Geneva Internship Program

All students in the International Relations track enroll in one of the following four credit courses.

CAS IR 445: Introduction to Public International Law (4 credits)

(Prerequisites: at least two classes in international relations, law, or related social science coursework.) Public international law governs primarily, though not exclusively, the relations between states. The core areas of this law are its subjects; sources (or means of creation of law); the rules governing responsibility for breaches of international obligations, and those relative to dispute settlement. The decentralized structure of the international legal order means that a particular important question is when, and under what conditions, states can safeguard their rights by recourse to the use of force. The course is taught by lectures, extensive reliance being placed on primary materials (e.g., treaties, resolutions) and on decisions of international courts and tribunals. These can be supplemented by readings, such as those listed below, and drawn mostly from M. Evans (ed.) International Law, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2003. Syllabus

Or:

CAS PO/IR 446: Small States and Security Issues (4)

This course will describe the value of small states in the international system, focusing predominantly on Switzerland’s contributing role to international peace and security. The course will then widen its scope to describe the major international security issues which define the post Cold War world. Lectures will focus primarily on contemporary global security and the broadening security environment, describing the main actors (states and institutions) and their multilateral and unilateral approaches to security. The course will then provide insights on the new security issues that defy individual government control: climate change, pandemics, migration, terrorism, organized crime, and proliferation. All these issues have forced policymakers to find new and innovative approaches to security policy in order to prevent their damaging effects on international stability and security. The course is aimed at undergraduates in their third or fourth year with an interest in history, politics, security issues, and international relations. There are no prerequisites but background reading is required. Syllabus

Students choose two of the following elective courses (one for the first six weeks of the program, another for the final eight weeks).

CAS AH 308: “From Caesar to Corbusier:” The History of Switzerland Through its Art and Architecture (4)

This course covers the history of Switzerland through its art and architecture. It will give a through chronological grounding in the development of the Swiss confederation, from the Roman period to the early twentieth century, setting the country’s development in a wider European context. At the end of the course students should have a wide-ranging knowledge of the major events in Swiss history and a critical appreciation of the way in which they have shaped the built environment of the country and its artistic heritage. They should also have a general grasp of the main currents of Western art from antiquity to the early twentieth century. There are no prerequisites for this class.  However, a background in history, philosophy, literature or religion will be helpful.  The ability to read in French, German, and/or Italian will also aid with the required research paper. Syllabus

CAS FR 113: Beginning French, I (4)

The beginners’ course is designed to give basic oral and written language skills. In order to facilitate life in Geneva, it focuses on practical and daily communication in French and provides a stepping stone to interacting in French during an internship in an international organization. The content of the course reflects all aspects of French-speaking cultures (French and Swiss) and gives the necessary speaking, understanding, reading, and writing skills to continue to the intermediate French course. Syllabus

CAS FR 213: Intermediate French I (4)

This class is for students who have taken one or two semesters of French and are reasonably confident speaking and reading the language. It will focus on gaining fluency and accuracy in speech and at establishing grammatical rules, especially the use of tenses and modes up to and including the subjunctive and the conditional. Classes will concentrate on aural comprehension and speech, with grammatical exercises as homework and several written assignments increasing in complexity over the six weeks of the course. Syllabus

CAS FR 313: Advanced French 1 (4)

This class is for students who have taken three or four semesters of French. The course is designed to give advanced oral and written language skills in French. It focuses on communicating easily in French as preparation for the internship in an international organization. The content of the course reflects all aspects of French–speaking culture (French and Swiss). Syllabus

Students enroll in a four-credit internship placement. The internship will be conducted in English, although French-speaking placements may also be available according to the student’s language ability.

CAS PO/IR 444: The Activities of International Organizations (4)

(Prerequisite: CAS IR 445.) The proliferation of both the number and types of international institutional arrangements has been accompanied by the development of specialized areas of international law: international criminal law, environmental law, and trade law, to name a few. Several types of institutional arrangements, both within and outside the UN system, are examined, as well as their normative, operational, and enforcement activities. Introductory lectures provide an overview of the substantive law relevant to the institution considered, thus building on the Introduction to International Law course. The role of non-state actors in their relations with international institutional arrangements is also considered. Teaching is by a combination of lectures, talks by specialists drawn from the various international institutions located in Geneva and to the greatest extent possible, visits to those institutions. Syllabus

CAS PO/IR 455: Internship in International Organizations (International Relations)

Students work with an NGO, humanitarian organizations, or inter-governmental organization. Past internship placements have included International Catholic Migration Committee, Centre of Applied Studies in Negotiations, and World Women Summit Federation. Students must submit a written portfolio or paper regrading their internship experience and receive an evaluation from their internship supervisor.

