COURSE CURRICULUM

The International Relations major at St. Thomas University offers students a structured and interdisciplinary approach to understanding global politics, conflict, cooperation, and the evolving dynamics between states and non-state actors. To complete the major, students are required to earn a minimum of 36 credit hours in specified International Relations courses. The program is designed to be taken progressively over the course of a student’s degree, beginning with introductory material and advancing to specialized areas of study in the later years.In the first year, students are advised to take POLS 1603, Topics in Global Politics, which introduces fundamental concepts in international relations and encourages critical reflection on global issues. Students must also take ECON 1013 and 1023, covering Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, or alternatively, complete six credit hours in a foreign language, reflecting the program's emphasis on global awareness and cross-cultural competence.In the second year, students build a theoretical and comparative foundation by completing POLS 2303, Comparative Politics of the Developed World, and POLS 2313, Comparative Politics of the Developing Areas. They also take POLS 2613 and POLS 2623, International Relations I and II, which provide core knowledge of international systems, institutions, diplomacy, and global conflict.During the third and fourth years, students must complete 15 credit hours in designated advanced courses in International Relations, as well as six credit hours in Area Studies, which focus on the politics, culture, or history of specific global regions. Alongside these requirements, students must complete either a Minor in Economics (18 credit hours) or 12 credit hours in a second language. The program encourages students to pursue both options to deepen their analytical and cross-cultural skills.