A graduate majoring in International Relations can expect to achieve the following learning objectives:
- A development of critical thinking skills through a study of the basic workings of the international systemhow power is organized, who the key players are and what role they play--while specializing in one of the following sub-fields of international relations: security studies; international political economy; foreign policy analysis; and culture, gender and global society.
- An understanding of the development of the interdisciplinary field of international relations including the major theoretical approaches.
- An ability to apply the theories of international relations to current events and policy concerns in the context of an appreciation of the diversity of worldviews held by various stakeholders.
- An appreciation of politics and society outside of the United States through a concentration in a major world region and/or a study or internship experience abroad.
- An ability to identify opportunities for civic engagement and participation in the policy processes at local and global levels.
- A fourth semester competency in a foreign language.
- A beginning competency in qualitative or quantitative research methods, including an understanding of the issues of ethics, objectivity, and contending perspectives in research.
- The ability to conceive, research and write a research paper (or policy task force memo) through a 400-level course.
This is an excerpt from the USC Catalogue. The USC Catalogue is the document of authority for all students. The program requirements listed in the USC Catalogue supersede any information which may be contained in any bulletin of any school or department. The university reserves the right to change its policies, rules, regulations, requirements for graduation, course offerings and any other contents of this catalogue at any time.
