Department of International Relations

A major European capital, the seat of the Italian government, home to the Vatican, and host to a variety of diplomats and government organizations, Rome is the ideal location to study International Relations. The AUR Department of International Relations offers students both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Minor, as well as courses in the fields of anthropology, history, political science, and sociology. The regional focus of our curriculum allows students to take advantage of Italy’s unique neighboring position to key areas of Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. International conferences and distinguished lectures supplement student course work each semester. Politicians, journalists, diplomats, and academic experts in IR complement the department’s experienced and dynamic faculty to give students a rich and rewarding qualification in a discipline, which attempts to provide the key to understanding international conflict and resolving it.

Throughout the academic year there are also opportunities for earning credit while doing field study. IR trips vary in length from two weeks of total immersion and course work in Ghana to a recent weekend in Geneva, Switzerland where students visited the World Health Organization (WHO) and met with the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) or Podgorica in Montenegro where students met with the Prime Minister Djukanovic, ministers and members of Parliament, the Mayor of Podgorica and the head of the American Mission. Internships are also an integral part of our program, allowing students first hand experience while working for organizations devoted to improving international affairs. IR students also gain insight and an appreciation for contemporary politics and current events by participating in the International Relations Club which publishes the International Relations Club Newsletter and sponsors events like last year’s debate on Turkey’s bid for EU membership.

Taking advantage of Rome’s proximity to key centers for the theory and practice of international relations, such as The European Commission, NATO, and OPEC, the AUR International Relations department provides students with exceptional opportunities for field study and hands-on experience, an outstanding faculty, incomparable course offerings, and the necessary foundation to pursue both graduate level study and careers in the field of international relations.

Contact us on internationalrelations@aur.edu