<p>It seems to me that the Walsh school of foreign service core curriculum does not include any math and science courses. Does that mean that it is not required at all? Is it realistic to hope that one can graduate from SFS without attempting science or math? I am more like social sciences person and to me it sounds just too good to be true. I am getting something wrong?</p>
<p>If you plan to major in international economics and take the graduate school track you will have to complete a heavy math curriculum including calculus, and a year of statistics, and, I think, econometrics. If you are a Science, Technology and International Affairs major you will need extensive science classes. Outside of this, there are no general education requirements for math/science. (As a practical matter, many if not most SFS freshman have such an extensive AP or IB background that they would fulfill any general education requirement that could be imposed by examination.)</p>
<p>I am thinking about doing International Politics, I hope there is not anything for it.</p>
<p>You should be OK as an international politics major. </p>
<p>Just so you know. There occasionally are some “just because it would look good” type knuckleheads on university committees that advocate changing the current state of affairs from time to time but more rational and saner heads generally prevail and keep the already heavy 40 course (that is not a typo, it is 40 courses) curriculum open so that students, like the future PH.d economists are accommodated while those who want international politics and area studies etc. are not deprived of vital and limited course space needed to complete their preparation. </p>
<p>(If you ever take a look at an Alumni list for SFS, you would be hard pressed to ever make a case for changing anything, given the extraordinary level of achievement of the alumni. The school has been doing something great for all these years.)</p>
<p>I, personnally, hope the day never comes, where an SFS student, who has already fulfilled something like 18 prescribed courses , is denied taking an “international negotiation”, “press and foreign Policy” or other unique elective that can only be had at an international affaris school because some theorist felt that that student needs to take an introductory geology or general statistics class to “round out” his or her background.</p>
<p>VM-You do spout forth wisdom. The SFS already has a set of requirements that are structured to its mission and which are over and above what is required at almost any American University. I am referring to the Map of the Modern World Course and the most rigorous language proficiency requirement in higher education anywhere. Add to this,the fact that SFS students must complete 40 units, and you have to look at anyone wanting to add a science /math general education requirement and you have to think they are crazy. While the SFS has one of the most brilliant student bodies out there, that can obliterate any requirement that can be concocted, general education math and science is clearly not needed and would actually be detrimental to the mission of the SFS. The future STIA , International Econ majors etc. are fully capable right now of obtaining any science and/or math background they need and everyone else probably satisfies a general ed requirement with a Biology or Calculus AP anyway. I love your expression of “the just because people.”</p>
<p>SFS also stands for</p>
<p>“Safe From Science.”</p>
<p>If you don’t want it, you don’t need to take it.</p>