2024-2025 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Core Requirements | ||
| Required International Studies Courses | ||
| IS 1034 | Introduction to International Studies and Political Science | 3 |
| IS 2084 | The Evolution of World Order | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Selected World Problems | ||
| Selected World Problems | ||
| Required Foreign Language | ||
| Select 12 credits of a single foreign language at the 3000-4000 level 1 | 12 | |
| The following courses are only offered as Pass/Fail and can be used toward fulfillment of this requirement: | ||
| Arabic for Oral Proficiency | ||
| French for Oral Proficiency | ||
| French for Oral Proficiency | ||
| German Oral Proficiency | ||
| German Oral Proficiency | ||
| Japanese for Oral Proficiency | ||
| Japanese for Oral Proficiency | ||
| Russian for Oral Proficiency | ||
| Spanish for Oral Proficiency | ||
| Spanish for Oral Proficiency | ||
| The following courses are excluded and cannot be used to fulfill this requirement: | ||
| Modern Arabic Literature in Translation | ||
| Topics in Arab Cinema | ||
| Topics in Chinese Cinema | ||
| Study Abroad | ||
| Topics in German Cinema | ||
| Survey of Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature in Translation | ||
| Survey of Twentieth-Century Russian Literature in Translation | ||
| Topics in Russian Literature in English | ||
| The Works of Vladimir Nabokov | ||
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Major Courses | ||
| IS 1004 | Nations and Nationalities | 3 |
| IS 2004 | Research and Writing in International Studies | 3 |
| IS 2054 | Introduction to World Politics | 3 |
| IS 2064 | The Global Economy and World Politics | 3 |
| IS 3615 | International Relations 2 | 3 |
| IS 3616 | International Relations 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Topics in Diplomacy Lab 2 | ||
| Senior Seminar in Comparative Politics 2 | ||
| Senior Seminar in International Relations 2 | ||
| Senior Seminar in Political Theory 2 | ||
| Theories and Practices of International Conflict Management 2 | ||
| Elective Courses For The Major | ||
| Select 15 credit hours from the list below 3 | 15 | |
| Select remaining credit hours of Free Electives to fulfill remaining credits required for graduation. | 18 | |
| Subtotal | 54 | |
| III. Pathways to General Education | ||
| Pathways Concept 1 - Discourse | ||
| ENGL 1105 | First-Year Writing (1F) | 3 |
| ENGL 1106 | First-Year Writing (1F) | 3 |
| IS 2004 | Research and Writing in International Studies (1A) | 3 |
| Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities | ||
| Select six credits in Pathway 2 | 6 | |
| Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences | ||
| IS 2054 | Introduction to World Politics (major requirement) | 3 |
| IS 2064 | The Global Economy and World Politics (major requirement) | 3 |
| Pathways Concept 4 - Reasoning in the Natural Sciences | ||
| Select six credits in Pathway 4 | 6 | |
| Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking | ||
| Select six credits in Pathway 5f | 6 | |
| Select three credits in Pathway 5a 4 | 3 | |
| Pathways Concept 6 - Critique and Practice in Design and the Arts | ||
| Select three credits in Pathway 6a | 3 | |
| Select three credits in Pathway 6d | 3 | |
| Pathways Concept 7 - Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States | ||
| IS 1004 | Nations and Nationalities (major requirement) | 3 |
| Subtotal | 45 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
See undergraduate course catalog for current course offerings.
Prerequisites: Some courses listed on this checksheet have prerequisites; please consult the University Catalog and/or check with your advisor.
IREL major courses selected will not double count toward IREL major electives
Prerequisites of MATH 1014 Precalculus with Transcendental Functions or higher may be required.
IREL major courses selected will not double count toward IREL major electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science (PSCI) | ||
| PSCI 1014 | Introduction to United States Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 2014 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| PSCI 2024 | Research Methods in Political Science | 3 |
| PSCI 3015 | Political Theory | 3 |
| PSCI 3016 | Political Theory | 3 |
| PSCI 3255 | The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Gender 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3256 | The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Gender 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3344 | Global Environmental Issues: Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 |
| PSCI 3514 | Latin American Government and Politics 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3515 | European Political Systems 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3516 | European Political Systems 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3524 | Politics of Post-Communist Systems 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3534 | African Government and Politics 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3544 | The State of Israel: A Political History 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3564 | Violent Political Change 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3574 | Government and Politics of Japan 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3584 | Governments and Politics of Asia 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3684 | Indigenous Peoples and World Politics 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3764 | Contemporary Democratic Theory 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3774 | Marxian Political Analysis 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 3784 | Origins of the State 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 4514 | Senior Seminar in Comparative Politics 2 | 3 |
| PSCI 4724 | Senior Seminar in Political Theory 2 | 3 |
| International Studies (IS) | ||
| IS 1024 | Comp Gov & Politics | 3 |
| IS 1114 | Introduction to Transatlantic Studies | 3 |
| IS 2114 | Transatlantic Political Frameworks | 3 |
| IS 3104 | Security Studies: Theories and Concepts 2 | 3 |
