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International Relations - PS 140 through 154

140A. International Law and Organizations (4)

International law and organizations are central to the efforts to create a world order to limit armed conflict, regulate world economy, and advance programs for economic redistribution among nations, and set minimum standards of human rights. This course explains the theory of international law and organizations that is accepted by diplomats and compares this viewpoint to the analysis of social scientists concerning the past record and likely future of world order concerning conflict, economic redistribution, and human rights.

140B. Concepts and Aspects of Revolution (4)

Introduction to the analytical and comparative study of revolutionary movements and related forms of political violence. Topics include: the classical paradigm; types of revolutionary episodes; psychological theories; ideology and belief systems; coups; insurgencies; civil wars; terrorism and revolutionary outcomes.

140C. International Crisis Diplomacy (4)

A survey of international peacekeeping and peace enforcement in civil conflicts with a simulation of international diplomacy. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

140D. International Human Rights Law: Migrant Populations (4)

Conflict between international legal obligations and domestic politics of citizenship, immigration, asylum, and human trafficking.

142A. United States Foreign Policy (4)

United States foreign policy from the colonial period to the present era. Systematic analysis of competing explanations for U.S. policies-strategic interests, economic requirements, or the vicissitudes of domestic politics. Interaction between the U.S., foreign states (particularly allies), and transnational actors are examined. Prerequisite: PS 12 or consent of instructor.

142D. Weapons of Mass Destruction (4)

This course provides an overview of the challenges posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons. Students will learn about how these weapons work, why states week them, and attempts to prevent proliferation. We will delve into technical and policy challenges related to these weapons, and address how CBRN weapons shape national and regional security dynamics. Efforts to restrict the proliferation of these weapons will be discussed. We will also analyze CBRN terrorism.

142I. National and International Security (4)

A survey of theories of defense policies and international security.

142J. National Security Strategy (4)

A survey of American strategies for national defense. Topics may include deterrence, coercive diplomacy, limited war, and unconventional warfare.

142K. Politics and Warfare (4)

This course offers an exploration of general theories of the origins of warfare; the impact of the state on war in the modern world; and the micro-foundations of combat and compliance in the context of the costs of war and military mobilization. The course should be of special interest to students in international relations and comparative politics.

142L. Insurgency and Terrorism (4)

"Terrorism" uses "illegitimate" violence to achieve political goals. This course uses philosophical, historical and contemporary material from distinct cultures to understand which actions are defined as "terrorist," who uses them, why and when, as well as the determinants of their effectiveness. 

142M. U.S. Foreign Policy/Regional Security (4)

Lectures and readings examine US foreign policy in Europe, Latin America, and East Asia with attention to current problems with specific nations (e.g., Bosnia) and issues (e.g., terrorism). This course integrates historical, comparative, and foreign perspectives on regional security dynamics.

142N. American Defense Policy (4)

An introduction to analytic techniques for assessing policy options in the field of national security. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

142O. International Terrorism (4)

(Same as SOCD 177.) This course covers the definitions, history, and internationalization of terrorism; the interrelation of religion, politics, and terror; and the representation of terrorism in the media. A number of organizations and their activities in Europe and the Middle East are examined. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

142P. Crisis Areas in World Politics (4)

This course examines the most critical areas in contemporary world politics. While the emphasis will be placed on American involvement in each crisis, an effort will be made to acquaint the student with its historical and political background. Credit will not be allowed for students who have taken POLI 154 "Crisis Areas in World Politics" in the following quarters: SP01; SP02; SP03; SP04; SP05; WI06; SP06; SI06; FA06; WI07, SP07, SI07. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

142Q. Cold War (4)

This course explores the way in which the  international rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States affected relationships between the two powers their allies, the Third World, and above all, each other's internal, domestic affairs and development.

143. New Modes of International Conflict: Cyber, Space and Robots

New technologies are transforming the nature of competition and conflict in international relations. Drones allow nations to engage in "bloodless" warfare though the weak and vulnerable continue to be targeted. Cyber space blurs the lines on maps and between civilian and military. New strategies are developing to enact and resist new modes of warfare. This course equips students to better understand and operate in this brave new technological world and to interpret politics in the 21st century.

143A. War and Society (4)

How has warfighting evolved over the centuries? How has it varied across cultures? What has war been like for soldiers and civilians? How do societies mobilize for war, and how do they change in the short and long term from fighting? Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

144. International Political Economy (4)

This course serves as an introduction to the study if international political economy.  We will examine the evolution of international economic relations in trade, finance, and economic development and discuss different explanations for its likely causes and consequences. 