Please note these are examples of past internship placements only. While BU Study Abroad guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements vary from semester to semester and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed.

Internship Components:

• Internship portfolio consisting of weekly reports, field research, and analysis and conclusion
• Academic paper on a subject related to the work done at the internship (the portfolio and paper are graded by BU staff)

All students in the Public Health track take this course during the first six weeks.

SPH PH 506: Principles of International Health (4)

Principles of International Health is designed for students with an interest in the theory and practice of health management in developing countries. There are no prerequisites: students with a background in international relations, politics, and economics will all find that the course touches on issues relevant to their main field of study. The course is divided into six topics, including nutrition, maternal and child health, and infectious diseases. Policy issues involving research into the causes of illness and the treatment of disease in the developing world will also be discussed.The course will be directed and partly taught by Dr Philip Jenkins, who has worked on public health issues at the World Health Organization for eighteen years. There will also be many specialized guest lectures by international experts from the World Health Organization or other health-care organizations based in Geneva and field-trips to some of these organizations. Syllabus (Part I) Syllabus (Part II)

Students choose two of the following elective courses (one for the first six weeks of the program, another for the final eight weeks).

CAS AH 308: “From Caesar to Corbusier:” The History of Switzerland Through its Art and Architecture (4)

This course covers the history of Switzerland through its art and architecture. It will give a through chronological grounding in the development of the Swiss confederation, from the Roman period to the early twentieth century, setting the country’s development in a wider European context. At the end of the course students should have a wide-ranging knowledge of the major events in Swiss history and a critical appreciation of the way in which they have shaped the built environment of the country and its artistic heritage. They should also have a general grasp of the main currents of Western art from antiquity to the early twentieth century. There are no prerequisites for this class.  However, a background in history, philosophy, literature or religion will be helpful.  The ability to read in French, German, and/or Italian will also aid with the required research paper. Syllabus

CAS FR 113: Beginning French, I (4)

The beginners’ course is designed to give basic oral and written language skills. In order to facilitate life in Geneva, it focuses on practical and daily communication in French and provides a stepping stone to interacting in French during internship in an international organization. The content of the course reflects all aspects of French-speaking cultures (French and Swiss) and gives the necessary speaking, understanding, reading, and writing skills to continue to the intermediate French course. Syllabus

CAS FR 213: Intermediate French I (4)

This class is for students who have taken one or two semesters of French and are reasonably confident speaking and reading the language. It will focus on gaining fluency and accuracy in speech and at establishing grammatical rules, especially the use of tenses and modes up to and including the subjunctive and the conditional. Classes will concentrate on aural comprehension and speech, with grammatical exercises as homework and several written assignments increasing in complexity over the six weeks of the course. Syllabus

CAS FR 313: Advanced French 1 (4)

This class is for students who have taken three or four semesters of French. The course is designed to give advanced oral and written language skills in French. It focuses on communicating easily in French as preparation for the internship in an international organization. The content of the course reflects all aspects of French–speaking culture (French and Swiss). Syllabus

Students enroll in a four-credit internship placement. The internship will be conducted in English, although French-speaking placements may also be available according to the student’s language ability. Past internships placements have included the Worlds Health Organization, International AIDS Society, and the International Union Against Cancer.  Students must submit a written portfolio or paper regrading their internship experience and receive an evaluation from their internship supervisor.

SPH PH 507: Controversies in International Health (4)

This course introduces students to the international organizations active in the field of public health by examining the international character of health—particularly with the emergence of HIV/AIDS, multinational droughts and famine, humanitarian crises, and the threat of infectious pandemics like SARS and avian flu. This course will place an emphasis on issues involved in best coordinating the efforts of agencies involved to achieve the greatest benefit for afflicted people. Through a series of lectures with international health specialists and structured visits to international aid institutions students will learn about the administration of international health organizations, the international difficulties arising from third party relief work, social determinants of health, healthcare and gender issues, and global pharmaceutical trade. Ray. Syllabus (Part I) Syllabus (Part II)

CAS PS 495: Internship in Health and Human Services

Students might work in research departments and health activism. Past internship placements have included International AIDS Society, the World Health Organization, and the International Union Against Cancer.

Please note these are examples of past internship placements only. While BU International Programs guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements vary from semester to semester and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed. Only seniors may intern at the World Health Organization.

Internship Components:

• Internship portfolio consisting of weekly reports, field research, and analysis and conclusion
• Academic paper on a subject related to the work done at the internship (the portfolio and paper are graded by BU staff)

Amber Thacher, Program Manager

Overseas Staff

Carla Rachman, PhD, Director