Course Descriptions

Today, the lives of individuals and communities are increasingly shaped by political, social and economic forces that are of global scope. This course examines the complex relationship between the "local’ and the "global’ by exploring the processes of globalization and the manner in which these affect the prospects of diverse societies around the world. It explores these dynamics in issues such as international law, global governance institutions, non-governmental organizations, terrorism and security, global public health, environmental policy, international trade, foreign aid and development, and the experiences of Indigenous peoples, migrants, and refugees.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

The objective of this course is to introduce students to various aspects of global citizenship, global cultures and coexistence. Special emphasis is devoted to two important and interrelated questions. First, what are or what should be the roles, rights and responsibilities of individual and groups in an increasingly globalized world? Second, what are the implications of cultural plurality for a globalized world, and vice versa? Third, what forms and degrees of coexistence have emerged to date and will likely emerge in the future? This course will facilitate efforts of students to answer such questions.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

This zero credit unit course is designed to recognize global experiential learning acquired by students through various means deemed valid by the Program Director or Coordinator/Administrator, including: (a) studying abroad; (b) completing an internship abroad with a bona fide international, regional or local organization; or (c) working or serving abroad with any governmental or non-governmental agency or corporate entity. An alternative means of meeting the global experiential learning requirements of this course is to serve as an intern or a volunteer for at least sixty hours with any agency or company that deals with international issues, relations, immigrants, or international students, or any other organization that provides students with learning opportunities that provide them with valuable insights on global issues deemed valid by the program Director or Coordinator/Administrator. In addition to experiential learning, this course will also provide students with materials and assignments related to cultural learning designed to develop what is commonly referred to as cultural competency.

Permission of the department is required.
Note: This is a required course in the Certificate of Proficiency in Global Studies program. Contact the Department of Political Studies for more information and permission to register.

This course introduces students to key themes in international development. In an interconnected and interdependent world, it is imperative to understand the conditions under which a majority of the world lives, how these conditions have come to be, and what is being done to address concerns of inequity and poverty. Themes of colonialism, globalization, gender, debt, trade, democracy, sustainable development, migration, health, education, and emerging powers are explored. To make sense of such a diverse and complex set of issues, the course has three primary objectives: first, to contextualize international development into its historical setting; second, to introduce the theories which seek to understand and explain international development; and third, to apply these theoretical constructs to specific issues and cases of international development.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Permission of the Department.
Prerequisite(s): 18 credit units at the 100-level including at least 12 credit units from ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST, POLS, RLST, RUSS, SOC, SPAN, UKR, WGST.
Note:Students who have taken IS 200.6 may not take this course for credit.

It is well known that we live in an age of intense international engagement. Countries and peoples are tied together by economics and trade, migration, environmental realities, and popular culture while also divided by religions, values, ideologies, issues of military and economic power, and ethnic and political conflicts. The course addresses some of the most complex interactions and tensions that define our world. In IS 212, we will look at patterns of conflict in international affairs and the causes of war, from world wars to ideological clashes and social protests, as well as some of the processes and institutions of cooperation, which range from the United Nations and a variety of political conventions to broadly based social movements that seek to address the inequities and unfairness of the modern era.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Permission of the Department.
Prerequisite(s): 18 credit units at the 100-level including at least 12 credit units from ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST, POLS, RLST, RUSS, SOC, SPAN, UKR, WGST.
Note:Students who have taken IS 200.6 may not take this course for credit.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

This seminar explores the contribution that interdisciplinary theory and research make toward understanding international cooperation and conflict with special attention to the role and evolution of military and peace interventions in global society. Topics will include war and peace, global community, humanitarianism, militarism, and peacebuilding as well as an examination of the roles of international organizations and non-governmental organizations in international conflict and cooperation.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): IS 211.3 and IS 212.3; or the permission of the IS program adviser or the Political Studies Department Head.
Note: Students with credit for IS 400 may not take this course for credit. It is recommended that students complete HIST 292 and HIST 293 prior to taking this course.

A seminar course that explores the contribution that interdisciplinary theory and research make toward understanding international issues, particularly international development. Topics will include theoretical conceptualization of development and sustainability, global poverty and inequality, the globalization debate, foreign aid and structural instabilities.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): IS 211.3 and IS 212.3; or the permission of the IS program adviser or the Political Studies Department Head.
Note: Students with credit for IS 400 may not take this course for credit. It is recommended that students complete HIST 292 and HIST 293 prior to taking this course.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours