Discover the International Relations Curriculum
The International Relations at USD curriculum is rooted in political science and provides students with a strong background in international relations and comparative government. At the same time, the curriculum reflects the recognition that international political phenomena are best understood from a variety of perspectives and includes courses from disciplines such as history, economics, religious studies, fine arts and literature.
Note: Courses counted toward another major/minor cannot also be counted toward the International Relations major or minor and that the department does not accept on-line transfer credits toward the major/minor.
Declare an International Relations Major!
Explore International Relations Courses!
Read descriptions of our International Relations classes on our Courses page! Not all courses highlighted will be available every semester. Make sure to check course offerings on the registration portal for each upcoming semester.
Program Requirements
Each student declares their major(s) and minor(s) under a single catalog of record that is identified on the student's degree audit (available on Degree Works).
The program requirements below are based on the current course catalog and may not be applicable if a student is declared in an earlier catalog.
Find all previous course catalogs on our Archived Catalogs of Record page.
48 units
Major
18-19 units
Minor
Major unit estimates include preparation requirements for the major courses as well as major requirements.
- Major
- Minor
- Combined Degree (BA/MA)
- Learning Outcomes
The International Relations Major
Preparation for the Major
POLS 120 | Introduction to American Politics | 3 |
POLS 150 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
POLS 170 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
Lower-Division POLS Course | 3 | |
Total Units | 12 | |
Major Requirements
36 units of upper-division work to include (note: course descriptions are listed under the Political Science major):
Core Courses | ||
9 units: | 9 | |
POLS 350 | Theories of Comparative Politics (typically offered in Fall. BA/MA can use 350/550 interchangeably) | |
or POLS 550 | Politics & Policies Around the World: Foundations of Comparative Politics | |
POLS 370 | Theories of International Relations (typically offered in Spring. BA/MA students can take POLS 370/570 interchangeably.) | |
or POLS 570 | Global Conflict & Cooperation: Foundations of International Relations | |
POLS 380 | Theories of International Political Economy (typically offered in Fall and Spring) | |
International and Comparative Politics | ||
Select 15 upper-division units (at least five courses) from the following: | 15 | |
POLS 326 | Comparative Law | |
POLS 327 | International Law | |
POLS 329 | Law of the Sea | |
POLS 343 | Education, Citizenship and Politics in South Africa | |
POLS 346 | Food and Politics | |
POLS 347 | Culture & Environmental Politics | |
POLS 348 | Indigenous Peoples and the Environment | |
POLS 349 | Politics and the Environment | |
POLS 351 | Topics in Politics and Society | |
POLS 352 | Comparative Politics of Developing Countries | |
POLS 355 | Politics in Europe | |
POLS 357 | Politics in Latin America | |
POLS 358 | Politics in South Asia | |
POLS 359 | Politics in the Middle East | |
POLS 360 | Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa | |
POLS 361 | Politics in South Africa | |
POLS 365 | Politics in Russia | |
POLS 366 | Politics in Mexico | |
POLS 368 | Politics in China | |
POLS 371 | American Foreign Policy | |
POLS 374 | U.S.-Latin American Relations | |
POLS 376 | U.S. National Security | |
POLS 377 | Regional Security | |
POLS 378 | Transnational Crime and Terrorism | |
POLS 379 | International Political Boundaries and Border Policies | |
POLS 381 | Migration & Immigration Politics and Policy | |