| IS 3175 | Global Development 2 | 3 |
| IS 3176 | Global Development 2 | 3 |
| IS 3184 | Human Security 2 | 3 |
| IS 3554 | Comparative Political Economy 2 | 3 |
| IS 3594 | Topics in Middle East Politics and International Relations 2 | 3 |
| IS 3624 | Foreign Policy and Diplomacy 2 | 3 |
| IS 3814 | The European Union: Institutions and Policies 2 | 3 |
| IS 3824 | European Union's Foreign and Security Policy 2 | 3 |
| IS 3924 | Theories of Transatlantic Relations 2 | 3 |
| IS 4054 | Seminar in Global Political Economy 2 | 3 |
| IS 4064 | Seminar in Global Development 2 | 3 |
| IS 4104 | Topics in European Studies 2 | 3 |
| IS 4114 | Topics in European Union Policies 2 | 3 |
| IS 4124 | Topics in European Integration 2 | 3 |
| IS 4144 | Topics in Transatlantic Relations 2 | 3 |
| IS 4154 | Topics in Transatlantic Studies 2 | 3 |
| IS 4184 | Capstone Project Transatlantic Studies 2 | 3 |
| IS 4134 | Capstone Research Project in European Studies 2 | 3 |
| IS 4614 | Senior Seminar in International Relations 2 | 3 |
| IS 4734 | Theories and Practices of International Conflict Management 2 | 3 |
| IS 4735 | Topics in Multilateral Diplomacy Workshop 2 | 3 |
| IS 4736 | Topics in Multilateral Diplomacy Workshop 2 | 3 |
| IS 4964 | Field Study 3 | 1-19 |
| International Studies (IS) | ||
| A maximum of six credits from the following can be used toward the 15 credits of required IREL electives: | ||
| IS 2034 | Geography of Global Conflict | 3 |
| IS 2044 | Food, War and Conflict | 3 |
| IS 2104 | Europe Country Analysis | 3 |
| IS 2474 | Religion and Violence | 3 |
| IS 3004 | Professionalism and Careers in Political Science and International Studies 2 | 3 |
| IS 3114 | Global Security 2 | 3 |
| IS 3134 | Global Conflict and War 2 | 3 |
| IS 3144 | Global Governance and Public Policy 2 | 3 |
| IS 3154 | Topics in Global Public Policies 2 | 3 |
| IS 3164 | Global Trade: Structures and Policies 2 | 3 |
| IS 3174 | Monetary Foundations of the World Economy 2 | 3 |
| IS 3194 | Nuclear Strategy & Politics 2 | 3 |
| IS 3374 | The Politics of Energy 2 | 3 |
| IS 3625 | US-Russia Foreign Policies 2 | 3 |
| IS 3626 | US-Russia Foreign Policies 2 | 3 |
| IS 3634 | Human Rights: Global Issues 2 | 3 |
| IS 3704 | National Security Strategy 2 | 3 |
| IS 3734 | National Security 2 | 3 |
| IS 3735 | 2 | 3 |
| IS 3736 | 2 | 3 |
| IS 3795 | Global Terrorism and Counterterrorism 2 | 3 |
| IS 3796 | Global Terrorism and Counterterrorism 2 | 3 |
| IS 3804 | European Integration 2 | 3 |
| IS 3854 | European Political Economy 2 | 3 |
| IS 3914 | European Economics 2 | 3 |
| IS 3894 | Transatlantic Relations Since 1945 2 | 3 |
| IS 3934 | NATO & European Security 2 | 3 |
| IS 3944 | International Enrollment | 0 |
| IS 3954 | Study Abroad | 1-19 |
| IS 4014 | International Development 2 | 3 |
| IS 4024 | Seminar in Diplomacy and Security 2 | 3 |
| IS 4034 | Topics in Diplomacy Lab 2 | 2 |
| IS 4044 | International Communication 2 | 3 |
| IS 4974 | Independent Study 4 | 1-19 |
| IS 4984 | Special Study 4 | 1-19 |
| IS 4994 | Undergraduate Research 4 | 1-19 |
Check the Undergraduate Course Catalog or the Timetable of classes for the most up to date course restrictions and pre-requisites.
Indicates the course has a pre-requisite. Please consult the University Catalog and/or check with your advisor.
IS 4964 Field Study is only offered as Pass/Fail and can be used toward fulfillment of a major elective from the corresponding list.
The content of the Independent Study or Special Study, as well as the topic of Undergraduate Research should be relevant to the International Relations major. Please ask the International Studies advisor in advance whether the proposed Independent Study or Special Study or Undergraduate Research, topic qualifies.
Satisfactory Progress: To proceed satisfactorily toward a degree, a student must complete IS 1004 Nations and Nationalities , IS 1034 Introduction to International Studies and Political Science, IS 2004 Research and Writing in International Studies , IS 2054 Introduction to World Politics , IS 2064 The Global Economy and World Politics , IS 2084 The Evolution of World Order , and Foreign language 2105 & 2106 by the end of the semester in which 60 hours have been attempted; must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and must maintain an in major GPA of 2.0.
Hours Requirement: A total of 120 hours is required to graduate with an International Studies degree of which there are fifty-seven (57) required hours for the International Relations major.
In-major GPA: All of the courses in the core and major requirements and major electives are included in the in-major GPA calculation. A GPA of 2.0 or above both overall and in-major GPA is required for graduation.
Dual Use of Courses: No course can double count within or between International Studies Program-related majors or minors with the exception of the Core Degree Requirements and IS 1004 Nations and Nationalities , IS 2004 Research and Writing in International Studies , IS 2054 Introduction to World Politics and IS 2064 The Global Economy and World Politics . In accordance with the State Council guidelines, courses used to fulfill the SCHEV approved degree core may not also be used to meet Pathways General Education or major requirements.
Intra-departmental majoring and minoring: Due to overlapping of courses, students pursuing one or more majors associated with the International Studies Program cannot major or minor in Political Science.
Intra-IS Program majoring and minoring: Students may pursue more than one major or minor associated with the International Studies Program. In this case, the policy pertaining to the "Dual Use of Courses" will apply.
Prerequisites: Some courses listed have prerequisites; please consult the University Catalog and/or check with your advisor.
Pathways to General Education: More details and course listings can be found at the following link: https://www.pathways.prov.vt.edu.
University and Admissions Foreign Language Requirement
This is a requirement that is separate from the International Studies requirement. Completion of this requirement will not fulfill your International Studies Language Requirement.
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