, and causes of conflict within international systems as related to the institutions of international law, diplomacy, and world order, including the prospects for sustainable peace.
- Assess the unique principles, structure, organization, and impact of international organizations and other non-state actors within the international system of states.
- Evaluate the multidimensional effects of globalization and integration as applied to issues in human security, conflict resolution, and sustainable economic development.
Degree at a Glance
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements | 30 | |
Major Required | 18 | |
Select one of the following concentrations: | 24 | |
Final Program Requirements | 3 | |
Elective Requirements | 45 | |
Total Semester Hours | 120 |
Degree Program Requirements
General Education Requirements (30 semester hours)
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
Arts and Humanities (6 semester hours) 1 | ||
Select 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
Arabic I | ||
Arabic II | ||
Art Appreciation | ||
Survey of Photography | ||
Film and Literature | ||
Image Enhancement using Adobe Photoshop® | ||
French I | ||
French II | ||
German I | ||
German II | ||
Introduction to Japanese | ||
Literature of American Encounters, Revolution, and Rebellion | ||
From Abolition to #MeToo: Literature of the American Civil Rights Movement | ||
Pivotal Figures in Early British Literature | ||
British Literature from Wordsworth through the Wasteland | ||
Leadership in World Literature: Antiquity to the Early Modern Period | ||
Literature of the Newly Globalized World: The Individual’s Struggle to Adapt | ||
Music Appreciation | ||
Jazz and Rock | ||
World Music and Cultures | ||
Introduction to Philosophy | ||
Critical Thinking | ||
Introduction to Ethics | ||
Philosophy of Science | ||
Introduction to Brazilian Portuguese | ||
Introduction to the Study of Religion | ||
Introduction to World Religions | ||
Russian I | ||
Spanish I | ||
Spanish II | ||
Thinking and Acting Ethically | ||
Civics, Political and Social Sciences (6 semester hours) 1 | ||
Select 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
Introduction to Anthropology | ||
World Archaeology | ||
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
Human Sexuality | ||
Planning Your Future with Purpose in Security & Global Studies | ||
Social Media and Society | ||
Intercultural Communication | ||
Microeconomics | ||
Macroeconomics | ||
Humane Education: A Global Interdisciplinary Perspective | ||
Introduction to Geography | ||
Practical Food Safety and Awareness | ||
International Relations I | ||
Forgotten America--Under Represented Cultures in American Literature | ||
Introduction to Political Science | ||
American Government I | ||
Introduction to Psychology | ||
Death and Dying | ||
Race & Religion | ||
Hope and Resilience | ||
Introduction to Sociology | ||
Social Problems | ||
American Popular Culture | ||
Exploring Society and Cultures via Science Fiction | ||
Communication: Writing, Oral, and Multimedia (9 semester hours) | ||
COMM120 | Information and Digital Literacy | 3 |
ENGL110 | Making Writing Relevant | 3 |
IRLS200 | Information Literacy and Global Citizenship | 3 |
History (3 semester hours) | ||
Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
American History to 1877 | ||
American History since 1877 | ||
World Civilization before 1650 | ||
World Civilization since 1650 | ||
Western Civilization before The Thirty Years War | ||
Western Civilization since The Thirty Years War | ||
African-American History before 1877 | ||
African-American History since 1877 | ||
History of the American Indian | ||
History of Science | ||
The History and Context of STEM | ||
Mathematics and Applied Reasoning (3 semester hours) | ||
Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
Accounting for Non Accounting Majors | ||
Fundamentals of Programming | ||
College Algebra | ||
College Trigonometry | ||
Pre-Calculus | ||
Introduction to Statistics | ||
Math for Liberal Arts Majors | ||
Calculus | ||
Natural Sciences (3 semester hours) | ||
Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
Introduction to Biology | ||
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | ||
Introduction to Chemistry | ||
Introduction to Meteorology | ||
Introduction to Geology | ||
Introduction to Environmental Science | ||
Introduction to Physics | ||
Introduction to Astronomy | ||
Introduction to STEM Disciplines | ||
Total Semester Hours | 30 |
1 | All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101 - Proficiency in Writing or ENGL110 - Making Writing Relevant. |
Major Required (18 semester hours)
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
IRLS210 | International Relations I | 3 |
IRLS211 | International Relations II | 3 |
IRLS214 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
IRLS301 | International Organizations | 3 |
IRLS302 | International Development | 3 |
IRLS402 | International Law and Regimes | 3 |
Total Semester Hours | 18 |
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from either the Concentration in Comparative Politics and Area Studies, Concentration in Globalization and Human Security, Concentration in International Studies, Concentration in Middle Eastern Studies, or Concentration in Peacekeeping.
Comparative Politics and Area Studies (24 semester hours)
Takes an in-depth look at politics in systematic and comparative terms by focusing on domestic politics in various countries. Explores the political history, social background, culture, and institutions of those countries; the roles of various actors in developing and implementing domestic and international policy; and globalization’s impact on public policies.
Students in this concentration undertake an in-depth examination of cross-national analysis. Students will learn how to think about politics in systematic and comparative terms by focusing on the domestic politics in a variety of countries.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Comprehend the roles of various actors in the development and implementation of both domestic and international policy.
- Explore the political history, social background, culture, and institutions of various countries.
- Identify the various manifestations of globalization and its impact on various public policies as they relate to cultural, economic, political, and social institutions.
