International Affairs Dual Major

International Affairs Dual Major

UNH International Affairs student

What is international affairs?

The most pressing matters of our time —migration, climate change, violent conflict, human rights, economic globalization, health pandemics—transcend national boundaries and require a global response. The international affairs degree program will equip you to take on these worldwide challenges through rigorous interdisciplinary coursework, language studies and a rich international experience. Combine the dual major with any other major at UNH and graduate as a critically minded and responsible global citizen ready to contribute meaningfully to the world.

Why study international affairs at UNH?

Our international affairs dual-major is available to all UNH students, allowing you to combine your studies with disciplines ranging from business and natural resources to political science and the arts. You’ll gain international experience through your choice of a study-abroad program, directed research, an internship or a service opportunity. You’ll also participate in a capstone research project drawing on your experience abroad, typically presenting at UNH’s annual Undergraduate Research Conference. Explore additional opportunities in the college’s study abroad programs and the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research. Connect with fellow students through the UNH Model United Nations team.

Potential career areas

  • Education
  • Foreign service
  • Global development and aid
  • Global health
  • Global intelligence
  • Human rights
  • International business
  • International environmental policy
  • International trade and policy
  • Journalism
  • Peace Corps
  • Public relations

Contact

Heather Austin

POLT/IA Advisor and Academic Department Coordinator
Phone: (603) 862-1767
Office: Political Science, Horton Social Science Center Rm 312C, Durham, NH 03824
  • Communication and International Affairs Majors
    Mel Nagashima ‘22 came to UNH interested in all things media and the opportunity to step outside his comfort zone. When he got involved in the Semester-in-the-City program, he found his spark and passion: helping immigrant families in the U.S. Now, he’s headed to Boston for a dream full-time job in...
    Communication and International Affairs Majors
    Mel Nagashima ‘22 came to UNH interested in all things media and the opportunity to step outside his comfort zone. When he got involved in the Semester-in-the-City program, he found his spark and passion: helping immigrant families in the U.S. Now, he’s headed to Boston for a dream full-time job in...
  • French and International Affairs Majors | Assistant Manager & Head of Marketing and Social Media
    Since I graduated in spring 2020, I have been working at Putnam & Vine Wine & Spirits in Greenwich, CT. Over the past year I have worked my way up to assistant manager and am responsible for the store’s marketing and social media (@putnamandvine on Instagram).
    French and International Affairs Majors | Assistant Manager & Head of Marketing and Social Media
    Since I graduated in spring 2020, I have been working at Putnam & Vine Wine & Spirits in Greenwich, CT. Over the past year I have worked my way up to assistant manager and am responsible for the store’s marketing and social media (@putnamandvine on Instagram).
  • Spanish and International Affairs Majors | U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources
    Faith Corneille is the global power sector program manager and team lead at the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources. She is the 2021 winner of the U.S. C3E Government Award,  given to eight women who demonstrate outstanding leadership and accomplishments in clean energy. Corneille...
    Spanish and International Affairs Majors | U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources
    Faith Corneille is the global power sector program manager and team lead at the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources. She is the 2021 winner of the U.S. C3E Government Award,  given to eight women who demonstrate outstanding leadership and accomplishments in clean energy. Corneille...
  • Political Science and International Affairs Majors
    Originally from Lowell, Mass., Tom McDonough selected UNH for its inviting sense of community. A political science and international affairs major, he will also be pursuing a master’s degree in political science at UNH. “I decided to study political science and international affairs because they...
    Political Science and International Affairs Majors
    Originally from Lowell, Mass., Tom McDonough selected UNH for its inviting sense of community. A political science and international affairs major, he will also be pursuing a master’s degree in political science at UNH. “I decided to study political science and international affairs because they...
  • Political Science and International Affairs Majors
    When she first arrived at UNH, Abrita Kuthumi thought she would study medicine. But, after studying abroad and a Washington, D.C., internship, she switched her major to political science and ...
    Political Science and International Affairs Majors
    When she first arrived at UNH, Abrita Kuthumi thought she would study medicine. But, after studying abroad and a Washington, D.C., internship, she switched her major to political science and ...

Curriculum & Requirements

The international affairs (IA) dual major can complement and add a global dimension to any other major at UNH. The completion of the dual major requires no additional credits for graduation beyond the 128 required of all UNH students. All coursework required for international affairs must be completed with a grade of C or better. For more information, contact the international affairs senior program assistant.

Students who wish to declare the international affairs dual major must earn a C or better in IA 401, have declared a primary major, and have a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average. Students are expected to maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average, the minimum required for study abroad at UNH.

