Offered through the Institute for Politics and Strategy (IPS), the Bachelor of Science in International Relations and Politics (IRP) analyzes the role of politics at the national, regional, international, and transnational levels; examines political and institutional arrangements within and among these levels; and investigates the grand strategy of nation-states.

Political leaders, scholars, and policy makers often define grand strategy as the combination of diplomatic, economic, military, and political factors used by leaders to defend their respective nation-states. The IRP major investigates the way in which leaders and citizens construct grand strategy and national security policy more generally; the impact of domestic and international forces on states’ security and economic policies; and the significance of alliances, coalitions, and international institutions for world politics. Although the study of grand strategy and political institutions is the flagship initiative of the major, students are also able to study the effects of culture, economics, and society on the international system through a rich set of elective courses.

Thinking systematically about international and domestic politics is the core objective of the IRP major. To this end, the major has required courses in mathematics and statistics that help to sharpen students’ ability to undertake scientific analysis in the required substantive and historical courses. The major is rooted in the discipline of political science but also utilizes the interdisciplinary strengths of decision science, economics, and political history. Thus, students pursuing this major will use the analytic tools of game theory, economic and statistical analysis, qualitative analysis, rational choice theory, and theories of behavioral decision making as they study alliances, coalitions, institutions, and political strategy.

The name of the major signifies that those studying IRP learn about international relations and domestic politics from the standpoint of the discipline of political science. Also, the major taps into and contributes to CMU’s strengths in other social sciences that combine analytical and empirical methods. IRP includes an innovative initiative that incorporates decision science in political science. It enables students to apply the burgeoning science of judgment and decision making to understanding political actors’ strategies and foibles, the strengths and weaknesses of formal methods of policy analysis (e.g., cost, risk, benefit, analysis), and the factors shaping public responses to politics and policies. 

Recognizing the influence of language and culture on politics, students are required to complete the intermediate (200) level, or its equivalent, in a modern language other than English. Advanced-level study is strongly encouraged.

Open to all Carnegie Mellon undergraduates, the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) allows students to study public policy and intern in Washington for one semester. Courses taken through CMU/WSP will count toward the elective sequence in politics and public policy for IRP majors.

IRP majors interested in developing their research skills are encouraged to apply for a research position with the IPS research lab or work directly with a member of the IPS faculty. Students are also encouraged to join student organizations focused on domestic or international politics. Becoming involved in the Institute for Politics and Strategy, as well as attending lectures and events sponsored by the IPS Policy Forum, will provide additional opportunities for students. Students are also encouraged to submit their work for publication in the IPS Journal, an online and print publication that analyzes current problems facing the United States and the international system.

In addition to the primary major in International Relations and Politics, IPS offers an additional major. Minors in International Relations and Politics, Cybersecurity and International Conflict, and Politics and Public Policy are also available. IPS also offers a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Politics jointly with the Undergraduate Economics Program.

Double Counting: Students may double count a maximum of four courses with another major or minor.

Core Courses

Students must complete all of the following core courses.

Mathematics Requirement

Excluded from all double counting rules. Students must complete one of the following courses.

Language Requirement

Students are required to complete the intermediate (200) level or the equivalent in a modern language other than English. Advanced level study is strongly encouraged. Students who successfully pass a language placement exam on campus, at the intermediate II level or higher, will be required to take an advanced language course to satisfy the language requirement.

Electives

International Relations and Politics students will fulfill the elective requirement by pursuing either option 1 or option 2 listed below:

Option 1) take 45 units (five courses) from the elective lists below. At least three courses (27 units) must be from the Institute for Politics and Strategy (84-xxx). Most courses listed below are 9-unit courses, but some are fewer. When courses offered for fewer than 9 units are chosen, students should note that a minimum of 45 units is required, and should plan to take one or more additional courses as appropriate.

Option 2) complete the majority of their electives via the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) politics and public policy elective sequence. Any elective units not fulfilled during CMU/WSP should be completed through coursework from the Institute for Politics and Strategy (84-xxx) elective list.

The Washington Semester Program (CMUWSP) Politics and Public Policy sequence includes:

• Policy Seminar (12 units) - This course will count as the Policy Seminar (84-450) Core Course Requirement.
• Internship Seminar 84-360 CMU/WSP: Internship Seminar (12 units)
• CMU/WSP Elective Seminars (24 units total)

A list of CMU/WSP Elective Seminars may be found in the Politics and Public Policy elective list below.

Grand Strategy and Political Institutions

Economics and Society

International Cultures

CMU/WSP Politics and Public Policy Elective Seminars