Courses For International Service At American University Washington DC
SIS-030
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Affairs Proficiency (0)
Provides training for international affairs tool of research requirements. This course satisfies the tool of research requirement for the SIS master’s degree program if completed with a grade of B or better. Prerequisite: admission to SIS graduate degree program.
SIS-033
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Continuing Education
Topics in International Communication (0)
Noncredit topics provide introduction to a specific technique or approach currently used in the international communication/cross-cultural communication field, focusing on intercultural training, multicultural negotiation, intercultural leadership, or another similar area. Usually offered every term. May be taken Pass/Fail only.
SIS-042
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Academic Research and Writing for International Relations (0)
This non-credit graduate course is designed to improve the academic research and writing skills of non-native English speakers by completing assignments involving lectures and readings in the fields offered by the School of International Service. Students build a solid foundation in international relations theory and vocabulary, and develop critical thinking, presentation, and intercultural communication skills. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-051
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Continuing Education
SIS-096
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Continuing Education
Selected Topics: Non-recurring (0)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
SIS-099
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-101
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Leadership Gateway (1)
This course highlights theory-based leadership skills and serves to introduce students to the international resources of Washington, D.C. as a global city. Special attention is given to the variety of leadership styles and roles and to practical applications and diversity, culture, and complexity issues. Students design a leadership portfolio built upon field work. Usually offered every fall. May be taken Pass/Fail only.
SIS-102
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Selected Topics in Leadership (1-2)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Analyses of topics in leadership in a global era, with special attention to law and diplomacy, global commerce, global health, and policy issues. Note: open only to students by contract. Usually offered every term.
SIS-105
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
World Politics 3:1 (3)
Patterns of conflict and cooperation in a rapidly-changing world. The primary focus is on concepts and theories which provide a framework for analyzing and understanding contemporary issues. The course examines the behavior of states and other international actors, seeks to explain foreign policies, and identifies the main characteristics of interaction among states. Usually offered every term.
SIS-110
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Beyond Sovereignty 3:1 (3)
The role of the sovereign state in a world of complex interdependence and the tension between nationalism and the necessity of cooperative global problem solving. Is the state becoming obsolete? Is global policy possible in such areas as environmental protection, resource management, and containment of the destructiveness of modern weapons? Usually offered every term.
SIS-140
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Cross-Cultural Communication 3:1 (3)
Examines the impact of culture on perception, thought patterns, values, and beliefs in order to better understand the behavior of individuals in different cultures. Specific concerns include cross-cultural conflict and negotiation; the relationship between dominant cultures and subcultures; the issues of race, gender, and class in various societies; and the dynamics of cross-cultural adjustment. Usually offered every term.
SIS-161
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Civilizations of Asia (3)
Comparative study of the major historical, political, and cultural traditions of Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Southeast Asian peoples. Usually offered every term.
SIS-190
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
SIS-194
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
SIS-196
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
SIS-206
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Introduction to International Relations Research (3)
Introduction to scientific method, data gathering, research design, statistical analysis, and computer applications for international relations and comparative studies research. The course is designed for the beginning student and employs a hands-on approach. The course also develops the analytical skills students need as active consumers of research findings. Applications are geared to research projects to be encountered in subsequent SIS courses. Usually offered every term.
SIS-210
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Human Geography: Peoples, Places, and Cultures 3:2 (3)
A topical investigation of the interrelationships between human institutions and their surrounding environment. Provides a systematic spatial perspective to the interaction between physical, cultural, ecological, economic, and political systems on both local and global scales. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite for General Education credit: ANTH-110 or LIT-150 or RELG-185 or SIS-140 or SOCY-110.
SIS-215
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Competition in an Interdependent World 3:2 (3)
Economic competitiveness is a major contemporary issue, not only for the major powers, but also for newly industrializing countries and for developing nations. The forces affecting international competition and competitiveness are discussed through an examination of both domestic issues (debt, deficit, innovation, trade, education) and international issues, both political and economic. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite for General Education credit: ECON-110 or GOVT-130 or HIST-120 or SIS-105 or SIS-110.
SIS-220
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Confronting Our Differences/Discovering Our Similarities: Conflict Resolution 3:2 (3)
This course on conflict resolution examines our interdependent world and fosters greater intercultural awareness and communication. It encourages students to explore their own sense of identity, attitudes and behavioral choices, and how they affect and are affected by differences and similarities encountered with others. The course employs experiential learning activities. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite for General Education credit: ECON-110 or GOVT-130 or HIST-120 or SIS-105 or SIS-110.
SIS-245
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
The World of Islam 3:2 (3)
The “inner dynamic” of Islamic culture and an inside look at the workings of Islamic society - a society seen as a whole with its own characteristic inner force and propellant. Original readings illustrating the Islamic paradigm and discussion of the complex relationship among reform, renewal, and fundamentalism stemming from this paradigm. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite for General Education credit: ANTH-110 or LIT-150 or RELG-185 or SIS-140 or SOCY-110.
SIS-250
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Civilizations of Africa 3:2 (3)
By concentrating on African societies and states, ancient and modern, the course aims to create a greater understanding of, and empathy with, the Africans: the diversity, history, culture, accomplishments, and problems of the people and their continent; and the interaction of their culture with Islam and the West. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite for General Education credit: ANTH-110 or LIT-150 or RELG-185 or SIS-140 or SOCY-110.
SIS-255
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
China, Japan and the United States 3:2 (3)
A multidisciplinary introduction to China and Japan that explores the history, culture, social structure, literature, art, politics, economics, and foreign relations of these important countries. Particular attention is paid to the context of East Asian international relations. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite for General Education credit: ECON-110 or GOVT-130 or HIST-120 or SIS-105 or SIS-110.
SIS-258
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Contemporary Russia (3)
Russia’s contemporary political culture and its historical, economic, geographic, and social roots. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-264
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Contemporary Middle East (3)
The Middle East’s contemporary political culture and its historical, economic, geographic, and social roots, with special attention to the Arab world. Usually offered every term.
SIS-265
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Contemporary Africa (3)
Africa’s contemporary political culture and its historical, economic, geographic, and social roots, with special attention to Africa south of the Sahara. Usually offered every term.
SIS-276
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Contemporary Latin America (3)
Major political, social, and economic change in Latin America, its foundations, factors accelerating and impeding it, and prospects and trends. Usually offered every term.
SIS-294
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
SIS-296
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
SIS-301
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Theories of International Politics (3)
Major trends in recent thought, including systematic and behavioral modes of analysis. Problems of explanation and theory building in social sciences with special reference to international studies. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-303
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Special Institute in International Affairs (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Selected topics dealing with cutting edge issues in international affairs. Usually offered every summer.
SIS-307
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
The Politics of Culture in Kenya (3)
The diversity of Kenyan ethnic groups, urban and rural environments, education, religions, politics, languages, economics, development issues, international actors, and histories influence Kenya in a variety if ways. This course, offered as part if the AU Abroad program in Nairobi, addresses how these factors define Kenya as a whole and provide a backdrop for students’ immersion into Kenya society. Usually offered every term.
SIS-308
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution (3)
Conflict and violence, as well as cooperation and peaceful change, within and among individuals, cultures, and systems. Effective means for diminishing the level of violence, for increasing the potential for non-exploitative cooperative coexistence, and for collaborative conflict resolution are explored. Usually offered every term.
SIS-309
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
British Life and Cultures (3)
Offered as part of the AU Abroad program in London, this course takes students beyond the initial aspects of cultural difference and offers insights into what makes British culture distinct. The course covers the historical processes that have shaped British society and that govern the social attitudes and outlook of modern Britons. In addition, the course offers practical assistance to enable students to adapt to the context of living and studying in London, including field trips to reinforce the material taught in class. The course facilitates student orientation in the context of British society and the workplace and provides an important socio-historical framework. Usually offered every term.
