• International Relations Undergraduate Program

    Welcome to the Undergraduate IR Program!

    We live in an international age. We are more closely connected to other peoples, cultures, and countries than ever before, and global events affect our daily lives in countless ways. Modern communications instantly deliver news from around the world; we consume goods produced through global supply chains; millions of people continue to migrate across national borders and across the globe, to seek economic opportunities or to flee violence and chaos; carbon emissions in one country can affect the climate in many others; ideas and ideals can spread like wildfire. This new and intense level of interconnectedness presents American and global citizens with enormous challenges and opportunities. Environmental degradation, poverty, the spread of disease, and many forms of political violence result from global trends and require global solutions. But globalization also presents us with the opportunity to pursue unrivaled levels of economic empowerment, cultural understanding, and human flourishing – if we can learn how to manage it for the benefit of all.

    The undergraduate major in International Relations helps students develop the analytic, cultural, and linguistic skills needed to understand contemporary international affairs, to function effectively in a global environment, and to prepare for further academic or professional study and international career opportunities. This multidisciplinary program provides students with tools and approaches from social science disciplines – anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and sociology – to explore current issues and to conceptualize global citizenship.

    In addition to our own dedicated faculty and staff, our students learn from a team of more than 60 full time faculty who teach on every manner of international issues and affairs, covering all major world regions. Our students benefit from a variety of additional learning experiences, including: study-abroad opportunities in more than 60 countries  through Syracuse Abroad and a semester-long program in Washington DC; and participation in our award-winning Model United Nations team, as well as many other club and conference opportunities. Most importantly, we offer a rigorous academic program that prepares our students for a variety of careers in international development, human rights, security, diplomacy, advocacy, consulting, and law.

  • "My experience at Maxwell was overwhelmingly positive as it helped inculcate a global perspective grounded on knowledge, tolerance and service. This helped to shape my perspective and subsequent experience as a global investor and entrepreneur."

    Alejandro Laplana

    ~ Alejandro Laplana, '11 BA (PSc/IR)

    Managing Partner
    Nesting Partners LLC


  • News

    D'Amico receives 2018 James Duah-Agyeman Award for Faculty

    In recognition of her "service, dedication, and commitment," Francine D'Amico, teaching professor of international relations, was awarded the 2018 James Duah-Agyeman Award for Faculty from the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Syracuse University.
     

    Yaqi Kang '18 BA (Econ/IR) takes community seriously in the snow city

    While at Syracuse University, Yaqi Kang '18 BA (Econ/IR) embraced her role as an active representative of the Chinese student community. She worked as a mentor at the Slutzker Center for International Services and was a representative on the Internationalization Council. “Every student is a part of the community, and we all have the responsibility to make our community better,” says Kang.
     

    Rubinstein publishes paper on community violence in Syracuse

    "Blood in the Rust Belt: Mourning and Memorialization in the Context of Community Violence," co-authored by Robert Rubinstein, was published in Current Anthropology. The paper is the latest product of the university-community collaboration in Syracuse addressing gun violence, its effects, and interventions to reduce the trauma it causes, and to reduce its incidence.
     
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