BA in Political Science/International Affairs
The BA in Political Science/International Affairs Program is designed to equip you with knowledge of the historical and contemporary dimensions of the international system, and to introduce you to foreign affairs, global issues, and the methodologies employed in historical, political and economic analysis. It allows you to explore the enduring questions of the origins of war and the maintenance of peace, the nature and exercise of power within an international system, and the changing roles of state and non-state actors who participate in international decision making in the global environment.
Your career path
Upon graduation you have the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of paths. You can apply for post-graduate programs in international affairs or you can seek further complementary education - by attending a law school, master’s of business or public administration programs, teacher training, or journalism and broadcasting schools - in preparation for careers in the private or public sector.
You can also directly pursue careers in the private sector, in fields such as international business, business management, and consultancy. You can apply to positions in the many branches of the public service, including civil and diplomatic services and local government, national and international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the United Nations.
Curriculum (new students enrolling in Fall 2018)
A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:
- Major courses: 39 credits
- Areas and Issue tracks: 18 credits
- LAC Core: 6 credits
- LAC Electives: 21 credits (Arts and Humanities: min 12 to max 15 credits; Natural Science: min 3 to max 6 credits; Social Sciences: 3 credits)
- CSC 201 Computer application: 1 credit
- Free Electives: 7 credits
See the Liberal Arts Curriculum page for details.
Major core requirements (39 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| ECO201 | Micro Economics | 3 |
| ECO202 | Macro Economics | 3 |
| POL201 | Introd. to Polit. Science | 3 |
| POL203 | Gov’t & Politics of Lebanon | 3 |
| POL210 | Introduction to Political Thought | 3 |
| POL222 | Comparative Political Systems | 3 |
| POL240 | Concepts of World Politics | 3 |
| POL312 | Politics of the Developing Areas | 3 |
| POL314 | Research Methodology | 3 |
| POL322 | Foreign Policy of the Major Powers | 3 |
| POL331 | International Organization | 3 |
| POL332 | Public International Law | 3 |
| POL499 | Senior Study-Political Science | 3 |
Issue Track requirements (9 credits)
Choose either 9 credits in one of the following issue tracks or take a total of 9 credits from this section
A. Globalization
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| ECO311 | Economic Development | 3 |
| POL335 | Politics of Multiculturalism | 3 |
| POL346 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| POL357 | Globalization and Political Change | 3 |
| POL437 | Topics in Political Science - International Affairs | 3 |
| POL448 | Internship | 3 |
OR
B. Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| POL252 | Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| POL415 | Negotiation and Bargaining | 3 |
| POL432 | Diplomatic and Consular Service | 3 |
| POL437 | Topics in Political Science - International Affairs | 3 |
| POL448 | Internship | 3 |
Area Study Requirements (9 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| HST240 | History of the Arab Peoples | 3 |
| HST241 | History of Islam in the M.E. | 3 |
| HST304 | Modern Europe | 3 |
| HST305 | Contemporary Europe | 3 |
| HST334 | History of North America | 3 |
| POL321 | American Gov’t & Politics | 3 |
| POL323 | M.E. Government and Politics | 3 |
| POL368 | Political Parties & Election in America | 3 |
| POL422 | The M.E. in the World Affairs | 3 |
| POL426 | Politics of the European Union | 3 |
| POL437 | Topics in Political Science-International Affairs | 3 |
| SOC321 | Sociology of the Arab World | 3 |
| WOS313 | Women in the Arab World | 3 |
Curriculum (students enrolled before Fall 2018)
A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:
- Major courses: 39 credits
- Major issue tracks: 9 credits
- Major area study: 9 credits
- Free Electives: 10 credits
- Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements: 25 credits
See the Liberal Arts Curriculum page for details.
See suggested three-year study plan.
Major core requirements (39 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| ECO201 | Micro Economics | 3 |
| ECO202 | Macro Economics | 3 |
| POL201 | Introd. to Polit. Science | 3 |
| POL203 | Gov’t & Politics of Lebanon | 3 |
| POL210 | Introduction to Political Thought | 3 |
| POL222 | Comparative Political Systems | 3 |
| POL240 | Concepts of World Politics | 3 |
| POL312 | Politics of the Developing Areas | 3 |
| POL314 | Research Methodology | 3 |
| POL322 | Foreign Policy of the Major Powers | 3 |
| POL331 | International Organization | 3 |
| POL332 | Public International Law | 3 |
| POL499 | Senior Study-Political Science | 3 |
Issue Track requirements (9 credits)
Choose either 9 credits in one of the following issue tracks or take a total of 9 credits from this section
A. Globalization
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| ECO311 | Economic Development | 3 |
| POL335 | Politics of Multiculturalism | 3 |
| POL346 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| POL357 | Globalization and Political Change | 3 |
| POL437 | Topics in Political Science - International Affairs | 3 |
| POL448 | Internship | 3 |
OR
B. Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| POL252 | Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| POL415 | Negotiation and Bargaining | 3 |
| POL432 | Diplomatic and Consular Service | 3 |
| POL437 | Topics in Political Science - International Affairs | 3 |
| POL448 | Internship | 3 |
Area Study Requirements (9 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| HST240 | History of the Arab Peoples | 3 |
| HST241 | History of Islam in the M.E. | 3 |
| HST304 | Modern Europe | 3 |
| HST305 | Contemporary Europe | 3 |
| HST334 | History of North America | 3 |
| POL321 | American Gov’t & Politics | 3 |
| POL323 | M.E. Government and Politics | 3 |
| POL368 | Political Parties & Election in America | 3 |
| POL422 | The M.E. in the World Affairs | 3 |
| POL426 | Politics of the European Union | 3 |
| POL437 | Topics in Political Science-International Affairs | 3 |
| SOC321 | Sociology of the Arab World | 3 |
| WOS313 | Women in the Arab World | 3 |
Duration
This program requires 92 credits, which can be completed in three years by those entering as sophomores.
Location
This program is offered in Beirut and Byblos.
