Overview

The B.A. in Political Science & International Affairs prepares students for a variety of professions, including diplomacy, international business, international organizations, journalism, and politics, among others, through a rigorous program that emphasizes theory, methodology and practice. Individual PS-IA graduates also pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in Lebanon, Europe, and North America.

Mission

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & International Affairs trains students in comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, as well as the methodology of political analysis. The program aims to develop future leaders who recognize and value diversity in a variety of professional settings and prepares students for graduate study.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the B.A. in Political Science & International Affairs is to:

1. attain knowledge of facts, theories, and concepts in political science and international affairs at the local, national and international levels,
2. develop awareness of the diversity of perspectives and life experiences that structure the global political, social, and economic environment,
3. integrate the cultural, social, legal, and ethical issues inherent in the description and analysis of politics and international affairs, and
4. apply team work and interpersonal skills effectively.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.A. in Political Science & International Affairs, students should be able to:

1. describe the basic facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to political science and international affairs,
2. analyze the interrelationship among the historical, political, economic, cultural, and geographic dimensions in political science and international affairs,
3. apply academic theories and concepts of international relations and relate them to contemporary global issues,
4. generate research questions and statements pertaining to political science and/or international affairs orally and in writing,
5. apply research skills to the design of research, description, analysis, interpretation and explanation of aspects of political science and international affairs in written and oral forms,
6. solve problems related to political science and international affairs in a cooperative manner,
7. demonstrate ability to analyze complex ethical issues, and
8. conduct themselves ethically in professional and academic environments.

Curriculum

A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

• Major Courses (39 credits)
• Areas and Issue Tracks (18 credits)
• LAS Core (6 credits)
• LAS Electives (21 credits)
• Computer Skills (1 credit)
• Free Electives (7 credits)

A senior study project is required for all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Major Courses (39 credits)

• ECO201 Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECO202 Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• POL201 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.)
• POL203 Government & Politics of Lebanon (3 cr.)
• POL210 Introduction to Political Thought (3 cr.)
• POL240 Concepts of World Politics (3 cr.)
• POL222 Comparative Political Systems (3 cr.)
• POL314 Research Methodology (3 cr.)
• POL312 Politics of Developing Areas (3 cr.)
• POL322 Foreign Policy of the Major Powers (3 cr.)
• POL331 International Organization (3 cr.)
• POL332 Public International Law (3 cr.)
• POL499 Senior Study (3 cr.)

Issue Track (9 credits)

The three courses may be chosen from one or both emphasis groups listed below:

Globalization

• ECO311 Economic Development (3 cr.)
• POL335 Politics of Multiculturalism (3 cr.)
• POL346 International Political Economy (3 cr.)
• POL357 Globalization & Political Change (3 cr.)
• POL437 Topics in Political Science/International Affairs (3 cr.)
• POL488 Internship (3 cr.)

Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution

• POL252 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution (3 cr.)
• POL415 Negotiation and Bargaining (3 cr.)
• POL432 Diplomatic & Consular Service (3 cr.)
• POL437 Topics in Political Science/International Affairs (3 cr.)
• POL448 Internship (3 cr.)1

1 Internship can only be taken once for credit.

Area Studies (9 credits)

• HST240 History of the Arab Peoples (3 cr.)
• HST241 History of Islam in the Middle East (3 cr.)
• HST304 Modern Europe (3 cr.)
• HST305 Contemporary Europe (3 cr.)
• HST334 History of North America (3 cr.)
• POL321 American Government and Politics (3 cr.)
• POL323 Middle East Government and Politics (3 cr.)
• POL368 Political Parties & Elections in America (3 cr.)
• POL437 Topics in Political Science/International Affairs (3 cr.)
• POL422 The Middle East in World Affairs (3 cr.)
• POL426 Politics of the European Union (3 cr.)
• SOC321 Sociology of the Arab World (3 cr.)
• SWO313 Women in the Arab World (3 cr.)

LAS Core Courses (6 credits)

• ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
• COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)

LAS Electives (21 credits)

• Arts and Humanities (12-15 credits)
• Natural Sciences (3-6 credits)
• Social Sciences (3 credits)

Computer Skills (1 credit)

• CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)

Free Electives (7 credits)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (15 credits)

• POL201 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.)
• ECO201 Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• LAS (3 cr.)
• Free Elective (3 cr.)
• ENG Course (3 cr.)

Spring (18 credits)

• POL210 Introduction to Political Thought (3 cr.)
• POL222 Comparative Political Systems (3 cr.)
• ECO202 Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• ENG Course (3 cr.)
• LAS (3 cr.)
• LAS (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (18 credits)

• POL203 Government & Politics of Lebanon (3 cr.)
• POL240 Concepts of World Politics (3 cr.)
• POL331 International Organization (3 cr.)
• LAS (3 cr.)
• LAS (3 cr.)
• Free Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (14 credits)

• POL312 Politics of the Developing Areas (3 cr.)
• POL322 Foreign Policy of Major Powers (3 cr.)
• POL Issue Track (3 cr.)
• POL Area Track (3 cr.)
• CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)
• Free Elective (1 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (18 credits)

• POL314 Research Methodology (3 cr.)
• POL Issue Track (3 cr.)
• POL Area Track (3 cr.)
• LAS (3 cr.)
• LAS (3 cr.)
• LAS (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

• POL332 Public International Law (3 cr.)
• POL499 Senior Study (3 cr.)
• POL Issue Track (3 cr.)
• POL Area Track (3 cr.)
• LAS (3 cr.)

Extracurricular Activities

The program encourages students to get involved in a large variety of extracurricular activities. LAU sends 16 Political Science (PS) and Political Science and International Affairs (PS-IA) students to the Harvard World Model United Nations simulation held each year in a different country. Students learn and practice political and diplomatic skills that are valuable in their future careers.

Many PS-IA students have the opportunity to participate as organizers and trainers in LAU’s Global Classrooms-Model United Nations which trains around 1300 local and regional high school students in diplomacy.

Furthermore, PS-IA majors have the opportunity to participate in conferences, workshops, simulations and lectures organized by the school, department and affiliated institutes and centers, especially the Institute for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution and the Institute for Migration Studies.

PS-IA majors also have the opportunity to do a semester abroad at Sciences-Po (France).