POLS 382 | International Human Rights | |
POLS 383 | International Organizations | |
POLS 480 | Model United Nations | |
POLS 485 | Washington, DC: Directed Study in International Relations | |
POLS 486 | Washington, DC: Internship in International Relations | |
POLS 487 | Washington, DC: Class in International Relations | |
POLS 494 | Special Topics in International Relations | |
POLS 498 | Internship in International Relations | |
POLS 499 | Independent Study in International Relations | |
Race and Ethnic Politics (select at least one course from the following) | ||
POLS 130 | Introduction to the Politics of Race and Ethnicity | |
POLS 305 | Black Political Thought | |
POLS 315 | Political Psychology | |
POLS 317 | Asian American Politics | |
POLS 318 | Black Politics | |
POLS 319 | Politics of Race and Ethnicity | |
POLS 344 | Politics of U.S. Citizenship and Migration | |
POLS 347 | Culture & Environmental Politics | |
POLS 348 | Indigenous Peoples and the Environment | |
POLS 360 | Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa | |
POLS 361 | Politics in South Africa | |
POLS 366 | Politics in Mexico | |
POLS 368 | Politics in China | |
POLS 374 | U.S.-Latin American Relations | |
POLS 379 | International Political Boundaries and Border Policies | |
POLS 381 | Migration & Immigration Politics and Policy | |
Political Science | ||
Six upper-division POLS units | 6 | |
Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
Six upper-division units. One upper-division History course from those listed below and one upper-division elective in a discipline other than History from those listed below. Other upper-division courses with predominantly international or comparative content can be used upon specific approval by the department chair. Note: Some of the courses listed below may have additional prerequisites. 3 | ||
History (Select one of the following) | 3 | |
HIST 302 | History of South Africa | |
HIST 303 | African Feminisms: History, Negotiation, Belonging | |
HIST 304 | Africa in the Western Imagination | |
HIST 305 | Queering Colonialism: Bodies, Negotiation, Belonging | |
HIST 311 | Greek Civilization | |
HIST 312 | Roman Civilization | |
HIST 321 | The Fall of the Roman Empire | |
HIST 322 | Castles and Crusades: Medieval Europe, 1050-1450 | |
HIST 324 | Christians, Muslims and Jews in Medieval Spain | |
HIST 331 | The Global Renaissance | |
HIST 332 | Role-Playing the Renaissance | |
HIST 333 | Europe 1600-1800 | |
HIST 335 | The Victorians in Literature & Film | |
HIST 339 | Americans in Paris through War and Peace | |
HIST 340 | World War I | |
HIST 341 | World War II | |
HIST 342 | From Subjects to Citizens: Nation Building in France and India | |
HIST 343 | History of Germany Since 1945 | |
HIST 346 | Topics in Medieval and Early Modern Europe | |
HIST 347 | Topics in Modern Europe | |
HIST 348 | France in Revolution and War | |
HIST 349 | The Vietnam Wars | |
HIST 350 | England 1348-1688: Plague to Revolution | |
HIST 351 | Modern Britain | |
HIST 352 | Victorian Britain and the World | |
HIST 353 | Topics in Russian and East European History | |
HIST 354 | History of Spain | |
HIST 355 | Ancient Near East | |
HIST 358 | Topics in Modern World History | |
HIST 359 | Modern Middle East | |
HIST 361 | Modern Latin America | |
HIST 362 | Topics in Latin America History | |
HIST 363 | History of Brazil | |
HIST 364 | Topics in Asian History | |
HIST 365 | China: Rise to Global Power | |
HIST 366 | Japan: Samurai to Subaru | |
HIST 367 | Women's Lives in East Asia | |
HIST 372 | United States-East Asia Relations | |
HIST 373 | Armed Conflict and American Society | |
HIST 376 | U.S. Foreign Relations in the Long 19th Century | |
HIST 377 | Twentieth Century U.S. Foreign Relations | |
HIST 378 | The History of World War I and World War II through Literature and Film | |
HIST 384 | History of Mexico | |
