USC Schedule of Classes

Exploration of the major social, political, economic, religious, and philosophical disagreements that exist between scholars, leaders, and citizens concerning today's most serious environmental issues and problems. Not available for credit to environmental studies majors and minors.

Comprehensive introduction to contending theoretical and analytical approaches; development of critical, evaluative, cognitive, and analytical competencies regarding historical and contemporary issues.

Introduction to theoretically oriented research approaches and designs; emphasis on the logic of argumentation.

Introduction to historical research methods with an emphasis on historical texts and modes of discourse.

Economic and political concepts necessary to the understanding of the modern global economy. Topics include international trade, foreign investment and migration.

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, terrori

Analysis of recent events, forces, and conditions in the international political system.

Interdisciplinary study of the pursuit of peace, including causes of wars, arms races, conflict resolution, peace movements, nonviolent resistance, and peace with justice.

An examination of the role women have played in world politics focusing on issues of war and peace, the environment and the global economy.

Origins and evolution of violent conflict among humans; modern efforts to end conflict; recent research in archaeology, anthropology, biology, economics, political science and psychology.

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.

Analysis of inequality in relations between developed and developing states; contending views on the causes and legacies of imperialism; development strategies and aid.

The U.S. economy and political-economic institutions in comparative perspective; economic diplomacy and policy; role of trade barriers, exchange rates, foreign aid, energy, foreign investment.

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

Exploration of questions and concepts in international economics and politics, especially as they relate to flows of trade, capital, people, and problems across borders.

Analysis of communism and post-communism in East-Central Europe, including economic transitions, nationalism, inter- and intra-state conflict, NATO and EU enlargement.

Exploration of international law and international politics, including sovereignty, war, international tribunals, the environment, and human rights.

The evolution of the concept and practice of sovereignty in the Middle East, pre-modern to the present, focusing on reciprocal nature of power and authority.

The historical, cultural, and political reasons for Asia's dramatic transformation into a powerful engine of world economic growth. The secondary consequences of economic growth for environmental protection, gender relations, ethnicity, and military tension.

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

Examination of general economic development issues: population, agriculture, industrialization, trade, oil, etc. Several Mideast case study countries are then explored in depth.

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).

Key concepts in international security studies; historical evolution of international warfare and diplomacy; contemporary international security issues.

Modern and post-modern perspectives on changes in the inter-state system, relations among cultures and civilizations, the conditions of ecologically sustainable human development.

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

Strategic theory and its application to national security and warfare from Western and non-Western perspectives. Topics include strategic culture, political decision-making, cyber operations, and non-state challenges.

(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.

Intensive internship experience in international relations professional areas with academic research component (may be repeated for credit different semesters)

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.

Explores modern international relations history, focusing on the role of the US in the global politics. Provides training in historical research methods.

Should environmental issues be treated as threats to security? Survey of recent literature explores global environmental politics using a security framework. Recommended preparation: Environmental studies course work.

Introduction to important economic issue areas that are understood as security-related in the contemporary world: population, food, trade, debt, etc.

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.

Critical discussion of alternative approaches explaining the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy: domestic politics, organizational processes, group dynamics, individual personality and perception.

The role of ideas, beliefs and norms in understanding state behavior and US foreign policy, from traditional security concepts to modern soft power.

Research-based analysis of dramatic development of international courts, exploring causes for their development, autonomy and political relations with states, compliance, effects on international relations.

Provides a critical introduction to scholarship on international political economy (IPR), the interaction of states and markets in a global context.

Research on the European Union's role in European international relations; internal EU developments since 1985 as an actor in the world economy. (Madrid Program only)

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

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

Preparation and oral defense of senior honors thesis before supervising faculty and fellow honors students. Senior status and acceptance to program required. Recommended preparation: IR 311.

Analyzes U.S. foreign policy, with emphasis on numerous inputs to the decision-making process -- from media to conceptions of the national interest to organizational processes.

The political aspects of economic growth, efficiency and distribution are explored for underdeveloped nations in an international relations context.

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.

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.