Programme Description

Overview

The International Relations undergraduate curriculum aims to ensure that within an era of globalization, international relations students will be better informed and trained in analyzing complex international economic, political, and cultural forces which will affect South Africa’s long-term prosperity and democratic development.

The IR undergraduate curriculum continues to give primary focus to the prevention of organized violence in political life. Today’s deadly conflicts are widespread and most often occur within, rather than between, sovereign states. These conflicts impose immediate abd long-term threats to regional and international peace and security, especially for Africa. The international community has thus far been unable to generate the norms, institutions and political will to deal with these challenges. In addition, new and frequently contradictory converging forces of economic and technological globalization clash with diverging demands for greater cultural self-determination, within and between states. International Relations’ evolving curriculum and research priorities reflect these new realities.

International Relations is necessarily interdisciplinary, drawing on politics, economics, history, law and sociology. Developing a practical and theoretical understanding of the basic concepts of economics, especially those most salient for anyone pursuing a career or advanced research in international relations, is emphasized at all levels. Within the IR core curriculum students will find several basic units on the international political economy. The role of international organizations, so important to South Africa’s interests in Africa and globally, are also gaining prominence in the IR curriculum. In addition, students are introduced to regions of the world, with primary emphasis on Africa and more general coverage of Europe, North America, East Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Students are also exposed to the broad outlines of traditional IR theories and are encouraged to question their relevance for understanding current trends in Africa and global international relations. This process continues throughout the undergraduate programme.

Majors

Within a BA degree a student can elect to major in International Relations. To equip students better for the many career opportunities in international affairs, International Relations offers a progression of units over three years. While units cover the traditional concepts and practices that define the field of IR, special emphasis is given to the need for new ideas and approaches for dealing with emerging post-apartheid and post-Cold War concerns, especially in Africa. Students who are considering an undergraduate major and a possible career in international relations must ensure that they complete all units up to and including the third year units.

Careers

International Relations prepares students for careers in a variety of areas. These include:

• Diplomacy
• International Organizations such as the United Nations
• Policy and Planning in the public and private sectors
• International Business
• Development and Aid work particularly in the NGO community
• Survey and other forms of social research
• Academic Teaching and Research
• Journalism; and many others.