<p>I want to major in IR and I am interesting in possibly applying to Fordham next fall. However, as I was browsing their website, I am a little bit confused by their IR program. Can anyone explain to me how IR/Political Science works at Fordham?</p>
<p>At Rose Hill its not precisely an IR program. This has been asked a half dozen times before in the Fordham thread. I will go over it again.</p>
<p>Fordham has more flexibility in the "IR" world. It has an IPE degree which is a combination of IR, PoliSci, Economics. You can also do area studies: Middle Eastern Studies, Asian Studies, Italian Studies, Irish Studies, Russian Area Studies, French Studies, Latin America Studies etc. Or you can major in Political Science and take a concentration in international relations related courses. </p>
<p>IR is best done at the graduate level anyway. Its a highly competitive field and a lot of kids have an interest in it because it sounds popular and esoteric and "special." </p>
<p>At Fordham the core requirements are daunting and it may take you the better part of two years to complete them. The good news is that you have almost two years to decide on a major before being forced to declare. And you take lots of interesting courses which you have some control over before you really determine what it is you want to do. </p>
<p>Political Science at Fordham is strong and has many possible areas of concentration, be that American politics, European politics, or others. </p>
<p>The point I am making is relax about this. Its a fabulous school with many avenues of academic pursuit. There is plenty to challenge you and many ways to achieve your ultimate goal, whether that is grad school in IR (Such as Harvard, Princeton, Georgetown, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, George Washington etc.), or law school or whatever. If you are accepted, you will attend an orientation weekend and receive a complete bulletin of all the course offerings at that orientation before you have to pull the trigger and make your final binding decision to attend. </p>
<p>The problem at Fordham as at many schools is there is so much out there its hard to decide what to choose! You never know, as many kids change their options once they start studying in college....and you might end up an Economics major or History major or pure Political Science major. </p>
<p>There is also a prestigious Honors American Studies major out there as well that requires an application process. So just hang loose and see what happens and if you are admitted look around and see what excites you the most after a semester or two of settling in.</p>
<p>Look at the latest chance me thread, there was some discussion of IR studies there. Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to link it into this post.</p>