Upper-Division Elective (Select one of the following) | 3 | |
Anthropology | ||
ANTH 320 | North American Indian Cultures | |
ANTH 327 | South American Indian Cultures | |
ANTH 328 | Caribbean Cultures | |
ANTH 334 | South American Archaeology | |
ANTH 335 | Nautical Archaeology | |
ANTH 339 | Post Medieval Seafaring and Empire | |
ANTH 362 | Piracy in the New World | |
ANTH 410 | Social Change: Global Perspectives | |
Art History | ||
ARCH 320 | Money By Design: Architecture and Political Economy | |
ARCH 322 | Contemporary Architecture | |
or ARTH 322 | Contemporary Architecture | |
ARCH 323 | Memory, Monument, Museum | |
ARCH 327 | Architecture and Decolonization | |
ARCH 340 | Biographies of World Cities | |
or ARTH 340 | Biographies of World Cities | |
ARTH 323 | Memory, Monument, Museum | |
ARTH 331 | Art in Public Spaces | |
ARTH 333 | Modern Art: 1780-1920 | |
ARTH 334 | Art of the Twentieth and Twenty First Centuries in Europe and the Americas | |
ARTH 345 | The Avant-Garde and Mass Culture: Art and Politics | |
ARTH 354 | Art in the 1960s and 70s | |
ARTH 360 | Asia Modern | |
ARTH 361 | Chinoiserie and Japonisme | |
ARTH 376 | Art at El Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain | |
Asian Studies | ||
ASIA 494 | Topics in Asian Studies | |
Communication | ||
COMM 380 | International Media | |
COMM 480 | Advanced Topics in International Media | |
COMM 338 | Media and Conflict | |
COMM 481 | International Topics in Human Communication | |
COMM 488 | Global Team Development | |
Economics | ||
ECON 333 | International Economics | |
ECON 335 | Economic Development of Latin America | |
ECON 337 | Economic Development of Asia | |
Ethnic Studies | ||
ETHN 361 | Immigration at US-Mexico Border: Ethnicity, Race & Gender | |
ETHN 367 | Race and Globalization | |
English | ||
ENGL 330 | Dante | |
ENGL 331 | Medieval Studies | |
ENGL 333 | Chaucer | |
ENGL 360 | Modern And Contemporary Poetry | |
ENGL 362 | Modern And Contemporary Drama | |
ENGL 363 | Global Studies | |
ENGL 364 | Global Literature and Culture | |
ENGL 366 | Modern and Contemporary European Literature | |
ENGL 368 | Modern And Contemporary British Literature | |
ENGL 370 | Modern and Contemporary Fiction | |
Language | ||
Arabic | ||
ARAB 394 | Special Topics in Arabic | |
Chinese | ||
CHIN 302 | Contemporary China: Culture, Politics and Society | |
CHIN 303 | Media Chinese: Internet, Television and Film | |
CHIN 304 | Professional Chinese: Language and Culture | |
CHIN 347 | Chinese Cinema:Postsocialism and Modernity | |
CHIN 394 | Special Topics in Chinese | |
CHIN 494 | Special Topics in Chinese | |
French | ||
FREN 302 | Introduction to the Analysis of French Literary Texts | |
FREN 303 | Cultural Backgrounds of French Civilization | |
FREN 320 | Survey of French Literature I: Middle Ages to 18th Century | |
FREN 321 | Survey of French Literature II: 19th to 21st Centuries | |
FREN 322 | Survey of Francophone Literature | |
FREN 394 | Special Topics in French | |
FREN 403 | Contemporary French Civilization | |
FREN 409 | Contemporary African Francophone Theatre | |
FREN 410 | French Theater | |
FREN 411 | French Prose | |
FREN 412 | French Novel | |
FREN 413 | French Poetry | |
FREN 414 | French Women Writers | |
FREN 494 | Special Topics in French | |
German | ||
GERM 302 | Readings in German Literature | |
GERM 303 | Cultural Backgrounds of German Civilization | |
GERM 312 | German Literature from 1900 to the Present | |
GERM 394 | Special Topics in German | |
GERM 494 | Special Topics in German | |
Italian | ||
ITAL 302 | Contemporary Italy: Culture, Politics and Society | |
ITAL 320 | Introduction to Italian Literature and Culture I: From the Middle Ages to the 17th Century | |
ITAL 321 | Introduction to Italian Literature and Culture II: From the Enlightenment to Today | |
ITAL 340 | Topics in Italian Literature, Film and Culture | |