SIS-311
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Political and Economic Impact of Globalization on Latin America (3)
Offered as part of the AU Abroad Andes to the Rainforest program, this course examines the political and economic impact of globalization on Latin America. Emphasis is on the structural changes in governments and liberal economic policies. The course looks critically at these issues to analyze the nature of changes in the region and highlights conflicts emerging in the process of adaptation to a global world. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-312
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Santiago Semester II: Contemporary Chile: Politics, Economics and Society (4)
Continuation of SIS-311. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-313
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Environmental Issues in Latin America (3)
Offered as part of the AU Abroad Andes to the Rainforest program, this course examines how Latin American cultures have treated their environment and natural resources, dating back to pre-Colombian times. It includes an analysis of the impact of colonization and industrialization, as well as an in-depth study of the region’s move towards a model of sustainable development in the twenty-first century. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-314
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Santiago Semester Internship (4)
With a strong working knowledge of Spanish, students may enroll in a two-day-per-week internship. Placements include banks, multi-national corporations, research organizations, the media, and educational institutions. Academic oversight of the internship includes class discussions and written assignments. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-315
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Contemplation and Political Change (3)
Does political change happen by altering social, economic, and political structures or by transforming one’s personal understanding and experience of the world? This question stands at the heart of political and social theory. This course explores it by reflecting on each trajectory and appreciating the relationship between the two. Students gain an appreciation for the profundity of the question and, through reading class discussion and contemplative practice, cultivate a meaningful orientation to their own efforts to improve the quality of life on earth. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-316
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Mediterranean Seminar (6)
From history to philosophy, from mythology to literature, from politics to art, this seminar offers students in the AU Abroad Madrid and the Mediterranean program an interdisciplinary approach to understand the major forces that influenced the Mediterranean area’s configuration. It examines the profound and enduring influences and forces, both past and present, which shape the region’s political systems and attitudes. Students also experience field trips to areas in the region including Athens, Istanbul, and Rome. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-317
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Mediterranean Politics (3)
Offered as part of the AU Abroad Madrid and the Mediterranean program, this course reviews the Mediterranean region’s role in European politics through patterns of conflict and resolution. It covers politics of the Arab world and bilateral relations between countries, with a focus on conflicts in Israel, Turkey, Cyprus, and the Balkans. The course examines the strategic importance of the Maghreb, which combined with southern Europe plays an important role in the decision-making process of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and the United States. The course also addresses strategic interests, security concerns, defense policies, migration pressure, and risks of nuclear and missile proliferation. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-318
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Topics in North American Studies (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course addresses key issues in North American studies. Meets with SIS-618. Usually offered every term.
SIS-320
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Contemporary Latin American Politics (3)
This course, offered as part of the AU Abroad Chile: Andes to the Rainforest program, provides students with an overview of political history in Latin America from the twentieth century to the present. The course focuses on authoritarianism, populism, and democracy, with country-specific case studies used to enhance understanding of the region’s current political situation. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-321
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Law (3)
Institutions of international politics, with emphasis on the nature and function of international law. Usually offered every term.
SIS-322
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Introduction to Human Rights (3)
This course provides a broad overview of international human rights, beginning with an exploration of the philosophical and political foundations and then turning to the main principles of international human rights law and policy. The course also provides a solid grounding in the main United Nations and regional systems for human rights protection and promotion. In addition, students are introduced to the methodology of human rights fact-finding, including interview techniques and planning investigations Throughout the course, students are encouraged to think as both advocates and critics, and to explore whether and how they could make a productive contribution to this dynamic field. Usually offered every term.
SIS-325
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Organization (3)
Institutions of international politics, with emphasis on the nature and functions of international organization. Usually offered every term.
SIS-328
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Approaches to Peacemaking (3)
The theory, history, and methodologies of four approaches to peacemaking: peace through nonviolent action for social change, peace through world order (laws and organizations), peace through collaborative problem solving, and peace through personal and social transformation. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-331
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Overview of the European Union (3)
The European Union and its institutions, historical roots, the variety of its political scenery, the unity of its different cultures, and the strength of its economy�in brief, comprehending the European identity. Usually offered every term.
SIS-335
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Paris: Civilization and Culture (4)
Offered in as part of the AU Abroad program in Paris, this course proposes a rapid chronological overview of French history enhanced by weekly on-site lectures at monuments corresponding to each period. In order to understand the French life and culture of today, it is essential to grasp at least the major outline of its Culture, i.e. history. In addition, emphasis is placed on culture with a small “c” through the examination of contemporary France in its daily expression, such as the use of space, eating habits, public comportment, etc.
SIS-336
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Berlin, the Holocaust and the Nazi Legacy (3)
Part of the AU Abroad Berlin Semester, this course studies multiple aspects of the Nazi era, particularly its policies of genocide, and its legacy in contemporary Germany, with emphasis on the city of Berlin. Taught in English. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-337
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Development (3)
An introduction to international development divided into three sections: development theories, development assistance, and structural adjustment. In each section a variety of approaches are analyzed, and students are expected to be able to discuss the basic assumptions of each approach and the policy prescriptions that would logically follow from these assumptions. Usually offered every term.
SIS-338
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Environment and Development (3)
This course is an overview of the multidisciplinary field of environment and development. It explores development-related “root causes” of Third World natural resource depletion including poverty, inequality, population growth, faulty prices and markets, and other micro, sectoral, and macro development policies. The course also looks at innovative policy responses to environment and development. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-340
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Foundations of International Communication (3)
The sociology, psychology, and anthropology relevant to the transmission of ideas, perceptions, and feelings between and within cultures. Communication models, perceptions theories, cultural contacts, technological change, public opinion, propaganda, and logic system. Usually offered every term.
SIS-341
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Intercultural Communication (3)
The primary focus of this course is on the dynamics of intercultural communication as it relates to interpersonal interactions across cultural boundaries. The course looks at cultural differences in verbal and nonverbal communication patterns, interpersonal relationship development, and intercultural adaptation processes. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: SIS-140 (may be taken concurrently).
SIS-342
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Study Abroad
SIS-343
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Study Abroad
SIS-344
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Study Abroad
SIS-345
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Study Abroad
SIS-346
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Study Abroad
SIS-347
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Contemporary Germany and Berlin (3)
Part of the AU Abroad Semester in Berlin, this course provides students with an overview of the economy and politics of the Federal Republic since unification. Topics include political culture, state institutions, the party system, fiscal and monetary policy, the welfare state, the job market, and banking and finance.
SIS-349
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Selected Topics in International Communication (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Cross-cultural problems of communication, research techniques in international communication, and the role of the media in cross-cultural communication. Usually offered every term.
SIS-350
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Honors Colloquium in International Studies (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. A colloquium experience for University Honors students. Focuses on emerging topics in comparative and regional studies, international communication, international development, international economic policy, international peace and conflict resolution, international politics, and United States foreign policy. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: admission to the University Honors Program.
SIS-355
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
SIS-355
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
European Foreign and Security Policy (3)
This course provides a survey of European foreign policy since World War II, including the origins, evolution, and end of the Cold War; analysis of national foreign policies; U.S. bilateral relations with the major European powers, relationships with the European Union and NATO, economic issues, disputes about “global governance,” cultural issues, anti-Americanism, and the future of the trans-Atlantic relationship; and the post-Sept. 11 security environment. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-359
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
SIS-364
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Contemporary Islam and International Relations (3)
Examines the nineteenth century Islamic reform movements in the Middle East and North Africa and the twentieth century neofundamentalist militant movements. The conflict between these movements and the forms of secular nationalism that developed during the same period, as well as the impact of Islamic movements on societies oriented toward Westernization and nationalism. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-365
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Arab-Israeli Relations (3)
A survey of Arab-Israeli relations from their origins to the present. Includes an account of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism, the history of the British mandate, the Arab-Israeli wars, the involvement of external powers, and the quest for peace. The emphasis is on conflict resolution. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-366
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
SIS-371
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Relations in Europe (3)
Part of the AU Abroad Semester in Berlin, this course surveys and examines a variety of aspects of international politics in Europe, with particular focus on the Cold War and post-Cold War eras. In-depth study of German foreign policy and international affairs in Europe, European integration and the European Union, the role played by security organizations such as NATO, U.S. and Soviet Union/Russian policy toward Europe, ethno-political conflict, the international impact of Germany’s reunification, and the quest for order, security, and stability in the region. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-376
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Brussels Semester Internship (4)
Internships of 16 to 20 hours each week in one of several multinational and international organizations based in Brussels under the supervision of the resident professor.
