This is an archived copy of the 2015-2016 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://coursecatalog.bucknell.edu.

International Relations (IREL)

International Relations is a field of study concerned with the cultural, economic, environmental, historic, military, and political interactions among the major units of the world, such as states, international organizations, transnational corporations, nongovernmental organizations, groups and individuals. Courses from a number of departments and programs are drawn upon to offer a multidisciplinary major in international relations for the Bachelor of Arts degree.

The purposes of the major are to increase general knowledge about the history, institutions, interactions, and events of the international system; to develop insight into the objectives, decisions, and policies of state and nonstate actors; to provide a conceptual vocabulary and diverse theoretical perspectives to help explain and interpret international behavior; to build skills in critical analysis and evaluation of global issues; to develop an appreciation of commensurability and difference and acceptance of “others”; and to encourage evaluation and the solving of global problems. International relations majors will develop skills in writing, speaking, and information literacy throughout their studies, but particularly in IREL 250 Theories of International Relations and their senior seminar Culminating Experiences.

The International Relations major provides a general education for students seeking greater knowledge about world affairs. It also provides a sound preparation for students interested in pursuing an M.A. or Ph.D. in international relations and related social sciences or a J.D. in law, and for careers in the Foreign Service, the federal government, international law, international business, banking and finance, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations. International relations alumni have been accepted to the top graduate programs and law schools in the country, and are well represented in all of the listed international careers.

Major Requirements

The international relations major consists of at least 11 courses to count exclusively toward the major.

ECON 227International Economics (completed by end of junior year) 11
or ECON 427 International Economic Theory
POLS 170International Politics (completed by end of sophomore year)1
IREL 250Theories of International Relations 21
IREL 350Globalization 31
Two area concentration courses (see list below) 42
Area concentration History course 51
Thematic core course (see list below) 61
Two thematic courses 62
One Culminating Experience seminar 71
Total Credits11
1

Students who are double majoring in international relations and economics should take ECON 427 International Economic Theory instead of ECON 227 International Economics. In those instances, ECON 427 International Economic Theory can count toward the economics major. Students counting ECON 427 International Economic Theory toward their economics major will need to take an additional IREL course to compensate. The additional course should be taken from the student’s Area Concentration or Thematic Track. History courses taken abroad that are to be counted toward the area concentration must focus on the region or country of study. Histories of individual cities will not be accepted as satisfying the history requirement for the area concentration. 

2

IREL 250 Theories of International Relations should be taken second semester of the sophomore year or the first semester of the junior year. Students planning on spending a full year abroad should make sure that they complete IREL 250 before they go abroad. Students will ordinarily take POLS 170 International Politics before enrolling in IREL 250 Theories of International Relations, which is a W2 and will develop skills in writing, speaking, and information literacy.

3

IREL 350 Globalization should ordinarily be taken during the fall of the junior year. If a student is spending the entire junior year abroad, it may be taken during the senior year. Students will ordinarily take ECON 227 International Economics before enrolling in IREL 350 Globalization.

4

No more than two of these courses may be in the same department. A course that is counted toward the area concentration may not simultaneously count towards a thematic track.

5

One course must satisfy the history requirement for this area. The acceptable history courses for each area concentration are indicated by an 8 on the area concentration course lists.

6

It is recommended that students take the core course first. A course that is counted toward a thematic track may not simultaneously count toward an area concentration.

7

Students must enroll in a seminar either semester of the senior year. This seminar, taught by international relations faculty and enrolled in by international relations students, will serve as the College Core Curriculum’s Culminating Experience requirement. These courses will be taught as W2s and will develop skills in writing, speaking, and information literacy. IR seminars that are Culminating Experiences are designated by IREL 4XX course number.