ITAL 342 | Topics in Italian Literature, Film and Culture-Global Focus | |
ITAL 347 | Topics in Italian Literature, Film and Culture in Translation | |
ITAL 394 | Special Topics in Italian | |
ITAL 403 | Studies in Italian Film | |
ITAL 410 | Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Italy | |
ITAL 411 | Studies in Modern and Contemporary Italy | |
ITAL 413 | Studies in the Italian Diaspora with a Domestic Focus | |
ITAL 420 | Dante and His Times | |
ITAL 440 | Topics in Italian Literature and Culture | |
ITAL 494 | Special Topics In Italian | |
Japanese | ||
JAPN 394 | Special Topics in Japanese | |
JAPN 494 | Special Topics in Japanese | |
Spanish | ||
SPAN 302 | Cultural History of Spain | |
SPAN 303 | Introduction To Cultural Analysis | |
SPAN 304 | Cultural History of Latin America | |
SPAN 322 | Cultural History of Spain-Madrid Center | |
SPAN 360 | Survey of Latin American Literature | |
SPAN 394 | Special Topics in Spanish | |
SPAN 410 | Latinx Literatures and Cultures | |
SPAN 422 | Studies in Medieval Spanish Literature | |
SPAN 423 | Studies in Spanish Literature of the Golden Age | |
SPAN 424 | Don Quijote de la Mancha | |
SPAN 426 | Studies in 18th and 19th Century Peninsular Literature and Culture | |
SPAN 427 | Studies in 20th and 21st Century Peninsular Literature and Culture | |
SPAN 430 | Studies in Hispanic Film | |
SPAN 434 | The "New" World | |
SPAN 440 | Topics in Literature, Film and Culture | |
SPAN 442 | Topics in Literature, Film and Culture-Global Focus | |
SPAN 448 | Latin American Short Story | |
SPAN 449 | Latin American Novel | |
SPAN 451 | Latin American Poetry | |
SPAN 453 | Mexican Literature and Culture | |
SPAN 456 | Humans Rights in Latin American Cultural Production | |
SPAN 458 | Jewish Latin America | |
SPAN 494 | Special Topics in Spanish | |
Latin American Studies | ||
LATS 494 | Special Topics in Latin American Studies | |
Music | ||
MUSC 340 | Topics in World Music | |
MUSC 341 | Religion and the Performing Arts in Bali | |
MUSC 342 | Global Popular Music | |
MUSC 440 | Topics in Ethnomusicology | |
MUSC 445 | Sound and Spirit in Monsoon Asia | |
Philosophy | ||
PHIL 321 | Social Ethics | |
PHIL 338 | Environmental Ethics | |
PHIL 340 | Ethics of War and Peace | |
PHIL 344 | Environmental Justice | |
PHIL 472 | Studies in Modern European Philosophy | |
PHIL 474 | Twentieth Century Continental Philosophy | |
PHIL 476 | Studies in Asian Philosophy | |
Sociology | ||
SOCI 410 | Social Change: Global Perspectives | |
SOCI 470 | Sexuality and Borders | |
SOCI 471 | Environmental Inequality and Justice | |
SOCI 472 | Criminalizing Immigration | |
Theology and Religious Studies | ||
THRS 305 | Buddhist Art and Pilgrimage in India | |
THRS 311 | Jewish Faith and Practice - Advanced Writing | |
THRS 312 | The Hindu Tradition | |
THRS 313 | Jewish Faith and Practice | |
THRS 314 | Buddhist Thought and Culture | |
THRS 315 | Islamic Thought and Culture | |
THRS 318 | Islam, Women and Literature | |
THRS 320 | Indigenous Religions and Spiritualities | |
THRS 323 | War and Peace in the Christian Tradition | |
THRS 326 | Religion and the Performing Arts in Bali | |
THRS 358 | Latinoa Catholicism | |
THRS 369 | Liberation Theology | |
THRS 372 | Women, Gender, and Christianity in the Ancient World | |
THRS 382 | The Prophetic Tradition of Israel | |
THRS 390 | The Holocaust: Religious Questions | |
Total Units | 36 | |
1 Students may take any upper-division course offered by the Department of Political Science and International Relations, including: Political Theory, American Politics, International Politics, Comparative Politics, Research methods, or Internship.
2 Other upper-division courses with predominantly international or comparative content can be used upon specific approval by the department Chair. Note: Some of the listed humanities and social sciences courses may have additional prerequisites.
