International Affairs Courses

INA811 Theories of International Affairs

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course examines the main theoretical approaches to the study of international relations; it involves a comprehension of each theory, its critique and its usefulness as a tool of analysis.

INA812 Foreign Policy Analysis

[3–0, 3 cr.]

A seminar examining various factors influencing foreign policy-making, including; the setting of the state in the international system; the nature of the political system; the socioeconomic environment; the personalities, beliefs, perceptions and attitudes of decision-makers.

INA813 Topics in International Relations

[3–0, 3 cr.]

An analysis of salient political issues and concepts in international relations (with the selection left to the professor).

INA814 Topics in Middle East Politics

[3–0, 3 cr.]

An in-depth study of contemporary Middle Eastern issues involving review of intra-regional ties against a backdrop of indigenous regional factors and the impact of international actors’ policies on the area.

INA815 Topics in International Organizations

[3–0, 3 cr.]

A seminar with case studies on how international actors behave under the institutional restraints of the United Nations. The cases include; collective security, disarmament, peaceful settlement, peace-keeping, social and technical cooperation, and, international trade and finance management to promote economic development.

INA820 Globalization

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Examines the different views associated with globalization. Is globalization helping the integration of world culture, economies, and states or further fragmenting nations into different levels of development; pitting nations, religions, and social groups against each other? How is globalization helping the improvement of the quality of life and how it is not? This course will address these issues from various points of views.

INA825 Comparative Politics

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course serves as a graduate-level introduction to the scholarly subfield of comparative politics. The objective is to expose the student to the variety of topics studied in comparative politics, the different theoretical approaches that dominate the subfield, and the methodological tools used to analyze comparative research questions. The course concludes by evaluating the current state of the subfield.

INA826 Comparative Politics of the Middle East

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar examines a number of themes pertinent to political, ideological, and socioeconomic dynamics in the Middle East. The objective of this seminar is twofold: to introduce students to the major political and socioeconomic challenges facing Middle Eastern states and societies, and to survey important debates shaping the discipline of Middle East studies. The themes examined in this seminar include the debates on Orientalism and Arab nationalism, the legacies of Middle East state formation, the politics of ethnic, religious, and sectarian identities, the rentier state and persistence of monarchical regimes, the politics of gender, the challenges of political economic restructuring and Islamist politics, and the impacts of the 2011 Arab uprisings on authoritarianism and democracy in the Arab world.

INA830 International Relations of the Middle East

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The seminar examines the structure of Middle East International Relations, the dynamics of regional politics, and the foreign policy of a select number of Arab states. The themes examined in this seminar include approaches to the study of Middle East International Relations, the character of the Middle East state system, state formation, foreign policy determinants and the foreign policies of Middle East states, regional patterns of conflict and cooperation/alliance-building.

INA831 International Political Economy

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The seminar examines the basis of the international political economy and analyzes interactions between economic and political factors on the international levels. Discussion issues include; international finance, international trade and the role of governmental and non-governmental international organizations.

INA840 Topics in Area Studies

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Courses taught under the umbrella of ‘topic in area studies’ seek to deepen knowledge and understanding of a specific region in light of the fields of comparative politics and international relations. Courses focus on describing and interpreting historical development, institutional frameworks, political culture and other components to provide students the opportunity to synthesize regional and disciplinary knowledge.

INA842 Topics in International Law

[3–0, 3 cr.]

A seminar on various topics in international law geared to prevailing conditions and interests like: the individual in international law; international criminal law; extradition; recognition of states, governments and belligerent communities.

INA850 Political Theory

[3–0, 3 cr.]

What is political theory (or political philosophy) and why is it important? What are the different methods used to study political theory? Why is it important to study political theory as a form of critical reflection on contemporary social and political problems? This seminar attempts to answer these questions by looking at different approaches to studying political theory and by examining closely the works of a select group of political theorists and intellectuals.

INA851 International Conflict and Conflict Resolution

[3–0, 3 cr.]

A seminar aimed at defending conflict in the international arena and enumerating its various causes; applying general concepts of conflict to concentrate situations; describing and criticizing various perspectives on conflict resolution.

INA852 Research Methodology

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course addresses the question of social research and the various methods It covers the foundations of social science (epistemology), different approaches to social research (quantitative and qualitative research methodology) and different types of research design, data collection and data analysis. Students are required to understand and apply the ethical requirements and implications of social research.

INA855 Politics and Migration

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course examines various perspectives on transnationalism, and how they are related to processes of migration, diaspora politics and to postcolonial analysis. The course consistently analyses how these interact and affect collective and individual action at a global, national and local level.

INA885 Internship

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Prepares students for careers in international affairs such as international development, human rights, national security, international trade, global women’s rights and international education. It provides students with experience in organizing conferences, analyzing foreign policy choices facing countries, monitoring legislation affecting international trade, development, conflicts and other issues, and conducting outreach and advocacy campaigns on global issues. Students are placed in international, local, and governmental organizations for a 10 week period.

INA899 Thesis

[6 cr.]

An original and extensive research project under the supervision of an advisor, defended before a committee.