International Studies Courses
IS 101 - Introduction to International Studies: Studying Global Conflict and Co-operation (3)
Introduces international studies historically, tracing the patterns of conflicts and co-operation between nations, states and social groups in the world of the last half of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. Examines important problems in the contemporary world from the perspectives of different social science disciplines: poverty and development aid; war; and environmental change. Considers the challenge of global governance. Breadth-Social Sciences.
IS 200 - Historical Perspectives on Diplomatic Relations, International Security and Law (3)
An introduction to the study of diplomacy, security and the development of international law. Emphasis will be on the 19th and 20th centuries, preceded by a general survey of early notions of sovereignty, concepts of total war and primitive diplomatic institutions, as well as the role of religion in politics.
IS 209 - Latin America: the National Period (3)
A survey of Latin American history from Independence (1808-24) to the present: post-Independence political collapse and reconsolidation; Latin America in the world trade system and the changing conditions of economic dependency; nationalist reform (Mexico) and socialist revolution (Cuba), liberalism, populism, and the rise of modernizing military. Treatment by topics and broad historical period rather than county by county. Students who take this course may not take HIST 209 for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
IS 209W - Latin America: the National Period (3)
A survey of Latin American history from Independence (1808-24) to the present: post-Independence political collapse and reconsolidation; Latin America in the world trade system and the changing conditions of economic dependency; nationalist reform (Mexico) and socialist revolution (Cuba), liberalism, populism, and the rise of modernizing military. Treatment by topics and broad historical period rather than county by county. Students who have taken HIST 209W cannot take IS 209W for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Soc Sci.
IS 210 - Comparative World Politics: Trajectories, Regimes, Challenges (3)
Introduces students to the variety of systems of governance in the world today, examines the historical and cultural sources of their different developmental trajectories, and assesses the challenges they face in the future. Breadth-Social Sciences.
IS 220 - Wealth and Poverty of Nations (3)
Analyzes some of the historical reasons for the great divergence in world economic development, and undertakes a cross-country, cross-regional perspective of world economic development using a historical approach to long-run economic growth. Students with credit for INTS 220 may not take this course for further credit.
IS 230 - Transnationalism and Society (3)
Provides a survey of the basic issues relating to the study of transnationalism and society. Topics covered include identity and ethnicity, urbanization, migration, social networks, politics, and religion. Breadth-Social Sciences.
IS 265 - Global History from the Revolutionary Age to the Present (3)
An introduction to Global History, beginning in the 1780s and ending in the present day. Key topics include the first Age of Revolution (US, Haiti, Latin America), the post-colonial experience, and the modern world economy. Students with credit for HIST 265 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
IS 280 - War in the Balkans and the Making of the 21st Century (3)
Provides an overview of the second World War as a backdrop to the dramatic changes in Greece and South Eastern Europe. Students with credit for HS 280 may not take IS 280 for further credit.
IS 300 - Research Methods in International Studies (4)
Introduces the research enterprise in International Studies. Prerequisite: IS 101 and 45 units.
IS 302 - Introduction to Humanitarian Intervention (4)
Investigates complex emergencies and the outcomes of conflict, specifically forced migration by refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs). Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 303 - Ethnic Minorities, Identity Politics, and Conflict in Southeast Asia (4)
Surveys the ethnic minorities of Southeast Asia, focusing on their relations with other ethnic groups, especially majority populations, and governments. Examines the treatment of ethnic minorities and the responses of the minorities, including ethnic-based secession movements. Reviews cross-border and broader international issues relating to minorities, such as their status as refugees and cross-border support for insurgencies. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 304 - Russian Foreign and Security Policies (4)
Introduces the Russian Federation's foreign and security policies. Reviews key actors, institutions, and stages in the development of Russian foreign policy development as well as the gap between rhetoric and realities in Russian foreign policy. Prerequisite: IS 200 and 45 units. Recommended: HIST 335.
IS 309 - Special Topics I (4)
Specific details of courses to be offered will be published prior to enrolment each term. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 313W - Nationalism, Democracy and Development in Modern India (4)
An examination of the differing narratives of nation and modernity in the struggle for independence from colonial rule in India, and their implications for the post-colonial state, for politics and for India's economic development. Prerequisite: IS 210 or 220, and 45 units. Writing.
IS 314 - National, Regional, and International Politics in Southeast Asia (4)
Provides an overview of national and political issues in Southeast Asia. Surveying politics in individual countries and regional political institutions, focus is given to particular themes such as democratization and civil society, communism and other forms of authoritarianism, the role of the military, decentralization, religion and politics, the impact of China on the region, and security concerns. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 315 - Introduction to Middle East Politics (4)
Introduces the political, economic, and ideological dynamics of contemporary Middle Eastern states. Examines the legacy of colonialism, state formation, central ideological trends such as Arab nationalism and political Islam, the dynamics of state-society contention, and the challenges of economic development. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 319 - Special Topics II (4)
Specific details of courses to be offered will be published prior to enrolment each term. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 329 - Special Topics III (4)
Specific details of courses to be offered will be published prior to enrolment each term. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 358 - Development, Aid and Difference in Historical Perspective (4)
Examines "International Development" within a series of historical frames, including the history of imperialism, the history of international relations, globalization, and the cultural and intellectual history of North-South relations. Prerequisite: 45 units and declared ISHON, ISMAJ or ISMIN. Students who have credit for HIST 358 may not take IS 358 for further credit.
