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

General Education Requirements30
Major Required18
Select one of the following concentrations:24
Final Program Requirements3
Elective Requirements45
Total Semester Hours120

Degree Program Requirements

General Education Requirements (30 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)
COMM120Information and Digital Literacy3
ENGL110Making Writing Relevant3
IRLS200Information Literacy and Global Citizenship3
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 Hours30

Major Required (18 semester hours)

IRLS210International Relations I3
IRLS211International Relations II3
IRLS214American Foreign Policy3
IRLS301International Organizations3
IRLS302International Development3
IRLS402International Law and Regimes3
Total Semester Hours18

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)

IRLS213Political Geography3
IRLS300Comparative Political Systems3
IRLS392Globalization and the Market Economy3
IRLS412Comparative Foreign Policy3
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 Hours24

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)

IRLS310Introduction to Human Security3
IRLS400Human Rights3
IRLS405National and Transnational Justice3
IRLS409Environmental Security3
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 Hours24

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)

INTL434Threat Analysis3
IRLS392Globalization and the Market Economy3
IRLS413International Conflict Resolution3
SCMT319Global Terrorism3
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 Hours24

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)

IRLS260Middle Eastern Culture3
IRLS360Global Politics of Islam3
IRLS460Government & Security in the Middle East3
IRLS468Politics and Security in the Persian Gulf3
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 Hours24

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)

IRLS310Introduction to Human Security3
IRLS414Principles of Peacekeeping3
IRLS415Peacekeeping Logistics3
MILH422History of Peacekeeping: 1988-Present3
Select 4 courses from the following:12
National and Transnational Justice
Environmental Security
International Conflict Resolution
International Civil Order
Total Semester Hours24

Final Program Requirements (3 semester hours)

IRLS492Senior Seminar in International Relations (to be taken as the last course before graduation)3
Total Semester Hours3

Elective Requirements (45 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 Hours45