Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pre-International Relations, A.A. (General Transfer)


Academic Program Code: 539

This academic program lays a foundation for students to transfer to a four-year program in international relations, international studies, or to specialize in international relations as part of a political science major. The field of international relations studies the causes of war, political violence and global poverty. It tries to understand mechanisms behind international economic and financial crises, the roles and influence of international organizations and political tools best suited to protect clean environment on the global level. The program courses prepare students for an advanced study of international relations and are transferable to colleges and universities in Michigan. By declaring this pre-major, students are on track to earn an Associates of Arts from GRCC and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from a four-year institution. Such a degree prepares students for professional careers in government, non-governmental organizations, journalism, teaching and policy analysis, as well as for  graduate studies in law, international relations and political science.

General Education Courses


Select a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work from the General Education course list.  Course work must be selected as directed in the areas below.

English Composition and Communication


Humanities


Select two (2) Humanities General Education Electivies from two (2) different subject areas.  Only one (1) Foreign Language course can be used for the Humanities General Education requirement.

Social Sciences


Select one (1) Social Sciences General Education Elective from a subject other than PS.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics


Natural Sciences


Select two (2) Natural Sciences General Education courses from two (2) different subject areas; one (1) must be a lab.

Mathematics


Select one (1) Mathematics General Education Elective.

General Education Total Credit Hours


30 (minimum)

Program Courses


Select a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours from the list below to be used toward your major requirements at the 4-year institution to which you are transferring. You are encouraged to seek academic advising in making your selections.

Open Elective Courses


Select a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours to be used toward your major, minor, or elective requirements at the 4-year institution to which you are transferring. A foreign language is often required for an international relations major.

Total Credit Hours


60

Transfer Notes


Be aware that many 4-year institutions limit the number of credits that you can transfer from GRCC, and have final determination regarding the transferability and applicability of GRCC courses. Contact the 4-year institution to which you intend to transfer for assistance with course selections and verification of the transferability and applicability of courses/credits. It is recommended that you meet with an advisor to review the requirements for this program and have any questions about transfer answered prior to completing this degree program at GRCC.

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards


The Grand Rapids Community College Political Science faculty have specified essential abilities (technical standards) critical to the success of students in any GRCC Anthropology program. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities with or without reasonable accommodations.

1. Essential judgment skills to include: ability to identify, assess, and comprehend conditions surrounding political situations for the purpose of problem solving in political science and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions.

2. Essential physical/neurological functions to include: ability to use the senses of seeing and hearing to engage in the practice of political science. Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations.

3. Essential communication skills to include: ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty and all members of the Political Science program. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.

4. Essential emotional coping skills: ability to manage potential stressors that accompany tasks necessary to safely engage in the practice of Political Science as determined by professional standards of practice. The potential stressors include, but are not limited to, sounds and images of wars, physical conflicts and materials potentially insulting to one’s personal values and beliefs

5. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include: ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of Political Science.