The world faces a complex range of threats to its security and stability. Some, including terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, have been around for a long time. Others, including climate change, cyber conflict, and artificial intelligence, are relatively new. In today’s increasingly connected world, old threats like pandemic disease and state fragility now take on a new urgency. Using a mix of history, theory, and policy analysis, the international security minor prepares students to think critically about these pressing issues.
Contact the minor advisor through Patriot Connect.
This minor has been designated as a "Workforce-Ready Minor," meaning it is aligned with at least one of Virginia's high-demand career fields and includes career-relevant assignments as well as the opportunity to earn academic credit through an internship.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must earn a minimum grade of 2.00 (grade of C or better) in all courses applied to the minor. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 18
Students must complete all coursework with a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 132 | Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GOVT 346 | American Security Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 347 | International Security | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select three electives from the following: | 9 | |
| Grand Challenges to Human Security (Mason Core) | ||
| International Relations Theory | ||
| Diplomacy | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Grand Strategy | ||
| Law and Ethics of War | ||
| Issues in International Studies (when topic is relevant with approval of the minor advisor) | ||
| International Law and Organization | ||
| Revolution and International Politics | ||
| Ethics and International Politics | ||
| Internship/Experiential Learning | ||
| Internship (when relevant, up to 3 credits of internship may be applied to electives with approval of Schar School advisor) | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |