Course Offerings

IR 10. Introduction to World Politics (4)
Introduction to the major principles, concepts, and theories of international relations, along with a historical background focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries. Topics to be covered include the nature of power, balance of power theories, national interest, decision making in foreign policy, theories of war and expansion, patterns of cooperation, and international political economy. Menon. (SS)

IR 19. Current Issues in World Affairs (3)
This is a survey course designed primarily for non-IR majors or minors. The purpose is to acquaint students with some of the concepts and historical facts behind current global issues. The content of this course will, in part, be dictated by international events as they unfold. Staff. (SS)

IR 34. Society, Technology and War since the Renaissance (4)
This course explores the links between war and society in both directions: the impact of social, economic, and technological change on how wars are fought and the purposes for which they can be fought; as well as the impact of war mobilization needs and of war itself on how societies develop, including the rise of capitalism, democratization, economic planning and other modern institutions, and emancipation of disadvantaged groups in society, such as blacks and women in the United States. The American and French revolutions; the Civil War; World Wars I and II; Vietnam; Afghanistan and Iraq; the law of war; war propaganda; atrocities; the nuclear and information revolutions; the ongoing "revolution in military affairs;" and current trends in the status of military institutions in advanced societies. Kaufmann. (SS)

IR 36. International Terrorism (4)
Have we seen the peak of global terrorism, or is the worst still to come? This course examines psychological, religious, and political explanations of terrorism; legal and moral statuses of terrorism; explanations for the increasing scale of terrorism and the more frequent targeting of Americans; major terrorist organizations, structures, and means of operation; suicide terrorism; threats and vulnerabilities facing the United States and Western countries today; means of coping with terrorism as an individual and through national policy; possible future developments. Kaufmann. (SS)

IR 56. European International Relations (4)
Examines the evolution of the modern states system in Europe. Conceptual, theoretical and historical topics include the transition from feudalism to the Westphaliam system, nationalism, imperialism, the causes of war and attempted peace settlements, the Cold War, the European Union, and the impact of the collapse of the USSR on the political and strategic structure of Europe. Bially Mattern, Briggs.  (SS)

IR 61 (ASIA 61). Pacific Asian International Relations (4)
Introduction to Pacific Asian international relations, with emphasis on post 1945 period: historical background; Cold War conflicts; China's rise to power; Japan's growing role; Korea and the NICs; Southeast Asia; U.S. and Russian policies; current and future issues.  Staff. (SS)

IR 72. The United States in the Global Economy  (4)
Political problems and policy issues arising out of the economic relations between the U.S. and the rest of the world. U.S. foreign economic policy. Decision making processes and political influences on policy. Economic diplomacy. Declining U.S. economic pre-eminence.  Moon. (SS)

IR 74. United States Foreign Policy (4)
Major themes and trends in U.S. foreign policy, including the historical evolution of current issues and institutions. Emphasis on critical examination of the interests and values that underlie the goals of policy and the beliefs that shape decisions on how to achieve those goals. Also addresses the constitutional division of authority, bureaucratic politics and processes, civil-military relations, and public opinion.  Narizny (SS)

IR 82. Middle East in World Affairs Since 1945 (4)
Rise of Turkish, Iranian, and Arab nationalism; creation of Israel; decline of British and French power; growth of U.S. and Soviet influence; Middle East as the world's major oil producer. Staff. (SS)

IR 90. Challenges in U.S. Foreign Policy (4) - FRESHMAN SEMINAR - FALL 2008 AND 2009 ONLY
This course will examine the multiple challenges facing United States foreign policy in the immediate future.  Central among them is the need to identify a proper role for the U.S. in world affairs that is consistent with U.S. history, values, and contemporary circumstances.  We will probe the available options and consider the effects of public opinion, decision-making processes, and alternative theoretical assumptions in choosing among them.  Moon  (SS)

IR 105. Theories of International Relations (4)
The role of theory in historical explanation, prediction, and policy.  Issues of theory design and testing.  Important theoretical approaches to international relations, including the role of states' external environments; balance of power; international institutions; the role of demotic politics; bureaucracies, and individual leaders; nationalism; myth making and propaganda; psychological explanations.  Prerequisites: IR 10 and 56.  Bially Mattern (SS)

IR 118. Issues in International Relations (1-4)
Readings on selected themes in world politics, with theme to change each semester. Offered on an occasional basis only. Staff. (SS)

