The International Relations (IR) graduate program encompasses a wide range of theoretical perspectives and empirical approaches. Our faculty train graduate students and conduct research in international security, international political economy, foreign policy decision making, and international organization using a wide range of tools, including statistics, game theory and historical case studies. This program is designed to give students some flexibility in pursuing their academic goals, while ensuring that all students are exposed to core ideas, debates, and methodological approaches in the field.
Majors in International Politics are often complemented by coursework in Comparative Politics, Political Psychology, Political Economy, Political Methodology, and Formal Theory.
International Relations Faculty
Sarah Brooks, Frederick Chen, Chris Gelpi, Ryan Kennedy, Erin Lin, Jennifer Mitzen, Randall Schweller, Alexander Thompson, and Alexander Wendt.
Emeriti: Richard Herrmann, John Mueller, and Daniel Verdier.
Focus Field
Everyone choosing a focus field in International Relations (IR) must take PS 7300 (Theories of International Relations) and two electives within IR. Students are encouraged to consult with faculty to choose methods courses appropriate for their research goals.
Third-year students should enroll in PS 7095.01 and 7095.02, a year-long prospectus seminar.
Research Workshop
The Research in International Politics (RIP) Workshop is a venue for the presentation and discussion of international relations research primarily (though not exclusively) by graduate students and faculty of the Department of Political Science. Beginning in their first year, students should view the Research in International Politics (RIP) workshop as a useful opportunity to interact with faculty and other graduate students outside the classroom and an essential tool to their professionalization.
Recent Ph.D. Placements
Johns Hopkins University
Dartmouth College
University of Arizona
College of William and Mary
Fordham University
University of Kansas
University of Texas
University of Illinois - Chicago
Drexel University
European Institute, Florence
Niehaus Center, Princeton University
Social Science Research Center Berlin
Central Intelligence Agency
Institute for Defense Analysis
Joint Warfare Analysis Center, Department of Defense
Related Programs
Related programs at Ohio State University include the Mershon Center, which studies the human and social dimensions of complex security challenges, and the Military History Program.