144AB. Selected Topics in International Political Economy (4)

This course will consider major theories purporting to explain and predict the workings of the international order from the point of view of political economy. An extended discussion of one aspect of the economic order (e.g., the multinational corporation) will serve as the test case. PS 144AA and one quarter of economics recommended. Prerequisite: PS 12.

144D. International Political Economy (4)

Examination of effects of national policies and international collaboration of public and private international financial institutions, in particular management of international debt crisis, economic policy coordination, and the role of international lender of last resort. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or permission of instructor. Previous background in economics strongly recommended.

144E. The Politics of International Trade (4)

Examines theories of trade and protectionism, focusing both on relations among advanced industrial nations and on relations between developed and developing countries. Topics include standard and strategic trade theory, nontariff barriers to trade, export-led growth strategies, regional trade agreements, and the future of the WTO.

144F. The Politics of International Trade and Finance (4)

Examines the welfare and distributional aspects of international trade and finance as they relate to the politics of economic policymaking. Topics include: globalization in historical perspective; origins and consequences of trade policy; exchange-rate arrangements; international capital flows; currency crises; economic development.

145. Theories of Technology and National Security (4)

We review the implications of major, technological innovation on national security and international relations. Sometimes we'll focus on the technologies-like nuclear weapons-and explore the implications for state behavior on the world stage. Other times, we'll focus on the innovators-like the CIA-and explore how they invest in research to deliberately gain an edge on rivals. This has important ethical and organizational implications. We will look at states, and non-state actors.

145A. International Politics and Drugs (4)

This course examines the domestic and international aspects of the drug trade. It will investigate the drug issues from the perspectives of consumers, producers, traffickers, money laundress, and law enforcement. Course material covers the experience of the U. S., Latin America, Turkey, Southeast Asia, Western Europe, and Japan.

145C. International Relations After the Cold War: Theory and Prospect (4)

The nature of international politics appears to have changed dramatically since the end of the Cold War in 1989. This course applies different theoretical approaches to enhance our understanding of the new international environment, the future prospects for peace and war, and current problems of foreign policy.

146A. The U.S. and Latin America: Political and Economic Relations (4)

An analytical survey of U.S. relations with Latin America from the 1820s to the present, with particular emphasis on the post-Cold War environment. Topics include free trade and economic integration; drugs and drug trafficking; illegal migration and immigration control. Focus covers U. S. policy, Latin American reactions, dynamics of cooperation, and options for the future.

147B. Russian-American Relations (4)

An historical and topical survey of major issues in Russian-American relations, such as security arrangements in the post-Society space, the war on terrorism, arms control and non-proliferation, and international energy.

149. Spies, Intelligence and U.S. National Security (4)

Information is the key to success and failure in U.S. foreign policy. This course will cover the American intelligence community's secret and information gathering processes. It is organized by the specialist functions of real-world IC professionals. You will learn methods for collecting raw data, including human and signals intelligence; how that data is synthesized into intelligence; the different reporting formats that drive national security decisions; and about oversight and ethical issues.

150A. Politics of Immigration (4)

Comparative analysis of attempts by the U. S. and other industrialized countries to initiate, regulate and reduce immigration from Third World countries. Social and economic factors shaping outcomes of immigration policies, public opinion toward immigrants, anti-immigration movements in immigrant-receiving countries.

151. International Organizations (4)

Surveys the theory and function of IOs (UN, NATO, EU, World Bank, IMF) in promoting international cooperation in security, peace-keeping, trade, environment, and human rights.  We discuss why IOs exist, how they work, and what challenges they face.

152. Gender in International Conflict (4)

This course focuses on women's attitudes about and participation in political conflict, including the recruitment, execution, and resolution of intra- and interstate conflicts, terrorism, and protest. We explore the types of gender-based violence women face (e.g., violence against female politicians, sexual violence, and conflict-induced interpersonal violence), as well as their experiences with reintegration, reconciliation, transitional justice, and peacebuilding initiatives.

153. The European Union in World Politics (4)

This course introduces students to the role of the EU as a foreign policy actor. Topics include the development of the EU's trade policy, foreign aid policy, security policy, as well as case studies of EU foreign policy.

 

154. Special Topics in International Relations (4)

An undergraduate course designed to cover various aspects of international relations. May be repeated for credit two times, provided each course is a separate topic, for a maximum of twelve units.

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This course introduces students to the role of the EU as a foreign policy actor. Topics include the development of the EU's trade policy, foreign aid policy, security policy, as well as case studies of EU foreign policy.