Program  Description

The International Affairs major prepares students for success in an interconnected global society. Undergraduate study of International Affairs includes comparative politics, international relations, and US foreign policy, along with additional regional and thematic political science courses. These courses introduce the concepts, events, issues and institutions that shape international affairs, while providing analytical and communication skills that readily apply to occupations in the private and public sectors. This major integrates the information, techniques and skills of political science with economics, history, geography, religion and modern languages to study and understand the complexity of the international environment. Students frequetly study abroad and have internship opportunities both in the US and abroad. 

Advisor: Dr. Roger Murphy

Location: Grise Hall, Room 308

Phone:  Phone Number:270-745-2890

Fax: 270-745-2945

E-mail Contact: Roger.Murphy@wku.edu

Major Requirements 

The major in international affairs (reference number 702) requires a minimum of 42 semester hours and leads to a bachelor of arts degree. At least 23 hours must be at the 300-level or above. A minor or second major is required.

Courses:

The requirements for a major include the following: 21 hours of core courses:

1. PS 250 (International Politics)
2. PS 260 (Introduction to Comparative Politics)
3. PS 357 (U.S. Foreign Policy)
4. PS 497 (Senior Seminar in International Affairs)
5. HIST 102 (World History Since 1500)
6. ECON 202 (Principles of Economics-Micro) or ECON 203 (Principles of Economics-Macro)
7. GEOG 110 (World Regional Geography)

12 hours of Political Science electives

9 hours of electives academic disciplines outside of Political Science

Students are advised to take all core courses before enrolling in PS 497.

For additional information on the International Affairs major and full listing of available courses, please visit the WKU Undergraduate Course Catalog.

Students pursuing a degree in international affairs are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad program or an international internship experience.

Examples of Careers in International Affairs:

• Activist, Advocate/Organizer
• Administration, Corporate, Government, Non-Profit
• Archivist, Online Political Data
• Budget Examiner or Analyst
• Attorney
• Banking Analyst or Executive
• CIA Analyst or Agent
• Corporate Analyst
• Corporate Public Affairs Advisor
• Corporate Economist
• Corporate Manager
• Corporate Information Analyst
• Customs Officer
• Financial Consultant
• Foreign Service Officer
• Immigration Officer
• Information Manager
• Intelligence Officer
• International Agency Officer
• International Research Specialist
• Lobbyist
• Management Analyst
• Mediator
• Plans and Review Officer, USIA
• Policy Analyst
• Political Commentator
• Public Affairs Research Analyst
• Public Opinion Analyst
• Publisher
• Research Analyst
• Survey Analyst
• Systems Analyst
• University Administrator
• University Professor

Model United Nations

The Model Assembly course involves participation in the American Model United Nations Conference.  Previous Model UN confrences have attracted over 1,200 students from 87 Colleges and Universities representing 137 UN member states.  Students will work in pairs representing a particular UN member and a particular UN committee.

Participation in this course involves the writing of position papers, the drafting of resolutions and research into each student’s particular country and committee topics prior to the conference in November.  At the conference students will be expected to represent their country in an authentic and professional simulation.

 

 

 

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 Your Future Begins Here

The International Affairs program prepares students from diverse backgrounds to be productive leaders in their communities and around the world by sharing knowledge, encouraging excellence in research and practice, and fostering an environment of professionalism. 

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