Study Abroad
A study abroad experience is required for the IR major. Students must take at least three units outside the United States as part of a study abroad experience. These units may be either lower or upper division and in any academic discipline. This requirement does not add to the overall number of units required for the major.
No more than six units taught by non-USD faculty may be applied toward the IR/Comparative Politics category of the major.
Internship
Students are highly encouraged to participate in an internship while at USD. No more than 3 units of internship (POLS 436, 448, 486, 498) may be applied to the requirements of the major, and no more than 6 units may be applied toward the requirements of the BA degree.
Recommended Program of Study, International Relations
Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
Semester I | Units | |
Fall LLC Class | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
POLS 100 | Power and Justice |
|
POLS 120 | Introduction to American Politics |
|
POLS 130 | Introduction to the Politics of Race and Ethnicity |
|
POLS 150 | Introduction to Comparative Politics |
|
POLS 170 | Introduction to International Relations |
|
CC or electives | 6-9 | |
Semester II | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
POLS 100 | Power and Justice |
|
POLS 120 | Introduction to American Politics |
|
POLS 130 | Introduction to the Politics of Race and Ethnicity |
|
POLS 150 | Introduction to Comparative Politics |
|
POLS 170 | Introduction to International Relations |
|
CC or electives | 9-12 | |
Sophomore Year | ||
Semester I | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
POLS 100 | Power and Justice |
|
POLS 120 | Introduction to American Politics |
|
POLS 130 | Introduction to the Politics of Race and Ethnicity |
|
POLS 150 | Introduction to Comparative Politics |
|
POLS 170 | Introduction to International Relations |
|
CC or electives | 9-12 | |
Semester II | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
POLS 350 | Theories of Comparative Politics |
|
POLS 370 | Theories of International Relations |
|
POLS 380 | Theories of International Political Economy |
|
Upper-Division IR/POLS (including Race and Ethnic Politics course) | 3 | |
CC or electives | 6-9 | |
Junior Year | ||
Semester I | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
POLS 350 | Theories of Comparative Politics |
|
POLS 370 | Theories of International Relations |
|
POLS 380 | Theories of International Political Economy |
|
Upper Division IR/POLS | 3-6 | |
Upper-Division Humanities | 3 | |
CC or electives | 3-6 | |
Semester II | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
POLS 350 | Theories of Comparative Politics |
|
POLS 370 | Theories of International Relations |
|
POLS 380 | Theories of International Political Economy |
|
Upper Division IR/POLS (including Race and Ethnic Politics course) | 3-6 | |
Upper-Division Humanities | 3 | |
CC or electives | 3-6 | |
Senior Year | ||
Semester I | ||
Upper-Division Humanities | 3 | |
Upper Division IR/POLS (including Race and Ethnic Politics course) | 3-6 | |
Electives | 3 | |
Semester II | ||
Upper-Division POLS | 3 | |
Electives | 9 | |
*The study abroad requirement is three units and is recommended during the junior year or in the summer following the sophomore or junior year.
Combined Degree Program (BA/MA)
Through the Combined Degree Program, undergraduates who are completing a degree in International Relations at the University of San Diego may apply for admission to the Master of Arts in International Relations degree program while completing the requirements for their Bachelor’s degree.
With graduate director approval, undergraduate students admitted to the combined degree program are permitted take up to 12 units of 500-level coursework to count towards the requirements for both degrees, with 500-level courses counting as undergraduate electives. USD undergraduate students are eligible to apply to the Master’s program during their junior or senior year, provided that they have a 3.5 GPA within the major, have completed at least two 300- or 400-level political science or international relations courses (including POLS 350, POLS 370, or POLS 380), and will have completed all courses in preparation for the undergraduate major before enrollment in the combined degree program.
Students admitted to the Combined Degree Program will have undergraduate status until they complete their BA degree requirements, and will become graduate students in the term after graduation from the undergraduate program. Combined degree students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 at both the undergraduate and graduate level, or be subject to academic probation and/or expulsion from the graduate program. Combined degree students must complete a minimum of 18 units while they have graduate student status in order to satisfy the graduate program requirements.