National affairs, domestic policies, and the philosophical underpinnings of political theories, concepts, and ideologies are typically the main topics of politics degrees. History and economics are also topics that politics touches on, usually with a focus on a specific nation, though there are also courses that concentrate on larger global regions or international policies.
What is international studies?
Understanding the social and cultural facets of specific countries is the focus of the field of study known as international studies. This area focuses on how those elements affect other people in the nation. It looks at topics like political, cultural, and anthropological problems that affect people in different nations, regions, or states. This degree adopts a broad perspective on people, culture, and interactions across national boundaries.
What is international relations?
Studying international relations focuses on comprehending world affairs and how each country fits into the larger international community. This field, which has its roots in political science, emphasizes the national and international context of a nation. It examines issues in international affairs such as politics, economics, and law. This degree emphasizes cross-national interactions and examines the circumstances surrounding those interactions.
International relations vs. international studies
Students can prepare for engagement with significant global issues by studying either international relations or international studies. There are aspects of these two fields that are similar and those that are different. Some of these may include:
Global focus
Both degrees offer a variety of courses that help students gain a deeper understanding of different countries, cultures, and how those cultures interact. Most students who select these courses are curious to learn more about world affairs. While some courses may concentrate on general topics, others may be focused on a particular nation or culture. These fields of study might be a good fit for you if you’re interested in current events and what happens in other nations, countries, and regions of the world. Topics these degrees cover may include:
Skills
Having a comparable set of skills may be advantageous for students who pursue these degrees. Both degrees have roots in political and social science, two academic disciplines that frequently overlap. These students may be prepared for a similar range of careers by the abilities they acquire during their studies. Some of these skills may include:
Scope
The scope of these two fields varies slightly. Studies abroad look at the causes and effects of problems on a country or a nation. These students might examine the political institutions and systems that are in place, as well as how those systems affect a country’s international relations. Their studies may concentrate more on the overall effects of a problem or subject, such as how a historical event affects the choices made by policymakers today.
The relationships between various countries and nations are examined by international relations. These students might examine how these relationships affect policy, borders, global security, and other issues using international political theory. Their research may concentrate more on the effects of particular details on a problem, such as how the policies of a particular politician affected national law while they were in office.
Careers
Despite the fact that these two subjects concentrate on various aspects of international affairs, they prepare students for a variety of occupations. Students have the option of working abroad or domestically. You must ensure that you satisfy the requirements of the international office before working in a country other than your own because different countries have different requirements for positions. Following graduation with a degree in international studies or international relations, you might work in the following fields:
Relationship
In an effort to approach international affairs more broadly, international studies and international relations were split into two distinct fields of study. Both disciplines draw from a variety of other academic fields and are interdisciplinary. As one emphasizes cultural and social impacts within nations and the other examines the effects of various factors on international relationships, these two fields when combined can offer a comprehensive understanding of international affairs.
Is Studying International Relations Worth It?
FAQ
Is international relations good to study?
GLOBAL STUDIES VS. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS While IR focuses on comprehending inter-state and intergovernmental functioning, Global Studies integrates a number of disciplines that question a nation-state-centric view of the world.
Is there a difference between international relations and international affairs?
People who study international relations go on to work in a variety of careers and industries because the skills they acquire in a GSIR program are so transferable, including international business, military intelligence and analysis, national security, activism, and more.
What is international relations as a study?
International studies, which concentrates more broadly on studying and comprehending societies, cultures, languages, and other aspects of globalization, is where most people who study international affairs find themselves. International relations, which focuses on the political, economic, and military interactions between nations