UMass Boston

International Relations Minor

Develop Diverse Perspectives & Skills for International Relations.

Through the International Relations Minor at UMass Boston, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the complexities of global affairs. This minor pairs well with majors in Anthropology, Business, Economics, Education, History, International Geography, Languages, Management, and Political Science.

The courses in this program give you a broad understanding of how countries and societies interact globally. The curriculum touches on international political economies, conflict resolution, human rights, global organizations, and more. By taking courses from various academic departments, you’ll gain a well-rounded perspective on international issues and politics.

With the skills you learn in this program, you’ll be prepared to pursue a career in diplomacy, international business, nonprofit organizations, government, and more. 

How to Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: Declare or change your minor by completing an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form.

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

Introductory Course (3 Credits)

  • POLSCI 220 - International Relations (B) 3 Credit(s)

Electives (15 Credits)

Take five electives from the list below. At least three courses must be 300-level or higher. It is strongly recommended that students take at least one course in each group.

 

Area and Socio-Cultural Studies:

  • AFRSTY 310 - Modern Caribbean Society 3 Credit(s)
  • AMST 440L - United States in a Global Context 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 272 - Peoples and Cultures of Africa 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 273 - Peoples and Cultures of Mesoamerica (Mexico and Guatemala) 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 274 - Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 361L - The History of Modern China 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 363L - Modern Japan 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 214 - Modern World History 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 313 - Nineteenth Century Europe 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 316 - Europe since 1945 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 322 - Shakespeare’s London 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 324 - Russia and the Soviet Union: From the 1917 Revolution to Putin 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 361L - The History of Modern China 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 363L - Modern Japan 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 364L - India since 1857 3 Credit(s)
  • LATAM 270 - Human Rights in Latin America 3 Credit(s)
  • LATAM 303 - Reform and Revolution in Latin America 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 202 - Comparative Politics 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 369 - Politics of the Middle East (C) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 371 - Latin American Poltc 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 372 - Central American Politics (C) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 387 - The Government and Politics of China (C) 3 Credit(s)
  • AMST 349L - The Cold War: Rise and Fall 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 324 - A Biocultural Approach to War 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 315 - Europe 1900-1945 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 349L - The Cold War: Rise and Fall 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 357 - The Vietnam War 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 387 - US Foreign Policy since 1898 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 402 - World Politics and World Order (B) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 404 - The Politics of the Arab-Israeli Conflict 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 422 - Nationalism (C) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 424 - American Foreign Policy (B) 3 Credit(s)

International Political Economy:

  • ECON 334 - International Trade 3 Credit(s)
  • ECON 335 - International Finance 3 Credit(s)
  • ECON 336 - Economic Development 3 Credit(s)
  • ECON 337 - Emerging Economies in Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • ECON 372 - Comparative Economic Systems 3 Credit(s)
  • ECON 435 - The Multinational Corporation 3 Credit(s)
  • ENVSCI 280 - Global Society and the Environment 3 Credit(s)
  • MGT 434 - Mngng Global Environ 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 375 - Third World Development (C) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 410 - Pol Intrnatnl Econ 3 Credit(s)

Transnational Studies:

  • ANTH 295L - Introduction to Human Rights 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 346 - Culture, Globalization, and the Environment 3 Credit(s)
  • ECON 339 - Political Economy of International Migration 3 Credit(s)
  • ENVSCI 260 - Global Environmental Change 3 Credit(s)
  • ENVSCI 280 - Global Society and the Environment 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 290G - Globalization in Historical Perspective 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 355L - Gender, Development, & Globalization 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 372 - Globalization and Social Change 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 295L - Introduction to Human Rights 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 355L - Gender, Development, & Globalization 3 Credit(s)

Senior Project (3 Credits)

  • IR 499L - Seminar in International Relations (B) 3 Credit(s)  OR
  • POLSCI 380 - Theories of International Relations 3 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete 21 credits from seven courses, including one introductory course, five electives, and one senior project.

Pass/fail: No more than one course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor. The introductory and senior project courses may not be taken pass/fail.
Residency: At least three courses applied toward the major must be completed at UMass Boston.

Contact

Political Science Department
Wheatley Hall, 5th Floor, Room 70
617.287.6920
Pol.Sci [@] umb.edu

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Next Steps

Declare or Change Your Minor Request Info About UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions