International Affairs

Faculty
Description
Major Requirements
Areas of Concentration
Minor Requirements
Program Policies
Course Descriptions

Faculty

Susan Farnsworth, Professor of History (Program Chair)
Robert Maguire, Associate Professor of International Affairs
Members of the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Professional Studies collaborate in the International Affairs Program.

Description

Trinity's undergraduate program in International Affairs offers an interdisciplinary major and minor to undergraduate students. Students enrolled in the International Affairs program gain knowledge and analytical skills that will enable them to respond to urgent, worldwide needs for informed citizen awareness and active citizen involvement in global affairs. 

The program in International Affairs involves faculty from such disciplines as business, communication, economics, geography, history, political science, and sociology, all of whom have strong interest and involvement in international issues. The major and minor combine work in the classroom with an approach that moves beyond the traditional curriculum and classroom to make optimal use of the University's location in one of the world's leading international cities. 

Concrete knowledge of international topics, with particular emphasis on their economic, geographic, historical, political, and sociological components, is essential to fostering students' effective global awareness and involvement. In this regard, Trinity's undergraduate program in International Affairs seeks to instill within each student the following learning outcomes:

• An understanding of the nature of international affairs, fostering, where possible, an emphasis on the relationship between international issues and issues of gender;
• Acquisition of knowledge and methods required for critical assessment of global events, processes, trends and issues;
• An understanding of the interrelationship of disciplines and the interdisciplinary approach;
• Acquisition of competency in one of five areas of concentration within the major;
• Acquisition of an intermediate written and oral competency in a second language;
• An ability to collect, compile, analyze, and corroborate factual data through effective independent research and organization of research findings;
• An ability to communicate effectively in written and oral presentations;
• An opportunity to exercise leadership and collaborative skills in and beyond the classroom;
• The orientation of student learning toward career options and/or the pursuit of graduate or professional study upon completion of the program.

Students seeking an undergraduate degree in International Affairs are required to complete 27 core credits along with 18 credits in one of five interdisciplinary areas of concentration. The areas of concentration are: Area and Cultural Studies, International Relations, International Business and Economics, Conflict Management and Diplomacy, and Global Migration - Immigrant Communities. International Affairs majors are also required to attain the equivalent of a minimum proficiency level of four college semesters in a second language.

Students are strongly encouraged to elect internationally oriented courses offered as part of the general education curriculum and to take advantage of courses scheduled on a cyclical basis by academic programs participating in the major. All international affairs majors are strongly encouraged to elect a three-credit internship and to consider study abroad opportunities.

The major in International Affairs is offered to students in the College of Arts and Sciences.  An 18 credit minor in International Affairs is also offered.

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Major Requirements

Required Courses (27 credits)

ONE introductory course in international affairs:

INAF 201 Introduction to International Affairs

TWO political science courses:

POLS 231 Introduction to Comparative Politics
POLS 241 Introduction to International Relations

ONE economics course selected from:

ECON 253 Issues in Economic Development
ECON 351 International Trade
ECON 353 International Finance

TWO contemporary history courses selected from:

HIS 255 Contemporary History of the Third World
HIS 342 United States History from 1945 to 1988
HIS 358 The Modern Middle East
HIS 360 Ethics and Power
HIS 369 Vietnam in World History
HIS 485 Age of Dictators in Europe

ONE sociology course selected from:

SOCY 103 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
SOCY 131 Global Social Issues
SOCY 231 Introduction to International Migration

ONE geography course selected from:

INAF 251 Geography of the Americas and Europe
INAF 252 Geography of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific

ONE Senior Seminar:

INAF 499 Senior Seminar in International Affairs

Students who plan to major in international affairs are strongly recommended to take INAF 201 as early as possible in their undergraduate careers.

Required Language Courses (12 credits or equivalent)

Students must demonstrate a minimum proficiency level of four college semesters in a second language. This proficiency may be demonstrated through course work, approved language tests, or other means approved by the program chair.

