International Affairs Courses

INA811 Theories of International Affairs

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The seminar explores the key theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, focusing on understanding each theory, its critique, and its applicability as an analytical tool. It prepares students to compare different theoretical propositions and debate around international relations topics. Students will be able to develop theoretical and literature review sections in their research papers.

INA812 Foreign Policy Analysis

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar examines the various factors influencing foreign policy decision-making, including the state’s position within the international system, the nature of its political system, the socioeconomic environment, and the personalities, beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes of key decision-makers.

Note: This course has not been thought since Fall 2023 and will not be taught in this academic year 2025–2026.

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.]

This seminar explores different perspectives on globalization. Does globalization promote the integration of world cultures, economies, and states, or does it divide nations based on their development levels, creating conflicts between countries, religions, and social groups? How does globalization improve quality of life, and where does it fall short? These questions will be addressed from multiple viewpoints.

INA825 Comparative Politics

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar introduces students to comparative politics, covering a wide range of topics and theoretical approaches. Students will also learn the methods used to analyze comparative research questions. The seminar concludes by evaluating the current state of the field.

Note: This course has not been thought since Fall 2023 and will not be taught in this academic year 2025–2026.

INA826 Comparative Politics of the Middle East

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar explores key political, ideological, and socioeconomic dynamics in the Middle East. It introduces students to major challenges facing Middle Eastern states and societies, while also surveying important debates in Middle East studies. Topics include Orientalism, Arab nationalism, state formation legacies, ethnic and sectarian identities, rentier states, monarchical regimes, gender politics, political economic restructuring, Islamist politics, and the impact of the 2011 Arab uprisings on authoritarianism and democracy in the region.

Note: This course has not been thought since Fall 2023 and will not be taught in this academic year 2025–2026.

INA830 International Relations of the Middle East

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The seminar explores the structure of the Middle East international relations, regional politics dynamics, and the foreign policy of a select number of Arab states. Topics include approaches to studying of Middle East international relations, the nature of the Middle East state system, state formation, foreign policy determinants, and the foreign policies of Middle East states, as well as regional patterns of conflict and cooperation/alliance-building.

INA831 International Political Economy

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar explores the foundations of international political economy, focusing on the interaction between political and economic factors at the global level. Key topics include international finance, trade, and the roles of governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Note: This course has not been thought since Fall 2023 and will not be taught in this academic year 2025–2026.

INA832 Lebanese Politics

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar analyses political sectarianism and consociational governance in Lebanon. It examines foundational agreements, institutional structures, legal frameworks, and political dynamics. Through theory and case studies, students explore power-sharing, governance challenges, and reform debates, gaining insight into Lebanon’s evolving political system and the controversies shaping its institutional development.

INA840 Topics in Area Studies

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Seminars under this category aim to deepen understanding of specific regions, exploring their historical development, institutional structures, political cultures, and more. Students will synthesize regional knowledge with concepts from comparative politics and international relations.

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.

INA843 Topics in Comparative and International Relations

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar examines advanced topics in comparative politics, security, development, and international relations. Students explore global challenges through theoretical frameworks and case studies, critically analysing governance, conflict, and policy-making. Topics vary by semester, reflecting current global trends and fostering research on complex international and regional issues.

INA850 Political Theory

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar examines different approaches to studying political theory and explores the works of key political theorists. It encourages critical reflection on contemporary social and political issues.

INA851 International Conflict and Conflict Resolution

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar explores the causes of conflict in the international arena and enumerating and applies general conflict concepts to specific situations.  It also analyzes and critiques various approaches to conflict resolution.

INA852 Research Methodology

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar addresses the concept of social research. It covers the foundations of social science (epistemology), different approaches to social research (quantitative and qualitative research methodology), and data collection and analysis methods. Students are expected to apply the ethical requirements and implications of social research, including obtaining ‘Protecting Human Research Participants’ certificate. Students will acquire skills in drafting a research proposal and research methodology in International Affairs topic.”

INA853 Research Quantitative Methods

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar introduces graduate students to key quantitative methods in political science. It covers theory, data manipulation, descriptive statistics, probability, inference, and regression. Students develop practical skills in statistical modeling and analysis using software such as SPSS, applying quantitative tools to support research design and empirical investigation.

INA855 Politics and Migration

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar explores transnationalism perspectives and examines how they relate to migration, diaspora politics and to postcolonial analysis. The seminar analyses how these factors interact and influence collective and individual actions at a global, national and local levels.

INA885 Internship (Practicum)

[3–0, 3 cr.]

A practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge they acquired during graduate studies in a real-life situation. It provides learning experiences that go beyond the classroom setting. Students are expected to work with a public or private institution as practitioners, where they can help in addressing a political science/International Affairs issue. Students are expected to spend 300 hours of work at the host institution.

Note: This course has not been thought since Fall 2023 and will not be taught in this academic year 2025–2026.

INA899 Thesis

[6 cr.]

A substantial and original research project that presents a student’s in-depth investigation of a specific topic. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to engage with scholarly research and contribute to academic knowledge.