Core Field

The required core field consists of three to five required courses (9-15 credits) in history, political science, and economics. Students are expected to have completed the core field before the beginning of their second year of study. The core field courses include:

History (3 credits)

Choose One:

• Hist 250 History of International Systems
  (Note: Several sections of Hist 250 are offered every semester, each with a different topic. Please consult the History Department for Fall and Spring offerings.
• Hist 251 The Use of History in International Affairs

Political Science (3-6 credits)

All M.A. International Affairs Students take:

• IAff 211 International Affairs Cornerstone
  Note: This requirement applies only to those students enrolling for their first term in the Fall 2009. All other students must complete PSc 240, Theories of International Politics, as the Political Science requirement.

Students taking a Regional Major Field, in addition to PSc 240, must also take one (1) of the following:

• PSc 230 Theories of Comparative Politics
• PSc 234 Democracy and Democratization
• PSc 235 Politics and Industrialization
• PSc 236 Political Economy of Developing Areas
• PSc 237 Theories of Political Development
• PSc 288 Selected Topics in Comparative Politics

Economics (3-6 credits)

Two-semester sequence on international trade and international macroeconomics:*

Option 1:
Econ 283 International Trade Theory and Policy and Econ 284 International Macroeconomic Theory and Policy

Option 2:
One-semester course on international economics: Econ 280 Survey of International Economics

Both options require current knowledge of micro- and macroeconomic principles. All three courses rely on graphical techniques and do not use calculus. The recommended prerequisite for Econ 283 is intermediate microeconomic course, Econ 217, or the equivalent. The recommended prerequisite for Econ 284 is intermediate macroeconomic course, Econ 218, or the equivalent. Econ 217 and 218 may count towards the M.A. degree as elective credits.

Note: Econ 283 – 284 is the standard sequence for M.A. International Affairs candidates and is required for students choosing the major field of International Economic Affairs. Option 2 is designed for students with less background in economics.

*Students who have completed an undergraduate international economics (international trade and international macroeconomics) sequence within 5 years with a grade of "B" or better may petition to waive this requirement.

Updated: 05/06/09