IS 408 - Directed Readings I (4)
Independent research in a selected international studies area, under the supervision of at least one faculty member. A research report is required. Prerequisite: By application to the undergraduate chair. May only be taken once for credit towards a degree or diploma.
IS 409 - Special Topics I (4)
Specific details of courses to be offered will be published prior to enrolment each term. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 410 - Politics, Institutions and Development (4)
The quality of institutions' exercises a crucial influence on the prospects for development. Aims are to interrogate this claim through analysis of different paths of economic growth and change across the developing world. Examination of the ways in which politics influences economic growth and distribution; the relationships between political systems and patterns of development; and the politics of institutions and state formation. Prerequisite: 90 units.
IS 412 - Central Asia: Democracy, Development and Conflicts (4)
Examines the new states of post-Soviet Central Asia, with particular reference to the relationship among democratization, development, autocracy and conflict, and the role of external actors in transnational security issues in the region. Prerequisite: 45 units. Recommended: IS 200.
IS 414 - Current Regional Issues in Southeast Asia (4)
Reviews important current regional issues in Southeast Asia with particular attention to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 415 - Islamist Trend in Middle East Politics (4)
Focuses upon the political Islamist movements that have swept much of the Middle East and North Africa since the mid-1970s. Examines a broad range of movements, from liberal to militant trends, drawing on the experiences of countries throughout the region. Prerequisite: 45 units. Recommended: HIST 151 or IS 315.
IS 418 - Directed Readings II (4)
Independent research in a selected international studies area, under the supervision at least one faculty member. A research report is required. May only be taken once for credit towards a degree or diploma. Prerequisite: By application to the undergraduate chair.
IS 419 - Special Topics II (4)
Specific details of courses to be offered will be published prior to enrolment each term. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 421 - The Economics of International Organizations and Development (4)
Develops an understanding of the interactions between international organizations, economic theory, and implementation of economic policies. Explores as well the impact of their interventions in some chosen countries. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 427 - Globalization, Poverty and Inequality (4)
Analyzes the origins and the economic consequences of globalization and the uneven process of economic development around the world in relation to poverty, by considering the measurement of poverty, its causes and dynamics, as well as public policy for poverty reduction. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 428 - Directed Readings III (4)
Independent research in a selected international studies area, under the supervision of at least one faculty member. A research report is required. Prerequisite: By application to the undergraduate chair. May only be taken once for credit towards a degree or diploma.
IS 429 - Special Topics III (4)
Specific details of courses to be offered will be published prior to enrolment each term. Prerequisite: 45 units.
IS 435 - Special Topics in Latin American Studies (4)
An examination of Latin America through historical, literary, and social scientific approaches. Prerequisite: 45 units. Recommended: IS 209W or HIST 209W.
IS 450W - Seminar on Global Problems in Interdisciplinary Perspective (4)
An interdisciplinary course which aims to bring together different disciplinary perspectives on international affairs through the study of in-depth particular contemporary problems. Prerequisite: International Studies major or honors students. 90 units. Writing.
IS 451 - Seminar on Core Texts in International Studies (4)
An interdisciplinary course which aims to bring together different disciplinary perspectives on international affairs through the study of influential texts which, between them, involve study of core themes to the program: development, governance and civil society, war and peace, human rights and questions of culture and ethnicity. Prerequisite: 90 units. International Studies major or honors students.
IS 490 - Honours Seminar (5)
Intended for the research and preparation of materials for the honours graduating essay. Students must complete this course before taking IS 499. Open only to students who have been accepted into the honours program. Prerequisite: 間眅埶AV is by permission of the instructor and the School.
IS 497 - Field Practice (4)
Students pursuing a local or international volunteer work placement or volunteership involving a minimum of four hours per week, for a minimum total of 52 hours or work/volunteership for the term. Students reflect upon their work/volunteer experience, and write about it, in relation to problems they have studied in their academic program. Applications should be submitted to the Chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee, in the term preceding the one in which they are proposing to undertake the field practice. Prerequisite: Completion of 60 units and a minimum CGPA of 3.0 is required. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check, if required.
IS 499 - Honours Essay (5)
In addition to regular meetings with their supervisors, students will be required to submit a major paper on a topic to be selected in consultation with the School. 間眅埶AV is by permission of the instructor and the School. Open only to students who have been accepted into the honours program. Prerequisite: IS 490.
IS 800 - Problems of International Policy and Practice (4)
An inter-disciplinary course which aims to bring to bear different perspectives on problems of International policy and practice. The particular problems taken up will change over time in light of global developments and current events. Prerequisite: Graduate students enrolled in the MA in International Studies, or permission of the instructor.
