Goucher College 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalogue 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Goucher College 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalogue PLEASE NOTE: This is an archived catalog. Programs are subject to change each academic year.

International Relations Major


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The purposes of the major are threefold: (1) to understand the major analytical perspectives and key concepts used by scholars to study international relations; (2) to use the theoretical literature to analyze global issues and problems; and (3) to engage in a discussion of the complex issues and developments that drive and define contemporary global politics. The 100, 200, and 300-level courses are designed to provide a foundation in the theory and practice of international politics, and encourage critical thinking for interpreting the different perspectives on the complexities of international relations in the 21st century. The major requires 36 credits of course work.

Note:


* See writing proficiency requirements

Students must take four additional courses from the list below.


 Take 4 additional elective courses from the list below (one at the 300- level)

Latin American Studies


Note:


* See writing proficiency requirements

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies


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The international relations major also requires reading and speaking competence in a modern foreign language. The choice of language is up to the student and need not be limited to the languages available at Goucher. Cooperative arrangements with seven local colleges and universities open many opportunities for instruction in a variety of modern languages. However, students are advised that they must still complete two courses beyond the equivalent of the 130 level. It Is incumbent on the student to ensure that courses are available to complete the requirement. If not, they should choose another language. The language requirement may be met by satisfactory performance on a test to be arranged with the Modern Languages and Literatures Department. It may also be met by completion of any of the following courses and combinations of courses:

Note:


IR majors are also required to study abroad for a semester: students will receive elective credit for appropriate coursework at the following programs. Attending programs not on this list can satisfy the College study abroad requirement, but will not be granted IR elective credit.

Latin America: Chile, Latin American Stuides in Santiago; Costa Rica, Monteverde Insitute

Europe: England, Hansard Scholars program, University of East Anglia; Scotland, University of St. Andrews; France, Internship Francophone Europe

Asia: China, Chengdu; India, Christ University, Bangalore

Africa: Ghana, University of Ghana; South Africa (direct enroll), University of Cape Town, University of Western Cape, Rhodes University

Writing Proficiency in the Majors


The asterisks indicate those courses that may be taken to achieve writing proficiency in the major, according to the following policies:

  1. Students wishing to achieve writing proficiency in those courses must identify themselves to the professor by the end of the second week of classes.
  2. Writing proficiency shall be judged on the basis of at least 20 pages of writing over the course of the semester. Students are required to submit first drafts of papers as well as the revised version(s), and they are encouraged to use the Writing Center.
  3. Writing proficiency requires the achievement of at least a B- grade for the written work.
  4. Writing proficiency in the major should be achieved by the spring semester of the junior year. Writing proficiency may also be achieved with permission of the instructor in any 200- or 300-level course as long as the requirements detailed above are met.

Honors in the Majors


Students wishing to pursue honors in political science or international relations must have a GPA of 3.5 in the major and an overall GPA of 3.25. By April 15 of their junior year, they must submit to the chair of the department a proposal outlining their thesis project and naming the proposed thesis director. Upon approval, the student must enroll in a two-semester (eight-credit) senior thesis course (PSC 450 ). One-semester projects are not eligible for honors. At the end of the fall semester, the thesis adviser will determine whether the project has sufficiently progressed to warrant continuation of the pursuit of honors. If not, the student may receive a grade of pass/no pass for those credits. No later than three weeks before the end of the spring semester of the senior year, the student will defend the thesis before a committee of at least three faculty members, a majority of whom are members of the department. The recommendation of the thesis committee will be brought to the department chair. The full department must approve all candidates for honors.

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