Department Overview

International affairs studies international relations, the political, military, economic, legal, and cultural relations involving states, nations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and transnational groups. The study of international relations seeks to understand how these international actors, the international system, and states’ domestic environments individually and collectively affect the prospects for conflict and cooperation. Attention focuses in particular on foreign policy, national security, international law, international economic relations, and national political and economic development.

Often the study of international relations is contained within a Political Science Department, and in such cases, represents one of several fields of study. At Lewis & Clark, a single department is devoted to the study of international relations. A free-standing Department of International Affairs offers students an opportunity to study the multiple dimensions of international relations in greater conceptual and empirical depth and breadth. It also enables students to take courses in several disciplines to fulfill some major requirements, and to integrate those insights in departmental courses.

The Department of International Affairs offers a rigorous and challenging conceptually-oriented curriculum. It introduces students to core ideas in the study of international relations and the tools and methods of the social sciences and other disciplines. This material provides students with the analytical and methodological skills to make informed judgments about the sources, significance, and consequences of the diverse developments that comprise international relations. At the same time, a number of departmental courses provide students with a solid empirical grounding with respect to key developments and patterns that characterize the reality of international relations.

Students find that the College’s many exciting opportunities complement the international affairs major. In particular, Lewis & Clark’s off-campus study programs, offered in nearly every corner of the world, allow international affairs students to develop a direct understanding of the specific regions, cultures, organizations, and dynamics they study.

In addition, majors are encouraged to couple their coursework with practical learning. Students pursue a variety of internships in Portland and elsewhere with government entities, firms, and non-profit organizations. These opportunities are pursued during the academic year and the summer months.

The department hosts an annual International Affairs Symposium on campus. This three-day student-organized symposium takes place in April and is oriented around a single theme each year. Academic and policy experts are invited to campus to debate topics related to the annual theme.

Majors take part in an active Model United Nations. In the fall the group participates in the Model Security Council of the Columbia and Willamette basins; during the spring semester, students participate in the Model United Nations of the Far West. Sometimes Lewis & Clark hosts its own conference.

The Meridian, an annual student-run journal, provides Lewis & Clark students with a forum to publish their own essays and photographs related to international affairs. It also enables students to gain first-hand experience with writing, editing, and publishing.

The major’s diverse course offerings and opportunities create many career paths. Some majors decide to pursue further academic experience and enter graduate and professional programs. Recent alums have pursued graduate degrees in international affairs, political science, law, international education, business, public health, and architecture. Other students find employment in public service, journalism, education, business, humanitarian work, international organizations, and local and national government. For example, some of our alumni have taken positions with the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, the Newshour, the Department of State, the Office of Management and Budget, the World Bank, McKinsey & Company, Politico, the Alaska Supreme Court, the World Wildlife Fund, Teach for America, the Peace Corps, AmericaCorps, and one has been elected to the Oregon House of Representatives.