Whether it’s global politics, business or public health, the way societies interact with one another shapes critical global outcomes. International relations (IR) explores those interactions — and how they can be improved — with the aim of making our world more peaceful, equitable and prosperous.
The field of international relations draws from a range of academic disciplines, including sociology, economics, history, geography, law and philosophy. It’s a broad and dynamic subject, with current events frequently reshaping the discipline. The 2008 financial crisis, for example, revealed how decisions made in the US rippled across the globe, impacting banks in Europe and factories in Asia. And the recent spread of COVID-19 illustrates how decisions made in one country can have a profound effect on people around the world.
Diplomacy, conflict resolution and the use of force are tools in a broader toolkit of foreign policy, allowing nations to communicate and negotiate with each other. However, IR also covers less traditional ways of influencing international affairs — such as through sanctions and adjusting trade regulations.
A graduate degree in IR offers advanced exploration of these and other global issues. And graduates bring a unique perspective to careers in areas like diplomacy, foreign policy and corporate management — or anywhere else that requires understanding how these complex systems work. This is especially important as the world becomes more interdependent — where decisions made in one country can affect people and businesses around the globe.