SIS-377
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Madrid Semester Internship (4)
Internships of 16 to 20 hours each week in one of several multinational and international organizations based in Madrid under the supervision of the resident professor. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: second semester sophomore standing or above and two years of college Spanish.
SIS-380
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Brussels Seminar (4)
Part of the AU Abroad Semester in Brussels: European Union, seminars cover the entire spectrum of European Union (EU) political, economic, and security relations. Includes the institutions, politics, policy-making procedures, and foreign policy of the EU, the history and process of European integration, the role the EU plays in world politics and its relationship with other major powers, the theory and practice of the EU’s economic and monetary union, economic policy making, and trade policy, the strategic, political, and economic dimensions of European security, the history and politics of European security policy, and the economic constraints on the EU’s efforts to create a common defense policy. Usually offered every term.
SIS-381
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Foreign Policies of the Great Powers (3)
Analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary development of the foreign policies of the United States and the former Soviet Union, including the role of China in the foreign policy of each. Emphasis is on the interaction of the policies and behavior of the major powers. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-382
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
The Analysis of United States Foreign Policy (3)
Approaches to the study of American foreign policy processes and decision making; the role of the president, the bureaucracy, the Congress, and public opinion. Attention to U.S. relations with select countries and regions. Usually offered every term.
SIS-383
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
United States-Russian/Eurasian Security Relations (3)
Addresses the relations between the United States and Russia, the Soviet Union and its successor states, focusing on the security aspects of those relations. The course primarily covers the evolution of security relations from the Bolshevik Revolution to the present. Usually offered every term.
SIS-384
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
American Defense and Security Policy (3)
United States national security policy formulation, including organizational politics, NSC systems, state and defense departments, the intelligence community, defense budgeting, weapons acquisition, and executive-legislative relations. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-385
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Economic Policy (3)
Major factors and issues in U.S. international economic relations in terms of trade-offs between political and economic priorities; emphasis on U.S. international trade, finance, development, energy, and investment policies. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: ECON-100.
SIS-386
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Selected Topics: Global Social Issues (1-2)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. This course provides experiential learning and active research linked to international learning opportunities in various locations.
SIS-387
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Madrid Seminar (4)
Part of the AU Abroad Semester in Madrid, seminars cover the politics, economy, culture, society, and foreign relations of contemporary Spain, including political issues such as separatism, economic trends and Spain’s place in the European Union (EU), Spanish society, conflicts among various social groups, and cultural life in Spain. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-388
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Environmental Politics (3)
Focuses on the political dimensions of transboundary ecological problems. Examines contemporary political responses to global environmental challenges and facilitates creative formulations of theory-based analyses of these challenges. Experiential approaches are also encouraged and emphasized. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: SIS-105 or SIS-110 or GOVT-130.
SIS-389
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Selected Topics in Policy Analysis (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Analysis of topics in public policy, with special attention to diplomatic, security, economic, or environmental policies. Usually offered every term.
SIS-390
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Independent Reading Course in International Relations (1-6)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and SIS undergraduate studies office.
SIS-391
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Internship in International Affairs (1-12)
Direct involvement in policymaking through participation in a government agency or nongovernmental organization. Prerequisite: permission of internship coordinator and SIS undergraduate studies office.
SIS-392
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Cooperative Education Field Experience (3-9)
Prerequisite: permission of SIS undergraduate studies office and Cooperative Education office.
SIS-394
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
SIS-395
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
SIS-396
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
SIS-400
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Senior Seminar in International Relations (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. A capstone experience for SIS majors. Designed to facilitate integration of knowledge in the international relations field. Development and oral defense of significant research projects. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: senior standing in SIS, or permission of instructor.
SIS-450
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Law and Organizations Seminar I (4)
The first of a two-part seminar, this course focuses on the expanding role of law in governing relations among nations while an interdependent world turns to multinational organizations in the making of global policy. Students examine the impact of the relationship between international law and organizations on security and terrorism, international trade and economic development, the environment, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. Students spend 13 weeks in Washington, D.C. meeting with international law practitioners and visiting organizations that shape policy, a week in New York City for a first-hand examination of the United Nations, and then travel to Europe for a series of seminars focusing on NATO and the European Union Prerequisite: concurrent registration in SIS-451 and permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-451
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Law and Organizations Seminar II (4)
This course is the second of the two-part Washington Semester in International Law and Organizations seminar. It focuses on the expanding role of law in governing relations among nations while an interdependent world turns to multinational organizations in the making of global policy. Students examine the impact of the relationship between international law and organizations on security and terrorism, international trade and economic development, the environment, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. Students spend 13 weeks in Washington, D.C. meeting with international law practitioners and visiting organizations that shape policy, a week in New York City for a first-hand examination of the United Nations, and then travel to Europe for a series of seminars focusing on NATO and the European Union Prerequisite: concurrent registration in SIS-450 and permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-452
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Law and Organizations Internship (4)
Student gain valuable contacts and work experience through an internship at a think tank, law firm, advocacy group, or international organization in Washington, D.C., that fits their academic career and goals. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in SIS-450/451 and permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-453
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Law and Organizations Research Project (4)
Students have the opportunity to investigate important issues confronting international law and organizations. Students gather much of their research from public documents at sources including the Library of Congress and international organizations. While in Washington, New York, and Europe, they interview government officials, diplomats, representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and international lawyers. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in SIS-450/451 and permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-461
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
AU-Ritsumeikan Exchange (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course constitutes key element in American University-Ritsumeikan University (in Kyoto, Japan) exchange program. Usually offered every term. Note: Consult SIS undergraduate office.
SIS-462
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
AU-Korea University Exchange (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course constitutes key element in American University-Korea University (in Seoul, Korea) exchange program. Usually offered every term. Note: Consult SIS undergraduate office.
SIS-463
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
AU-Sciences Po Exchange, Paris (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course constitutes key element in American University-Sciences Po (Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris) exchange program. Usually offered every term. Note: Consult SIS undergraduate office.
SIS-464
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
SIS-465
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Trade and Investment Relations (3)
The major contemporary foreign trade and international investment policy issues confronting the United States. Geographic and functional issues are analyzed in both economic and political terms. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: SIS-385 or ECON-311.
SIS-466
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
International Monetary and Financial Relations (3)
The major contemporary monetary, financial, and energy policy issues confronting the international economic order and the United States. Problems are analyzed in both economic and political terms. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: SIS-385 or ECON-311.
SIS-469
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Human Rights in Latin America (3)
This course examines the causes and patterns of human rights violations in Latin America over the past four decades. The course draws on theory and case studies examining the roles of external actors. SIS-322 is recommended but not required. Meets with SIS-669. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-471
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
International Environment and Development Seminar I (4)
Focusing on policy and the relationship of the models of development and environmental problems, the seminar links the world of the policymaker with that of the academic theorist. The theme of the seminar is: What do we mean by development, and how do we get there while preserving the planet? Usually offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: permission of Washington Semester Program; must be taken concurrently.
SIS-472
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
International Environment and Development Seminar II (4)
Focusing on policy and the relationship of the models of development and environmental problems, the seminar links the world of the policymaker with that of the academic theorist. The theme of the seminar is: What do we mean by development, and how do we get there while preserving the planet? Usually offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: permission of Washington Semester Program; must be taken concurrently.