Co-Requisites

Students planning to major in international affairs should take ECON 101 as a part of their general education requirements; it is a prerequisite for any economics course chosen to fulfill the INAF major economics requirement.

Area of Concentration (18 credits)

Majors must complete one of the areas of concentration listed below. Courses counted toward an area of concentration must constitute 18 credits in addition to those counted toward the required courses for the major; no course may be counted toward the fulfillment of both required major courses and an area of concentration. 

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Areas of Concentration

I.  Area and Cultural Studies
II.  International Relations
III.  International Business and Economics
IV.  Conflict Management and Diplomacy
V.  Global Migration and Immigrant Communities

I. Area and Cultural Studies
In the Area Studies concentration, students select a combination of courses within which they can develop their knowledge of a specific global region.  These courses may be directly focused on a global region or provide the opportunity through course assignments for a student to focus her attention on her region of interest.  International Affairs majors have pursued Area and Cultural Studies concentrations that explore the contemporary experiences of Latin America and the Caribbean, The Middle East, The Developing World, and Africa.

II. International Relations

The International Relations concentration combines the complementary methodological and interpretative perspectives of the social sciences in the analysis of current international issues. Students in the area of concentration distribute their courses to include two approved courses in economics, two approved courses in political science, and two approved courses from another discipline or disciplines; students are strongly encouraged to include INAF 491, Internship in International Affairs.  

III. International Business and Economics

The International Business and Economics concentration develops a basic understanding of current issues and trends in economic globalization, drawing from principles of economics as well as fundamental business concepts that govern international commercial and financial transactions.  The required courses for this concentration are listed below;  several require the completion of ECON 102 Introduction to Macroeconomics as a prerequisite.

BADM 211 Business Mathematics
BADM 307 International Business
BADM 328 Business, Government, and the World Economy
ECON 351 International Trade
ECON 353 International Finance

Students also select one additional approved course and are strongly encouraged to include INAF 491, Internship in International Affairs.

IV. Conflict Management and Diplomacy

The Conflict Management and Diplomacy concentration examines the theories and techniques that have been developed to understand international conflicts and to promote their resolution. All students in this area of concentration are required to take POLS 443: Seminar on Conflict Theory and Management. The remaining 15 credits can be distributed in various patterns, including at least three disciplines chosen with the advice of the program chair and faculty; INAF 491: Internship in International Affairs is strongly recommended. 

Students electing this concentration may choose to enroll in regionally-oriented courses offered by the Economics, History, International Affairs, and Political Science programs; they also are encouraged to participate in the activities of the Capital Area Association of Peace Studies. 

V. Global Migration and Immigrant Communities

The Global Migration and Immigrant Communities concentration examines global migration and immigrant communities with particular emphasis on current trends related to women and children; human smuggling and trafficking; immigrant identity; transnational relationships between emigrant and immigrant communities. Students selecting this concentration area are required to take SOCY 231 Introduction to International Migration either as an INAF core requirement or as an elective course. Students are also required to enroll in at least three of the courses identified below and to select one or two additional approved courses related to the area of concentration topic, including INAF 491 Internship in International Affairs.

INAF 300 The Feminization of International Migration
INAF 372 International Migration and Human Trafficking Hot Spots
INAF 373 Transnational Immigrant Communities
INAF 471 International Criminal Networks and Human Trafficking
INAF 481 United States Human Trafficking Law

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Minor Requirements

Required Courses (18 credits)

ONE introductory course in international affairs:

INAF 201 Introduction to International Affairs

TWO political science courses:

POLS 231 Introduction to Comparative Politics
POLS 241 Introduction to International Relations

ONE economics course selected from:

ECON 253 Issues in Economic Development
ECON 351 International Trade
ECON 353 International Finance

ONE history course selected from:

HIS 255 Contemporary History of the Third World
HIS 342 Contemporary History of the United States
HIS 358 The Modern Middle East
HIS 360 Ethics and Power
HIS 369 Vietnam in World History
HIS 485 Age of Dictators in Europe

ONE geography course selected from:

INAF 251 Geography of the Americas and Europe
INAF 252 Geography of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific

Students choosing to minor in international affairs are urged to plan their program with the advice of the Program Chair.

