Undergraduate Program in International Studies

Courses

Approved Courses Archive

International Studies (INST) Courses

23101. Contemporary Global Issues I. It is recommended that students majoring in IS enroll in this required introductory course in their second year. This course surveys international, social, political, and cultural patterns in the context of global interactions. We emphasize contact between populations in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe from the late nineteenth century forward. The focus is on the globalization of economies, technological change, and urbanization; human environment relations; cross-cultural relations and cultural transformations; and transformation of national and international political orders. The course is interdisciplinary in approach, drawing from the social sciences and humanities to provide different perspectives and historical depth in the analysis of current issues. Autumn.

23102. Contemporary Global Issues II. PQ: INST 23101. It is recommended that students majoring in IS enroll in this required introductory course in their second year. This course examines a select set of global issues in depth. The emphasis is on questioning dominant conceptions of the international order that privileges states by treating them as natural actors in the international arena; that privileges the Western world by treating it as the center; and that privileges the balance of power and deterrence by treating military force as the primary means of self-help in allegedly anarchical space beyond state frontiers. Topics include nationalism, transnational identities generated by migration and refugee flows, global environmental movements, human rights, cyber space, and international conflicts. Winter.

29700. Reading and Research. PQ: Consent of instructor and program director. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course form. This course may be counted as one of the electives required for the IS major. This is a reading and research course for independent study not related to B.A. research or B.A. paper preparation. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29800. B.A. Thesis (Autumn Seminar). Required of fourth-year IS majors. This weekly seminar, taught by graduate student preceptors in consultation with faculty readers, is designed to aid students in their thesis research. Students are exposed to different conceptual frameworks and research strategies. Students must have approved topic proposals and faculty readers to participate in the seminar. Autumn.

29801. B.A. Thesis (Winter Seminar). PQ: INST 29800. This course may not be counted as one of the electives required for the IS major. This weekly seminar, taught by graduate student preceptors in consultation with faculty readers, offers students continued B.A. research and writing support. Students present drafts of their work and critique the work of their peers. This is an optional course for students majoring in IS. All students, however, are encouraged to participate in this seminar. NOTE: Students completing dual majors may not take this course for credit. Winter.

29900. B.A. Thesis (Reading and Research). PQ: Consent of instructor and program director. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course form. This is a reading and research course for independent study related to B.A. research and B.A. thesis preparation. Autumn, Winter, Spring.