SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

American University · Washington, D.C.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS -- ADVISEMENT WORKSHEET

The purpose of this field, is to provide an opportunity for graduate students to gain scholarly and analytical competence in international economics on a less technical, less theoretical level, i.e., more policy-oriented basis, than the level which is required of economics majors. The International Economic Relations (IER) field places more emphasis on pure economic factors than does the SIS field in International Political Economy, and it places less emphasis on quantitative and theoretical factors than the Economics Department. The emphasis in IER is on real world economic policy and transactions among sovereign countries, international organizations, multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations. Emphasis is placed on the major contemporary issues in international economic relations -- trade, finance, development, investment, and energy and natural resources. Students in this field take core courses taught in SIS as well as the Economics Department.

Major Field (15-18 credit hours)

• ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory (3) or equivalent
  Note: Students with a strong background in economics may have this course requirement waived without substitution with permission of advisor.
• SIS-616 International Economics (3) (prerequisite: ECON-603 or equivalent)
• SIS-665 International Trade and Investment Relations (3)
• SIS-666 International Monetary and Financial Relations (3)
• And two (2) approved courses in IER:
  • SIS-504 Multinational Corporations (3)
  • SIS-519 Global Financial Architecture (3)
  • SIS-519 Monetary Union in Europe (3)
  • SIS-565 US Economic Relations: Japan and China (3)
  • SIS-619 International Trade Law (3)
  • SIS-630 Economic Policies of the European Union (3)
  • SIS-696 Financial Issues in Latin America (3)
  • Other courses approved by the IER field director

Concentration (12 credit hours)

• Courses approved by the student's academic advisor selected from one concentration. Students may design their own concentration with the approval of the academic advisor. Examples of concentrations include:
  • Trade and Investment
  • Money and Finance
  • One of the other major fields of SIS
  • International Business
  • Law and Policy
  • Development
  • Political Economy

Research Methodology (6 credit hours)

• SIS-600 Quantitative Analysis in International Affairs (3)
• An approved methodology course appropriate to the student’s research interests (3)
- or -
• ECON-505 Introduction to Mathematical Economics (3)
• ECON-523 Applied Econometrics I (3)
- or -
• ECON-523 Applied Econometrics I (3)
• An approved methodology course appropriate to the student’s research interests (3)

Research and Writing Requirement (6 credit hours)

• SIS-797 Master's Thesis Supervision (6)
- or -
• One substantial research paper (3) and internship or cooperative education field experience (3)
- or -
• Two substantial research papers (6)

Note: The thesis or substantial research paper must relate clearly to the field of International Economic Policy.

Certification of written proficiency in a modern foreign language related to regional concentration.

Comprehensive Examination

For specific information about courses, please consult the University Catalog, Bulletin, or your academic advisor.

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