<p>Also, I was wondering if people could help me with my college search (I'm a HS senior). I'm looking for schools that have strong IR programs but also have other strong programs. For example, I don't like Georgetown because I'll be locked into the IR track once I go to school; if I change my mind, I won't be able to pursue something completely different (say...English). I know I can transfer from SFS to the regular school, but I know the rest of Gtown's programs aren't that strong. Right now, my top choice is Yale.</p>
<p>IR and IS are often used interchangeably. Technically IR has more of a political science bent looking at the relationships of government states to one another. IS has more of a cultural/geographic/language emphasis focusing on learning about cultural differences and similarities and less on the political issues.</p>
<p>and then to make it more complicated, there is international affairs. But really they are all the same, look at the program and its focuses and objectives rather than worry about what they call it.</p>
<p>…I’m pretty sure they summed up the answer in the above posts. You really have to look at each school’s curriculum to see which slant they take (more political? cultural?) based on course requirements and what electives they have available.</p>