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.