Political Science

This course provides a general introduction to the field of comparative politics. The purpose of this course is to increase the level of systematic perspective and understanding of dynamic modern politics through a review of various theories and issues of comparative politics. It focuses on academic study as well as practical application to the real political world. 

The course introduces and discusses basic building blocks of International Relations theories and major analytical frameworks. It discusses ways to explain and interpret international political events. The unique aspect of this course is to blend theories with international security issues in depth. This is a graduate reading seminar that requires students’ active participation in verbal and written forms. The objectives of this course are (a) to understand mainstream theories of International Relations; (b) to examine the explanatory power of these theories; (c) discuss how to apply them to the study of international politics; and (c) to demonstrate how these theories can be used to analyze issues in international security.

This course examines the stages, characteristics, and evolutionary trends of international relations after the Cold War; major events, and changes in relations between major countries; international relations to distinguish it from specific country-specific foreign policy.

This course explores concepts of globalization and the advantages and disadvantages of globalization for such developing countries as Ghana, India, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Honduras, and Malaysia. It studies four different selections of literature that have been developed around the concept of globalization. The first set of selections defines the concept in terms of its relationship to the changing work force, technology and communications, culture, and finance. A second set debates the novelty of the various processes encoded in the concept of globalization. Another set debates the changing role and nature of the state in an era of globalization. A final set debates the issue of whether the economic prospects of the developing world indeed hinge on their full participation in the globalization process. The course also explores economic, political, and cultural perspectives on globalization.

Global governance refers to the way in which global affairs are managed in the absence of a global government, and involves a broad range of actors, including states, and international and regional organizations. This course provides an overview of the existing architecture of global governance, explores the management of selected global issues, and considers debates and new trends in global governance. Assessment: coursework (50%), final exam (50%). Course entry requirements: Any 2000-level POL course.