Note:
Participation in the international affairs dual major and minor is open to ALL students at UNH.  For instance, the Department of Civil Engineering has developed a dual-major program in civil engineering and international affairs. Students do not need to have pre-existing skills in a foreign language before coming to UNH. For more information about the civil engineering/IA program, contact Ray Cook at ray.cook@unh.edu.

Required Core Courses
IA 401International Perspectives4
IA 501Global Issues in International Affairs4
IA 701Exploring International Challenges and Opportunities4
Select one of the following:4
ECON 401
Principles of Economics (Macro)
ECON 402
Principles of Economics (Micro)
EREC 411
Environmental and Resource Economics Perspectives
International Affairs Language Requirement 1variable
International Experience - Study Abroad 2variable
Electives - see list below
Select one course from each category list, plus one more course from either category (3 courses total):12
Politics, Culture, & History
Science, Environment, Economy, & Health
1

International Affairs Language Requirement
IA majors must demonstrate functional reading, writing, and speaking ability equivalent to a second-year, second-semester college level (504). Students may take placement tests to establish proficiency. Native second language speakers are exempt from this requirement - speak to an IA advisor. 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.

2

International Experience - Study Abroad
Minimum of eight weeks. The IA international experience is typically conducted in a country or region that uses the student’s second language. Students may pursue their international experience elsewhere after consultation with an IA advisor.

The international experience (typically completed in the junior year) is completed before taking IA 701 in the senior year. Students may spend an academic year, semester, or summer in an academic institution, in an internship with a private or public organization, or in purposeful travel/research. Students must meet with the Study Abroad Advisors at the Global Education Center to plan their international experience, typically a year in advance of study abroad.

Electives (three total)

IA Dual Majors take three electives, one course from each category list: Politics, Culture, and History and from Science, Environment, Economy and Health. IA dual majors choose their 3rd elective from either list.

IA electives are offered across the university and may be used to fulfill Discovery, Honors Program and/or other minor requirements. Up to 8 credits may be double counted between your primary major and IA. Additional courses taken in the primary major may count for IA if these courses do not count toward your primary major requirements. Electives may be taken at UNH, on the international experience, or transferred from another university with the permission of your IA advisor.

