Undergraduate

Political Science 100S:  Introduction to International Politics

This course provides a basic introduction to the study of international politics.  The first part of the course considers some of the more prominent theoretical perspectives in the discipline, organized around alternative levels of analysis.  We then examine conflict and competition in the global arena and alternative mechanisms for promoting cooperation among nation-states.  The last section reviews some of the more pressing economic, social and ecological problems presently facing the global community.  The central purpose of the course is to provide students with the skills necessary to critically examine these issues and undertake advanced study in international politics.

Political Science 323: International Political Economy

This course provides a basic introduction to the politics of international economics.  We begin with a critical review of competing theoretical perspectives in the discipline.  These perspectives are then employed to analyze the contemporary political economy, placing special focus on monetary relations, foreign trade, foreign investment, and the emergence of a global labor market.  The next section considers north-south relations and the subordinate position of developing countries in the international division of labor.  The course concludes with analysis of ongoing systemic transformations, most notably global and regional integration.  The central purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to critically interpret state-market relations in the current global order.

Political Science 325W:  World Politics

This course is designed for intermediate students who are interested in the theoretical and systematic study of world politics.  The first part of the course considers some of the more prominent theoretical perspectives in the discipline, organized around alternative levels of analysis.  We then apply these perspectives to a number of contemporary issues and problems.  We examine conflict and competition in the global arena and alternative mechanisms for promoting cooperation among nation-states.  International economic issues are considered next, paying particular attention to globalization, foreign trade and investment, and development.  The last section reviews some of the more pressing social and ecological problems presently facing the global community.  The central purpose of the course is to provide students with the skills necessary to critically examine these issues and pursue further advanced study in world politics.

Political Science 337:  Latin American Politics

This course provides a basic introduction to Latin American politics.  The first part of the course examines the evolution of state structures in the region, including early colonial and post-colonial rule, and the twentieth century experience of populism and radicalism, the emergence of military regimes, and the reestablishment of constitutional democracies.  We then consider various economic, social, and cultural issues which condition state-society relations in the region.  The last section examines environmental issues, along with the international context, especially relations between Latin American nations and the United States and contemporary initiatives to promote global integration.

Political Science 480W:  Senior Seminar in International Studies

We live in an era of globalization. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the prevailing world order is being fundamentally redefined and restructured.  Traditional notions of national sovereignty, economic independence, and cultural distinctiveness are rapidly giving way to transnational systems, institutions, and practices.  This seminar examines political convergence in the world today, focusing on the role which inter-governmental and non-governmental institutions play in structuring transnational relations.  Special focus is placed on the central challenges currently facing the global community, including reducing military conflict, defending universal human rights, promoting economic development, enhancing ethnic and gender equity, and preserving natural environments.

Graduate

International Studies 704/804:  Latin American Politics

The central objective of this course is to examine Latin American Politics from a comparative and historical perspective.  Particular focus is placed on various manifestations of political authority in the region and the major societal challenges to state power.  The course reviews and critiques alternative theoretical approaches to the study of state-society relations in Latin America and asks students to test these theories through empirical research

International Studies 713/813:  Global Political Economy

This course is the core seminar for the International Political Economy and Development track in the Graduate Program in International Studies.  We begin with a review of alternate theoretical perspectives, organized at various levels of analysis.  We then turn to development and dependency, placing special emphasis on international debt, structural adjustment, and economic assistance.  The third section addresses gender and class inequalities, as well as global environmental issues.  The course concludes with an analysis of ongoing systemic transformations, most notably regional and global integration.  The core objectives of the course are to introduce students to the major concepts, theories and debates in the study of global political economy and to impart the knowledge and skills necessary to critically interpret state-market relations in the contemporary global order.

International Studies 740/840:  Political Economy of Development

Today’s world is marked by extreme inequality.  Affluence in the industrialized nations exists alongside widespread hunger and poverty in the developing world.  What accounts for this gap between rich and poor countries?  What can be done to lessen this gap?  This seminar examines contrasting theoretical perspectives on the origin and character of third world underdevelopment.  These perspectives are then employed to understand contemporary economic and political changes in the developing world, most notably the liberalization of domestic economies and the consolidation of democratic governance.  We then turn to a series of pressing issues and problems in the Global South, including questions of nationalism, ethnicity, gender relations, and environmental constraints.  The last section considers alternative proposals for promoting sustainable development, with emphasis placed on the relative importance of financial assistance programs, global economic reform, and new social movements.

International Studies 741/841:  Globalization and Social Change in the World System

We live in an era of globalization. At the dawn of the twenty-first century the prevailing world order is being fundamentally redefined and restructured.  Traditional notions of national sovereignty, economic independence, and cultural distinctiveness are rapidly giving way to transnational systems, institutions, and practices; changes which call into question some of the central assumptions of international relations theory.  This seminar examines political convergence in the world today, focusing on the role which inter-governmental and transnational non-governmental institutions play in structuring global relations.  Special focus is placed on the major challenges currently facing the global community, including reducing military conflict, defending universal human rights, managing economic integration, promoting socio-economic progress in the developing world, enhancing gender equity, and preserving natural environments. The course also considers various manifestations of resistance to globalization and alternative models for managing social change in the new millennium.