Sigma Iota Rho
Encyclopedia
Sigma Iota Rho is a collegiate
honor society
of international studies
founded in 1984 whose members are advanced students (junior and senior) with outstanding academic performance in the field, as well as, extracurricular involvement. The organizations objectives are to promote and reward practitioners of international studies, international affairs, and global studies, as well as, to foster integrity and creative performance in the conduct of world affairs.
Sigma Iota Rho consists of 100 chapters throughout colleges and universities in the United States and is recognized by the International Studies Association
(ISA).
at American University
after recognizing the absence of adequate recognition for students specializing in international studies. Professor Theodore Couloumbis designated the Greek letters for the society. Sigma stands for "synesis," the Greek word meaning prudence, iota for "ideodoi," meaning ideals, and rho for "rhomi," meaning power. The first official meeting and inaugural dinner for SIR members was held on May 9, 1984. Currently, the President and National Director of SIR is Dr. Frank Plantan, co-director of the University of Pennsylvania
's International Relations Program.
Generally students are in the top percentiles of their classes as well as their specific schools.
since 1998 and has been a national publication since 2004.
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
honor society
Honor society
In the United States, an honor society is a rank organization that recognizes excellence among peers. Numerous societies recognize various fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow, for example, is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America...
of international studies
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
founded in 1984 whose members are advanced students (junior and senior) with outstanding academic performance in the field, as well as, extracurricular involvement. The organizations objectives are to promote and reward practitioners of international studies, international affairs, and global studies, as well as, to foster integrity and creative performance in the conduct of world affairs.
Sigma Iota Rho consists of 100 chapters throughout colleges and universities in the United States and is recognized by the International Studies Association
International Studies Association
The International Studies Association was founded by a group of scholars and practitioners in 1959 to pursue mutual interests in international studies. Representing eighty countries, ISA has over three thousand members worldwide and is the most respected and widely known scholarly association in...
(ISA).
Founding
Sigma Iota Rho was founded by the dean of School of International ServiceSchool of International Service
The School of International Service is American University's school of advanced international study in the areas of international politics, international communication, development, international economic relations, peace and conflict resolution, global environmental politics, and U.S...
at American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
after recognizing the absence of adequate recognition for students specializing in international studies. Professor Theodore Couloumbis designated the Greek letters for the society. Sigma stands for "synesis," the Greek word meaning prudence, iota for "ideodoi," meaning ideals, and rho for "rhomi," meaning power. The first official meeting and inaugural dinner for SIR members was held on May 9, 1984. Currently, the President and National Director of SIR is Dr. Frank Plantan, co-director of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
's International Relations Program.
Membership
Membership is based on standards similar to those of Phi Beta Kappa. Students with outstanding academic records are invited to become members of Sigma Iota Rho. Members are primarily undergraduate men and women who are studying international relations, global affairs, and other majors pertaining to the field of international studies. While members are required to meet the minimum qualifications, some of the qualifications may vary by chapter.Generally students are in the top percentiles of their classes as well as their specific schools.
Journal of International Relations
As part of the activities of Sigma Iota Rho, the Journal of International Relations provides an opportunity for international studies undergraduate students to publish their work in a nationally distributed scholarly publication. The journal has been published by the Epsilon Chapter of the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
since 1998 and has been a national publication since 2004.