Area Concentrations

The area concentrations offered are:

Africa

ECON 224African Political Economy1
ECON 235African Economic Development1
FREN 336Francophone Africa1
GEOG 236Third World Development1
HIST 290Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 81
HIST 291African History I 81
HIST 292African History II 81
HIST 299Topics in Non-western History (when relevant) 81
IREL/ANTH 235Modern Africa See also UNIV 200 Integrative Perspectives Course (Modern Africa)1
POLS 211Third World Politics1
SOCI 213Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives1
SOCI 310The Sociology of Developing Societies1
UNIV 200Integrative Perspectives Course See also IREL 235/ANTH 235 (Modern Africa)1
Language Competency:
ARBC 201
  & ARBC 202
Intermediate Arabic Conversation I
   and Intermediate Arabic Conversation II
1

Asia

ANTH/WMST 232Gender and Sexuality in South Asia1
ANTH 243Introduction to Southeast Asia Studies1
EAST 274The Greater Chinese Economy1
EAST 278Asian Economic Development1
EAST 340Comparative Pacific Basin Economics1
EAST 234/HIST 294China Since 1800 81
EAST 339China and the World Economy1
EAST 255/HIST 296Modern Japanese History 81
EAST 267/HIST 297The People's Republic of China 81
IREL/POLS 225/EAST 269Chinese Politics1
IREL/POLS/EAST 226East Asian Politics1
IREL/POLS 283/EAST 248East Asian International Relations1
RELI 200/EAST 251Buddhism1
RELI 202Hinduism1
RELI 243Religions of South Asia1
RELI 245/EAST 252Religions of China1
RELI 246/EAST 253Religions of Japan1
Language Competency:
CHIN 201Chinese III (or equivalent taken elsewhere)1
or JAPN 201 Japanese III

Europe, Eurasia and Russia

ECON 277The French Economy: Structures and Policies (open only to Bucknell en France students)1
ECON 324European Economic History 81
ECON 405Comparative Economic Systems1
FREN 270La France actuelle1
FREN 370Topics in Civilization1
GEOG 214Europe in Age of Globalization1
GRMN 270The Bourgeois Era: 19th-century Germany1
GRMN 272Modern German Culture 1945-1990 (when relevant)1
GRMN 295Topics in German Studies (when relevant)1
GRMN 393Advanced Seminar in Selected Cultural Topics (when relevant)1
HIST 233European State Systems (1660-1815) 81
HIST 236Nineteenth-century Europe 81
HIST 239Contemporary Europe, 1890-1995 81
HIST 247Topics in European History (when relevant and must be taken on campus)1
HIST 252Soviet Russia1
HIST 290Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 81
HIST 330European History (when relevant) 81
IREL 218/POLS 284International Relations of Europe1
ITAL 295Topics in Italian Studies (when relevant)1
POLS 210Political Theory 81
POLS 222Russian Politics 81
POLS 223European Politics1
POLS 288French Foreign Policy Since 1945 ( open only to Bucknell en France students)1
RUSS 302Twentieth-century Russian Culture and Civilization1
SPAN 270Spanish Cultural Tradition1
SPAN 295Topics in Spanish (when relevant)1
Language Competency:
Select one of the following: (or equivalent taken elsewhere)1
German Conversation and Composition
Discovering Italy
Advanced Russian I
Toward Advanced Spanish

Latin America and Caribbean

ANTH 252Ritual, Resistance, and Rebellion in South America1
ECON 266Political Economy of Caribbean1
GEOG 236Third World Development1
GEOG 237Grassroots Development: Nicaragua1
GEOG 309Topics in Advanced Economic Geography1
HIST 282/LAMS 295Modern Latin America 81
HIST 311U.S. History since 1865 81
IREL/POLS 285The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century1
IREL 400Seminar: Topics in International Relations1
LAMS 150Latin America: An Introduction1
LAMS 224Becoming Latinos1
LAMS 297Colonial Latin America 81
LAMS 370Seminar on Latin America in the Global System1
POLS 211Third World Politics1
POLS 219Latin American Politics1
POLS 285The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century1
POLS 350Seminar in Comparative Politics (when relevant)1
SOCI 213Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives1
SOCI 245Remaking America: Latin American Immigration1
SOCI 290Caribbean Society Music and Ritual1
SOCI 310The Sociology of Developing Societies1
SOCI 354Development, Dictators and Diaspora1
Language Competency:
SPAN 207Toward Advanced Spanish (or equivalent taken elsewhere)1
SPAN 280Latin American Cultural Traditions1

Middle East

ARBC 203Unveiling the Hijab's Culture1
HIST 194History of Modern Middle East1
HIST 290Europe Imperialism and Colonialism 81
HIST 299Topics in Non-western History (when relevant)1
IREL 229Middle East Conflict and Revolution1
POLS 224Government and Politics of the Middle East 81
POLS 287U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East 81
POLS 289The Arab-Israeli Conflict1
POLS 381Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process1
RELI 201Islam1
RELI 209Israel: Land, People, and Tradition 81
RELI 210Judaism1
Language competency:
ARBC 201
  & ARBC 202
Intermediate Arabic Conversation I
   and Intermediate Arabic Conversation II (or equivalent taken elsewhere)
1
8

This course satisfies the history requirement for the area.

