International Relations

IR 5502 International Political Geography (3)
    An analysis of the reciprocal effects of geography and political organization on the behavior of states including boundaries and frontiers, national resources, spatial strategy and maritime power.
IR 5524 Contemporary American Foreign Policy (3)
    This course examines the foreign policies processes of the United States: historical traditions, political institutions, economic and military capabilities, the Congress, the Presidency, interest groups, the media, and public opinion.
IR 5533 Comparative Government (3)
    A comparative analysis of state governments in the world with an emphasis on political cultures, governmental institutions and political processes that lead to differences and international tensions.
IR 5551 Survey of International Relations (3)
    An introduction of the discipline of International Relations for graduate students; states,  power, national interests, the security dilemma, instruments of foreign policy, challenges to sovereignty, international organizations, and globalization.
IR 5552 International Law (3)
    An examination of the sources and development  of  international  law  from  historical, political, legal, and philosophical standpoints, with emphasis on substantive areas of law.
IR 5570 Politics of Southeast Asia (3)
    This course involves the study of politics in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, and Thailand.  It investigates the historical and cultural factors contributing to their political relationships within the region and internationally.
IR 6600 Selected Topics in International Relations (3)
    An examination of a specifically defined topic of special and/or current interest and importance, which is not covered in regular course offerings in the International Relations program.  A selected topic in International Relations course can only be used as an elective in the program.  See semester hour limits listed under Course Restrictions in General Regulations section.
IR 6601 Research Methods in International Relations (3)
    An investigation of the research methodologies employed in the study of International Relations including research design, variables and hypotheses, citations and reference, qualitative analysis and quantitative techniques. A substantial research paper is required in the course. Note: MSIR candidates must achieve a grade of “B” or better in IR 6601 to complete degree program requirements.
IR 6602 Geostrategic Studies (3)
    This course examines the political, military, economic and cultural effects of geography in historical and contemporary terms. Specific emphasis is placed on the role of geography in the formulation of military-political policy in land power, sea power, airpower, and outer space. Comprehensive geopolitical theories will be employed as analytical tools in the course.
IR 6610 International Organizations (3)
    This course examines the evolution and functions of international organizations; political structures and international systems for the collective use of power and cooperative action among states; and the impact of international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and other types of transnational relations and organizations on global affairs.
IR 6612 Comparative Public Policy (3)
    This course examines the process of policy making in a cross-comparative framework that illustrates how different nation states, both in the developed and the developing worlds, formulate and implement public policy.
IR 6620 International Political Economy (3)
    An examination of the interrelationships between international politics and economics: states and markets, theories of IPE, trade, foreign investment, international monetary affairs, foreign aid, state development strategies, and globalization.
IR 6625, Specialized Study in International Relations (3)
  6626,
6627		 A study of a problem or problems using research techniques.  Selection of the problem must be approved by the student’s adviser, the instructor under whom the study is to be made, and the department chair. The study should contribute to the student’s program.  Preparation of a scholarly paper is required and may involve an oral defense.  A specialized study may be substituted for a required course only once in a student’s program. It may, however, be substituted for one or two electives. Prerequisite: IR 6601.  See semester hour limits listed under Course Restrictions in General Regulations section.
IR 6629, Seminar in International Relations (3)
  6630 An analysis of specified topics at the international level. (For example: “Armaments, Disarmament, and Proliferation,” “Nationalism and World Order,” “Peacekeeping,” or “Organized Use of Force”)  All selected topics courses must be approved by the department chair. The course can be used to substitute for a required course only once in a student’s degree program.  The substitution must also be approved by the department chair.
IR 6631 Intercultural Relations (3)
    An analysis of the influence of culture on interstate relations including theories, concepts, and applications.
IR 6633 Developed and Developing Nations (3)
    An analysis of the systemic linkages between advanced, emerging and weak states; focus will be on the political, economic, and cultural issues relevant to the international relations of those states within both a regional and global context.
IR 6634 Tradition, Revolution, and Change (3)
    This course represents an interdisciplinary, cross cultural approach to the study of comparative cultural change and its impact on the international system.  It examines the origins, processes, and outcomes of sociopolitical change within various nations and states.
IR 6635 National Security Policy (3)
    An examination of the structures, motivations, and major objectives of national security policymaking from a comparative perspective with particular emphasis on the politics of national defense in the United States.
IR 6640 Government and Politics of Developing Nations (3)
    An analysis of the modernization of developing states from a political, economic, social, and cultural perspective.  Major strategies pursued by developing states for their growth and development will be discussed, including those shared by developing states which have a significant effect on the political and economic interaction between the developing and developed worlds.
IR 6641 Latin America in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of Latin American politics, legal systems, economics, culture, military power, geography, and their impact on Latin American regional relations and linkages to the world system.
IR 6642 Russia and Eastern Europe in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of Russia and Eastern Europe’s politics, legal systems, economics, culture, military power, geography, and their impact on regional relations and linkages to the world system.
IR 6644 Middle East in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of Middle East politics, legal systems, economics, culture, military power, geography, and their impact on regional relations and linkages to the world system.
