International affairs is the study of relationships among nations and states, examining their policies and interactions to form alliances or resolve conflicts. This interdisciplinary major incorporates elements of political science, economics, history, geography, journalism and languages to prepare students to think flexibly across cultures, times and systems.
A global society faces a host of challenges, from climate change and food security to conflict resolution and diplomacy. Our graduates take on those issues with the knowledge and real-world skills to make a difference in their careers, whether they choose to work for government agencies, nonprofits or global tech and business.
The roots of modern international relations (IR) date back to ancient times, when philosophers like Thucydides and Aristotle wrote about the nature of war and peace. The field grew into a discipline after World War I, with Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points announcing a new era of cooperation between Great Powers and the establishment of the League of Nations and later the United Nations signaling a desire for broader international engagement.
Today, global politics is more complex than ever before and the need for a deeper understanding of international relations remains as important as it was in 1913. By choosing to focus on international affairs, you can join the ranks of experts who analyze the dynamics of global systems and find solutions that promote peace and prosperity for all.
