International Affairs and Diplomacy

Upon declaring a major in international affairs and diplomacy, students will choose one of two tracks: international relations or comparative politics/area studies. Students will then be asked to develop a coherent plan of study in consultation with their academic advisor within one semester of declaring the major. As part of the major requirements at Mount Union, students pursuing a degree in the field of international studies must minor in a foreign language or demonstrate competence in one modern foreign language that is not their native language. Competence is defined as equivalent to two courses in the target language at the two-hundred level or above.

Students pursuing multiple majors should be aware that only four courses taken to satisfy another major will be counted toward the international affairs and diplomacy major. Similarly, only two of the courses taken toward the major will be counted toward the international studies minor. 

International affairs and diplomacy majors are also required to participate in either a study abroad program or in a foreign policy related internship. Students should take into consideration that a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for participation in most of Mount Union’s study abroad programs and internships. Certain programs require a minimum of 3.0 or higher.

Combining a variety of courses in political science, history, economics and foreign languages, as an international affairs and diplomacy major you will explore the principles of international relations and politics as well as other areas of study within the field of international studies. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

General:

•  Students will appropriately apply the methodology used in the respective fields.

International Relations:

• Students will accurately identify the major theories and dominant paradigms used in the study of international relations and foreign policy analysis including realism/neo-realism, liberalism/neo-liberalism, globalist/Marxist, and postmodernism/post-structuralism.
• Students will identify the major actors in the international system on the macro, mezzo, and micro levels of analysis and their function and interaction in interstate relations.
• Students will identify and describe the major processes in the international system including globalization, integration, and the causes of conflict.

Comparative politics:

• Students will accurately identify the major theories and dominant paradigms used in the study of comparative politics including theories on democratization, transition, and political development. 
• Students will identify and describe different political systems and distinguish between the various forms of democracies and authoritarian systems that exist.
• Students will describe and explain how different types of political systems in other nations function both theoretically and in application.

View our University Catalogue to learn more.

Students who choose to major in international affairs and diplomacy at the University of Mount Union have ample opportunities to get “real-world” experience outside of the classroom. By getting involved in extracurricular opportunities, you can strengthen your skills and knowledge of international languages, cultures, affairs and policies, all of which are critical to career success in the field of international studies.

INTERNSHIPS 

Internships provide you with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the real world. University of Mount Union international affairs and diplomacy major students have interned at all levels of the government as well as with organizations and companies that deal directly or indirectly with the government. These organizations include:

• Government agencies
• Local attorneys and judges
• Interest groups
• The Washington Center Program (assignments in the Washington, D.C. area) 
  
  

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Pre-Law Society is a student-led organization on Mount Union’s campus.

Model United Nations (MUN) is a student-led organization on Mount Union’s campus which aims to promote a better understanding of the United Nations and provide the grounds for an active simulation of the United Nations. A primary goal of the organization is have students actively participate in Model United Nations conferences and tournaments.

Sigma Iota Rho is the International Studies Honor Society. It founded in 1984 with the mission “to promote and reward scholarship and service among students and practitioners of international studies, international affairs, and global studies and to foster integrity and creative performance in the conduct of world affairs". Mount Union is the Gamma Eta chapter (the 79th chapter in the nation) and was founded in 2006.

Pi Sigma Alpha is the Political Science Honor Society. It was founded in 1920 at the University of Texas at Austin. Its mission is to promote high academic achievement in Political Science.  Mount Union’s chapter was founded in 2005.

College Republicans is a student-led organization on Mount Union’s campus.

College Democrats is a student-led organization on Mount Union’s campus.