• POLS 121 International Relations
• POLS 223 Comparative Politics

And any three of the following courses:

• POLS 343 Revolutions
• POLS 344 Middle East Politics
• POLS 345 Developing Nations
• POLS 346 Asian Politics
• POLS 347 Latin American Politics
• POLS 351 U.S. Foreign Policy
• POLS 352 Global Gender Issues
• POLS 355 Globalization
• POLS 356 Security: Defense, Diplomacy and Development
• POLS 358 Topics in International Relations/Comparative Politics

Other upper division POLS courses will be counted with the agreement of the department chair.

POLS 121 INTRO TO INT'L RELATIONS (SS)

Analysis of the fundamental structure of the international system, including power, development, war and peace and trade viewed from a political, economic and social perspective.

POLS 223 COMPARATIVE POLITICS

Examination of how politics is practiced in many different ways. Through examples of countries from Europe to developing world, this course analyses different forms of institutions, governmental decision-making and political revolutions. The course highlights the significance of particular histories, the availability of economic resources for development, and the influence of distinct cultures and social traditions to explain why these countries reflect economic and political forms different from the United States. Not available to first-year students. Every year.

POLS 343 REVOLUTIONS & SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

Analysis of revolutions and social movements as political, economic, and social phenomenon. Focuses on writing by both political actors and social scientists. Case studies are drawn from throughout the world, including movements within the United States.

POLS 344 MIDDLE EAST POLITICS

Study of the current political conflicts in the Middle East region with particular emphasis on the Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Also emphasized will be the role of Islam and the political economy of oil.

POLS 345 DEVELOPING NATIONS

Examination of important aspects of politics, economics, relevant historical experiences and the culture of developing nations of Asia, Latin America and Africa. The course explores how these nations have sought to solve their major problems by using different theories and approaches to political, economic and social development. Each student will be expected to assess the achievements and/or shortcomings of a project in a research paper on a developing country of their choice.

POLS 346 ASIAN POLITICS

Examination of the politics and economics of three Asian countries, namely India, China and Japan. Contemporary politics is examined through a broad study of history, cultural and social traditions, and economic conditions. The U.S. relationships with each of these nations are also studied in light of distinct foreign policy approaches.

POLS 347 LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS

Comparative analysis of Latin American politics focusing on the themes of the military in politics, economic dependency, reform and revolution, and agrarian reform. Case studies include Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Nicaragua and Cuba.

POLS 351 U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

Examination of United States foreign policy. The course focuses on key players as well as institutions and unofficial individuals or groups involved in the making of U.S. foreign policy. Case studies will be used to bring a 'real-life' element to the class.

POLS 352 GLOBAL GENDER ISSUES

Study of gender as a fundamental variable in social, political and economic developments around the world. In this course, the focus is to identify the significance of gender at a global level. Examination of gendered division of labor in industrialized and developing societies, in particular, gendered discourses in development policies and gender-based economic strategies of modernization and restructuring. Beyond the economic realm, the course will also deal with other issues, such as wars, peace movements and concerns over military spending, which show remarkably similar patterns in terms of gender differences over policies.

POLS 355 GLOBALIZATION

Examination of international economic linkages that play a significant role in defining relations among states and non-state actors in the post-cold war world. While security has been perceived primarily in military terms, in the new world economic conditions will determine the ranking among nations. Agreements establishing the European Union, the North American Free Trade Area, and the World Trade Organization (WTO)/General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) are symbolic of the significance of global economic concerns. The course analyzes national and international responses to the challenge of global economic competition.

POLS 356 SECURITY: DEFENSE, DIPLOMACY AND DEVELOPMENT

In this course, students will explore issues of international security from different perspectives. The course will start by looking at traditional security issues involving violence and warfare, but then move on to economic security, environmental security, and human security. Students will examine the role of states, international institutions, and non-governmental actors in seeking to understand and increase security.

POLS 358 TOPIC: INTL REL/COMP POLITICS

Selected topics in contemporary international relations and comparative politics. Subjects covered could include social change in Latin America, civil-military relations in Central America, and global environmental politics.