International Relations Student Learning Outcome Goals
- Students will be provided with a foundation in political ideas and institutions both nationally and globally. Courses designed to fulfill this goal are POL101, Political Ideas and Institutions; POL 195, Democratic Citizenship: American National Government; and POL 251, Introduction to World Politics.
- Students will be trained in the diverse methodologies and data collection and analysis techniques necessary to engage in sophisticated analysis of political phenomenon. The course designed to fulfill this goal is POL 201, Political Science Research Methods.
- Students will be exposed to emerging political and governmental issues in the Nonwestern World. The course designed to fulfill this goal is POL 337, Emerging Issues in the Nonwestern World.
- Students will be provided a thorough grounding in the policies and processes, governing systems, and political behavior of actors in the international system. Courses designed to fulfill this goal are POL 353, Theories of International Relations; POL 354, International Organizations; POL 355, International Security; and POL 454, Politics of Global Economy.
- Through electives, students will have the opportunity to build on their core studies by further study of the interaction of state and non-state actors in the international system and how these interactions impact each other in such areas as conflict, conflict resolution, environmental sustainability. Courses designed to fulfill this goal are POL 316, The Vietnam Era in US Foreign Policy; POL 351, US Foreign Policy; POL 451, International Law; POL 452, United Nations and Regional Organizations; and POL 456, Terrorism, Insurgency and World Politics.
- Students will be provided an opportunity to engage in sophisticated study of the diversity of international actors in county and regional specific courses. Courses designed to fulfill this goal are POL 331, Governments of Western Europe; POL 332, Politics of Russia and Successor States; POL 333, Latin American Government and Politics; POL 334, Middle East Government and Politics; POL 335, African Government and Politics; POL 336, Asian Governments and Politics; POL 338, Politics of Eastern Europe; and POL 339,Comparative Federalism: US-Canada
- Students will have the opportunity to further their analytical and critical thinking skills by surveying their major learning experiences and address career discipline issues. The course designed to fulfill this goal is POL 420, Senior Project.