IR 119. Issues in International Relations (1-4)
Readings on selected themes in world politics, with theme to change each semester. Offered on an occasional basis only. Staff. (SS)

IR 120. Globalization and World Politics  (4)
An exploration of the economic, political, cultural, and military manifestations of globalization and the effects on the internal order of states and the relations among them.  Prerequisite: IR 10. Menon, Moon (SS)

IR 123. Evolution of International Order (4)
Evaluates competing explanations for the origins of the modern states system, the development of capitalism, the rise of the West, and the nature of international order in non-Western subsystems.  Narizny (SS)

IR 125 (GS 125, PolS 125). International Political Economy (4)
Principles governing the interaction between the economic and political components of international phenomena. Political causes and consequences of trade and investment. Foreign economic policy and its relationship to domestic economic policy and other aspects of foreign policy. Determinants of foreign economic policy. Prerequisites: Economics 1, 11 or 12; and IR 10.  Moon. (SS)

IR 127. Research in International Relations (4)
Research skills in international relations. The role of theory, models and evidence in the explanation of international phenomena. Literature review; problem formulation; theory construction; research design, methods and measures; collection, analysis and interpretation of data; principles of hypothesis testing. Professional writing, either through individual research projects under faculty supervision or an apprenticeship in ongoing faculty research projects. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.  Moon (SS)

IR 132. Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict (4)
The ideal of nationalism exerts a powerful pull on almost all people everywhere. This course investigates the sources, spread, and possible future decline of nationalism and national identity, the manipulation of nationalist feelings for political purposes, and the sources of national and ethnic conflict.  We will also consider porposals for managing ethnic conflicts and their records of success (or failure).  We will study recent and current cases, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ethnic relations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Balkans, or others as current events demand.  Prospects for the futures of nationalism, ethnic conflict, and ethnic conflict management.  Simulations of decision-making groups involved in ethnic conflicts.  Kaufmann (SS)

IR 143 (ES 143). Comparative Environmental Law & Policy (4)
This course will analyze both comparative legal systems and comparative domestic schemes of environmental regulation exploring the range of alternatives for environmental law and policy as practiced in various parts of the world. Gillroy. (SS)

IR 163 (ASIA 163). Japan in World Affairs (4)
Japan in world affairs, emphasizing role in Pacific Rim: historical background; domestic politics; foreign and security policies; relations with regional and global powers; policies toward Asia and Third World; current and future issues. Staff. (SS)

IR 164 (ASIA 164, Rel 164). Japan's Response to the West (4)
A survey of Japanese history and culture from 1500 to the present, following the theme of Japan's contact with the West. What enabled Japan to modernize and Westernize so successfully? Topics covered include: the expulsion of Christianity, the first samurai mission to the U.S., the postwar American occupation, and contemporary issues. Readings include Japanese novels and short stories (in translation). Kraft. (SS)

IR 169. International Relations of Russia and Eastern Europe (4)
The Soviet collapse and the emergence of Russia. Russia's relations with the other newly independent states that emerged following the disintegration of the Soviet union. The international relations of Eastern Europe (including the Balkans). Menon. (SS)

IR 177. International Relations of Latin America (4)
Survey of major international and domestic crises facing Central and South America. Examines factors affecting Latin American system of states such as international debt, involvement of foreign powers, and social and political instabilities. Barkey. (SS)

IR 181 (Rel 181).  Israel: Religion, Culture and National Identity (4)
What is "Israeliness?" Beginning with an exploration of the basic premises of Zionism, the course will then examine the debates within Israeli society concerning national identity, religion and culture. Silberstein (HU)

IR 198. The Philosophy & History of International Law (4) - SPRING 2009 ONLY
Beginning in the 13th Century, this course will trace the various philosophical, historical, and policy design arguments that have been used to explain, justify, and influence the evolution of the rule of law between nations (ius gentium). Using writings from, Aquinas, Victoria, Suarez, Selden, Grotius, Wolff, Vattel, Rousseau, Hume, Bentham, and Kant we will trace the European genesis of international law in Natural, Cannon, and Roman Law during the middle-ages (ius commune), the implications of the Reformation, The Treaties of Westphalia and the Enlightenment for the development of international law and the rise of Positivism and Multilateralism from 1815 to the present. With this background, we shall speculate as to the future prospects for international legal rules, processes, principles, and institutions in the face of the Globalization.  Gillroy.  (SS)

