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THE
MAJOR
The International
Affairs major is a department within the College
of Arts & Letters.
JMU
Concentrations: Comparative Study, International
Politics
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSINTA.shtml
Description
of Major:
The International Affairs major is an interdisciplinary major offered through the College of Arts and
Letters. It is a liberal arts program that draws upon course offerings from academic departments
throughout the university. International Affairs provides an interdisciplinary understanding of
foreign cultures and societies, the dynamics of world politics, and how other nations perceive the
world and why they act the way they do. Students must choose a foreign language and develop
a competency in this area. Individuals majoring in International Affairs may also incorporate a
minor in African/African American, Asian, Latin American or Russian Studies. Complimenting this
major with a minor in a Modern Foreign Language is strongly encouraged. International Affairs is a
Bachelor of Arts degree program.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
The field of International Affairs is a broad discipline; it does not steer individuals toward one particular career but instead exposes them to different cultures and societies. The new global community is in need of new professionals who have an international outlook. Due to the flexibility of the field individuals may pursue various career paths. Usually students in this field will study areas such as history, political science, economics and foreign languages to learn about other countries and the international community. Most people concentrate on one geographical region for more in depth study.
Tell
me more about specializations in this field.
Once knowledge about the global community is attained, skills can be used to pursue many international arenas. Many individuals are interested in such areas as government, international organization, the non-governmental or non-profit sector, education, law, journalism, business, or further work in graduate school. A traditional path for those interested in working for the government has been to turn to the U.S. Foreign Service. Many professional opportunities exist within the State Department, the Commerce Department, and other federal agencies engaging in the nation's foreign policy. Many other exciting government job opportunities relating to international affairs are emerging at the state and even local levels. Those interested in working for an international organization find career opportunities existing with international governmental organizations (e.g., the United Nations) and related agencies focusing on a wide range of global issues, such as third world development, education, the global environment, food and population, public health, science and technology, and arms control, amongst others. Non-governmental organizations such as the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, is one of over 15,000 organizations which have formed throughout the world which focus on environmental issues alone. There has been a similar explosion in recent years of non-profit and private organizations focusing on other global issues such as world hunger, human rights, third world development, international women's rights, and so on. Many new and meaningful job opportunities are opening up in these organizations, which bring individuals--not just governments--together in unprecedented ways and involve them in international relations. Business is another popular field pursued due to international trade, finance and banking, and international consulting. Opportunities in education exist in primary and secondary schools, as well as, at the college level. Opportunities for people trained in international relations also exist in school administration, curriculum development, and international education (study abroad) programs. Those interested in law may find legal positions in international agencies or with certain nonprofit organizations focusing on human rights or other global issues. In communications, the best journalists today were trained not so much in writing as in the subjects about which they write. The New York Times now rates the qualifications of potential foreign correspondent in the following order: (1) journalistic experience; (2) foreign language ability; and (3) familiarity with international affairs. Many journalists find excellent opportunities for covering international affairs for less renowned newspapers and broadcast media across the country.
International Relations and Global Affairs , Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
International Affairs majors commonly major or minor in a Modern Foreign Language. Some other combinations might include: African/African American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Communication Studies, Conflict Analysis and Intervention, Criminal Justice, Economics, Environmental Studies, History, Latin American Studies, Political Communication, Religion, Russian Studies, or Sociology.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Communication skills, especially interpersonal, are extremely important. Ability to learn another language and adapt to other cultures is also very important. International travel and exposure to different cultures is essential in this competitive field.
CAREERS
Many graduates choose typical career paths associated with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated careers that utilize skills and experiences developed during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some fields will require graduate study or further training. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
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