International Relations
Our courses engage the central topics of the field. We have particular strengths in the politics of international law, state formation and change, religion and politics, critical theory, and the role of international institutions in the global economy, violent conflict and conflict resolution.
Training in International Relations
Students pursuing international relations as a first or second field are expected to take International Relations Theory (PS 440) and at least three of the following courses in partial preparation for the comprehensive exam:
- International Political Economy
- International Security
- International Organization
- International Law and International Politics
- Critical Studies in World Politics
Students pursuing international relations as their primary field are expected to take at least three additional courses from international relations faculty. Students pursuing international relations as a secondary field are expected to take at least one additional course from international relations faculty.
Comprehensive Exams in International Relations
Students should meet with the Field Chair at the beginning of their exam preparations. Exam takers are required to submit one exam question, which may or may not appear on the exam in some form.
International relations faculty and students are active in
- Comparative Historical Social Science
- Equality Development and Globalization Studies
- Program in Middle East and North African Studies
- Global Working Groups
- Legal Studies
- Religion and Global Politics Certificate
- Program of African Studies
- Critical Theory Cluster and Certificate Program
Faculty and Graduate Students
International Relations Speaker Series
Northwestern is pleased to welcome the following speakers for the 2025-2026 academic term:
Isabella Bellezza
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Northwestern University
Oct. 17th 2025 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Aditi Sahasrabuddhe
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Brown University
Oct. 31st 2025 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Karen Alter
Norman Dwight Harris Professor of International Relations
Northwestern University
Nov. 7th 2025 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Adom Getachew
Professor of Political Science and Race, Diaspora & Indigeneity
University of Chicago
Jan. 23rd, 2026 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Emma Davis
Ph.D Candidate in Political Science
Northwestern University
Jan. 30th, 2026 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Judith Kelley
Terry Sanford Professor of Public Policy and Professor of Political Science
Duke University
Feb. 6th 2026 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Michael Findley
Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Centennial Professor of Government
University of Texas
Feb. 27th 2026 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Andrés Schelp
Ph.D Candidate in Political Science
Northwestern University
Mar. 13th 2026 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Ana Vedovato
Ph.D Candidate in Political Science
Northwestern University
Apr. 10th 2026 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Polina Beliakova
Assistant Professor of Foreign Policy & Global Security
American University
Apr. 24th 2026 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Virginia Page Fortna
Harold Brown Professor of US Foreign and Security Policy
Chair of the Political Science Department
Columbia University
May 8th 2026 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »
Neonila Glukhodid
Ph.D Candidate in Political Science
Northwestern University
May 22nd 2026 | Read more and RSVP on Planit Purple »