INR - International Relations

The purpose of this course is to cover a variety of theoretical and ethical approaches to the problem of understanding international conflict. Strong emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of the empirical literature attempting to explain the causes of war and peace. Historical continuity and change in international conflict will be examined via the analysis of a variety of case studies of global, regional and intrastate war. By combining a theoretically sophisticated understanding of the causes, results, and resolution of conflict, coupled with concerns about the moral justification of war, students will emerge prepared to formulate thoughtful, concrete opinions on issues of global conflict. Prerequisite: POL-230.

This course examines the way international actors make decisions regarding how they will interact with other members of the international community. Students will be introduced to the variety of ways in which the foreign policy-making processes within and across countries operate and can be explained. A number of influences on foreign policy are discussed, including individual policy makers, characteristics of the domestic political environment, and international systemic factors. The course surveys these influences, concepts and theoretical approaches in preparation for the in-depth and hands-on analysis students will undertake in the later part of the semester. Prerequisites: POL-230 and POL-232.

This course is an advanced survey of the norms, institutions and processes increasingly constituting some type of governance at the global level. Students will be acquainted with the knowledge and analytical tools needed to cope with an increasingly complex and interconnected global system. Towards this end, the course introduces the key dimensions, actors and nature of global governance; identifying the most significant concepts and theoretical approaches to understanding global rule. The course also addresses the various debates about global governance and explanations for the increasing demands in global governance structures. Prerequisites: POL-230 and POL-232.

This is an advanced seminar in the methodological study of political phenomenon. Students will enhance their research, analysis and critical thinking skills through practical experience in the process of scholarship. As a capstone experience students will plan, research and write a scholarly research piece addressing an empirical puzzle relevant to their interests. The course is highly recommended for students pursuing graduate education. Prerequisite: Upper-division Status.