SIS-473
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
International Environment and Development Practicum (4)
This field experience during the final three weeks of the semester begins with seminars in the capital city with government officials, scholars from local universities, nongovernmental groups and foreign assistance organizations. Students travel throughout the country examining innovative programs now under way to create sustainable development alternatives. Students travel to Africa in the fall semester and to Costa Rica in the spring semester. Usually offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-474
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
International Environment and Development Internship (4)
While in Washington students engage in a two-day-per-week internship providing direct experience in an environmental and/or development organization. Usually offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-486
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
Peace and Conflict Resolution Research Seminar I (4)
Explores conflict, peacemaking, and conflict resolution from various perspectives and prepares students with conflict resolution and change skills to participate actively and creatively in building a global society based on peace, justice, and nonviolent resolution of conflicts. Usually offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: permission of department.
SIS-487
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
Peace and Conflict Resolution Research Seminar II (4)
Explores conflict, peacemaking, and conflict resolution from various perspectives and prepares students with conflict resolution and change skills to participate actively and creatively in building a global society based on peace, justice, and nonviolent resolution of conflicts. Usually offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: permission of department.
SIS-488
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
Peace and Conflict Resolution Project (4)
Students write an in-depth research paper on a topic related to peace and conflict resolution. Research skills, analysis, written skills, and originality are emphasized. Usually offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: permission of department.
SIS-489
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
Peace and Conflict Resolution Internship (4)
Provides students with first-hand experience in organizations directly involved in a variety of peacemaking and social change efforts. Usually offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: permission of department.
SIS-490
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Independent Study Project in International Relations (1-6)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and SIS undergraduate studies office.
SIS-491
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
International Politics and Foreign Policy Seminar I (4)
Semester devoted to United States foreign policy formulation and implementation. Systematic study of foreign policy emphasizes qualitative analysis and employs quantitative methods as appropriate. Students participate in seminars, workshops, on-site observation, and meet with foreign policymakers and influencers from government, media, and other private-sector organizations. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-492
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
International Politics and Foreign Policy Seminar II (4)
Semester devoted to United States foreign policy formulation and implementation. Systematic study of foreign policy emphasizes qualitative analysis and employs quantitative methods as appropriate. Students participate in seminars, workshops, on-site observation, and meet with foreign policymakers and influencers from government, media, and other private-sector organizations. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-493
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
International Politics and Foreign Policy Research Project (4)
Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-496
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
SIS-497
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Washington Semester
International Politics and Foreign Policy Internship (4)
Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: permission of Washington Semester Program.
SIS-498
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate
Senior Honors (1-6)
Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: permission of department and University Honors program.
SIS-503
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
North American Summer Institute (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. The Discovering North America institute, offered by the Center for North American Studies (CNAS), is dedicated to understanding the ties that connect and the differences that divide North America’s three countries: Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Students participate in seminars and may be placed in internships with agencies and organizations working on North American issues in Washington, D.C. Usually offered every summer.
SIS-504
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Multinational Corporations (3)
The structure and functions of multinational corporations in the global system and their developmental effect on other actors. Usually offered every term.
SIS-510
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Islamic Sources of Conflict Resolution (3)
Investigates the role of cultural and religious elements in conflicts affecting the Muslim world, and examines Islamic precepts as they relate to the theory and practice of conflict resolution. After reviewing principles and precedents from the Qur’an, the Hadith, the Shari’ah, and traditional Islamic culture, students engage in research projects to analyze conflict and conflict resolution processes both within the Muslim world and between Muslim and non-Muslim ethnic and political groups. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-511
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Kurds: Social, Cultural, and Political Identity (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Focuses on the history of the Kurds and their social and political institutions, cultural and social factors contributing to the rise of Kurdish nationalism in the Middle East, Kurdish search for identity and/or political autonomy, the socio-political impact on the countries they inhabit, and their ties to other minorities in the region. Usually offered every term.
SIS-513
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Digital Tools for Assessing International Relations (3)
An introduction to using the Web for research and publishing materials on the Web. Includes Web-programming techniques and case studies related to vital international relations issues such as trade, the environment, and preventive diplomacy. Student papers are posted on the Web as part of a virtual conference at the end of the semester. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: SIS-206 or SIS-600.
SIS-514
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Spirituality and Global Politics (3)
Examines the application of spirituality to global politics with particular emphasis on how modalities of faith and belief which transcend narrowly sectarian concerns promote peace and conflict resolution. Includes the historical significance of faith and belief on contemporary issues in global politics, content and process of spirituality, and consciousness in social action. Usually offered alternate springs.
SIS-515
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Islamic Peace Paradigms (3)
The ideal of peace is deeply embedded in the religious vision of Islam, but ideas for achieving peace have differed. This course explores the interpretive foundations, history, and practice of four major Islamic paradigms: tradition, reformism (islah), renewalism (tajdid), and Sufism (tasawwuf). The origins, value structure, and methodology of each paradigm are examined in light of the challenges facing contemporary Islamic societies. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-516
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Peacebuilding in Divided Societies (3)
This course explores the various methods and techniques of peacebuilding and conflict resolution that have been applied in conflicts in multiethnic and divided societies. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the primary case studies, but other examples of deep-rooted conflicts are also integrated into the class. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-517
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Gender, Human Rights, and Conflict (3)
This seminar examines the gender dimensions of human wrongs associated with violent conflict. Students are encouraged to ask questions about the complexity of human rights problems and consider aspects of human rights problems made invisible to the outside world by silencing or obscuring the victims. Students also explore how each aspect of conflict is gendered. Of primary concern is gendered forms of resistance to and cooperation with agents of war and peace, the role gender plays in the militaries and militarization, the impact of militarization on the lives of men and women in both war and peace time, and recent legal and political attempts to address gender-based violence in human rights. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: SIS-322.
SIS-519
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Special Studies in International Politics (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics including international economic policy coordination, emerging capital markets, international environmental policy, political risk analysis, international relations of Japan, preventive diplomacy, United States and Cuba, and nonviolence. Usually offered every term.
SIS-528
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Special Studies in International Communication (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics including international communication and information technology; international communication multilateral negotiation; international communication and public diplomacy; international communication and development; communicating in the Arab world and in Islamic societies; communication, culture, and change; the global knowledge economy; and strategic communications in intelligence and national security. Usually offered every term.
SIS-530
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Colloquium on the Common Market (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Taught in French. Topics include institutional development, financing of community activities, community policies, external relations, community law, and business case studies. Specific issues within each area rotate regularly every semester over a two-year cycle. Usually offered every term.
SIS-533
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Population, Migration, and Development (3)
This course provides the necessary analytical skills to understand contemporary population dynamics, especially in the developing world. It examines fundamental components of current trends in population dynamics; theoretical bases of the population debate; fertility issues; the relationship among population, development, and human migration flows; and population policy and sustainable development in developing and developed countries. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-536
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Special Topics in International Development (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics include governance, democracy, and development; population, migration, and development; etc.
SIS-537
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Special Topics in Development Management (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics include: managing decentralization; urban development; small scale enterprise; etc. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: SIS-337, or SIS-637, or equivalent.
SIS-539
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Comparative Development Strategies (3)
This course explores the many factors that affect the way states and societies construct national development strategies. The underlying causes for the wide range of development strategies in the developing world, and the impact particular strategies have on development outcomes such as environmental sustainability, democracy, growth, poverty, income distribution, and social justice. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-540
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Conflict and Development (3)
An examination of the way in which development processes, strategies, and polices increase or decrease local, national, and international conflicts, as well as the ways in which conflicts at all levels condition development choices. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-541
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Systems Analysis for Management, Development, and the Environment (3)
This course provides an opportunity to learn how systems analysis theories, models, and techniques can be rigorously applied to the subject matter of management, environmental policy issues, and international development. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-542
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Human and Global Security in the New World Order (3)
This course examines developments in and ways of thinking about security since the end of the bi-polar world order. The course considers ways of thinking about security other than through the national security framework; works towards an understanding of non-military threats to human life, communities, societies, and cultures; examines the intersection of globalism and new forms of security provision; examines the impact of organized crime; assesses the scope and consequences of light weapons proliferation, especially for developing countries; and analyzes forms of involvement in wars. Usually offered every term.
