About
If you want to be globally aware, debate pressing issues such as war, disease, diplomacy, poverty, human rights and trade, and prepare yourself for a career overseas or with any number of government or international organizations, then international relations may be the major for you. Majoring in international relations will position you competitively for work in the foreign service, non-governmental and international advocacy organizations, and environmental and humanitarian agencies. Our program will teach you to grapple successfully with complex global issues and international challenges in an increasingly interdependent world, training you for responsible global citizenship and international engagement.
Faculty
Sociology/Anthropology
Krista Billingsley
Director of Criminology and Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Criminology
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Digital Media and Communications
Kimberly Sultze
Professor of Digital Media and Communications
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Political Science and International Relations
Patricia Siplon
Professor of Political Science, Director of Public Health
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Sociology/Anthropology
Adrie Kusserow
Department Chair, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
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Education
Benjamin White
Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, Director of MATESOL Program
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Political Science and International Relations
Jeffrey Ayres
Chair and Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Director of the Center for Global Engagement
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Classical and Modern Languages and Literature
Peter Vantine
Director, First-Year Seminar Program; Chair and Associate Professor of Classical and Modern Languages and Literature: French
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Environmental Studies and Science
Laura Stroup
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Science
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Political Science and International Relations
Shefali Misra
Associate Professor of Political Science
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Philosophy and Ethics
Katherine Kirby, PhD
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of Global Studies
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In-Depth
The international relations major at Saint Michael’s is built on small classes, extensive student-faculty interaction, and close mentoring and guidance by faculty who are leading scholars in their field. The program includes learning and co-curricular opportunities specifically designed to enhance the international content of your education, including semester and short-term study abroad, international internships, service learning and civic engagement projects, and leadership in student clubs and service organizations devoted to international citizenship.
The international relations major has six components:
- Three core courses – Introduction to International Relations, Introduction to Comparative Politics, and either Introduction to American Government or European Political Thought
- Four international relations electives in political science, including American Foreign Policy or Politics of the World Economy
- Four breadth or area courses drawn from anthropology, business, economics, geography, history, humanities, religious studies, or sociology
- Two research or integrative courses – Research Methods and Senior Seminar
- Four semesters of a foreign language
- An international relations experiential learning practicum
Special Opportunities
International relations majors must complete and international-themed practicum: a semester or summer abroad or a faculty-led study away experience, a summer international academic internship such as those funded by the Freeman Foundation as part of the campus Global Citizenship International Internship program, an internship at a globally-themed agency such as the Vermont Council on World Affairs or the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, or an alternative experiential learning activity such as a MOVE international service trip.”
Study Abroad
International relations majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad either for a full semester or a short term study trip. Recent short-term study trips led by political science faculty have included the annual Parliamentary field trips to Ottawa, Canada; a summer academic study tour to Navdanya’s Farm, an organic training center in the city of Dehradun, India; an environmental policy and sustainability study away experience in Wales, United Kingdom; and multiple service trips to the Ilula Orphan Center in Tanzania.
Students may also apply for a fellowship supported by the Freeman Foundation to support an international academic internship during the summer.
Internships
Academic internships allow students to earn academic credit and gain essential vocational and career experiences each semester in non-profit organizations and government agencies. Local organizations supporting international relations internships include the Vermont Council on World Affairs and Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program.
Student-Faculty Research
Saint Michael’s encourages students to pursue independent research and there are many opportunities for close student-faculty research collaboration and mentoring.
Campus Leadership and Activism
Student clubs that have been led by political science and international relations majors include: Model United Nations, UNA-USA, and SLAM.
Careers
You will find Saint Michael’s alumni working at the State Department as a foreign service officer (Michelle Kayser, ’08), the Peace Corps in Guatemala (Alyssa Malone, ’12), international fair trade advocacy (Andrew Driscoll, ’09), as well as in the U.S. Senate (Senator Patrick Leahy, ’61).
Careers for international relations graduates include:
U.S. State Department Foreign Service
International aid agencies
Non-governmental organizations
United Nations
Research and think tanks
International business, education and journalism
In-Depth
The international relations major at Saint Michael’s is built on small classes, extensive student-faculty interaction, and close mentoring and guidance by faculty who are leading scholars in their field. The program includes learning and co-curricular opportunities specifically designed to enhance the international content of your education, including semester and short-term study abroad, international internships, service learning and civic engagement projects, and leadership in student clubs and service organizations devoted to international citizenship.
The international relations major has six components:
- Three core courses – Introduction to International Relations, Introduction to Comparative Politics, and either Introduction to American Government or European Political Thought
- Four international relations electives in political science, including American Foreign Policy or Politics of the World Economy
- Four breadth or area courses drawn from anthropology, business, economics, geography, history, humanities, religious studies, or sociology
- Two research or integrative courses – Research Methods and Senior Seminar
- Four semesters of a foreign language
- An international relations experiential learning practicum
Special Opportunities
International relations majors must complete and international-themed practicum: a semester or summer abroad or a faculty-led study away experience, a summer international academic internship such as those funded by the Freeman Foundation as part of the campus Global Citizenship International Internship program, an internship at a globally-themed agency such as the Vermont Council on World Affairs or the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, or an alternative experiential learning activity such as a MOVE international service trip.”
Study Abroad
International relations majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad either for a full semester or a short term study trip. Recent short-term study trips led by political science faculty have included the annual Parliamentary field trips to Ottawa, Canada; a summer academic study tour to Navdanya’s Farm, an organic training center in the city of Dehradun, India; an environmental policy and sustainability study away experience in Wales, United Kingdom; and multiple service trips to the Ilula Orphan Center in Tanzania.
Students may also apply for a fellowship supported by the Freeman Foundation to support an international academic internship during the summer.
Internships
Academic internships allow students to earn academic credit and gain essential vocational and career experiences each semester in non-profit organizations and government agencies. Local organizations supporting international relations internships include the Vermont Council on World Affairs and Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program.
Student-Faculty Research
Saint Michael’s encourages students to pursue independent research and there are many opportunities for close student-faculty research collaboration and mentoring.
Campus Leadership and Activism
Student clubs that have been led by political science and international relations majors include: Model United Nations, UNA-USA, and SLAM.
Careers
You will find Saint Michael’s alumni working at the State Department as a foreign service officer (Michelle Kayser, ’08), the Peace Corps in Guatemala (Alyssa Malone, ’12), international fair trade advocacy (Andrew Driscoll, ’09), as well as in the U.S. Senate (Senator Patrick Leahy, ’61).
Careers for international relations graduates include:
U.S. State Department Foreign Service
International aid agencies
Non-governmental organizations
United Nations
Research and think tanks
International business, education and journalism
