Watson Institute for International StudiesBrown University

International Relations at Brown

Room 130 Watson Institute
401.863.3318

Margareta Levitsky, Program Coordinator

Fall 2008

 

THE NEW IR CURRICULUM

(Effective AY '08-'09 for class of 2011)

NEW FALL '08 COURSES

Lecture courses

    INTL 1000 Trade/Environment Politics

    INTL 1700 International Law

 

Seminars

 

International Relations (IR) is an interdisciplinary undergraduate concentration within the social sciences that focuses on the study of global issues from a wide variety of perspectives. It draws on courses from numerous departments including political science, history, economics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, religion, and environmental studies. It also incorporates courses from the humanities, particularly area and language departments, and requires advanced study of a foreign language. Taking a broad approach, the concentration examines a range of global issues including diplomacy, war, and peace; poverty, inequality, and development; trade, globalization, and economic conflict; human rights and humanitarianism; the production and role of culture and political identities; and the environment and global public health.

In analyzing these issues, the concentration examines the roles of, and relations among, the numerous actors involved in global issues including governments, international organizations, and nonstate actors such as multinational corporations, nongovernmental organizations, ethnic groups, and insurgent or terrorist groups. The course of study in international relations emphasizes 1) the development of analytical tools to help students think critically about international phenomena, and 2) the exploration of both the empirical and the normative domains of the subject.

The IR concentration combines a number of core courses, required of all concentrators, and language study, with four different tracks of study that focus on four major themes in international relations: 1) global security; 2) political economy and development; 3) politics, culture, and identity; and 4) the global environment/global health.

IR is one of the largest concentrations at Brown. It is housed in the Watson Institute for International Studies. Most Watson Institute faculty teach courses in the concentration. In the course of a year, the Institute sponsors numerous talks, conferences, and other events on a wide range of global issues. IR concentrators are encouraged to become familiar with the Watson Institute and to participate in its many activities.

Please note: Individuals interested in a Ph.D. program in international relations should contact Brown’s Political Science Department. Brown does not offer a master’s program in international relations.

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