Politics, Culture, & History Electives
ANTH 411
Global Perspectives on the Human Condition: An Introduction to Anthropology (or ANTH 411H)
or ANTH 411W
Global Perspectives on the Human Condition: An Introduction to Anthropology
ANTH 500
Peoples and Cultures of the World (area specific) 1
ANTH 501
World Archaeological Cultures
ANTH #616
Religion, Culture, and Society
ANTH 640
Anthropology of Islam: Muslims' Everyday Lives in Contemporary Communities
ANTH 697
Special Topics
ANTH 750
Islam and Gender: Gendered Lives of Muslims
ARTH 674
Greek Art and Architecture
ARTH 675
Roman Art and Architecture
ARTH 678
Romanesque and Gothic Art
ARTH 679
Northern Renaissance Art I
ARTH 680
Iconoclasm and Collecting: The Art of Early Modern Northern Europe
ARTH 681
Early Renaissance Art
ARTH 682
The High Renaissance
ARTH 684
Baroque Art in Northern Europe
ARTH 688
Histories of Late 19th & 20th Century European Modernism
ARTH 695
Topics in Art History
CHIN 425
Introduction to Chinese Culture
CHIN 521
What does it Mean to be Modern? Lenses of Modern Chinese Literature and Film
CLAS 403
Introduction to Greek Civilization
CLAS 404
Introduction to Roman Civilization
CLAS 510
Building Rome
CLAS 520D
Classical Society, Politics and Ethics: Greek and Roman Religion
CLAS 550A
Identities and Difference in the Ancient World: Greek and Roman Women
FREN 525
A Road Trip Through France: Baguette, Brie, Bordeaux, and Beyond
FREN 651
Love, War, and Power in French Literature
FREN 652
Greatest Hits of French
FREN 676
Topics in Francophone Culture
FREN #677
France in the European Union
FREN 765
Rebellion and Upheaval in 18th-Century Literature and Culture
GCHS 710
Conflict & Human Security
GCHS 720
Global Governance
GEOG 401
World Regions: Europe and the Americas
GEOG 402
World Regions: Asia and Africa
GEOG 530
China: People, Politics and Economy
GEOG 540
Geography of the Middle East
GEOG 550
Sub-Saharan Africa: Environmental Politics and Development
GEOG 584
Political Geography
GERM 521
Major German Authors in English
GERM 525
Introduction to German Culture and Civilization
GERM 797
Special Studies in German Language and Literature
GERM 798
Special Studies in German Language and Literature
HIST 421
World History to the 16th Century
HIST 422
World History in the Modern Era
HIST 425
Foreign Cultures (area specific; or HIST 425H) 1
HIST 435
Origins of European Society (or HIST 435H)
or HIST 435W
Origins of European Society
HIST 436
Europe and the Modern World (or HIST 436H)
or HIST 436W
Europe and the Modern World
HIST 440D
Honors/Citizens and Persons
HIST 440F
Honors/Islam, Art, and the Past
HIST 444D
Slavery and Society in Pre-Colonial Africa
HIST 444J
Honors/Global Citizenship: In Pursuit of Liberty
HIST 483
History of World Religions
HIST 498
Explorations of Historical Perspectives
HIST 532
Modern Latin America
HIST 537
Espionage and History
HIST 538
Modern European War and Society: The Napoleonic Wars to World War II
HIST 560
Modern Britain
HIST 563
Introduction to Russian Culture and Civilization
HIST #564
Russia and the Soviet Union in World War II
HIST 565
Women in Modern Europe
HIST 566
Comparative Revolutions: How to Make a Revolution in the World before Marx
HIST 575
Ancient Near East
HIST 579
History of China in Modern Times
HIST 580
History of Japan in Modern Times
HIST 585
Medieval Islam
HIST 586
Islam in the Modern Age, 15th Century to present
HIST 587
History of Africa from the Earliest Times to 1870
HIST 588
History of Modern Africa: 1870 to the Present
HIST 595
Explorations
HIST 600
Explorations 1
HIST 609
Special Topics in American Legal History
HIST 619
Foreign Relations of the United States
HIST 620
Foreign Relations of the United States
HIST 632
Latin American History: Topics 1
HIST 633
Medieval England 800-1300
HIST 640
Holy War in the Holy Land: The Medieval Crusades
HIST 641
Europe after the Black Death
HIST 642
Saints, Sinners, and Heretics: Europe in the Age of Religious Reform
HIST #656
Twentieth Century Europe
HIST 662
England in the Tudor and Stuart Periods
HIST #664
Russia: Modernization through Soviet Empire
HIST 675
History of Ancient Greece
HIST 676
Topics in Ancient Greek History
HIST 677
History of Ancient Rome
HIST 678
Topics in Ancient Roman History
HIST 690
Seminar: Historical Expl
HIST 797
Colloquium
HUMA 510A
Ancient Humanities: Cultures and Empires
HUMA 510B
Ancient Humanities: Cultures and Empires
HUMA 510C
Ancient Humanities: Cultures and Empires
HUMA 510D
Ancient Humanities: Cultures and Empires
HUMA 511A
Medieval Humanities: Rise of Global Empires
HUMA 511B
Medieval Humanities: Rise of Global Empires
HUMA 511C
Medieval Humanities: Rise of Global Empires
HUMA 512A
Modern Humanities: Colonies, Constitutions, and Capital
HUMA 512B
Modern Humanities: Colonies, Constitutions, and Capital
HUMA 512C
Modern Humanities: Colonies, Constitutions, and Capital
HUMA 512D
Modern Humanities: Colonies, Constitutions, and Capital
HUMA 513A
Global Humanities
HUMA 513B
Global Humanities
HUMA 513C
Global Humanities
HUMA 513D
Global Humanities
HUMA 700
Seminar
ITAL 425
Introduction to Italian Studies
ITAL 444A
Italians Come to America: Representing Emigration and Immigration on Both Sides of the Atlantic
ITAL 444B
Mamma Mia! Italian Motherhood from the Virgin Mary to Carmela Soprano
ITAL 521
Medieval and Renaissance Italian Culture
ITAL 522
Modern and Contemporary Italian Culture
ITAL 525
Italian Cinema
ITAL 651
Introduction to Italian Culture and Civilization I: Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque