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Program Policies

Advanced Placement Policy:
As an interdisciplinary program, the International Affairs Program follows the policies of its disciplinary components on issues applicable to this major. Please refer to the statements of the appropriate program for policies on credits earned through advanced placement examinations.

CLEP Policy:
The International Affairs Program follows the program policies of its component disciplines for credits earned through CLEP examinations.

Grades in Major Courses:
Students are required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in the courses required in the major for graduation.

Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling the major requirement may not be taken pass/no pass.

Senior Assessment:
All majors in their senior year must complete an independent research paper examining an issue in contemporary international affairs under the direction of the Program Chair.  Seniors present and assess their research findings in an oral discussion with the Program Chair and a second member of the international affairs faculty. 

TELL Policy:
The International Affairs Program follows the program policies of its component disciplines for TELL credits applicable towards the major.

Transfer Credits:
Because it is an interdisciplinary program, the International Affairs Program follows the transfer policies of the contributing disciplines in determining the applicability of transfer credit to the requirements of the major. At least 12 credits in the major must be taken at Trinity, including INAF 499 Senior Seminar in International Affairs.

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Course Descriptions

INAF 251 Geography of the Americas and Europe
Introduces the physical and human geography of the world's regions with emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, Europe and Russia. Particular attention is given to geographical interdependencies and a region's economic, political, and cultural development. Formerly INS 386 World Geography I.
3 credits

INAF 252 Geography of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific
Introduces the physical and human geography of the world's regions with an emphasis on Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific realm. Particular attention is given to geographical interdependencies and a region's economic, political, and cultural development. Formerly INS 388 World Geography II.
3 credits

INAF 300 The Feminization of International Migration
Explores the significant effect of globalization on the migration phenomenon since the end of the Cold War, with particular emphasis on trends as they affect women. Topics include trafficking of women vs. migrant smuggling, the impact of migrant remittances on family structure, the vulnerability of refugee women and children, and government responses to these shifts in migration trends.
3 credits

INAF 311 Current Issues in the Americas
Examines contemporary political, economic, environmental and social issues that concern governments and citizens in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. Focuses on strengthening and promotion of democracy, human rights, gender equality, combating illegal drugs, the environment and sustainable development, international trade, and hemispheric security. This course is a prerequisite for students planning to participate in INAF 411 Model Assembly of the Organization of American States. Formerly INS 301 The Western Hemisphere: Contemporary Multilateral Issues.
3 credits

INAF 321 Current Issues in Africa
Examines contemporary political, economic, environmental and social issues that concern governments and citizens in the African continent. Focuses on issues of democracy, governance and human rights, international cooperation, economic development, and social issues including HIV/AIDS. This course is a prerequisite for students planning to participate in the Model Assembly of the African Union. Formerly INS 351 Africa: Contemporary Multilateral Issues.
3 credits

INAF 363 U.S. Intelligence and World Affairs
Explores the structure and function of diverse intelligence agencies of the United States government, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the National Security Agency (NSA), in respect to current world affairs.
3 credits

INAF 371 International Terrorism
Examines international terrorism in the context of the larger international system. Students study the roots of terrorism and its contemporary organization and expression in order to answer the questions, "what is terrorism, who are the terrorists, and why have they chosen terrorist strategies to achieve their goals?" The course also examines terrorism and the behavior of terrorists in the context of contemporary international power relations. Formerly INS 302 International Terrorism.
3 credits
FLC Seminar II

