International Relations

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  • CAS IR 328: Turko-Persia in the Twentieth Century
    The twentieth-century history of the non-Arab Muslim Middle East, i.e., Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. Analysis of the constitutional revolutions in Turkey and Iran, Kemalism, the Islamic revolution in Iran, and communism in the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. Also offered as CAS HI 382.
  • CAS IR 331: Diplomatic Practice
    The course is designed to get students familiarized with the "art of the possible," emphasizing how diplomatic practice has evolved so far. Students will be able to understand how foreign policy is formulated and promulgated and how diplomacy works on a daily basis.They will demonstrate a clear understanding of the role and importance of multilateral diplomacy/international organizations (liberalism) in today's world and examine how multilateral diplomacy functions. Students will be able to grasp the core principles of diplomatic negotiations and demonstrate them in the simulations. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS IR 333: Non-State Actors in International Relations
    Meets with CAS PO 327. Examines the important role of non-state actors in international relations. Non- state actors include subnational governments, international organizations, multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, religious groups, violent groups, for-profit security firms, social movements, and grassroots organizations.
  • CAS IR 338: Conflict &Peace
  • CAS IR 340: Comparative Public Policy
    Meets with CAS PO 324. Comparative study of the public policies of advanced societies in such areas as health training, unemployment, poverty, and budget. Explores why countries develop different solutions to policy needs, and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of various national approaches.
  • CAS IR 341: Central Europe
    Intellectual, cultural, political, diplomatic, and military history of the region between Germany and Russia from the end of the Middle Ages to the present. Also offered as CAS HI 278.
  • CAS IR 343: African Politics Today
    (Meets with CAS PO 373.) An introduction to the issues dominating African political life today. Core course debates revolve around recent trends in African economic growth, democratic governance, and armed conflict, in addition to several other issues of contemporary concern.
  • CAS IR 347: Causes of War and Peace
    Meets with CAS PO 357. War is the most destructive social act in which humanity engages. Why does war happen? This question is addressed by focusing on a variety of scholarly explanations. Theoretical discussions are paired with an examination of historical cases. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry II, Ethical Reasoning.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Social Inquiry II
  • CAS IR 348: History of International Human Rights
    Meets with CAS HI 346. History of international human rights since the eighteenth century. Examines political, social, economic rights, the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and related international conventions, enforcement, regionalism, globalization, and NGOs. Analyzes tensions between national sovereignty and human rights.
  • CAS IR 349: History of International Relations, 1900-1945
    What were the causes and the consequences of the two World Wars? What was the nature of political, economic, and military relations among the major powers of the world from the beginning of the twentieth century to the end of the Second World War? What was the effect of domestic factors (political, economic, religious, and ideological) on the foreign policies of individual states? Seeking to provide a genuinely multinational perspective on world affairs, this course will assess the ways in which powerful nation-states in this period competed and cooperated in the international system. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Historical Consciousness
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS IR 350: History of International Relations since 1945
    What are the causes and consequences of the global Cold War? How was the twentieth-century international system transformed by East-West conflict, North-South disparity and South-South cooperation and competition? What lessons can be drawn from this recent past? These are some of the questions that this course will examine. The course will contextualize present-day international and regional conflicts and cooperation in the recent past, collectively analyze primary source documents, and discuss policy implications. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Historical Consciousness
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS IR 351: Africa in International Politics
    Meets with CAS PO 377. Introduction to the international relations of post-colonial Africa. Core themes include the politics of post-independence international alignments, the external causes and effects of authoritarian rule, and Africa's role in the global political economy.
  • CAS IR 352: International Human Rights: Applying Human Rights in Africa
    Meets with CAS PO 378. Studies the growing international influence on politics of human rights principles, documents, and organizations, drawing especially on African cases such as Congo, Zimbabwe, and Sudan. The class explores the relationship between civil and political rights and economic, social, and culture rights. We consider debates over claims of universality vs. cultural relativism, individual vs. group rights, and ways to improve human rights enforcement well respecting local cultures. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Ethical Reasoning, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS IR 353: Nuclear Security
    Meets with CAS PO 356. Provides students with the foundation for understanding nuclear security in the twenty-first century. Emphasis on the American Cold War experience, the growing threat of nuclear proliferation, the renaissance of civilian nuclear power, safeguards, and nuclear weapons under budget constraints. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS IR 358: Global Feminism: Race and Gender in International Relations
    (Meets with CAS WS 360.) Exploration of critical issues concerning women, gender, and race throughout the world. Topics include women and the global economy, health care, reproduction, the dynamics of sex industries, violence against women, international women's movements, and political/institutional change.
  • CAS IR 361: Understanding British Foreign and Domestic Policy Processes
    Meets with CAS PO 225 E. Presents main policy areas and policy-making in Britain in an international context. Particular attention paid to foreign and defense policies. Focus on policy outcomes and the policy- making process with some reference to the political system and associated legal and constitutional factors. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Social Inquiry I.
    • Social Inquiry I
    • Ethical Reasoning
  • CAS IR 362: European Politics
    Meets with CAS PO 341. Comparative study of politics in member states of the European Union, with emphasis on political development, institutions, major issues in contemporary politics, and the impact of European integration. Selective references to original and new member states of the EU.
  • CAS IR 365: Rise of China
    How has China risen economically in the last four decades? How different was the Chinese economic model compared to other Asian nations and western models? In what aspects has China's political system been changed or unchanged during its economic rise? what opportunities and challenges are presented with the economic rise of China in the region and in the world? The course offers foundational knowledge on China's economic reform, domestic politics, and global implications, evaluates public and policy debates, and applies the process and methods of social research. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Social Inquiry I
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS IR 367: Introduction to Latin American Politics and International Relations
    (Meets with CAS HI 399 and CAS PO 360.) Introduction to the patterns and complexities of Latin American politics and foreign policies. Focuses on the distinctive Latin American political experience and alternative explanation for it, including colonization, the international economy, and human and material resource capacity and utilization. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Historical Consciousness.
    • Historical Consciousness
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
  • CAS IR 368: Contemporary East Asian Economics
    Meets with CAS EC 368. An introduction to the economic history and institutions of Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. Topics include structural change, trade, labor markets, corporate organization, financial systems, and macroeconomic and industrial policy. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
    • Social Inquiry I
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy

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