John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations

Founded	1997
Motto	Preparing the Next Generation of Global Leaders
University	Seton Hall University
School type	Private, Catholic
Dean	Amb. John K. Menzies, Ph.D.
Location	South Orange, New Jersey, USA
Enrollment	350 graduate, 250 undergraduate

The John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations (SODIR) [cite web |url=http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=409363 |title= United Nations Association of the United States of America Press Release|work= UNA-USA |date= 1997 |accessdate= 2008-10-06] , or simply the Whitehead School, is a post-secondary degree-granting institution concentrating in international affairs within Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. Founded in collaboration with the United Nations Association of the United States of America, it was the first school of international relations to be founded after the Cold War. It educates both undergraduate and graduate students. The Whitehead School is an affiliate member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.

History

The Whitehead School was founded in 1997 and welcomed its first class in the Fall of 1998. Among the founding members of the school was its first dean Ambassador Clay Constantinou, a graduate of Seton Hall Law. The schools namesake is retired Goldman Sachs executive John C. Whitehead, who served as deputy secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan, headed the United Nations Association of the United States of America and was Chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. A statesman, a war hero, a business leader, and a philanthropist, Mr. Whitehead exemplified the highest form of citizenship that all students are called to be. The first school of international relations in the Post-Cold War era, the Whitehead School was to “prepare the next generation of global leaders.” The Whitehead school was founded in close alliance with the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Its close proximity to New York City also serves as an advantage which allows students and faculty to participate in U.N. sponsored functions. This has enabled students to interact directly with U.N. diplomats as well as gain a special opportunity to receive first-hand experience with the organization.

Degree programs

The Whitehead School primarily offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees, a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations.

Undergraduate

The undergraduate program working towards a Bachelors of Science degree is an intensive program which includes a 69-credit core curriculum. Students take a wide range of courses in international relations, history, economics, and ethics. In addition, there is an eighteen-credit foreign language requirement which usually leads to the completion of a minor. A special 5-year combined B.S./M.A. program is also offered for students who excel.

Graduate

Students enrolled in the M.A. program participate in two-year program that culminates with a research project or thesis. Degree requirements include completion two of thirteen different specializations. Students choose between functional fields of study such as:
*International Economics and Development,
*Foreign Policy Analysis,
*Public International Law,
*International Organizations,
*Global Negotiation and Conflict Management,
*Global Health and Human Security,
*International security,

*and a series of regional specializations.

Students can also design their own fields of study. Each specialization consists of three or four different courses. All students have to satisfactorily complete 45 credits. In addition, with the school's emphasis on building an economics background, all students have to complete a series of courses in economics.

In addition to these degrees offerings, the school also offers several dual-degree programs in collaboration with other academic units of the university. These include:
* M.A./J.D. with the law school
* M.A./M.B.A. with the school of business
* M.A./M.P.A. with the college of arts and sciences political science department
* M.A./M.A. in Asian Studies with the college of arts and sciences asian studies department
* M.A./M.A. in Corporate Communication with the college of arts and sciences communications department

World Leaders Forum

The Whitehead School is also known for its high-profile lecturers. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams, Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume, President of Israel Shimon Peres, and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev have addressed the Seton Hall community while visiting the School. Former Polish President Lech Wałęsa also visited the University on December 1, 2005.

Journal of Diplomacy

The Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations is produced by Whitehead graduate students.

Former Deans

*Rev. Paul Holmes (a.i., 2005-2007)

*Amb. Clay Constantinou (1999-2005)

*Terrence Blackburn (a.i., 1997-1999)

Notes and references

External links

* [http://diplomacy.shu.edu School of Diplomacy Website]
* [http://diplomacy.shu.edu/journal/new/ Journal of Diplomacy Online]
* [http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=457175 Seton Hall/ UNA-USA Alliance]