IS 801 - Institutions, Policies and Development (4)
'The quality of institutions' is now said to exercise a crucial influence on the prospects for development, and the course interrogates this claim both through analysis of different paths of economic growth and change across the developing world, and in regard to public administration and development management. It examines development policies and institutional theories, the politics of institutions and state formation, and the relationships between political systems, institutions and patterns of development. Prerequisite: Graduate students enrolled in the MA in International Studies, or permission of the instructor.
IS 802 - Political Economy of Development (4)
Examines the historical political economy of development.
IS 803 - Economics of International Organizations and Development (4)
Aims at providing a comprehensive understanding of the mandate and role of a selection of International Organizations with economically driven mandate and their impact on international and national economic issues in developing economies. Policies that involve the joint interaction of government, civil society and international organizations are studied in the light of economic theory, and their implementations within the organizations' respective mandates are analysed.
IS 805 - Approaches to Research in Latin American Studies (4)
Provides an introduction to choosing a methodological framework for conducting the MA research project. Topics include epistemology of the human sciences, social research design and a review to qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods. Students will gain experience in writing research proposals for external funding early in the term. This course is identical to LAS 800 and so students may not receive credit for both courses.
IS 806 - State Failure and Reconstruction: Comparative Perspectives (4)
The challenges posed by the 'new wars' and by state failure, and their consequences, the needs of humanitarian intervention, and the tasks of reconstructing or building viable states, involve critical security dimensions that are of both a military and non-military nature. It will explore the extensive body of literature on state formation and decay, and on intervention, in various regional settings with an emphasis on the causes of state failure, and the prospects of state rebuilding.
IS 808 - Special Topics in Governance and Conflict (4)
IS 809 - Selected Topics - Economic and Social Development of Selected Regions (4)
Examines the specific development experience of a selected region, taking account of the historical context, of state capacity, development strategies and of the political economy of development - as well as of the particular problems of development across different sectors of the economy, and the outcomes in regard to poverty and levels of well-being.
IS 813 - African Economic Development: Theory and Practice (4)
Introduces important patterns of economic development in Africa with an emphasis on the post-colonial period. Basic economic theory, and the practical application of these in African economic development will be explored. We will see how dominant theoretical paradigms influenced the formulation of development policy in Africa and how in turn these led to rethinking development theory. Prerequisite: enrolment in the MA in International Studies Program.
IS 814 - Special Topics on the Middle East (4)
IS 815 - Theories of Latin American Development (4)
A synthetic introduction to historical and contemporary theories of development in Latin America. Topics include political economy of development, sociological theories of development, an introduction to neoliberalism, and the contemporary experience of globalization and development in Latin America. Students who have taken LAS 815 or SA 815 for credit may not take this course for further credit.
IS 816 - Global Security Studies: Concepts, Theories and Issues (4)
Examines a range of perspectives about security and applies them to key international issues.
IS 820 - Directed Readings (4)
IS 830 - Analytic Approaches for International Studies (4)
Introduces key methods in international studies, critically assessing them as concepts and as tools for helping understand the world around us. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MA in International Studies Program. Undergraduate course work in methods is highly recommended.
IS 835 - Social and Political Change in Latin America (4)
A general overview of social and political change in Latin America, including revolutions, independence, transition to democracy, and contemporary social movements. Theoretical approaches may include social-movement theory, democratic theory, etc. Students who have taken LAS 835 or SA 835 for credit may not take this course for further credit.
IS 840 - Perspectives in International Studies (4)
An inter-disciplinary overview and critical introduction to key issues of governance and conflict within international studies.
IS 845 - State Building and State Failures in the Balkans: From Greece to Yugoslavia and Back Again (4)
Examines state formation in the Balkans in the 19th century, the failures of the 20th century (dictatorships, coups, revolutions, civil wars etc.), the new efforts of state formation in the 20th century and the new failures.
IS 865 - Asymmetrical, Conventional and Political Conflicts, 1870-2010 (4)
Examines and analyzes how war has impacted the evolution or contemporary society in Europe, North American and the Middle East. Topics include: industrialization of society for war; intelligence and code breaking; "black Ops"; breakdown of "rules of War" and transition to total war as experienced from 1939-1945; and terrorism.
IS 880 - MA Extended Essays (6)
Extended Essays. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the MA in International Studies program.
IS 886 - Thesis Prospectus (2)
Thesis Prospectus. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the MA in International Studies program.
IS 887 - Pre-project (3)
Preparatory course for IS 888 MA Project. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Enrolment in the MA in International Studies program.
IS 888 - MA Paper (6)
Students are expected to complete either two extended essays (each of not more than 8,000 words) based on core readings, or with the approval of the program director, a project. Prerequisite: Graduate students enrolled in the MA in International Studies.
IS 898 - MA Thesis (8)
MA Thesis. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the MA in International Studies program.