SIS-545
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Comparative and International Race Relations (3)
Examines the way in which nationalism, feminism, Marxism, and diverse theoretical perspectives have shaped the meaning and role of race. Also addresses methodological issues that arise in the comparative study of race in different regions of the world. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-546
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Identity (3)
Explores the complex and dynamic configuration of identity based on race, ethnicity, gender, nationalism, and religion as they relate to specific cultures, globalization, and social discourse. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-551
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Economy, Politics and Society in Europe (3)
The political systems, values, and sociological changes in European society since 1945; an analysis of European nations and regions and of different levels of development and economic organization. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-553
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Central and East Europe in Transition (3)
A comparative approach exploring the circumstances leading to and the consequences of the transitions in central and eastern Europe. Historical, economic, and political perspectives are emphasized. Assessment of relative successes and failures of the transitions and prospects for the region’s future. Usually offered every term.
SIS-557
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Foreign Policy Formulation in West European States (3)
Conditioning factors, instrumentalities, political parties, pressure groups and organizations, and public media and opinion. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-558
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Authoritarianism and Democracy in Russia (3)
A comparative analytical approach to the study of Russia (and the Soviet Union). Emphasis is on the interdependence of Russian and Soviet traditions, political leadership, center-periphery relations, Russian governments, and the social dynamics of political change. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-559
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Selected Topics in Cross-National Studies (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics, usually with a geographical or regional focus, include fundamentalist movements in Islam; political economy of African crisis; theories of nationalism; etc.
SIS-560
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Chinese Foreign Policy (3)
This seminar provides an overview of Chinese foreign policy and examines China’s bilateral relations with its Asian neighbors and the United States, including controversial topics such as arms control, human rights, and the Taiwan issue. Also covers the policy-making process, including the shift of priorities from the era of revolution to the era of modernization. Usually offered alternate springs.
SIS-561
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Modern China (3)
Emergence of China as a world power, with emphasis on economic, political, and social trends in the People’s Republic of China today. Usually offered alternate springs.
SIS-562
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Political Economy of China (3)
This course examines the evolution of China’s political institutions and its transitional economy since 1949. It focuses on economic reforms in rural and urban areas and the prospect for political reform. Also discussed are significant changes in the financial sectors and state-owned enterprises, as well as the economic integration of “greater China.” Usually offered alternate springs.
SIS-563
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Japanese Foreign Policy (3)
This seminar provides a comprehensive understanding of Japan’s historical background and its basic foreign policy issues. It examines significant strategic and economic debates regarding Japan’s role in the international community with emphasis on Japan’s relations with its Asian neighbors and the United States. Usually offered alternate falls.
SIS-564
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Chinese Politics (3)
This course focuses on China’s political process from 1949 to the present to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding Chinese politics. It examines the party-state system, political leadership, state-society relations, the role of the military, political culture, and the demand for democratization. Usually offered alternate springs.
SIS-565
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
U.S. Economic Relations with Japan and China (3)
The benefits of foreign trade are analyzed in the context of the economic and political factors causing trade imbalances and frictions between the United States and Japan and China. Examination of divergent trade policies and dissimilar trade performances, and analysis of efforts to restore bilateral harmony and equilibrium between the United States and Asia’s two largest economies. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of basic economics.
SIS-566
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
International Communication Skills Institutes (1-3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Introduction to specific techniques and approaches currently used in international communication. Usually offered every term.
SIS-567
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
International Relations of East Asia I (3)
Recent historical and contemporary interstate relations in East Asia, and the place of East Asia in world affairs. Usually offered every term.
SIS-571
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
International Relations of the Middle East I (3)
Recent historical and contemporary interstate relations in the Middle East and North Africa and the place of the Middle East in world affairs. Usually offered every term.
SIS-573
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
International Relations of Africa I (3)
Recent historical and contemporary interstate relations in Africa and the place of Africa in world affairs. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: SIS-250 or SIS-265 or graduate standing.
SIS-577
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
International Relations in the Americas (3)
Recent and contemporary interstate relations in Latin America and the place of Latin America in world affairs. Usually offered every term.
SIS-578
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Comparative Social Movements (3)
Examines a broad range of civil rights, revolutionary, and pro-democracy movements in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States. Students develop a comprehensive theory about social movements in order to classify them and develop predictive models about their emergence, shape, and outcome. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor.
SIS-579
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Selected Regional and Country Studies (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Comparative perspective on contemporary international relations with regional or area focus. Brings theory to bear on the study of the area. How do major theoretical constructs contribute to understanding the region? Conversely, how does knowledge of the topic area extend the range of generalizations in the social sciences? Usually offered every term.
SIS-580
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Japan’s Twenty-first Century Transformation (3)
Long-hailed as the paradigmatic successful state after the country was lifted out of poverty at the end of World War II, the recession of the 1990s called into question the viability of the Japanese model. However, more than a lost decade, the economic downturn brought far-reaching changes affecting all areas of Japanese politics, economics, and society. This course studies the evolution of core Japanese institutions, discusses the politics behind recent reforms, and the challenges of internationalism. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-581
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Schools of Thought in Contemporary United States Foreign Policy (3)
Seminar examining disparate normative assumptions about United States foreign policy. A wide spectrum of viewpoints is examined, and students explore their own values as they relate to foreign policy. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-582
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
SIS-582 United States Policy towards Latin America (3)
This course examines U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America by focusing on the factors that shape U.S. foreign policy. The course considers the extent to which U.S. policy is shaped by the nature of the U.S. impact on Latin America. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-583
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
United States in World Affairs (3)
The role of the United States in world affairs and in contemporary regional issues. Focuses on U.S. interests in the Middle East, Europe, southern Africa, Central America and East Asia. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-584
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Transnational Crimes and Globalization (3)
This course provides an overview of transnational crime and corruption and its effects on the political, economic, and social development of countries around the world. Impediments to the effective control of transnational organized crime are considered in the context of increasing globalization and the technological revolution. Usually offered every term.
SIS-585
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Contemporary United Nations (3)
Examines how new United Nations responsibilities will shape the emerging global system, how major groups of countries will affect the UN, and how particular cases highlight the relationships among countries in the UN system. Cases cover issues of crisis management, peace-keeping and developments in the Global South. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-586
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Technology and Society (3)
Examines the role of technology in national and international security through historical and contemporary cases of military-technological innovation and stagnation and their impact on policy, strategy, and conflict. The processes of innovation–and their success or failure–are emphasized, including the central dynamic involving technologies that favor the offense and those favoring the defense. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-587
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Globalization: Power, Production and Culture (3)
Global transformation slices across former divisions of labor, fundamentally penetrates domestic society, and geographically reorganizes economic activities. This course addresses the underlying causes of globalization and whether it is intensifying and deepening historical tendencies, or is world society entering a new era in the relationship among the state, economy, and culture? Usually offered every fall.
SIS-588
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
International Security and Arms Control (3)
The strengths and weaknesses of arms control. Examination of the military strategy-policy relationship, deterrence theory, strategic posture and doctrine, and terrorism. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-589
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Global Political Economy (3)
This course is concerned with the scope of political economy. The focus is on the origins of the modern global political economy and its institutional structure. It examines contemporary issues in political economy, using the division of labor as an organizing concept, and explores the prospects for global restructuring at the turn of the century. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-590
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Independent Reading Course in International Relations (1-6)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and SIS graduate studies office.
