International Relations

International Relations provides students with the tools and knowledge necessary to understand and navigate the interconnectivity of the modern world. Students studying International Relations will be challenged to broaden their perspectives and their understanding of the forces shaping global politics, while examining the causes and solutions to conflicts between states, as well as other forces that transcend borders to link or divide global communities.  

 

International Relations at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½

Our program draws on scholarly expertise from across the university to offer students a variety of views and perspectives on what constitutes International Relations. While the program is housed within the Political Science department, students are encouraged to take courses in areas like History, Economics, Criminology, and Sociology. This cross-disciplinary approach provides students with a breadth of knowledge and allows them to analyze and understand International Relations through different lenses.

 

Dr. Shaun Narine teaching in a classroom

 

“Our program draws together the expertise of faculty across campus in a way that gives students a wide-ranging educational experience and a broad set of perspectives on important issues and regions of the world.”  

Dr. Shaun Narine, Coordinator of International Relations at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ 

 

What sets º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½’s International Relations Program Apart? 

  • Students are encouraged to participate in travel-study and international exchange opportunities at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½. Current partnerships are offered in: Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, Turkey, Sweden, Malta, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. 
     
  • Lectures and seminars are always taught by professors—not teaching assistants—which means students learn from experts in the field.  
     
  • The cross-disciplinary approach provides multiple lenses and perspectives for students to study International Relations, giving them a firm foundation of knowledge and increased understanding of global issues. 
     
  • For-credit and extracurricular experiential learning opportunities are offered that connect with students’ academic and career ambitions. 
     
  • Students benefit from faculty expertise in Canadian foreign policy, international institutions, Latin American politics, comparative federal systems, and more.  

Where the Study of International Relations can Take You

Students studying International Relations gain a wealth of knowledge from multiple fields of study that allows them to better understand a complex global environment. They learn to analyze and summarize complex information and gather evidence to make good, critical arguments, and develop skills in critical thinking, writing, and communication.  

 

This prepares graduates for meaningful careers in fields like:

 

  • International Law
  • Business
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Non-Governmental Organizations
  • Humanitarian Work
  • Journalism

 

“I credit St. Thomas for encouraging broad thinking, understanding concepts, and being able to explain them clearly and succinctly—there is no substitute for clear, concise, logical writing. St. Thomas is a true gem and I feel very lucky to be part of the community.” 
 
Stephanie Fauquier, BA ’11, International Relations, Journalism, and Human Rights 
Associate Director, Innovation at OMERS 

 

Gain Experience and Build Your Resume

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½’s Internship Program connects the study of International Relations with professional experience through opportunities with organizations like:

 

  • 3+ Corporation
  • Families Against Violent Extremism
  • First Mobile Education
  • NB Student Alliance
  • Peterbilt Atlantic

The International Relations program offers a Model United Nations course that prepares students to represent their assigned country at the Harvard Model United Nations in Boston, Massachusetts.  

 

This gives students:

 

  • a deeper understanding of the United Nations and its procedures
  • exposure to policy writing and research
  • opportunities to refine skills in communication and public speaking
  • experience preparing working papers, motions, and conference strategies.  

You might be interested in studying International Relations if…

  • You are interested in the politics and cultures of other countries in the world
  • You want to understand other people and other perspectives
  • You want to understand how international events affect domestic and local affairs and what you can do to mitigate those effects

Courses That Count Toward International Relations

US Foreign Policy 
The United Nations 
Canadian Perspectives on International Law 
Terrorism: An Introduction [CRIM] 
Race and Racism in Modern History [HIST]

Fields that Enhance Your Learning in International Relations

St. Thomas has a wealth of fields that deal with a variety of issues that have a clear international dimension or perspectives. These include History, Sociology, Economics, Philosophy, Criminology, and Political Science. Students interested in International Relations should also consider exploring foreign languages that are of interest.