IR 6645 Asia in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of Asian politics, legal systems, economics, culture, military power, geography, and their impact on regional relations and linkages to the world system.
IR 6647 Western Europe in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of Western European politics, legal systems, economics, culture, military power, geography, and their impact on regional relations and linkages to the world system.
IR 6648 Sub-Saharan Africa in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of Sub-Saharan politics, legal systems, economics, culture, military power, geography, and their impact on regional relations and linkages to the world system.
IR 6652 Theory and Ideology in International Relations (3)
    An examination of historical and contemporary theories in international relations; the role of political, economic, ethnic, religious and other belief systems or philosophical approaches within the global system.
IR 6653 Political Psychology (3)
    An examination of the impact of individual and collective human behavior on the political process.  An introduction to the methods of inquiry into a society’s belief system, social cognition, socialization, and political behavior. Special attention is placed on the behavioral sources of political violence, the relationship between culture and political behavior, and collective alienation.
IR 6654 Media, Technology, and International Politics (3)
    This course focuses on the role of media in international politics with particular emphasis on the impact of technological change. This includes the reportage and representation of world events through the broadcast, print, and entertainment media. The course explores issues related to cultural change through media communication, elite empowerment and ownership of media assets, the changing nature of foreign and domestic influences in politics and the role of media technology in affecting approaches to public policy issues.
IR 6655 International Conflict Management (3)
    This course analyzes responses to international conflict and approaches to establishing peace and peacekeeping at the local, national, and global levels to include theoretical constructs about conflict management techniques (mediation, negotiation, escalation, de-escalation, termination, and outcomes).
IR 6656 International Power and Influence (3)
    A theoretical and empirical examination of how nations use political, military, and economic resources to influence the behavior of other nations.  The course will consider the effectiveness of political communications, public relations, foreign aid, economic sanctions, threats of force, and limited uses of force. Special emphasis will be placed on the effects of foreign influences on domestic politics.
IR 6660 Military Strategy and International Relations (3)
    An assessment of military leaders and armed forces in the development of national security and foreign policies; classical methods of maintaining peace; civil-military relations in the developed and the less developed states; the impact of rapid technological change and weaponry in international politics; the role of the military in the shaping of war and peace since 1947.
IR 6665 Readings in International Relations (3)
    A guided program of readings and study in international relations which are related to the needs of the student. Enrollment must be approved by the department chair.  See semester hour limits listed under Course Restrictions in General Regulations section.
IR 6668, Thesis (3)
  6669 Directed research in selected areas of international relations, based on a student’s proposal, related to the student’s needs, and with the advice and approval of a faculty thesis adviser, and culminating in a research paper of appropriate depth and scholarship. The final, bound product must be approved by a faculty committee composed of the thesis adviser and a faculty reader.  The first course will cover the paper design and supporting research, while the second course will be undertaken to support the actual writing of the thesis. Prerequisites: IR 6601 and the satisfactory completion of 24 semester hours in the MSIR program.  A grade of “pass” or “fail” will be assigned to both courses.
IR 6670 United Kingdom in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of the United Kingdom and its relations with the global community.  The course will involve the student in the political, cultural, and social aspects of the state and its relations with other states.
IR 6672 Germany in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of Germany and its relations with the global community.  The course will involve the student in the political, cultural, and social aspects of the state and its relations with other states.
IR 6675 Central America in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of the Central American region and its relations with the global community.  The course will involve the student in the political, cultural, and social aspects of regional states and their relations with other states.
IR 6676 Japan in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of Japan and its relations with the global community.  The course will involve the student in the political, cultural, and social aspects of the state and its relations with other states.
IR 6677 China in World Affairs (3)
    An examination of China and its relations with the global community.  The course will involve the student in the political, cultural, and social aspects of the state and its relations with other states.
IR 6681 Tribalism and Colonialism in Africa (3)
    An examination of the impact of African tribalism and colonialism in detail. It will involve the student in the political, cultural, and social aspects of these two phenomena.  The content of the course will include an investigation of the politics that govern tribalism and colonialism, the sociological influences it has induced, and how the two concepts impact upon the people of Africa today.
IR 6685 Terrorism and Political Violence (3)
    An examination of the origins and significance of contemporary political violence with an emphasis on the phenomenon of terrorism.  The course employs an interdisciplinary, case-study approach.
IR 6686 Drug Politics in the Americas (3)
    This course investigates the issues surrounding the trafficking of illicit narcotics in the western hemisphere, with special attention to the Andean region and those states which act as conduits to the vast market in the United States.  The course examines both the political and security problems arising from the drug trade, as well as the basic debate concerning the formulation and implementation of U.S. drug policy.
IR 6687 Free Trade and Economic Integration in the Western Hemisphere (3)
    A critical analysis of the origins, development, consolidation and limitations of free trade and economic integration in the Western Hemisphere. Special attention will be given to the complex political, economic and social forces that support, hinder and otherwise shape such international economic agreements.
IR 6688 Islamic Fundamentalism (3)
    An advanced seminar dealing with the theology and practice of Islam and its impact on international, legal, political, security, and social issues.