Global International Relations (BA)
Offered by the , the Global International Relations (BA), awarded jointly by 猫咪社区app University and Ritsumeikan University (RU), Japan, reflects the cultural and geographic reach, as well as the expertise and strengths of both universities in offering the first truly global degree in international relations. Students gain a deep understanding of global and regional challenges, especially as they relate to East Asia and the United States. They are uniquely prepared to pursue careers that draw upon their ability to critically examine international relations from multiple theoretical, historical, cultural, national, and disciplinary perspectives and standpoints. Students fulfill degree requirements for both institutions and spend two full academic years at each university.
The joint BA prepares students for internationally-focused careers in government, non-profits, and the private sectors. The curriculum is firmly rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, inherently interdisciplinary, and aimed at helping students to think critically and clearly about the most pressing global challenges. It also affords an opportunity for students to find their truest vocations, to discover their passions, and to become active and engaged citizens in a complex global world that defies simple explanations or solutions.
,Admission to the Program
The Global International Relations (BA) is restricted to students who have been accepted into the AU-RU Joint Degree Program (Sakura Scholars Program). Candidates for admission to the joint听Global International Relations (BA) must present evidence of excellent personal and academic qualifications. The admission process is administered jointly between 猫咪社区app University and Ritsumeikan University. To be considered for听first-year admission, an applicant should have earned at least a B average in secondary school. All applicants (including 猫咪社区app citizens) whose first language is not English are required to submit results of one of the approved tests of English proficiency (see AU Admissions). Other factors taken into account are leadership qualities, character, and personal interest. The Sakura Scholars Program is designed for incoming-first-year students, therefore current AU or RU students are not eligible to apply.
- 120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA ()
- Completion of all requirements for a major ()
AU Core Requirements
- Completion of AU Core foundation requirements ()
- Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements ()
- Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements ()
For additional information, see .
Major Requirements
- 124 total credit hours with a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA
- 63-65 credits must be completed through 猫咪社区app University and 59-61 credits must be completed through Ritsumeikan University
- Students must be enrolled for 48 months
- 55 credit hours of coursework, unique to the Global International Relations (BA) (i.e., major coursework) with grades of C or better, including at least 18 credit hours at or above 300-level or 3000-level, plus at least 3 credit hours of Japanese coursework at or above 听at AU or Japanese II (Comprehensive) at RU. Students whose first language is Japanese or can demonstrate equivalent proficiency will be exempted from the requirement to take Japanese language courses
- Up to 3 credit hours from an approved internship may be applied toward the major
- Credit by exam or transfer credit does not apply to the 124 total credits required for the degree. Some degree requirements may be fulfilled with credit by exam or transfer credit. Students in the Sakura Scholars Program must complete all AU Core requirements, regardless of credits by exam or transfer credits previously completed or accepted by 猫咪社区app University
Course Requirements
Note: Course requirements are also fulfilled with approved equivalent courses offered by Ritsumeikan University. Courses offered by RU are indicated by listing without a hyperlink (e.g., RUIR-XXXX or Japanese XXXX). Information listed as RU courses may be subject to change without notice. 猫咪社区app University is not responsible for changes to course codes, course titles, or course scheduling of another institution.
Foundation (19 credit hours)
Basic Economics I
Complete one of the following:
- RUIR-1211 Macroeconomics (2) 补苍诲听RUIR-1213 Economics for Global Studies (2)
Basic Economics II
Complete one of the following:
- RUIR-1213 Economics for Global Studies (2) and听RUIR-2212 Microeconomics (2)
Introduction to International Studies
Complete one of the following:
- RUIR-1221 Theories of International Relations (2) and RUIR-1222 Introductory Seminar I (2)
First Year Seminar
Note: Sakura Scholars will be enrolled in a cohort section of . It is designated as a course jointly designed with Ritsumeikan University.
- (topics)
Intercultural Communication
Note: RUIR-2231 and RUIR-2232 are required courses that students complete at RU and are designated as courses jointly designed. Completion of both courses fulfill the intercultural communication foundation requirement and the Diversity and Equity (DIV) integrated requirement of the AU Core.
- RUIR-2231 Japanese Culture (2)
- RUIR-2232 Cultural Awareness and Communication (2)
International Economics
Complete one of the following:
Note: 听fulfills the Economics foundation requirement and the Quantitative Literacy II (Q2) integrative requirement of the AU Core. RUIR-3241 and RUIR-3242 fulfill the International Economics requirement but do not fulfill the Q2 integrative requirement. 听is strongly recommended.
- RUIR-3241 International Finance (2) and RUIR-3242 International Trade and Investment (2)
Foreign Language (3 credit hours)
Complete 3听credit hours from the following:
Note:听Students whose first language is Japanese or can demonstrate equivalent proficiency will be exempted from the Japanese language course requirement.
