International Relations - B.A. Program Requirements Download to print

• International Relations semester-by-semester Roadmap

Type Legend: DD Diversity–Domestic; DG Diversity–Global; ELR Experiential Learning; KAD Kent Core Additional; KBS Kent Core Basic Sciences; KCM Kent Core Composition; KFA Kent Core Fine Arts: KHU Kent Core Humanities; KMC Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; KSS Kent Core Social Sciences; WIC Writing Intensive

Please read the sections in the University Catalog on Kent Core, diversity, writing-intensive and the experiential learning requirements.

* All courses taken from the list of major program requirements are used in the calculation of the major GPA.

**One course beyond the Intermediate II level in French, German, Russian or Spanish. Students may appeal to their advisor for substitution of another language, when justified by special circumstances. Satisfactory performance in a language proficiency test covering speaking, listening, reading and writing. This requirement also may be satisfied through completion of two additional approved courses in the same or a closely related language with minimum B- (2.7) grade. Prior approval for courses used in this connection must be given in writing by student’s advisor. This course should be taken as soon as Intermediate II is completed. Students should consult with the International Director regarding the foreign language proficiency requirement while enrolled in this course.

***One course must be earned with a minimum C (2.0) grade to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

****The following foreign languages are approved for International Relations majors: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. Students should contact the International Relations director for approval for other languages. Students with foreign language experience should consult with the Department of Modern and Classical Languages Studies for appropriate placement. To graduate in four years, students should begin foreign language study by semester four; starting later may require summer courses or delay graduation. These courses fulfill a College General Requirement.

*****One additional course taken from the Kent Core Basic Science courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Biological Sciences (BSCI), Chemistry (CHEM), Geography (GEOG), Geology (GEOL) or Physics (PHY). Students may take the courses listed in the "introductory" sequences with the restrictions noted above in the Kent Core Basic Science section. The course may not be from the student's major.

******One additional course taken from the Kent Core Social Sciences courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Applied Conflict Management (CACM), Geography (GEOG), Criminology and Justice Studies (JUS), Political Science (POL), Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOC). The course may not be from the student's major.

Foreign Language Note: Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must have the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language and the International Relations major requires Intermediate I and II of the same language.

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may begin their university foreign language experience beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by: (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level or (2) receiving credit through Credit by Exam (CBE), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement (AP) exam or credit through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program; or (3) being designated a "native speaker" of a non-English language (consult with the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office for additional information). When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining hours with general electives.