In today's world, every field of endeavor can have an international dimension, and the Department of International Relations at BU offers a special blend of the academic and the practical applications of international affairs. The department’s multidisciplinary curriculum encompasses the traditional studies of politics, trade, investments, war and peace, but also social-science-oriented studies in history, economics, geography, anthropology, and other disciplines. Among its faculty are former military officers; two retired ambassadors; former Fulbright fellows; a retired Central Intelligence Agency officer; former Foreign Service officers; an international lawyer and best-selling author; and many more distinguished scholars, professionals, and specialists. In addition to the undergraduate BA, the department offers six interdisciplinary MA programs: including a joint MA/MBA and a joint MA/JD. The Department is affiliated with the Center for International Relations, the African Studies Center, and the Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology, & Policy.