International Affairs Major (B.A.)

International affairs is the focused study of global issues, drawing on approaches from political science, history, economics, anthropology and related fields. Students acquire the substantive knowledge, practical skills, and real-world experience to address critical issues in international affairs, such as war and diplomacy, climate change and biodiversity, human rights and women’s rights, refugees and migration, and inequality and poverty. 

Students can focus their studies in one of the following thematic tracks: global development and environment; international security; global ethnic, race, and diversity studies; global health and education; regional or transnational studies in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, or Asia.  The major in IA thus provides students theoretical approaches grounded in the empirical study of places and peoples.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

All majors must complete 40 hours of IA core courses and departmentally approved IA electives, with a grade of C or better and a grade point average of 2.5 or better.

International Affairs majors may use two major-required courses to satisfy two Discovery Program category requirements.

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International Affairs Language Requirement
Students must take a minimum of two language courses and reach level 504 (intermediate II) in the language of their choosing. Students who have reached level 504 with one language course must substitute another course (from the approved list) in order to fulfill the required 40 credit hours for the major.  Language study may be pursued at UNH; through study abroad in the summer, J-term, or academic year; or through transfer credits from other institutions with the permission of an IA advisor.  Native speakers of a language other than English may fulfill this requirement with alternative classes by permission - please discuss with an IA advisor.

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We highly recommend that students select all three elective courses within the same track to develop a more focused and cohesive area of study. However, students with diverse interests in international affairs may choose electives from different tracks to broaden their academic experience.

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

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Electives can be courses towards a minor, second major, or other experiences to supplement the primary major and should be selected in consultation with an advisor.

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IA Capstone can be an internship, study abroad, or an addition 700-level course, depending on the student's interests and timeline, and are selected in consultation with an advisor. The exact timing of an IA Capstone often varies depending on these factors.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Apply different disciplinary approaches to the study of international affairs, including key themes and theoretical frameworks employed in these disciplines;
• Use critical thinking skills to analyze and discuss important global issues;
• Engage with cultural diversity and complexity through the international experience;
• Demonstrate familiarity with different types of data and sources and their appropriate use in analyzing selected topics in international affairs;
• Demonstrate competence in research design. Students will develop inquiry-based research questions, conduct a literature review, employ appropriate methods and data collection, and interpret their findings accurately.