Concentration Requirements (24 semester hours)
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
IRLS213 | Political Geography | 3 |
IRLS300 | Comparative Political Systems | 3 |
IRLS392 | Globalization and the Market Economy | 3 |
IRLS412 | Comparative Foreign Policy | 3 |
Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
Arabic I | ||
Arabic II | ||
Arabic III | ||
French II | ||
German I | ||
German II | ||
History of East Asia | ||
African Politics | ||
Asian Politics | ||
Government and Security of Russia | ||
European Politics | ||
Latin American Politics | ||
Government & Security in the Middle East | ||
Arab-Israeli Conflict: Contemp. Politics & Dipl. | ||
Spanish I | ||
Spanish II | ||
Total Semester Hours | 24 |
Concentration in Globalization and Human Security (24 semester hours)
Takes an historical look at human rights topics and discusses how human rights and human security are intertwined. Delves into environmental security threats such as climate change, water scarcity, consumption patterns, urbanization, food security, and globalization. Some courses in this concentration may lead to eligibility to obtain a certificate of completion from the United Nation's Peace Operations Training Institute.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Identify the major security threats and opportunities facing the global civil society.
- Describe the interconnected political, social, cultural, and economic forces that affect human security.
- Analyze the various methods designed to increase human security.
Concentration Requirements (24 semester hours)
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
IRLS310 | Introduction to Human Security | 3 |
IRLS400 | Human Rights | 3 |
IRLS405 | National and Transnational Justice | 3 |
IRLS409 | Environmental Security | 3 |
Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
International Criminal Organizations | ||
Terrorism and U.S. National Security | ||
International Conflict Resolution | ||
Principles of Peacekeeping | ||
International Civil Order | ||
Total Semester Hours | 24 |
Concentration in International Studies (24 semester hours)
Takes an historical look at human rights topics and discusses how human rights and human security are intertwined. Delves into environmental security threats such as climate change, water scarcity, consumption patterns, urbanization, food security, and globalization. Some courses in this concentration may lead to eligibility to obtain a certificate of completion from the United Nation's Peace Operations Training Institute.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Comprehend various theories about the nature of conflict and cooperation in the post-Cold War era.
- Explore the norms and purposes of international structures and regimes.
- Identify the various manifestations of globalization and its impact on various political, economic and social systems.
Concentration Requirements (24 semester hours)
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
INTL434 | Threat Analysis | 3 |
IRLS392 | Globalization and the Market Economy | 3 |
IRLS413 | International Conflict Resolution | 3 |
SCMT319 | Global Terrorism | 3 |
Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
International Criminal Organizations | ||
Terrorism and U.S. National Security | ||
Human Rights | ||
National and Transnational Justice | ||
International Civil Order | ||
Special Topics in International Relations | ||
International Trade and Regulations | ||
Total Semester Hours | 24 |
Concentration in Middle Eastern Studies (24 semester hours)
Provides a comprehensive understanding of Middle Eastern societies, cultures, religions, history, politics, and conflicts. Topics include essential tenets and central practices of different cultures within Middle Eastern societies, as well as ethnic, cultural, and religious divides that exist in the Middle East and their impact on internal and regional stability.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the development of political and economic institutions.
- Describe how political, economic, social and military structures work within the region.
- Determine how conflict and shifting alliances shaped the politics of the region.
- Summarize the challenges facing Middle Eastern countries individually and as a region.
- Compare and contrast the different cultures and religions within the Middle East.
- Evaluate existing cooperation efforts and the long-term viability of those efforts for success.
- Analyze the role religion plays in the political, social, and economic fabric of the region.
Concentration Requirements (24 semester hours)
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
IRLS260 | Middle Eastern Culture | 3 |
IRLS360 | Global Politics of Islam | 3 |
IRLS460 | Government & Security in the Middle East | 3 |
IRLS468 | Politics and Security in the Persian Gulf | 3 |
Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
Arabic I | ||
Arabic II | ||
Arabic III | ||
Arabic IV | ||
Religions of the Middle East | ||
Islam | ||
History of the Middle East | ||
Arab-Israeli Conflict: Contemp. Politics & Dipl. | ||
Comparative Political Systems | ||
Total Semester Hours | 24 |
Concentration in Peacekeeping (24 semester hours)
Traces the principles and foundations of peace operations within the context of international and regional mechanisms. Topics include the nature of conflict and diplomatic negotiations in the post-Cold War era, and the role of UN and regional peacekeeping initiatives in specific peacebuilding and peacekeeping operations in conflict areas. Completion of this concentration may lead to eligibility to obtain a certificate of completion from the Peace Operations Training Institute.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Understand the nature of conflict and diplomatic negotiations in the post-Cold War era.
- Identify the evolving theory and practices of United Nations peacekeeping operations.
- Describe the role of UN and regional peacekeeping initiatives in specific peacebuilding, peacemaking, and peacekeeping operations in conflict areas.
Concentration Requirements (24 semester hours)
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
IRLS310 | Introduction to Human Security | 3 |
IRLS414 | Principles of Peacekeeping | 3 |
IRLS415 | Peacekeeping Logistics | 3 |
MILH422 | History of Peacekeeping: 1988-Present | 3 |
Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
National and Transnational Justice | ||
Environmental Security | ||
International Conflict Resolution | ||
International Civil Order | ||
Total Semester Hours | 24 |
Final Program Requirements (3 semester hours)
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
IRLS492 | Senior Seminar in International Relations (to be taken as the last course before graduation) | 3 |
Total Semester Hours | 3 |
1 | Prerequisite: Senior Standing and completion of all major courses prior to enrollment. |
Elective Requirements (45 semester hours)
Code | Title | Semester Hours |
---|---|---|
Select any courses not already taken to fulfill the requirements listed above. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major. | 45 | |
Total Semester Hours | 45 |