Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: GLOBAL SYSTEMS I

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: Designed to help students think theoretically and analytically about leading issues in international affairs by introducing them to social science methods and scholarship, and exposes them to the uses of such concepts in practice, through examination of contemporary problems and relations between nation states. Introduces central concepts and approaches from a variety of social science perspectives, particularly comparative politics and international relations used to explain, analyze and evaluate international politics and economics. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: INSTITUTIONS & DEVELOPMENT

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: This course will explore a broad, multidisciplinary range methodologies and requisite analytical tools needed to identify, measure, and assess the determinants and effects of international development, the nature of change in the development process, and of the associated role of policy and institutional design. This will include the normative analysis of change (applying various concepts of well-being, efficiency, social justice and poverty), the application of economic concepts (to the interpretation of household and firm behavior, strategic interactions and economy-wide patterns), and the role of political, governmental and social behavior in shaping the possibilities for, drivers of and resistance to change. This will be undertaken through a mixture of discussion of overall patterns backed by a strong focus on case studies in particular country settings. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS FOR MASTERS STUDENTS

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: This course familiarizes students with basic concepts of research design and statistical methodology that used in policy analysis. It covers (1) fundamental concepts of scientific inference and barriers to inference in observational data, (2) the implementation and evaluation of experimental and observational research designs in policy analysis, (3) descriptive and graphical statistics, (4) statistical hypothesis testing, (5) elementary use and interpretation of the generalized linear model, and (6) using the R statistical software environment for data organization and analysis. It is strongly recommended that students complete this course in the fall semester of their first year; in all cases, it must be completed before the end of the first year. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: QUANTITATIVE APPLICATIONS IN GLOBAL POLITICS AND POLICY

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: The course takes a problem-driven approach to practical applications of quantitative research methods in political and policy studies. Using a series of international and domestic policy topics, students will learn to apply and extend their knowledge of research design and statistics as part of developing a systematic approach to the study of global affairs. Student assignments will involve research related to the practice of global affairs, including comparative policy-making, political economy and security. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: MACROECONOMICS AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: This part develops our foundations on topics such as national product and income concepts, measurements, and relationships; interrelationships of the major segments of the national economy; forces affecting the general level of economic activity. Here we study how the major markets (those for labor, capital, and goods) operate. These markets are first studied in isolation. Why some countries have rapid economic development, and others low growth and pervasive poverty? We will explore the ways in which growing economic interdependence shifts global wealth. We will discuss the role of global energy supply and of ongoing technological progress as a force of change in the global economy. Masters of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: MACROECONOMICS FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: The second part of the course puts the markets studied in the first part together and studies their interactions. The key issues here are: (a) how macroeconomic variables behave and (b) how can policy affect these outcomes both domestically and internationally. Students will engage in a short team project to explore the role of economic development in international settings, including topics such as energy supply, labor and employment, population, education, health and nutrition. International economics: balance of payments, foreign exchange markets, international trade theory, tariffs, quotas, and exchange controls. The course will focus on the relationship between international policy and economics. North-South relations, including the US-Mexico economic relation will be discussed. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: DECISION MAKING UNDER UNCERTAINTY

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: The course examines how leaders on the world stage-those in governments, international organizations, and non-state actors-make decisions that alter the course of international affairs. These decisions are made under conditions of uncertainty with limited information, elements of surprise about what will happen next, and often carry high degrees of risk. The course considers key theoretical models of uncertainty in decision making and examines specific foreign policy decisions that managed the uncertainty toward a successful outcome and those that ended in failure or expensive mistakes. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: CULTURAL DIRECTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: Investigates the cultural and social dimensions of the development and implementation of international policy; emphasizes historical and ethnographic case studies to understand the variable impacts of policy implementation in different contexts. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: Introduction to a broad range of areas related to the analysis and resolution of conflict, focusing on the interdisciplinary study of defining, understanding, and addressing conflict. International and community conflict, characteristics, negotiation, collaborative problem solving, process-advice. Students will research international conflict escalation, stalemate, de-escalation, settlement, resolution, or management; mediation skills to facilitate the resolution of disputes and differences, techniques of third party intervention with individuals and groups. Learning approach includes lectures, simulations, modeling and practice mediations. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: Study of theories and best practices from academia and governments/NGO’s related to international cooperation, including international law and treaties, international coalitions and sanctions, international and transnational organizations, translocal city and NGO partnerships, government and business partnerships, transnational governance and publicly diplomacy, including soft power and collective action for global public goods. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: THE MIDDLE EAST CAULDRON AND UNITED STATES POLICY

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: This course examines the expanding public dimension of diplomacy by investigating the growing global interests and trends in the 21st century’s diplomatic environment. This course also examines the underlying political, socio-economic, and cultural trends and surveys US national security interests, foreign policy, and public diplomacy around the world. For Master of Global Affairs Students Only.