SIS-593
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Humphrey Fellows Seminar (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: Humphrey Fellows or permission of instructor.
SIS-595
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
SIS-596
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
SIS-600
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Quantitative Analysis in International Affairs (3)
Introduction to research design, quantitative measurement, statistical analysis, and computer use for international relations research. Usually offered every term.
SIS-601
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Theory in International Relations (3)
Interdisciplinary perspectives; major paradigms of thought; definition of boundaries of the field; normative and analytic goals and definition of priorities. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-602
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
AU-University for Peace Exchange (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course constitutes key element in American University-University for Peace, Costa Rica exchange program. Usually offered every term. Note: Consult SIS graduate office.
SIS-603
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Special Institute in International Affairs (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Selected topics dealing with cutting edge issues in international affairs. Usually offered every summer.
SIS-604
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Masterworks of International Relations (3)
A literature course divided chronologically by the date of works initiating streams of discourse. Representative later works are also covered. Students are required to keep a working journal of their reading notes for the instructor’s inspection.
SIS-605
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Theory of Cooperative Global Politics (3)
Examines the historical movement toward stability and order in the international political system with emphasis on comparing such concepts as nation-state/one world; national interest/human interest; rights of states/human rights; sovereignty/interdependence; war/collaborative conflict resolution. The concepts that underlie the competitive model of world politics - individualism, rationality, and self-interest - are analyzed within the global political context. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-606
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Culture and Peace and Conflict Resolution: Alternatives to Violence (3)
The complex role of culture in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Historically-grounded conceptualizations of culture are reviewed in terms of their international relations application. The course identifies core patterns of cultural difference in values and beliefs, interpretive frames, and behaviors that impact on peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts. Also examines specific conflict intervention approaches in terms of their cross-cultural applicability. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-607
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Peace Paradigms (3)
The history and development of approaches to peace, with particular emphasis upon the following: peace through coercive power, peace through nonviolence, peace through world order, and peace through personal and community transformation. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-609
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice (3)
Explores conflict resolution as a field of inquiry and research; perspectives, theories, and assumptions underlying conflict analysis and conflict resolution; contending approaches to conflict resolution training and practice. A case analysis approach is used to examine the role of contemporary issues in conflict situations. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: SIS-607 and SIS-610 (may be taken concurrently).
SIS-610
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Theory of Conflict, Violence and War (3)
Survey of the theoretical and empirical literature on the causes and conditions of conflict, particularly conflict which is expressed violently at all levels. Includes analyzing violence at the individual level, defining violence (physical, economic, social, cultural, systematic) and why societies support violence. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-611
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Negotiation (3)
Survey of the theoretical literature on the communicative dimensions of negotiating international conflicts and an examination of conflict settings such as hostage/terrorist situations, diplomatic crises, and protracted social conflicts. Also examines a communication-based approach that focuses on “face” needs, interest/demands, and relationships among the contending parties. The role of emotion is highlighted and specific communication skills central to effective negotiation and mediation of intense conflicts are practiced. Usually offered every term.
SIS-612
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Research Seminar in Peace and Conflict Resolution (3)
Integrative seminar to test theories and assumptions raised in contemporary venues of peace and conflict resolution research. Seminar focuses on peace and conflict resolution research as distinct from research into war and violent conflict. Theoretical and methodological approaches to peace and conflict resolution studies are examined in detail. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-613
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Reconciliation and Justice (3)
This course exposes students to the complex and multi-dimensional aspects of the relationship between reconciliation and justice in a post-conflict context. It also develops a deeper understanding of the challenges involved in applying and designing a reconciliation project in a development context. The course addresses the tension between the request for reconciliation, coexistence, and peace and the demand for justice. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-614
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Ethics in International Affairs (3)
A critical exploration of the ethical dimensions of international relations. This course identifies the values and ethical concerns which underpin international relations theory. It explores the possibility of constructing viable and humane alternatives to the existing world order to recognize cultural diversity and heterogeneity. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-615
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Fundamentals of United States Foreign Economic Policy (3)
Analysis of the principal American policies of international trade, finance, development, energy, and investment. Issues are examined in the context of foreign and domestic economic and political considerations. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: ECON-100, ECON-311, or equivalent.
SIS-616
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Economics (3)
Examines comparative advantage and neo-classical trade theory, contemporary trade theories, balance of payments, accounting, exchange rates, and open economy macroeconomic and economic development. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: ECON-603 or equivalent.
SIS-617
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Applied Conflict Resolution (3)
Examines a variety of theories for analyzing conflict and a range of methods for addressing it at various levels of social interaction. Through interactive learning methods, students see the strengths and limitations of concepts and methods, as well as their potential applications. Usually offered every term.
SIS-618
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Topics in North American Studies (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course addresses key issues in North American studies. Meets with SIS-318. Usually offered every term.
SIS-619
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Special Studies in International Politics (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics including international economic policy coordination, emerging capital markets, international environmental policy, political risk analysis, international relations of Japan, preventive diplomacy, United States and Cuba, and nonviolence. Usually offered every term.
SIS-620
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Studies in Global Environmental Politics (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics including international environmental law; sustainable development and environmental protection; international aid for the environment; and environmental security. Usually offered every term.
SIS-621
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Law and the Legal Order (3)
The nature and functions of international law in interstate relations, with emphasis on recent trends in scholarship and on cases, documents, and other original materials. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-622
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Human Rights (3)
This course explains the main principles of international human rights law and provides a solid grounding in the main United Nations and regional systems for human rights protection and promotion. In addition, students are introduced to the methodology of human rights fact-finding, including interview techniques and planning investigations The course also considers the political, sociological, and ethical dimensions of human rights advocacy. Students consider the ways in which human rights address human society and how we treat one another, how authority is used, and issues of basic justice and fairness. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-623
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Policy Analysis: Theory and Practice (3)
This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of public policy analysis in international affairs, focusing on the methods used to analyze and evaluate policy, the various issues associated with policy formation, and the application of these methods to different policy areas. Usually offered every term.
SIS-624
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Children in International Development (3)
This course focuses on the predicament of children in various situations around the world in which they are exploited, abused, or disadvantaged. Includes street children, child soldiers, child labor, AIDS orphans, handicapped children, and trafficking in children. Constructive alternatives to deal with these problems are also discussed. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-625
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Organizations (3)
The origins, principles, organization, activities, and performance of major international organizations in issue areas including economic development, international security, trade, and humanitarian assistance. Theoretical aspects are emphasized. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-626
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Social Policy and Development (3)
The design, implementation, and financing of health, education, social insurance, water, etc., in developing countries. The course covers debates about rights vs. cost effectiveness, universal coverage vs. targeting, centralized vs. local control, public vs. private provisions, etc. Students are introduced to tools to facilitate social policy analysis in conditions of limited resources. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-628
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Advanced Topics in International Communication (1-3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics including international communication and development; international communication, foreign policy, and public diplomacy; and information technology and international communication; communication, culture, and change; communication in Islamic societies; international communication and the global knowledge economy; multilateral negotiation and international communication; strategic communications in intelligence and national security; media politics and culture in the Arab world; and global communications and culture. Usually offered every term.
SIS-630
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Economic Policies of the European Union (3)
The course deals primarily with the development of the European Union, its institutions, various common policies, external relations, and laws in the larger context of international business. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-632
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Microfinance: Concepts and Practical Tools (3)
This course focuses on aspects of non-traditional financial institutions in developing countries, popularly referred to as microfinance institutions (MFIs). The course familiarizes students with the policy, organizational, and technical aspects of microfinance, and provides the tools to evaluate and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of microfinance as a tool for economic development. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-633
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Selected Topics in International Communication (1-3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Introduction to a specific technique or approach currently used in the international communication/cross-cultural communication field, focusing on intercultural training, multicultural negotiation, intercultural leadership, or another similar area. Usually offered every term.
