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Einaudi Center for International Studies

Cornell University

IR Minor Legacy Requirements

If you enrolled in the Einaudi Center’s international relations minor before July 1, 2021, this page is for you! Read on to find the IR minor's legacy requirements.

You are welcome to follow this plan, particularly if you're a graduating senior in 2021–22—or you may switch to the minor's new requirements. Contact faculty director Christopher Way if you have any questions about how to complete the requirements of your international relations minor.

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Course Requirements

Your courses will reach across the university, concentrated in four groups. You must complete eight courses selected from the four groups, including one core course from each group. All courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade.

See the Registrar's 2020–21 summary of requirements and courses.

Core Courses

Group 1: International Economics and Development

  • AEM/ECON 2300—International Trade and Finance
  • ECON 3545—International Finance and Macroeconomics
  • ECON 4510—International Trade Theory and Policy
Please note that the International Economics and Development core courses require ECON 1110 Introductory Microeconomics as a prerequisite with ECON 1120 Introductory Macroeconomics recommended prior to taking these courses.

Group 2: World Politics and Foreign Policy

  • GOVT 1817—Making Sense of World Politics

Group 3: Transnational Processes and Policies

  • DSOC 2050—International Development
  • DSOC 3311—Environmental Governance
  • GOVT 3867—War: Causes and Conduct

Group 4: Cultural Studies

  • ANTHR 1400—The Comparison of Cultures
  • GOVT 4365—Ethnonational Communities and Conflicts

Course Focus and Distribution

Choose a focus on 1) politics and economics, or 2) culture. Select your eight courses around one of these focuses.

Focus on Politics and Economics of International Relations

  • One core course from each group.

  • One elective from each group.

Focus on Culture

  • One core course from each group.
  • One elective from either Group 1 or 2.
  • One elective from Group 3.
  • One elective from Group 4.
  • One additional elective from either Group 3 or 4.

Language Requirements

IRM students must achieve language skills beyond the level of proficiency. For most languages, proficiency is attained by completing a course at the 2000 level, covering basic grammar and structure of the language.

The language requirement can be fulfilled in two ways:

  • Demonstrated proficiency in two foreign languages, or

  • Demonstrated facility in one foreign language (proficiency plus one course that uses the language to explore some aspect of a foreign culture, such as literature or film).