Thematic Tracks

Each track is anchored by a required core course.

Development and Sustainability

IREL 252Political Economy of Global Resources (Core Course)1
ANTH/IREL 235Modern Africa1
See also UNIV 200 Integrative Perspectives course (Modern Africa)
ANTH 251Women and Development1
ECON 235African Economic Development1
ECON 357Economic Development1
ECON 439China and the World Economy1
ENST 215Environmental Planning1
ENST 226Water Politics and Policies1
ENST 245/POLS 291Environmental Policy and Politics1
ENST 255Environmental Injustice1
ENST/GEOG 325Nature, Wealth and Power1
ENST 356Nationalism, Conflict & Nature1
ENST/POLS 393International Environmental Aid1
GEOG 209Economic Geography1
GEOG 236Third World Development1
GEOG 237Grassroots Development: Nicaragua1
GEOG 257Global Environmental Change1
GEOG 312Geographies of Health1
GEOG 345Food and the Environment1
IREL 240Human Security1
IREL 270Global Governance of Climate Change1
UNIV 200Integrative Perspectives Course (Modern Africa)1
See also IREL 235/ANTH 235 (Modern Africa)
WMST/ECON 253Gender and Migration1

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

IREL 276Comparative Foreign Policy (Core Course)1
EAST 248International Relations in East Asia1
ECON 418American Economic History1
ECON 439China and the World Economy1
GEOG 211Political Geography1
HIST 214Topics in American History1
HIST 233European State Systems (1660-1815)1
HIST 247Topics in European History (when relevant)1
HIST 287Perspectives: The Vietnam War1
HIST 290Europe Imperialism and Colonialism1
HIST 299Topics in Non-western History1
HIST 311U.S. History since 1865 (when relevant)1
IREL/GEOG 216Borders, Traffic, Statelessness1
IREL 218/POLS 284International Relations of Europe1
IREL 231Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution1
IREL 240Human Security1
IREL 260Humanitarianism1
IREL/POLS 275Global Governance1
IREL 390American Global Strategy1
POLS 271American Foreign Policy1
POLS 272U.S. National Security Policy1
POLS 273The Atlantic Alliance1
POLS 280War1
POLS 287U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East1
POLS 288French Foreign Policy Since 19451
POLS 289The Arab-Israeli Conflict1
POLS 380Seminar in International Politics (when relevant)1
POLS/IREL 381Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process1

Global Governance and Conflict Resolution

IREL/POLS 275Global Governance (Core Course)1
GEOG/PSYC 238Bucknell in Northern Ireland1
HIST 311U.S. History since 18651
IREL 200International Relations: Topics/Issues1
IREL/GEOG 216Borders, Traffic, Statelessness1
IREL 218/POLS 284International Relations of Europe1
IREL 229Middle East Conflict and Revolution1
IREL 231Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution1
IREL 240Human Security1
IREL 255/POLS 278International Law1
IREL 260Humanitarianism1
IREL 270Global Governance of Climate Change1
IREL/POLS 277International Political Economy1
IREL/POLS 286Nonstate Actors in International Relations1
IREL 390American Global Strategy1
PHIL 233The Philosophy of Peace and Nonviolence1
POLS 273The Atlantic Alliance1
POLS 280War1
POLS 281Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution1
POLS 289The Arab-Israeli Conflict1
POLS 381Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process1
SOCI 235Nongovernmental Organizations1
SOCI 309How Holocausts Happen1
UNIV 238Bucknell in Northern Ireland1

Additional Requirements

There are three additional requirements and rules for the international relations major as stipulated below:

  • Of the 11 courses recorded for the major, no more than six courses may be taken from one department.
  • No more than two off-campus courses will count toward the major per semester of study abroad. Students studying abroad for one semester may count two courses toward the major. Students studying abroad for a full year may count four courses toward the major.
  • Competence must be demonstrated in a foreign language compatible with the area concentration, normally by successfully completing a one-credit fifth-semester equivalent course on the culture or society of a country or region. The language(s) appropriate to each area concentration, and the Bucknell equivalent levels that are required to satisfy the major’s language requirement, are noted in the area concentration course list. International students whose native language is not English are exempted, in consultation with the department chair, from the language requirement if they select an area concentration suitable for the native language.

