International Relations (BA in International Relations)

International Relations Program

The curriculum of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences provides for an interdisciplinary major in International Relations (INRL), the study of economic, historic, political, and social relations among states. The international Relations concentration also addresses the interactions among states, markets, and non-state actors (such as international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and multi-national corporations). The curriculum has been designed to ensure that students address the major issues in the international arena from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. The major in International Relations is distinct from William & Mary’s Global Studies program, which focuses on the culture, history, languages, literature, politics and religions of major world regions. If you are interested in such a course of study, you should see the Global Studies entry in this catalog.

In general, a major in International Relations includes courses from at least four departments. A detailed description of the degree program is provided below. Additional information about courses, prospective faculty advisors, and requirements is available on the International Relations website (https://www.wm.edu/as/internationalrelations).

Language Requirement

Degrees in International Relations include a modern foreign language component which exceeds the College’s proficiency requirement. Students in International Relations must either

1. Complete two courses beyond the 202-level in one modern language OR
2. Achieve 202-level proficiency in two modern languages.

Some freshman seminars may fulfill the IR language requirement. To count toward the language requirement, courses must be taught entirely in the target language.

Major Writing Requirement (MWR)

The major writing requirement will be satisfied upon completion of the capstone seminar, internship, independent study or honors project.

Major Computer Proficiency Requirement (CPR)

International Relations majors will satisfy the computer proficiency by successfully completing the concentration methods course requirement.

Study Abroad

Students are strongly encouraged to seek overseas opportunities which complement their International Relations major. With prior approval, many courses taken abroad may be applied to major or other requirements. Contact the Global Education office at the Reves Center for more information.

Major Declaration

A prospective major in International Relations should discuss their plans with a faculty advisor as soon as possible. See the IR website for details of declaring a concentration.

The International Relations major requires a minimum of 37 credits selected from the options listed under Parts A, B, C, D, and E below. In choosing courses, students are encouraged to work with their advisors to achieve an appropriate degree of substantive coherence across disciplines and analytical approaches. Such choices should also be taken into consideration by the student in selecting the language(s) used to fulfill the language co-requisite. 

¹

Some freshman seminars may fulfill the IR language requirement. To count toward the language requirement, courses must be taught entirely in the target language. A student who is a native speaker of a language other than English should consult with their advisor about meeting the IR language requirement using their native language, which may be approved at the discretion of the Program Director.

²

If students take more than one course from the Part C list, those courses may be used as electives to fulfill Part E. SOCI 333 can be used to fulfill EITHER the Part A SOCI core requirement or the Part C Social and Cultural Contexts requirement, not both.

³

All the courses in Part C listed above can also count as Part E courses.