kerouackerouac

First Tier

Religion, Philosophy, Urban Affairs, Public Health, Peace and Conflict, International Studies (in no specific order)

Second Tier (Don't think I need one)
Economics, Comparative Literature, Education, Linguistics


I'm also taking Arabic for three to four years, but it's not a major or a minor here. If I double major I have to write a thesis combining my two majors, and maintain a 3.5 GPA or above.

All of the first-tier appeal to me greatly (our school doesn't offer International Affairs/Relations).

Career-wise I'm interested in international affairs, government, NGOs, diplomacy, policy, poverty, education, democracy, access to services, development, the developing world, the Muslim World, the Middle East. And to a lesser extent academia, perhaps law. I'll probably do the Peace Corps upon graduating.


Any opinions on what I should lean towards given my professional interests?

zapfino

Are you asking what to combine with Political Science?
If so, given your professional interests...

Philosophy: Not so closely related to your interests in international & comparative politics/Middle East, etc., but good if you decide on law.
Urban Affairs: Not so closely related to your interests in international & comparative politics/Middle East, etc., but a focus on urbanization in developing countries (including the Middle East) could be worthwhile, especially as it's a less common specialty.
Public Health: Not so closely related to your interests in international & comparative politics/Middle East, etc. Possibly could be related to your interests in development, but perhaps best left for others to pursue in grad study in health sciences, public health, or medical anthropology. Possibly related to your peace corps interest as the peace corps is certainly involved in public health projects.
Peace & Conflict Studies: I see this as a subtopic in political science or international relations, so if you want to diversify, pick another field.
International Studies: You mentioned that your school doesn't offer International Relations/Affairs---I'm not sure what distinction you're making as these seem to be the same field with a different label. International Relations also is a subfield of Political Science, so if you want to diversify, take some of your courses in this area, but don't do a PoliSci + International double major.
Religion: Just about perfect for your stated interests in the Middle East, etc. as the intersection between religion & politics is of key relevance (especially as you are acquiring relevant language skills).

Since you're studying Arabic, any possibility of doing a major or certificate in Middle Eastern Studies, either as a formal major offered by your school, or as a self-designed interdisciplinary major?

I'm not sure why Economics is designated as second-tier since it would complement PoliSci very well, and it's a key discipline for many of your stated interests?

Some other areas to consider---natural resources (including water resources)/energy/environment. These areas have relevance for development, international relations, and the Middle East.

Lots of possibilities...

kerouackerouac

Thanks.

Int'l. studies at our school is a minor combined with Philosophy, Econ, and Poli Sci (and some Anthro). I thought it might be a little redundant to have a minor in that with Poli Sci.

There is no Middle East Studies program, as of now, at the school.

Econ is second-tier because I am deathly afraid of math (and bad at it too).