One semester of study abroad is strongly recommended in a country within the area concentration and where the language being used for the language requirement is spoken or in a study abroad program compatible with the selected thematic track. In order to receive credit for study abroad, it is expected that the country visited will fit with the area of concentration. With prior approval students may transfer credit from study abroad that is outside of their area of concentration, if the study abroad is intended to complement a thematic track. Off-campus study in Washington, D.C., including the Washington Semester or Washington Center, also is recommended, but not as highly as overseas study. Students should contact the Office of International Education for information about off-campus study.

The department encourages students to pursue summer internships in positions related to international relations. Students have interned in embassies abroad, as well as in government agencies in Washington, D.C. Students with high grade point averages or a scholarly bent are encouraged to apply for honors in international relations or to conduct research with a faculty member. Students planning to pursue graduate study in international relations should consider taking a course in statistics, computer science, and microeconomics and macroeconomics.

For additional information, students are encouraged to visit the Department of International Relations website at bucknell.edu/InternationalRelations where students can find, among other things, recommended sequences for students pursuing a major in international relations.

International Relations Minor

The international relations minor consists of a minimum of five courses.

POLS 170International Politics1
IREL/POLS 277International Political Economy1
or ECON 227 International Economics
Select one of the following:3
Three courses from one area concentration (see lists on the major's page)
Three courses from one thematic track (see lists on the major's page)

Students who choose to complete their international relations minor through an area concentration are encouraged to take one of the designated history courses, which are noted with 8 in the lists on the major's page. Students who choose to complete their international relations minor through a thematic track are encouraged to take the appropriate core course. Students minoring in international relations are strongly encouraged, but not required, to develop competence in a suitable language.

  1. Understand the major concepts of international relations, including: power, the international system, balance of power, hegemony, conflict, cooperation, integration, globalization, interdependence, dependence, regimes, globalization, equality, justice, sustainability, and international political economy.
  2. Understand and critically evaluate the theories and approaches to international relations, including realism, liberalism, classical and neo-Marxism, Neo-Gramscian, critical, post-modernist, post-colonial, sexuality and feminist.
  3. Identify the key actors in international relations—including states, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, transnational corporations, global civil society, and individuals—and understand how these actors interact to give substance to international relations.
  4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the key dimensions, events and processes of international relations within their historic context, such as: the formation of the modern state system, the Treaty of Westphalia, the evolution of global capitalism, the origins of the Cold War, the shift to the post-Cold War system, the role of race, gender and class in the structure of the modern world system, major conflicts, such as the world wars, U. S. intervention in various places in the world, ascendant conflicts, the features and effects of globalizing market capitalism, growing environmental problems, and human rights.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of the multi-disciplinary nature of international relations by establishing connections with the disciplines that have shaped and continue to influence international relations:  politics, economics, society, culture, history, language, race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.
  6. Demonstrate skills of critical analysis and written and oral communication, including the ability to:
    1. Read and reflect on disciplinary materials and literature carefully, critically, and insightfully;
    2. Write well-organized, informed, logically argued, clear, persuasive, and stylistically correct essays and papers;
    3. Participate actively in class discussions, verbally expressing ideas clearly, logically and persuasively.
  7. Work effectively in teams and project groups.

Courses

IREL 200. International Relations: Topics/Issues. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Selected topics in international relations. Prerequisite: POLS 170.

IREL 201. Modernization and Social Revolution in Latin America. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This class examines how technological and political processes combine focusing on the Latin American region. Crosslisted as LAMS 201.

IREL 202. Rainforests and Ecopolitics in Latin America. 1 Credit.

Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
Focusing on Amazonia as a key region in global environmental politics, the course examines climate policy debates and recent shifts in global environmentalism. Crosslisted as LAMS 202.