IR 222. Political Economy of North-South Relations (4)

Political economy of relations between developed and less developed countries. Issues arising from trade, investment, and foreign aid. Consequences of North-South transactions. Controversies over system structure and reform proposals for international institutions (e.g. World Bank, IMF, WTO). Prerequisite: IR 125 or permission of instructor.  Moon. (SS)

IR 235. International Security (4)
Explanations of international wars, civil wars, genocides, and terrorism.  Arms races, escalation, and conflict resolution. The nuclear revolution and ballistic missile defense.  Tools of national grand strategy, including alliances, deterrence, coercion, and institutions and norms.  Current issues and near future prospects.  Case studies.  Kaufmann. (SS)

IR 245. International Organization (4)
Examines how cooperation is achieved and sustained in world politics. Under what circumstances does cooperation take place? What role do formal international organizations (such as the UN) play? What roles do norms, values, and ethics play? Can cooperation last? Questions pursued theoretically and in practical terms across topical issues (e.g., human rights, poverty, the environment, international law). Prerequisite: IR 10. Bially Mattern. (SS)

IR 246 (Jour 246). International Communication (4)
Role of international news media in world affairs. Global theories of the press; process and influence of U.S. reporting of international affairs; survey of global media systems; global communication controversies. Lule. (SS)

IR 296. The Iraq War: Causes and Consequences (4) - SPRING 2009 ONLY
This course will look at the genesis of the Iraq War, the stakes involved for the international system, the U.S., the neighbors and Iraq.  It will explore the "exit" strategies and analyze their consequences for all the parties involved.  Prerequisite: IR 10.  Barkey. (SS) 

IR 302. Rise and Decline of Empires (4)
An overview of the expansion, over extension, and collapse of empires. Focus on alternative theories of empires as well as historical cases. Prerequisite: IR 10.  Menon. (SS)

IR 321. Economic Relations of Advanced Industrial Societies (4)
Foreign economic policies of advanced industrial nations. Bilateral and multilateral economic relations; international economic regimes and institutions; interdependence and cooperation; managing conflict. Prerequisite: IR 125. Moon. (SS)

IR 322. Poverty and Development (4)
Patterns and causes of poverty in poor countries. Diagnosis of development problems and evaluation of development planning. Explanations for choices of develoopment policy, especially issues of trade, foreign aid, and foreign direct investment.   Written and oral presentation of individual country research. Corequisite:  IR 222.  Moon.  (SS)

IR 323. Political Economy of Newly Industrializing Countries (4)
Issues of development, debt and adjustment in newly industrializing countries. Analysis of the differences between the development strategies adopted in Latin America and East Asia. Explanations for patterns of success and failure. Origins of underdevelopment; the politics of failed development strategies; the challenge of the increasingly competitive world economy and relations with the U.S. and other developed nations. Prerequisite: IR 125. Barkey. (SS)

IR 333/433 (ES 333/433). International Environmental Law and Policy (4)
This course examines the basic international legal setting for the protection and management of the global environment.  It examines how international law concerning nature is made and applied, the role of international environmental regimes or institutions, enforcement strategies, and compliance mechanisms.  Emphasis will be placed on a review of various regulatory regimes for the protection of the global commons, including the history and legal sources of the Global Climate Change Convention. Gillroy. (SS)

IR 334. Prospects for Peace in the 21st Century (4)

Will the 21st century be more or less peaceful than the "terrible 20th?" This course examines theories of war and international insecurity; nationalism; ethnic conflict; terrorism; the nuclear revolution; the special situation of the American superpower in the early 21st century. We also explore tools of war prevention and resolution, including deterrence and alliances; international institutions and norms; efforts against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping; and American policy choices between unilateral and multilateral approaches. Prerequisite: IR 10. Kaufmann. (SS)

IR 339 (ES 339/ES 439). Global Security and the Environment (4)
This course examines the links between international security and the environment.  Topics include the effects of military actions on the environment; the environment contributing to international conflict; environmental conditions as security issues; the relationship between public health and security; bioterrorism, ecoterrorism, and biological threats; environmental remediation and conflict resolution.  Briggs. (SS)