SIS-634
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Field Survey Research Methods (3)
This course provides basic training in designing a field-based research project in international development. It is structured to combine the theoretical aspects of international development with the practical aspects of testing their validity and applicability. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: SIS-600.
SIS-635
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Advanced Topics in Development Management (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics include rural development; managing economic and political reform; etc. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: SIS-337, SIS-637, or equivalent.
SIS-636
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Micropolitics of Development (3)
The objective of this course is an understanding of the survival struggles and strategies individuals face and the choices they make. Some work within credit unions, cooperatives, parties, interest groups, or alone without much group support. Others rely on patrons, prayers, bribes, threats, or combinations of all these resources for survival. Usually offered every term.
SIS-637
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Development (3)
Alternative theories and definitions of development as expressed in the major international institutions (aid agencies, cartels, multinational corporations) concerned with the transfer of resources. Considers the problems of the “change-agent” in working for development and examines the major development issues. Usually offered every term.
SIS-638
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Selected Topics in International Development Skills (1)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Introduction to a specific technique or approach currently used in the international development field, focusing on project planning, community development, action research, or another similar area. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: SIS-637, ECON-560, or equivalent.
SIS-639
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Selected Topics in International Conflict Resolution Skills (1-3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Introduction to a specific technique or approach currently used in the international conflict resolution field, focusing on conflict resolution and reconciliation, mediation, interviewing, negotiation, or another similar area. Usually offered every term. Note: may be taken pass/fail only.
SIS-640
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Communication (3)
International communication as a field of inquiry and research: perspectives, theories, and assumptions underlying communication between nations and peoples; international flow of information and its implications in relations among nations and cultures. Usually offered every term.
SIS-641
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Psychological and Cultural Bases of International Politics (3)
Phenomena and problems of international relations in terms of underlying cultural and psychological forces. Theory of international relations from the point of view of the behavioral sciences. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-642
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Cross-Cultural Communication (3)
Contribution of relevant social and behavioral sciences to the study of intercultural and cross-cultural communication. Analysis of culture as communication and value-systems as essential in communication. Usually offered alternate springs.
SIS-643
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Political Economy of International Communication (3)
Examines the political and economic foundations, structures, and processes of contemporary international and global communication. Usually offered every other term.
SIS-644
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Communication and Social and Economic Development (3)
Examination of economic, communication, and development theories, the role of information and communication technology in social and economic development; transfer of technology and uses of communication in economic growth, social change, and national integration. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-645
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International and Comparative Communication Policies (3)
Examination of communication systems and policies at national, regional, and international levels; the role of international organizations in the formation and implementation of communication policies; political economy of information and transborder data flow. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-646
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Information Systems and International Communication (3)
Illustrates the major concepts and techniques that comprise systems perspectives. Particular attention to the application of systems concepts and related techniques to the flow of information in and across organizations set in a complex, interdependent and changing world. Case studies and action research complement class reading and discussion. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-647
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Governance, Democracy, and Development (3)
Reviews classical and contemporary perspectives on democratic transition, consolidation, and the development of good governance, with special attention to the role of foreign aid. Analyses the role of civil society and social capital, considers the design of institutions such as constitutions, electoral systems, parties, and agencies of restraint, and also examines accountability, rule of law, and corruption. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-648
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Women and Development (3)
Provides the student with a critical evaluation of the main theoretical structures of feminism as applied to an analysis of the multiple facets of women’s lives in the developing world. Explores the diverse socioeconomic, cultural, religious and political factors that affect women including the impact of development itself. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-649
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Environment and Development (3)
An overview of this newly emerging multidisciplinary field. Focuses on debates concerning various human-made or development-related root causes of natural-resource degradation in the Third World. Special attention is paid to the relationship between the poor and the environment. Also looks critically at recent innovative policy responses attempting to link environment and development. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-650
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Global Economy and Sustainable Development (3)
This political economic inquiry focuses on two levels of analysis: the state of world economic activity in the post-World War II period, with primary focus on trade and foreign investments; and the options that exist to achieve “sustainable development” in the Third World. Special attention is given to initiatives to make trade and investment more socially and environmentally responsible. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-651
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Managing Economic Policy Reform (3)
Addresses design and management of macroeconomic stabilization, privatization, social safety net, trade policy, financial sector, and public sector reform in developing countries. Also considers the politics of reform. Prerequisite: ECON-603 or equivalent with permission of instructor.
SIS-656
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Contemporary International Relations of Western Europe (3)
Theoretical approaches to the study of European integration. Evolution of West European unity since World War II with emphasis on the European Union, United States-West European relations since the 1960s, and contemporary issues of European security. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-659
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Relations of Russia and Central Eurasia (3)
The study of Soviet and Commonwealth foreign policies within the analytical perspectives of international relations theory. Historical and contemporary analysis of interstate and inter-regional relations in areas of Russian and Soviet influence. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-660
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Environment and Politics (3)
Provides an introduction to the politics of environmental protection at both the domestic and international levels. It focuses on the dynamics of population, consumption, technology, and economic activity as they relate to resource depletion, water production, and land use. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-663
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Advanced Studies and Research in Environmental Policy (3)
A capstone seminar in which students conduct original research on domestic and international environmental policy and politics. Explores contemporary environmental issues such as economic and ecological globalization, information technologies and environmental protection, social and ecological evolution, the place of humans in the natural world, postmodern challenges to environmentalism, post-colonial environmentalism, and environmental security. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-664
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Islam and Nationalism: Middle East (3)
Lectures and discussions on secular nationalism and Islamic militancy in the Middle East and North Africa during the past one hundred years; the origins and characteristics of the movements; the conflict between them and its impact on the politics and international relations of the area; the emergence of neofundamentalist Islamic movements. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-665
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Trade and Investment Relations (3)
The major contemporary foreign trade and international investment policy issues confronting the United States. Geographic and functional issues are analyzed in both economic and political terms. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: SIS-616 or equivalent.
SIS-666
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Monetary and Financial Relations (3)
The major contemporary monetary, financial, and energy policy issues confronting the international economic order and the United States. Problems are analyzed in both economic and political terms. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: SIS-616 or equivalent.
SIS-668
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-669
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Human Rights in Latin America (3)
This course examines the causes and patterns of human rights violations in Latin America over the past four decades. The course draws on theory and case studies examining the roles of external actors. Meets with SIS-469. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-672
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Theories of Comparative and International Studies (3)
Unlike the dominant tradition which divides comparative and international politics into separate areas of inquiry, this course bridges these two fields. Includes the rise of the modern state and its relation to historical capitalism and the nation; interactions between the state and the market; democratization and civil society; social movements; and global culture. Usually offered every term.
SIS-673
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Comparative Political Economy (3)
Political economy is examined by comparing countries and regions. Considers the possibilities and limits of transposing models of state and society from one region to another. Focus is on the division of labor, class and identity, the state, industrialization strategies, technological policy, cultural formation, and identity. Usually offered every term.
SIS-675
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Race in International Relations (3)
The concept of race in international relations theory has acquired meaning through issues such as security/immigration policies and trans-national social/political movements. Focuses on the theoretical and practical implications of race as a significant factor in these and other international issues. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-676
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Selected Topics in Cross-National Studies (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Rotating topics, usually with a comparative or regional focus, include political economy of Africa; theories of nationalism; etc.
SIS-677
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
AU-Carlos III University, Madrid Exchange (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course constitutes key element in American University-Universidad de Carlos III, Madrid exchange program. Usually offered every term.
SIS-679
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
AU-American University in Cairo (1-12)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Students take courses at the American University in Cairo (AUC), Egypt. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: permission of SIS Program Development Office.
