USC Schedule of Classes

Basic concepts of world affairs for non-majors. Development of competency to understand and critically evaluate global relations and international events, stressing empirical approaches. Not available for major credit.

Comprehensive introduction to contending theoretical andanalytical approaches; development of critical, evaluative,cognitive, and analytical competencies regarding historical andcontemporary issues. (Required for all IR majors.)

Introduction to theoretically oriented research approaches and designs, emphasizing the logics of argumentation involved. Required of all IR majors.

Introduction to historical research methods, emphasizing historical texts and modes of discourse.

Economic concepts necessary to understand modern global economy. Topics include transition economies, global inequality, environmental issues, international political economy, trade and the international financial system.

The role and evolution of espionage and intelligence as tools of statecraft are examined. Open, covert, clandestine, counterintelligence programs and oversight processes are considered.

Examines the strategies for managing global issues in the post Cold War period. Explores ways that international institutions, national governments and non-state actors work separately and together to provide order and control over complex international issues areas. Issues that will receive attention could include financial and monetary relations, trade and foreign investment, preservation of the environment, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, population and migration, terrorism and ethnic strife.

The emergence of international organizations as a permanent feature in world politics; role of the United Nations Organization as well as regional international organizations.

People, money, things, information, and ideas flow across national borders. How can we understand globalization, its consequences, and how to manage it? Multimedia training is involved.

Exploration of critical scholarship on research design, including case selection, hypothesis testing, and field research techniques.

An introduction to debates about the intersection of religion and conflict in politics and international affairs; theoretical, classical, and contemporary issues.

Processes of conflict, violence, change, integration, stability, and peace in world society, analyzed primarily through the literature of the peace research movement.

Examines the politics of managing the global environment. The nature of ecosystems, commons problems, population and resource utilization problems along with biodiversity and global governance are emphasized.

Political implications of interactions between different types of multinational enterprises and all levels of U.S. government, other industrial nations, and less-developed countries.

Exploration of the evolving global economic architecture of the past seventy years; overview of the possible future contours of economic and political globalization. Recommended preparation: introductory economics.

The international financial and monetary regime, its evolution and the problems facing it today

Introduction to the relationship between political and economic development and ideas concerning the origins and behavior of capitalism and its impact on international relations.

Economic reform, the open door, and China's changing role in the international system. Relations with the United States, Japan, and other key powers in Asia. Tensions between the interests of American business and the human rights community over China policy.

Causes and effects of use and spread of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons; responses to WMD, including deterrence, preventive war, and non-proliferation policies and negotiations.

Overview of Soviet and Russian foreign policy in the 20th century. Review of the diplomatic history of the period and introduction to models of foreign policy used to analyze Soviet and Russian behavior.

Introduction to problems and issues in the Middle East today: religio-ethnic rivalries, conflicting nationalisms and ideologies, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Middle East oil.

The main economic development themes and strategies in Latin America over the past century. The interplay between domestic and international variables, and the resulting dynamic changes.

General overview of main historical, political, and economic issues as they affect Africa, focusing on nationalism, development, and superpower competition in Africa.

Examination of diplomatic and moral relationships between sovereign states and transnational non-state actors, both benevolent (humanitarian groups and philanthropies) and malevolent (mercenaries, pirates and terrorists).

Origins, intensity, management and/or resolution of regional conflicts in developing countries and the role and intervention of great powers.

Warfare examined from Western and non-Western perspectives. Theory and theory-into-practice topics include impact of technology, civil-military relations, moral concerns, emerging threats, future forms of warfare.

(Paris Semester only) Historical overview of interactions between Muslims and Europeans. Islam: origins, history and circumstances that led to its revival. France's immigration policy.

Theories of war tested in historical cases; The obsolescence of war as rational choice; problems that still result in war.

Addresses unfinished question of public policy. Provides experience in interviewing and field research, oral presentation and collective discussion and deliberation. Open to juniors and seniors only.

Exploration of the relationship between ethics and politics. Special focus on religion, violence and human rights in international relations.

Should environmental issues be treated as threats to security? Survey of recent literature explores global environmental politics using a security framework.

China's rise in the international political economy raises policy research questions, including an analysis of how this trend relates to U.S and Latin American relations. Recommended preparation: IR 210 and a course in both micro and macro economics at the high school or college level.

Critical issues surrounding China's economic rise and the implications for international relations; the unique strengths and vulnerabilities of China's political-economic model; prospects for change. Recommended preparation: IR 210 and a course from IR, Political Science, or History with a strong China component.

Economic approaches and political processes are used to explain observed international trade policy choices. Topics covered include globalization, regionalism, labor standards, the environment and sanctions. Recommended preparation: ECON 450, IR 330

An interdisciplinary treatment of the tragic phenomenon of genocide. Subject matter includes historical cases and analysis of contemporary global efforts toward prevention.

A hands-on analysis of the contemporary US Foreign policy towards East Asia through lectures, policy paper writing and an exchange visit to Singapore.

Why the world is organized into sovereign nation-states. The challenges to nation-states in the 21st century from globalization, democratization, revolution, technology, and new forms of cultural identity.

Historical, sociological and political processes that have shaped the emergence of and relationship between Arab nationalism and political Islam since the early 20th century.

Focus on current politics in Latin America. Address a range of themes: electoral democracy, citizenship, political inclusion, human rights, corruption, economic inequality.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Local, national, and international internships. Not available for graduate credit.

Survey of approaches to international political economy. Intellectual roots; the management of collective goods; North-South relations are examined.

Seminar generates and tests theories of democratization. Readings will focus on Europe, Latin America , Soviet Eurasia emphasizing core theoretical and methodological aspects. Open only to Master and Doctoral Students.

Salent issues in regional politics such as colonialism, nationalism, identity, religion, development, and war are examined.

Research leading to the Master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Study of contemporary institutions in selected regions of the world. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department.

Practical principles for the long-term development of effective teaching within college disciplines. Intended for teaching assistants in Dornsife College.

Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Thesis. Graded CR/NC.

Subjects specifically relevant to an international relations field, sometimes conducted as intensive short-courses.

Subjects specifically relevant to an international relations field; conducted for Ph.D. students, sometimes conducted as intensive short courses.