ITAL 652
Introduction to Italian Culture and Civilization II: Age of Enlightenment, Romanticism, Modernism
ITAL 681A
Ancient and Medieval Italy
ITAL 681B
Ancient and Medieval Italy
LING 606
Languages of the World
LLC 535A
Professional Culture in European Union - - Case Study: Germany
LLC 535B
Professional Culture in Latin America - Case Study:Mexico and Brazil
LLC #535C
Professional Culture in Asia -- Case Study: China and Japan
PHIL 520
Introduction to Eastern Philosophy
PHIL #620
20th Century European Philosophy
POLT 403
United States in World Affairs
POLT 544
Of Dictators and Democrats
POLT 545
People and Politics in Asia
POLT 546
Wealth and Politics in Asia
POLT 550
Comparative Government and Society
POLT 552
Contemporary European Politics
POLT 554
Revolution and Protest in Latin America
POLT 556
Politics in China
POLT 559
Comparative Politics of the Middle East
POLT 560
World Politics
POLT 562
Strategy and National Security Policy
POLT 565
United States Policy in Latin America
POLT 569
The Rise of China
POLT #570
Counterterrorism: Nation states' responses to terrorist activity
POLT #588
Selected Topics in Comparative Politics
POLT 592
Selected Topics in International Politics
POLT 740
States and Societies in the Middle East
POLT 748
Food and Wine Politics
POLT 760
Theories of International Relations
POLT 778
International Organization
POLT 797E
Seminar in International Politics
RUSS 521W
Devils, Deities, and Madness in Russian Literature
RUSS 525
Russia: Mythology and Propaganda
or RUSS #525M
Russia:Mythology and Propaganda in Moscow
SOC 444A
Honors/Society in the Arctic
SOC #656
Terrorism
SOC 693
Global Social Change
SPAN 525
Introduction to Spanish Cultures
SPAN 526
Introduction to Latin American Cultures
SPAN 647
Topics in Hispanic Cultural Studies
SPAN 651
Introduction to Spanish Literature and Thought
SPAN #652
Introduction to Spanish Literature and Thought
SPAN 653
Introduction to Latin American Literature and Thought
SPAN 654
Introduction to Latin American Literature and Thought
Science, Environment, Economy, & Health Electives
ANTH 440A
Honors/Medicine and Culture: Science, Technology and the Body
ANTH 610
Medical Anthropology: Illness and Healing
ANTH 685
Gender, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
ANTH 695
Globalization and Global Population Health
BIOL 520
Our Changing Planet
CEE 520
Environmental Pollution and Protection: A Global Context
CHE 410
Energy and Environment
CLAS 540A
Environment, Technology and Ancient Society: Sustaining Ancient Rome Ecology and Empire
CLAS 540B
Environment, Technology and Ancient Society: Roman Houses, Domestic Space and Public Life
CLAS 540C
Environment, Technology and Ancient Society: Tech, Tools and Engineering in the Ancient World
CMN 670
From Silicon Valley to Foxconn: Global Digital Capitalism
CMN 696W
Seminar in Media Studies
ECON 645
International Economics
ECON 655
Innovation in the Global Economy
ECON 668
Economic Development
ECON #746
International Finance
ENGL/LING 606
Languages of the World
EREC 444
The New Pirates of the Caribbean
ESCI 405
Global Environmental Change
GEOG 560
Natural Hazards and Human Disasters
GEOG 581
Society, Environment and Justice
GEOG 582
Global Trade and Local Development
or GEOG #582W
Global Trade and Local Development
GEOG 590
Field Research
GEOG #595
Statistics for Spatial Science
GEOG 670
Climate and Society
GEOG 673
Political Ecology
GEOG 685
Population and Development
GEOG #686
World Economy and Globalization
HIST 522
Science in the Modern World
HIST 654
Topics in History of Science
HMGT 570
International Food and Culture
HMGT/MKTG 756
International Franchising
HMGT 771
International Wine and Beverage
HMP #440A
Honors/Global Public Health Issues
HMP #444A
Global Public Health Issues
HMP 715
Environmental Health
ITAL 635
Italian Food Studies
ITAL 675
Special Topics in Italian Studies
JUST 405
Technology, Crime, and Society: A Forensic Exploration of High-Tech and Digital Crime
LING 779
Linguistic Field Methods
MGT 755
Global Mindset for Sustainable Business
MKTG/HMGT 756
International Franchising
MKTG 760
International Marketing
NR 415
Natural Resources Field Methods
NR 435
Contemporary Conservation Issues and Environmental Awareness
or NR 435H
Honors/Contemporary Conservation Issues and Environmental Awareness
NR 502
Forest Ecosystems and Environmental Change
NR 606
International Energy Topics
NR 720
International Environmental Politics and Policies for the 21st Century
NR 784
Sustainable Living - Global Perspectives
NURS 794
Special Topics
or NURS 794W
Special Topics
PHIL 424
The Future of Humanity: Science, Technology, and Society
or PHIL 424H
Honors/The Future of Humanity: Science, Technology, and Society
POLT #444
Politics and Policy in a Warming World
POLT #561
Introduction to International Political Economy
POLT #563
The Global Information Grid's Disruptive Impact on Government, Politics, and Society
POLT 568
International Security
POLT 592
Selected Topics in International Politics
POLT 751
Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy
POLT 762
International Political Economy
SOC 565
Environment and Society
SOC 665
Environmental Sociology
SW 625
Social Welfare Policy in a Global Context
TOUR 510
Tourism and Global Understanding
1

Check with IA Program Assistant

  • Demonstrate intermediate level proficiency in a foreign language;
  • 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.

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