International Relations is a three year programme which offers students exposure to concepts in evolving world politics and diplomacy.

Unlike most courses scheduled within the regular school day, this programme takes place once per week for a two hour session after school. The schedule varies from time to time to accommodate conferences and fundraising activities which may take place on weekends.

Over the course of three years in the programme, students earn full course credits.

The International Relations programme has three areas of focus: education, action/interaction, and fundraising. Students learn about diverse world issues through guest speakers, presentations, field trips and their own research and in-class debates and discussions. Students choose a focus for their attention over the course of the three years, and establish an action plan which they will complete over the course of the remainder of their three years in the programme. The chosen area of focus will be any area/issue in the world that the group as a whole feels it can contribute to in a positive manner. An example might be reducing illiteracy in the world, in which case, students may decide to become active supporters and advocates of Room to Read. Another example may be AIDS awareness and prevention in the world, in which students research and then help to fund AIDS awareness groups. Whatever the chosen issue, action should take into consideration both the local as well as the global community.

Although many projects will be ongoing and will be decided on and initiated by different groups each year, all students will work through some basic themes and curriculum en route to the third year:

First Year: the focus is on basic political geography, modern world politics and world issues. Basic elements of successful fundraising will be covered, and fundraising initiatives will be put in place with a two-year goal amount.

Second Year: the focus moves deeper into cultural and political issues in a globalized world. Students will examine world issues through different lenses: economic, humanistic, etc. The class team will analyze world problems and possible solutions. Students will participate in a local Model United Nations (UBC), as well as one other local conference, such as Mulgrave School's Water Summit (February 2007). Fundraising goals and efforts will continue.

Third Year: focus will be on preparing for participation in the Model United Nations in New York. The trip, which will take place in early spring of the third year, will be funded largely through the fundraising efforts of the class team. After receiving the country assignment, students will be divided into committee groups in preparation for the NHSMUN (National High School Model United Nations) in New York. Each committee will learn proper research techniques while answering their committee questions, and will learn how to write a well-organized and well-constructed committee paper (to be submitted to the Executive Committee of the NHSMUN for grading and comments). While in New York, at the NHSMUN, students will have opportunities to speak with and interview representatives from foreign governments. Their preparation for this event will help them practice key skills they will use in life after high school.

It is important that this course reflect the individuality of each class team as it moves through the three years of the programme. In the second year especially, student interests will decide the direction and focus of the course.