IREL 204. Naming Violence: Language, space and power in the Israeli Palestinian conflict. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:3
This IP course adopts an integrative approach of two fields of knowledge: sociolinguistics and political geography. The course aims to explore the Palestinian-Israeli struggle and how this struggle is constructed and reproduced in various spaces that are directly related and those that are assumed to be related to the struggle. Crosslisted as UNIV 204 and ARBC 204.

IREL 215. Cultural Dimensions of International Relations. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The impact of culture on cross-cultural communication, diplomatic negotiation, conflict eruption and resolution, technology transfer, global trade, and investment.

IREL 216. Borders, Traffic, Statelessness. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Explores the politics of historical and contemporary national borders, debates over trafficking goods and humans across them, and their links to citizenship and statelessness. Crosslisted as GEOG 216.

IREL 218. International Relations of Europe. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the foreign policies of European countries, individually and collectively through the European Union, toward each other, regional and global intergovernmental organizations, and other regions/countries. Crosslisted as POLS 284.

IREL 225. Chinese Politics. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines China's rich political history, its dynamic economic and social changes, its lasting political changes, its enduring struggle for modernization, and its evolving relations with the rest of the world. Crosslisted as EAST 269 and POLS 225.

IREL 226. East Asian Politics. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course surveys history, politics, economy, and society of countries in East Asia. It investigates the continuity and change in politics and policies of China, Japan, Korea, and selected countries in Southeast Asia. Crosslisted as EAST 226 and POLS 226.

IREL 229. Middle East Conflict and Revolution. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course explores some of the most significant controversies, conflicts, revolutions, and resolutions, both historical and contemporary, that define the Middle East as a region.

IREL 231. Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Topics examined include pacifism, conflict resolution techniques and approaches, and finally actual case studies to illustrate peacemaking in two contexts: interstate wars and internal or civil strife. Crosslisted as UNIV 219 and POLS 281.

IREL 235. Modern Africa. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to complexity, richness, and vitality of contemporary African cultures. Interdisciplinary perspectives on issues including economy, politics, family and community, art, literature, religion. Crosslisted as ANTH 235.

IREL 240. Human Security. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Explores emerging debates around human vulnerability and: conflict, climate change, displacement, development, and other forms of "security."

IREL 250. Theories of International Relations. 1 Credit.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
Analysis and evaluation of main theories of international relations, including realist, neo-realist, liberal, neo-liberal, Gramscian, Marxist, feminist, and post-modernist approaches. Theories are related to the major dimensions of international relations. Prerequisites: POLS 170. Preference given to second semester sophomores and junior IREL majors.

IREL 251. International Inequality and Poverty. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the levels, patterns, sources, and trends in international inequality and poverty as well as some of their economic, social, and political consequences.

IREL 252. Political Economy of Global Resources. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
A study of environmental and energy economics in the context of global resources and politics. The theme of sustainable development will be linked to the new realities of international relations. Prerequisite: ECON 103. Crosslisted as UNIV 252.

IREL 255. International Law. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The nature, historical development, and sources of international law; substantive and procedural international law and its role in international relations. Crosslisted as POLS 278.

IREL 260. Humanitarianism. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
Explores the history of and contemporary politics around humanitarian intervention, including contemporary discussions of sovereignty, planning, empowerment, and humanitarian expertise.

IREL 270. Global Governance of Climate Change. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the global governance institutions for climate change and the current policies, debates and positions at the climate change summits and counter-summits.

IREL 275. Global Governance. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the rationales, processes, and institutions of multilateral governance in a globalized world. We examine the U.N., nongovernmental organizations, conflict resolution, economic development, environment, human rights, and international law. Not open to first-year students. Crosslisted as POLS 275.

IREL 276. Comparative Foreign Policy. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course is designed to introduce students to the theories that have been developed to explain foreign policy processes and foreign policy behavior. The course will also examine and discuss the foreign policies of specific international actors. Crosslisted as POLS 276.

IREL 277. International Political Economy. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the politics of international economic relations including trade, finance, and development. Crosslisted as POLS 277.

IREL 278. Latin American Economic Development. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
A historical analysis of Latin America's economic and political development. Primary emphasis on the experiences of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Central America. Crosslisted as ECON 276. Prerequisite: ECON 103.

IREL 282. European Security. 1 Credit.

Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
European security issues, including NATO enlargement, the military campaigns in the Balkans, the Iraq War, terrorism, and ballistic missile defense. For Bucknell in London. Crosslisted as POLS 282.

