Students majoring in International Relations can specialize in several emphases* that reflect both the mission of LMU and current global issues. These emphases include Conflict, International Security, and Peacebuilding, Human Rights, International Development & Political Economy, and Asian Studies. While students still need to take the required upper division courses (POLS 3620, POLS 4650, and a 5xxx level course), students may choose to take their other electives courses within one of these tracks of study in order to investigate a thematic area more closely.
We have developed these emphases, based on a sample of current course offerings, to assist with course selection and program planning.
Thematic Emphases
Conflict, International Security & Peacebuilding
- POLS 3620 | International Security
- POLS 3630 | Peace and Reconciliation
- POLS 3650 | US Foreign Policy
- POLS 3960 | Future of the United Nations
- POLS 3998 | International Organizations
- POLS 3998/5998 | International Law and Maritime Disputes
- POLS 3998 | Model United Nations
- POLS 4750 | Foreign Policy Analysis
- POLS 4960 | Political Violence and Terrorism
- POLS 5420 | Rivalry and Cooperation in East Asia
- POLS 5730 | Ethics and Peacebuilding
- POLS 5960 | Humanitarian Aid and Intervention
- POLS 5998 | Law of War
Human Rights
- POLS 4510 | Slavery, Abolition, Modern Slavery
- POLS 5720 | Comparative Human Rights
- POLS 5960 | Humanitarian Aid and Intervention
- POLS 5998 | Food Politics
- POLS 5998 | Global LGBT Politics
- SOCL 3260 | Human Trafficking
- SOCL 3371 | Gender and Global Migration
International Development & Political Economy
- ECON 3410 | World Economic History
- ECON 3700 | International Trade
- ECON 3720 | International Finance Theory
- ECON 4740 | Economic Development
- POLS 3998 | International Organizations
- POLS 4650 | Global Political Economy
- SOCL 3371 | Gender and Global Migration
Regional studies courses which examine questions of development, along with other issues include: Politics of Africa, Politics of Latin America, and Politics of Middle East.
Regional Emphases / Area Studies
Interested students may also be able to carve out a regional focus on Europe or Latin America with the assistance of their advisor. Classes in these fields of study are regularly offered, but the course offerings change often.
Asian Studies
- ASPA 3600 | Introduction to Asian Media
- ASPA 3500 | Econ/Pol issues of Contemporary Asia
- ASPA 3970 | Popular Culture in East Asia
- ASPA 3998 | Asia Media Practicum
- HIST 4820 | Modern China
- POLS 3998/5998 | International Law and Maritime Disputes
- POLS 5420 | Rivalry and Cooperation in East Asia
* Please note the emphasis is not an official concentration that will appear on student degrees or transcripts. This is a recommended path of study within the International Relations major.