INAF 372 International Migration and Human Trafficking Hot Spots
Identifies regions and countries that are key source areas for migration and human trafficking. Examines demographic characteristics as well as conditions that stimulate migration. Emphasis is placed on geographic, historic, economic and cultural characteristics as they influence migration trends and decisions, and the scale of emigration, using case studies from Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Americas.
3 credits

INAF 373 Transnational Immigrant Communities
Examines the historical rise, current conditions and future prospects of cross-border, or transnational, communities, especially in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Devoting attention to public policies and challenges governments confront in managing transnational communities, the course surveys economic relationships that fuel international migration, examines social experiences of the migrants and explores interactions between newcomers and long-settled, domestic minority groups.
3 credits

INAF 381 Contemporary Topics in International Affairs
Examines special topics in international affairs. Topics change each semester. Formerly INS 385 Contemporary Topics in International Studies.
3 credits
FLC Seminar II

INAF 382  Oil and International Affairs
Examines diverse issues related to oil and international affairs, including historical, geographical, and geopolitical trends. Explores US policy developments and US demands for fossil fuel as linked to global supplies. Case studies illustrate evolving demand/supply issues. Surveys options and alternatives to meeting energy needs.
3 credits

INAF 382 Poverty and Humanitarianism
Examines contemporary issues of poverty and humanitarianism worldwide. Focuses on factors underlying poverty and strategies for addressing them, including the Millennium Development Goals. Explores humanitarian actors and actions as related to poverty and human suffering. Particular attention is given to case studies that illustrate global poverty and humanitarian issues.
3 credits

INAF 411 Model Assembly of the Organization of American States
Prepares students for participation in the Organization of American States Model Assembly, a simulation of the proceedings and deliberations of the actual OAS General Assembly. Students learn about the structure and function of the OAS and about diplomatic rules of procedure, while also practicing research, writing and debating skills required for participation in the model assembly. Formerly INS 405 Model Assembly of the Organization of American States.
3 credits
FLC Seminar II
Prerequisite: INAF 311

INAF 421 Model Assembly of the African Union
Prepares students for participation in the Model Assembly of the African Union, a simulation of the proceedings and deliberations of the actual AU General Assembly. Students learn about the structure and function of the AU and about diplomatic rules of procedure, while also practicing research, writing and debating skills required for participation in the model assembly. Formerly INS 406 Model Assembly of the African Union.
3 credits
Prerequisite: INAF 321

INAF 471 International Criminal Networks and Human Trafficking
Examines criminal networks involved in transnational trafficking in persons and analyzes frameworks and issues in implementation of counter-trafficking strategies. Emphasis is placed on understanding criminal network operations. Through scenarios and case studies, practical skills in counter-trafficking strategic planning are developed. Case studies examine tranasnational networks active in the United States, including the Washington, DC region.
3 credits

INAF 481 United States Human Trafficking Law
Examines trends in international trafficking as they relate to the United States. Emphasis is placed on legislation passed by the U.S. Congress and challenges confronting national and local government entities mandated to implement prevention, protection, and prosecution components of the legislation. Attention is also given to the role played by non-governmental organizations in combating the effects of trafficking in the U.S.
3 credits

INAF 491 Internship in International Affairs
Provides students with the opportunity to pursue an internship in the field of international affairs under the direction of a faculty member. Formerly INS 384 Internship in International Studies.
3 credits
Prerequisites: INAF 201, junior or senior standing, and permission of instructor

INAF 498 Independent Study
Allows students to construct an individualized course of study under the direction of a faculty member, Formerly INS 399 Independent Study.
3 credits
Prerequisites: INAF 201, junior or senior standing, and permission of instructor

INAF 499 Senior Seminar in International Affairs
Explores contemporary global issues through a wide range of sources and disciplinary perspectives. Topics include changing patterns in international relations, trends in the international economy, environmental and social justice concerns, and regional prospects. Formerly INS 481 Senior Seminar: International Studies.
3 credits
Prerequisites: INAF 201 and senior standing

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