SIS-680
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Topics in Research Methods In International Affairs:
This course examines three leading qualitative approaches to the production of knowledge about world politics: comparative case studies, participant observation, and the analysis of social networks. It considers theoretical and application issues, as well as reading and discussing exemplary work in each of these different approaches. The course provides students with a ‘toolkit’ for the analysis of questions and issues not amenable to quantification.
SIS-681
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Intelligence and Foreign Policy (3)
The role of the CIA and other intelligence organizations in formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policy. Includes human and technical intelligence gathering; processing and analysis; dissemination of information to policy makers; covert action and counterintelligence; the relationship between intelligence organizations, the President, and Congress; and ethics and the conduct of intelligence activities. Usually offered every term.
SIS-682
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
United States Foreign Policy (3)
Analysis of American foreign and defense policy processes, including the role of the President, Congress, Departments of State and Defense, the intelligence community, and other actors/factors affecting policy formulation and implementation. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-683
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Congress and United States Foreign Policy (3)
An examination of the role that the U.S. Congress plays in shaping foreign policy. Emphasis is given to contemporary congressional behavior, through case studies, with attention also devoted to constitutional factors and historical patterns. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-684
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
National Security Policy (3)
Policymaking, implementation, and control; civilian-military, military-industrial, and executive-legislative relations; and the interaction of security policies of the United States and other powers. Usually offered every fall.
SIS-685
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
United States-Russian/Eurasian Security Relations (3)
An intensive reading, research, and discussion seminar focusing on U.S. relations with Russia, its predecessor, and other Eurasian states as an interaction, stressing the security aspects of that interaction. The primary emphasis is on security relations in the postwar period, 1945 to the present. Two sub themes of the seminar are the role of strategic culture and the dynamics of threats. Usually offered alternate falls.
SIS-686
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Proseminar in International Affairs I (3)
This course is the first in a two course sequence, designed especially for Master of International Service (MIS) degree candidates. Providing an overview of new developments in international affairs, it connects theory to practice at the executive level in international affairs. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: admission to MIS program.
SIS-687
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Proseminar in International Affairs II (3)
This course is the second in a two course sequence, designed especially for Master of International Service (MIS degree candidates. Focusing on professional strategies for coping with change and professional skills enhancement, the seminar also includes a capstone action research project. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: admission to MIS program.
SIS-688
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Domestic Sources of United States Foreign Policy (3)
This course investigates the influences of public opinion, interest groups, and the media on foreign policy decision making. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-689
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Seminar in Policy Analysis (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Graduate research seminars on rotating topics including analysis of Russian and Soviet policymaking, domestic and foreign; approaches to foreign policy analysis; cognitive mapping in international relations; and social indicators in foreign policy research. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-690
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Independent Study Project in International Studies (1-6)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and SIS graduate studies office.
SIS-691
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Internship in International Affairs (1-6)
Direct involvement in policy making through participation in a governmental agency or nongovernmental organization. Prerequisite: permission of internship coordinator and SIS graduate studies office.
SIS-692
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Cooperative Education Field Experience (3-6)
Prerequisite: permission of SIS graduate studies office and Cooperative Education office.
SIS-693
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Practicum: Action Research in Development Management (1-6)
Action research, supervised by a faculty member, involves development management degree candidates in analyzing an organization and its interaction with its environment and clientele. Special attention is given to improving organizational responsiveness to community needs. Prerequisite: SIS-636, SIS-637, PUAD-610, and PUAD-614.
SIS-694
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
AU-Ritsumeikan Exchange (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course constitutes key element in AU-Ritsumeikan Exchange program. Consult SIS Graduate Office. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: permission of SIS dean’s office.
SIS-695
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Research Seminar in International Communication (3)
Role and trends of research in international communication; examination of content, strategy and methods; critical analysis of varying schools of thought. Usually offered every spring and summer.
SIS-696
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
SIS-697
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
AU-Korea University Exchange (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course constitutes key element in AU-Korea University Exchange program. Usually offered every term. Note: Consult SIS Graduate Office.
SIS-698
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
AU-Sciences Po Exchange, Paris (1-6)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course constitutes key element in American University-Sciences Po (Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris) exchange program. Usually offered every term. Note: Consult SIS Graduate Office.
SIS-700
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Comparative and Regional Studies Proseminar (3)
This course familiarizes Ph.D. students with a broad selection of the most significant perspectives, theories, and methodologies used in the field of comparative and regional studies. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: admission to the Ph.D. in International Relations.
SIS-701
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Relations Proseminar (3)
A historical/developmental survey of international relations, beginning with the post-World War I era. Professor and students examine the proposition that the literature of this field reflects and indeed grows out of the changing patterns of world politics at the time of writing. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: admission to the Ph.D. in International Relations.
SIS-703
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Contemporary Theories of International Relations (3)
This course critically reviews developments in international relations theory over the last decade. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: admission to the Ph.D. in International Relations.
SIS-705
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Social Theory in Comparative and International Perspective (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Theoretical and methodological approaches to comparative and cross-national studies, with emphasis on the systemic context for political activity and how this is manifested in public and international policy. Literature drawn from several social sciences, with attention to policy and political systems in different types of countries. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: admission to the Ph.D. in International Relations.
SIS-710
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Colloquium in International Relations (3)
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Reading and discussion of literature and ideas in an aspect of the international relations field. Intensive dialogue between faculty members and doctoral students, M.A. students may be admitted with permission. Preparation for comprehensive examination.
SIS-714
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Conduct of Inquiry in International Relations (3)
Survey and analysis of alternative theories of knowledge in the social sciences. Epistemological norms of modern empiricism. The critique of empiricism. Linguistic analysis, phenomenology, ethnomethodology, hermeneutics, critical theory, structuralism, and post-structuralism. Application to the study of international relations. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: admission to the Ph.D. in International Relations.
SIS-715
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Seminar on Advanced Research Design (3)
An overview of social science research methodology issues guiding students in the design of their own research projects. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: matriculation in doctoral program.
SIS-716
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
International Relations Quantitative Methods Proseminar (3)
This course is an epistemological and methodological survey of quantitative social scientific inquiry. It examines concept construction and measurement in statistical and other research techniques. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of data and substantive interpretation of results. The course concludes with discussions on what good research is. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: admission to the Ph.D. in International Relations.
SIS-725
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Seminar on Law in International Affairs (3)
The history and theory of international law, major areas of change in contemporary law, and the role of the practitioner. Research in students’ special fields. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
SIS-740
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Colloquium in International Communication (3)
Intensive dialogue between faculty members and doctoral students in international communication. Master’s students may be admitted with permission. Usually offered every spring.
SIS-790
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Doctoral Independent Study in International Relations (1-6)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and PhD program director.
SIS-794
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Substantial Research Paper with Coursework (3)
May be repeated for credit in the same term; subject of paper must be different. May meet with any 500-, 600-, or 700-level course in the School of International Service. Usually offered every term. Note: consult SIS graduate office.
SIS-795
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Master’s Research Requirement (1-3)
Prerequisite: permission of department.
SIS-796
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-797
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Master’s Thesis Supervision (1-6)
Prerequisite: permission of department.
SIS-799
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
Dissertation Seminar (1-12)
SIS faculty, invited scholars, and doctoral students make formal scholarly presentations. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: matriculation as a doctoral student in residence.
SIS-CODGEP
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-CODID
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-CODNSRD
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-COMPDIS
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-COMPSAT
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-COSGEP
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-COSID
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-COSMIS
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-COSNSRD
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-COSUSFP
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-ICCOMPDIS
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-ICCOMPSAT
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-IEPCOMPSAT
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-IPCRCOD
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
SIS-IPCRCOS
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Course Level: Graduate
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Joseph Sedgo says:
September 11th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I’d like to inquire about the following:
1) admission requirements
2) tuition cost
3) possibility for a financial aid/scholarship
4) recognition of the degree by the american council of education
Many thanks,
Joseph
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October 4th, 2009 at 1:36 am
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