Nov 21, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Global Affairs BA/MA


Visit the Global Affairs academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Political Science department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria


  • UB GPA of 3.000 or higher and a grade of B or higher in PSC 408  (or similar-level statistics or math course).

Students interested in a BA/MA in Global Affairs should visit the Department of Political Science’s Director of Graduate Studies in the fall semester of their third year.

Undergraduate Course Requirements


One Methods of Inquiry Course (4 credits)


Or an approved substitution from the following (note, PSC 408 is strongly suggested):


Two Additional Political Science Electives Courses (6 credits)


Graduate Course Requirements


Required Core (12 credits)


  • PSC 500SEM - Introduction to Political Inquiry Credits: 3
  • PSC 503SEM - Comparative Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 504SEM - International Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 508SEM - Basic Statistics for Social Sciences Credits: 3

Electives (15 credits)


Number of elective credits may vary depending on choice made to complete the culminating experience. Be sure to complete enough elective credit to reach 30 minimum total credit hours. 

Other courses may be selected with the Program Director’s approval.

  • PSC 520LEC - Tops in Maj Pol Syst Credits: 3
  • PSC 540SEM - International Law Credits: 3
  • PSC 544SEM - International Theory Credits: 3
  • PSC 640SEM - Civil War and Political Violence Credits: 3
  • PSC 641SEM - Internatnl Econ Relations Credits: 3
  • PSC 645SEM - Conflict Processes Credits: 3
  • PSC 647SEM - International Organizatn Credits: 3
  • PSC 650SEM - Human Rights Violations and Political Violence Credits: 3
  • PSC 721SEM - Comp Pol Frontiers Credits: 3
  • PSC 670TUT - Independent Study Credits: 1 - 6
  • PSC 531SEM - Intermed Stats for Soc Sc Credits: 3
  • PSC 533SEM - Formal Political Theory Credits: 3
  • PSC 631SEM - Advanced Stats for Soc Sc Credits: 3
  • PSC 731SEM - Empiric Politcl Frontiers Credits: 3

Culminating Experience: Exam, Project or Thesis (3 credits)


  • PSC 700TUT - MA Culminating Experience Credits: 3

Notes


  • Students must complete at least 24 credits at the 300/400 level from among the above major requirements.

Total Credits Required for Undergraduate Major: 37-38


Additional Degree Requirements Include:


  • Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
  • Elective courses as needed to complete the 101-102 undergraduate credits total

Total Undergraduate Credits Required: 101-102


Total Credits Required for Graduate Degree: 30


Total Credits Required for Graduation: 131-132


Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements


Global Affairs BA

  • Minimum GPA of 2.000 overall and in the major required for graduation.

Global Affairs MA

  • Minimum GPA of 3.000 in the major required for graduation.

Curricular Plan


A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

First Year Fall


Total Credits: 15 or 16


First Year Spring


Total Credits: 15 or 16


Second Year Fall


  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Scientific Literacy and Inquiry 1 Credits: 3
  • Conflict/Political/Social Dynamic Course Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Second Year Spring


Total Credits: 14


Third Year Fall


  • Upper-division International Relations or Comparative Politics Credits: 3
  • Political Science Elective 300/400 level Credits: 3
  • Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
  • Global Areas Course Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Third Year Spring


  • Credits: 1
  • Political Science Elective 300/400 level Credits: 3
  • Upper-division International Relations or Comparative Politics Credits: 3
  • International Law, Organization, or Communication Course Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 2

Total Credits: 15


Fourth Year Fall


  • PSC 500SEM - Introduction to Political Inquiry Credits: 3
  • PSC 504SEM - International Politics Credits: 3
  • PSC 508SEM - Basic Statistics for Social Sciences Credits: 3
  • Undergraduate Elective Credits: 3
  • Undergraduate Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Fourth Year Spring


  • PSC 503SEM - Comparative Politics Credits: 3
  • Undergraduate Elective Credits: 3
  • Undergraduate Elective Credits: 3
  • PSC Graduate Global Affairs Elective Credits: 3
  • PSC Graduate Global Affairs Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Fifth Year Fall


  • PSC Graduate Global Affairs Elective Credits: 3
  • PSC Graduate Global Affairs Elective Credits: 3
  • PSC Graduate Global Affairs Elective Credits: 3
  • PSC 700TUT - MA Culminating Experience Credits: 3

Total Credits: 12


Total Credits Required: 132


Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

  • Developing writing skills to intellectually communicate their ideas and research findings about domestic and international political, social, communicative and economic topics.
    • Develop the ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively in writing.
    • Develop the ability to effectively take a position and defend an argument against criticism.
    • Be able to write an essay or paper presenting a  clear thesis supported by relevant research.
  • Develop the analytical skills necessary to think critically about political, social, communicative and economic behavior.
    • Be able to identify and critically evaluate the arguments of scholarly research in global affairs and political science.
    • Engage in conceptual analysis and theoretical interpretation political, social, communicative and economic ideas and phenomena.
    • Develop the ability to analyze a scholarly question in study areas by drawing logical inferences from qualitative and/or quantitative data.
  • Develop an understanding of their role as an engaged citizen in domestic and international political systems.
    • Be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of domestic and international political and economic policies.
    • Develop an awareness of the global dynamics that influence the context of domestic and international politics.
    • Develop an understanding of international communication, laws, and organization.
    • Develop the ability to apply social scientific reasoning in the analysis of a wide range of domestic and international issues and problems.
    • Develop an awareness of political systems, governments, institutions and policies around the globe.

 

(HEGIS: 22.10 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, CIP30.2001 International/Globalization Studies)