- Japanese II (Comprehensive) (5) Japanese III (Writing) (1) Japanese III (Comprehensive) (5) Japanese IV (Writing) (1) Japanese IV (Comprehensive) (5) Japanese V (Writing) (1) Japanese V (Comprehensive) (5) Japanese VI (Writing) (1) Japanese VI (Comprehensive) (3) Japanese VI (Listening & Speaking) (2) Japanese VII (Listening & Oral Comprehension a) (1) Japanese VII (Listening & Oral Comprehension b) (1) Japanese VII (Reading Comprehension a) Japanese VII (Reading Comprehension b) Japanese VII (Composition a) Japanese VII (Composition b) Japanese VIII (Academic Japanese a) Japanese VIII (Academic Japanese b) Japanese VIII (Career Japanese a) Japanese VIII (Career Japanese b)
Research Methodology (6 credit hours)
Introductory Research Methodology
Complete one of the following:
- RUIR-1301 Introductory Seminar II (2) and RUIR-2302 Global Studies Research (2)
Advanced Research Methodology
Complete one of the following:
- (topics)
- RUIR-2302 Global Studies Research (2)听and听RUIR-3303 Advanced Seminar (Research Methods) (2)
Thematic Areas (18 credit hours)
- 9 or more credits to complete the required gateways for the three thematic areas: Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution (P); Identity, Race, Gender, and Culture (I); and Global and Comparative Governance (G).听
- 6 additional credit hours听at or above 300-level (at AU) or 3000-level (at RU) from a primary thematic area
- 3 additional credit hours听at or above 300-level (at AU) or 3000-level (at RU) from a secondary thematic area
Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution (P)
Gateway
Complete one of the following:
- RUIR-1431 Introduction to Peace Studies (2) and RUIR-2432 Security Studies (2)
Thematic Area
/ 听
- (if not taken to fulfill another thematic area)
- : Gender and Violence
- RUIR-2532 Special Lecture (PGSCR) (2) RUIR-2548 Global Simulation Gaming (PGSCR) (2) RUIR-3531 Peace and Conflict Studies (2) RUIR-3543 Advanced Topics in International Relations (PGSCR) (2)
Identity, Race, Gender, and Culture (I)
Gateway
Complete one of the following:
- RUIR-1421 Introduction to Gender Studies (2) and RUIR-2422 Race and Ethnicity in the Modern World (2)
Thematic Area
- (approved topic)
- (if not taken to fulfill another thematic area)
- RUIR-2523 Special Lecture (IRGC) (2) RUIR-3521 Media and Society (2) RUIR-3522 Topics in Identity (2) RUIR-3542 Advanced Topics in International Relations (IRGC) (2)
Global and Comparative Governance (G)
Gateway
Complete one of the following:
- RUIR-1411 Introduction to the United Nations (2) and RUIR-2412 Comparative and Global Governance (2)
Thematic Area
- (if not taken to fulfill another thematic area)
- RUIR-2511 International Human Rights (2) RUIR-2512 International Law (2) RUIR-2513 Global Environmental Issues (2) RUIR-2518 Special Lecture (GCG) (2) RUIR-2547 Global Simulation Gaming (GCG) (2) RUIR-3514 Global Civil Society and Development (2) RUIR-3515 Global Sociology (2) RUIR-3516 International Migration (2) RUIR-3517 International Organizations (2) RUIR-3541 Advanced Topics in International Relations (GCG) (2)
Regional Focus (9 credit hours)
Complete 9 credit hours with a regional focus in East Asia and the Pacific from the following, and at least 3 credit hours must be taken at or above 300-level (at AU) or 3000-level (at RU). For courses designated as topics courses, only approved sections will meet the East Asia and the Pacific regional focus requirement:
East Asia and the Pacific
- (approved听topic)
- (approved topic)
- (topics)
- RUIR-1611 Kyoto and the Japanese Arts (2) RUIR-1612 Japan and the West (2) RUIR-2613 Japanese Politics (2) RUIR-2614 Japanese Economy (2) RUIR-2615 Japanese Society (2) RUIR-2616 Japan-United States Relations (2) RUIR-2617 Modern Japanese History (2) RUIR-2625 Special Lecture (Area Studies Course: East Asia and the Pacific) (2) RUIR-3618 Foreign Relations of Japan (2) RUIR-3619 Business Administration in Japan (2) RUIR-3621 Korean Studies (2) RUIR-3622 Contemporary China (2) RUIR-3623 Southeast Asian Studies (2)
Capstone (3 credit hours)
Complete one of the following:
Note: AU-Home Sakura Scholars complete the capstone at AU and RU-Home Sakura Scholars听complete the capstone at RU.
- (topics)
- RUIR-3701 Advanced Seminar (2)听and RUIR-4702 Graduation Research (2)