IREL 283. East Asian International Relations. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course offers an overview of international relations in East Asia, with focus on foreign policies of major states in the region as well as their political, economic, and social interactions. Crosslisted as EAST 248 and POLS 283.

IREL 285. The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the emergence of the New Left, the production of regional spaces, the impact of the BRICS and South-South cooperation in Latin America. Crosslisted as POLS 285.

IREL 286. Nonstate Actors in International Relations. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the role nonstate actors (such as nongovernmental organizations, multinational corporations, violent nonstate actors, and individuals) can and do play in various substantive areas of international relations. Crosslisted as POLS 286.

IREL 292. Service-Learning in Nicaragua. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course focuses on the connections between Nicaraguan development processes and Brigade-based service-learning. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as GEOG 292 and LAMS 292.

IREL 2NT. International Relations Non-traditional Study. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Non-traditional study in international relations. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

IREL 300. Seminar: Topics in International Relations. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
This course considers the shift in international politics from an ethic based upon state security to one focused on human security. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

IREL 350. Globalization. 1 Credit.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course is designed to provide IREL majors with an opportunity to study global change. The course addresses contemporary issues in globalization. Specific topics may vary. Normally taken in fall of junior or senior year. Prerequisites: IREL majors; Students should preferably have both ECON 227 and IREL 250.

IREL 356. Nationalism, Identity and Nature. 1 Credit.

Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the geographies and politics of nationalism, the ways in which nature is nationalized, the construction of nature in environmental contestations and reactions to nationalism, and the intersection of nationalism with other social constructions. Crosslisted as ENST 356 and POLS 356 and GEOG 356.

IREL 360. Independent Study. .5-1 Credits.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies; Repeatable
Open to international relations majors who wish to pursue individual programs of reading, research, and writing under the supervision of a professor, usually for completion of the honors thesis. Prerequisites: permission of the supervising IREL professor and permission of the instructor.

IREL 361. Independent Study. .5-1 Credits.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:Varies; Repeatable
Open to international relations majors who wish to pursue individual programs of reading, research, and writing under the supervision of a professor, usually for the completion of the honors thesis. Prerequisites: permission of the supervising IREL professor and permission of the instructor.

IREL 381. Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the failures and successes of the peace process among Israel, Arab States, and Palestinians. Special focus is on Oslo peace process, outstanding issues, and the involvement of outside actors, particularly the role of the US. Prerequisite: POLS 170 or permission from instructor. Crosslisted as POLS 381.

IREL 390. American Global Strategy. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the changing role of the manager in the global business environment. Prerequisite: junior or senior status.

IREL 400. Seminar: Topics in International Relations. 1 Credit.

Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Selected topics of international relations at an advanced level for senior seminar credit. Prerequisites: second semester junior or senior status and permission of the instructor.

IREL 410. BRICS on the Global Stage. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This seminar will focus on the emergence of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as new players in the global stage, the debates whether they represent the formation of a New World Order and the impact that the BRICS are having in different sub-regions. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

IREL 415. Human Rights. 1 Credit.

Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The seminar will study human rights, primarily from an international perspective, including self-determination, cultural rights, ethnic and racial rights, women's rights, religious rights, and lesbian and gay rights. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Preference given to international relations majors. Crosslisted as POLS 389.

IREL 418. Social Movements and Society. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This seminar examines social movements in International Relations in multiple contexts across the globe, through a variety of scales.

IREL 425. International Relations of Migration. 1 Credit.

Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the causes and the international consequences of human displacement. It will consider the economic, political, social, and cultural components of international migration. Crosslisted as POLS 425.

IREL 482. U.S.-China Relations. 1 Credit.

Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Through tracing the evolution of U.S.-China relations from the 18th century to the 21st century, this course discusses major issues and challenges between the two countries today. Future trends of the bilateral relationship will also be explored. Prerequisite: POLS 170. Preference given to EAST, IREL, and POLS seniors. Crosslisted as EAST 382 and POLS 382.

Faculty

Professor: Emek M. Uçarer

Associate Professors: Cymone Fourshey, David Mitchell (Chair), Zhiqun Zhu

Assistant Professors: Ilona Moore, Ron J. Smith

Visiting Assistant Professor: Emma G. Mullaney