IR 340 (ES 340/ES 440). International Environmental and Science Policy (4)
The politics of science behind global climate change, transboundary environmental pollution, international regulatory standards, and environmental risk assessments. How international/global science communities operate, how to communicate scientific research across cultures, and how to translate scientific data into international policy. Case studies include climate change, the ozone hole, avian influenza, and HIV/AIDS.  Briggs. (SS)

IR 344. International Politics of Oil (4)
Historical influence of oil in international politics and the role it plays today. Focus on differing views of producers, such as Middle Eastern and Latin American states, and consuming nations, largely the economically developed Western states.  Instructor permission required.  Barkey. (SS)

IR 346. Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas in World Politics (4)
This course is designed to explore, challenge, and re-conceptualize the boundaries of moral community and ethical responsibility through such current dilemmas in world politics as famine, terrorism, torture, genocide, weapons of mass destruction, organized crime and more.  Prerequisite: IR 10. Bially Mattern. (SS)

IR 347. Non-State Actors in a Globalized World (4)
Role of non-state political groups (e.g. international advocacy organizations, multinational corporations, news media, terrorists, etc.) in world affairs. Thematic focus on globalization, the relationship between non-state and state actors, and the implications of non-state actors for the future of world order. Themes explored through past and current events (e.g., the WTO demonstrations, 9-11, the CNN effect, AIDs, anti-sweatshop campaigns).  Bially Mattern. (SS)

IR 354. International Relations of the Middle East (4)
Importance of the Middle East in contemporary world politics; strategic location and natural resources as factors affecting interests of the great powers. Interplay of international, regional and internal forces. Prerequisite: IR 81 or 82. Staff. (SS)

IR 364. (ASIA 364) International Relations of Pacific Asia (4)
Research-oriented seminar on contemporary international relations of Pacific Asia.  Special emphasis on China, Japan and regional and global powers. Substantial research paper on topic of student's own choice is required. Prerequisite: IR 61 or 161 or 163 or 164. Staff. (SS)

IR 367. Seminar in the International Relations of Russia and Other Post-Soviet States (4)
Analysis of foreign relations of Russia and the other fourteen states that emerged after the collapse of the USSR. Staff. (SS)

IR 388. Honors Thesis in International Relations (4)
International relations majors with senior standing may undertake an intensive, two-semester project under the direct guidance of a faculty member in the student's special area of interest. Students who successfully complete the thesis and whose GPA in the major at the time of graduation is 3.5 or higher receive Departmental Honors. Departmental permission required. May be repeated for credit. Staff. (SS)  More information on honors theses.

IR 390. Readings in International Relations (1-4)
Directed course of readings intended for students with special competence or interest in fields of international relations not fully covered by regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit. Departmental permission required. Staff. (SS)

IR 391. Internships (1-4)
Internship in public or private agency. May be repeated for credit. Departmental permission required. Staff. (SS)

IR 392. Independent Study (1-4)
This course enables students to work with faculty on individual projects and material not covered by the current course offerings. Department permission required.  Staff. (SS)

IR 393. Seminar in International Relations (4)
Advanced seminar focusing on discussion and research on specialized subjects in international relations. Variable subject matter. Offered by faculty on rotating basis. May be repeated for credit. Senior standing and departmental permission required. Staff. (SS)

IR 394. Special Topics in International Relations (1-4)
Intensive, research-oriented study for students with a special competence or interest in fields of international relations not fully covered by regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit. Departmental permission required. Staff. (SS)

IR 395. Contemporary Political Issues of South Asia and the Middle East (4) - FALL 2009 ONLY
In a post 9/11 world order, countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have come to occupy a central position in debates about security, terrorism, and the role of religion in international affairs. This course represents an attempt to go beyond superficial explanations that proffer "global fury" and "rage" as answers with little regard for the historical threads in which contemporary politics are embedded. Through employing case studies and developing analytical frameworks that prioritize the voices and experiences traditionally silenced in mainstream international relations, this course challenges students to confront their own assumptions and critically reconstruct the debates around the politics of South Asia and the Middle East. The readings assigned in this course will combine scholarly works like books and journal articles as well as novels to help us develop alternative readings of issues like nationalism, secularization, the role of faith in politics, tradition, modernity, state power, civil society, social movements, foreign intervention, war, gender, migration, development and global order. Prerequisite: IR 10. Haider. (SS)