International Relations BA + MA SF State Scholar Roadmap
This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult your Degree Planner and an advisor for further guidance.
To avoid taking additional units, it is recommended that you meet the SF State Studies (AERM, GP, ES, SJ) requirements within your GE or major.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Units | |
| I R 104 | Introduction to International Relations: Politics, Economics, Environment, and People (Major Core, GE 4, ES, GP, SJ) | 3 |
| GE Area 1A: English Composition 1 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1: English Communication | 3 | |
| GE Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning 2,3 | 3 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GE Area 1: English Communication | 3 | |
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences 5 | 3-4 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 4 | 6 | |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences with USH | 3 | |
| GE Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences 5 | 3-4 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 4 | 6 | |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| I R 208 | Fundamentals of International Relations Theories, Issues, and Perspectives (Major Core) | 4 |
| GE Area 6: Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| GE Area 3UD: Upper-Division Arts or Humanities | 3 | |
| U.S. and California Government | 3 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 4 | 6 | |
| Units | 6 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| I R 310 | U.S. Foreign Policy (Major Core, GE 4UD, AERM, GP) | 4 |
| Major Electives (18 Units Total) 6 | 4 | |
| GE Area 5UD or 2UD: Upper-Division Sciences or Upper-Division Mathematical Concepts | 3 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| I R 309 | International Relations Writing Workshop (Major Core) | 1 |
| I R 309GW | International Relations Analysis and Application - GWAR (Major Core) | 3 |
| I R 312 | Introduction to International Political Economy (Major Core) | 4 |
| Major Electives (18 Units Total) - Take Two 6 | 8 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 4 | 6 | |
| Units | 6 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| I R 550 | Senior Thesis in International Relations (Major Culminating Requirement) | 6 |
| I R 725 | The Analysis of Foreign Policy (Master's Core) | 3 |
| The International System and Its Problems 7 | 3 | |
| Comparative Foreign Policies 8 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Major Electives (18 Units Total) - Take Two 6 | 8 | |
| Master's Emphasis Elective - Take Two 9 | 6 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| I R 720 | Theory and Approaches in International Relations (Master's Core) | 3 |
| Select One (Master's Core): | 3 | |
| Methods and Thesis Selection in International Relations | ||
| Data Analysis and Evaluation Research in International Relations | ||
| Master's Core Option 10 | 3 | |
| Units | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| I R 728 | International Political Economy (Master's Core) | 3 |
| Select One (Master's Culminating Experience): | 3 | |
| Sponsored Graduate Internship in International Relations | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Master's Emphasis Elective 9 | 3 | |
| Units | 9 | |
| Total Units | 150-152 | |
- 1
Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 1A course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 2
Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 2 course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 3
Recommended GE Courses:
GE Area 2
I R 112/HIST 112/LCA 112/MATH 112/PHIL 112/PLSI 112 Quantitative Reasoning for Civic Engagement (3 units) (GE 2, SJ)GE Area 3B
I R 260/PRSN 260 History and Cultures of Iran (3 units) (GE 3B, GP)- 4
Complementary Studies
Twelve units of Complementary Studies are required of all candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations. These units must come from courses bearing a prefix other than I R, and not cross-listed with I R.International Relations majors are offered several pathways toward completing this requirement, each of which is designed to facilitate graduation in a timely manner. International Relations majors may, with the approval of an International Relations advisor, elect to apply 12 units in a single foreign language of their choosing, courses taken in an approved study abroad program (e.g., CSU Study Abroad), courses taken as part of a second major, a minor, or a certificate, and courses in a related discipline. Related disciplines typically include: political science, sociology, anthropology, environmental studies, geography, global health, or journalism.
Up to six units of a single language or six upper-division units of Complementary Studies may, with the approval of a departmental advisor, also be counted as International Relations electives in fulfillment of major requirements.
Note: Courses fulfilling the IR major core requirement may not be taken on a CR/NC basis.
- 5
Consider taking a class combined with a laboratory or a separate lab to fulfill 5C if not already satisfied.
- 6
Electives (18 Units)
Students are required to complete 18 elective units related to international relations. At least 12 units of coursework must be upper-division I R courses (300-level or above) or be cross-listed with I R. Six additional units may be taken outside of the department upon the approval of a major advisor. Lower-division language courses taken in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and 200-level IR courses can be used for these 6 units; otherwise, upper-division courses are required.- 7
Select a course in the range I R 730 to I R 739
- 8
Select a course in the range I R 740 to I R 749
- 9
Select one emphasis for the following options:
Academic Emphasis (12 units)
Electives (9 units)
Thematic combination of courses (total 9 units) in International Relations or related fields of inquiry and training such as: public administration; international business, management, or finance; international environmental studies; or other fields related to international careers. Approval of graduate advisor required for courses in other departments.Culminating Experience (3 units)
I R 898 Master's Thesis (3 units)
Professional Emphasis (12 units)
Electives (9 units)
Thematic combination of courses (total 9 units) in International Relations or related fields of inquiry and training such as: public administration; international business, management, or finance; international environmental studies; or other fields related to international careers. Approval of graduate advisor required for courses in other departments.Culminating Experience (3 units)
I R 892 Sponsored Graduate Internship in International Relations (3 units)
- 10
Select one additional class from either of the above series (I R 730 to I R 739 or I R 740 to I R 749)