Long Title: INTERNATIONAL SECURITY IN A MULTIPOLAR WORLD

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: The post-Cold War international order is moving from a unipolar system to one characterized by strong interstate competition. Concepts once associated with 19th century Europe, like “the balance of power”, are demonstrating their continued relevance. Interstate conflict has been in decline, but its likelihood might increase within this more unstable system of states. This course will review the main intellectual currents in the international security subfield, with particular emphasis on the work of Barry Buzan and the English school of international relations. Students will critically apply theory to case studies on contemporary wars, nuclear proliferation, and violent substate actors such as terrorist organizations, humanitarian intervention, and peacekeeping operations. Master of Global Affairs students only.

Long Title: MASTER OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: The Master of Global Affairs internship is a graduate-level supervised field experience for students in the MGA program. All internships must be preapproved and must be conducted after the student has completed a minimum of 18 credit hours in the program. Master of Global Affairs students only. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: MASTER OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CAPSTONE

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Description: The Master of Global Affairs capstone course is the culmination of all graduate coursework and internship experience in the program; it is a significant piece of work than what is normally expected of a term paper. The capstone project must reflect a scholarly and professional analysis informed by the application of analytical strategies that address a real-world problem or public policy issue. All MGA students must complete the capstone in their final semester.

Long Title: DIRECTED READING IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Graduate level independent reading course. Topics vary. Master of Global Affiars students only. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: CONFLICT, COOPERATION, AND CHANGE IN WORLD POLITICS

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course has three parts: First, it will engage cutting edge research on the causes and dynamics of interstate conflict and civil war. Second, it will discuss theories and practices of international organizations such as the UN, IMF, and WID. Finally, with the background knowledge from the first parts, the course will discuss how China's rise may bring changes to both dimensions.

Long Title: ENERGY POLICY

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Energy is credited with many contradictory properties. It is a curse that enables dictatorship and war, undermines the work ethic, and taints our environment. It is also the world's largest business and a chief ingredient of state power, stitching together disparate countries in webs of mutual dependence. Energy shapes our physical landscapes and personal habits, providing services that make us comfortable and secure, while producing waste that threatens this way of life. These are the areas where energy and politics intersect, the topics of concern to this course. Cross-list: POST 501.

Long Title: INTERNATIONAL MACROECONOMIC POLICY FOR MASTER'S STUDENTS

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: How does exchange rate policy fit into a country's macroeconomic environment? How do international capital markets constrain policy space? Students will model the linkages between exchange rates, interest rates, capital flows, and prices. The course will emphasize emerging economies.

Long Title: CYBERPOLITIK: INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS IN TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: How are the evolving cases of cyber-attack and breach as well as the actions of government and corporations shaping how cyberspace is governed? What object lessons are there in security cases such as those involving WikiLeaks and the Snowden affair? This course examines the widely pervasive and enormously effective nature of cyber threats today, explaining why cyber-attacks happen, how they matter, and how they may be managed.

Long Title: INTERNATIONAL SECURITY: DE-RISKING NATIONAL THREATS AND BUSINESS THREATS

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This class seeks to define issues and solutions facing nation-states and multinational businesses in today's world. We will examine geopolitical risks that nations are facing (America's relative decline, shifting alliances, China's rise, the EU's stagnation, Russian aggression) as we seek to answer the following question: Are there any super powers left, and do we even want to be one?

Long Title: INTERNATIONAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT IN A MULTI-RISK, INTER-CONNECTED WORLD

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Approximately 85% of the nation's critical infrastructure (water, electricity, food/agriculture, energy, finance, IT, communication, medical, transportation, chemical, etc.), and nearly all of the global banking system is owned and operated by private corporations. How do these corporations prepare for a crisis even that impacts national security, national economic issues, or public order/safety/health, and therefore requires an integrated joint partnership with the government or other organization(s) to plan for and manage the crisis incident?

Long Title: NON-THESIS GRADUATE RESEARCH

Department: Global Affairs

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Research

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Individual research for graduate students in the Master of Global Affairs.