MLA-International Studies

An overview of the world’s political cultures, systems, behavior, and institutions. The objective is to develop a background with which to assess and explain differences in political culture, governmental structures and political behavior, and to appreciate the effects these factors have on international relations.

Theories of international politics and the decision-making process that generates foreign policy. An examination of the role of power in the modern world, the utility of force in conflict resolution versus the multilateral, collaborative approach. An introduction to the way current international politics is increasingly related to the world economic situation with special attention to the role of multinational corporations, international trade and finance.

This course examines the interrelationship between political and economic factors in international relations. Theoretical perspectives on the relationship between international economics and politics, trade policies, trends in integration of political and economic systems, the role of multinational corporations and economic organizations in the modern world.

A survey of world cultures, the factors distinguishing them from one another and the impact that cultural differences have on international relations. Special emphasis is placed on current cultural issues of major concern to the international community.

An interdisciplinary survey of Europe, focusing on the geographic, historical, cultural, economic and political factors most affecting the role of this region in the international community today.

An interdisciplinary survey of Latin America, focusing on the geographic, historical, cultural, economic and political factors most affecting the role of this region in the international community today.

An interdisciplinary survey of East Asia focusing on the geographic, historical, cultural, economic and political factors most affecting the role of this region in the international community today.

An interdisciplinary survey of the Middle East, focusing on the geographic, historical, cultural, economic and political factors most affecting the role of this region in the international community today.

The foreign-policy-making process and factors influencing U.S. international behavior since 1945. Special emphasis on foreign policy issues affecting United States’ interests in the coming decade.

This course examines how the interplay of cultures affects our daily lives and how values and beliefs can shape cultural regions. While the course will cover broad theory, particular focus will be on Latin America. The key question is: who is the Latin American? This course will review and deconstruct the paradigm of Latin American character and how it impacts and is impacted by the church, work relations, family, race and gender. The influences of particular historical, geographic and socio–economic forces in Latin American build an image of a coherent cultural region. This is an image, however, full of intra–regional diversity. To what extent then does the cultural ideal type accommodate this diversity? Mexico, Brazil and Argentina will be examined for answers to these questions.

This course presents the history of modern China from 1860s to today. The course begins with China’s forced opening to the West after the Opium Wars and concludes with China’s transition at the start of the 21st Century. While emphasizing the chronological record of China’s development, discussion also focuses on the changing images of China at home in the West over one and a half centuries. Reliance upon text material is accented by frequent use of film to bring these images and events to life.

This course explores the political, social and economic issues surrounding the global exploration, supply and consumption of energy. The politics of energy examines the national, multinational, and transnational actors that compete for energy resources. The relationship between energy and security is investigated with special attention to the Middle East, China, India, and the United States. The social consequences of the search for and use of fossil fuels is examined, as well as the economics of fossil fuels, biomass, and renewal energy resources. Considerable attention will be granted to studies forecasting future supply and demand, as well as the cost benefit analysis of alternative energy sources.

Beginning with the customs and sources of international jurisprudence, this course introduces essential legal terminology and distinctions focusing on the lawful exercise of power by nations. Relevant topics include international organizations and methods of dispute resolution, especially armed conflict, human rights, global environmental law, and alw of the sea, air and space.

This course exposes students to a focused look at security studies of peace and war, with application to understanding the source and nature of conflicts over time. State and systemic security is approached from a perspective broader than traditional conventional security by examining economic, health, and environmental challenges to states.

This course sees individuals as active agents of change in any given society. Through an integrated analysis of economic, social and political activities involving a variety of institutions and many interactive agencies it seeks to understand and analyze the roles and interconnections between certain crucial instrumental freedoms and their prospects for development. In part, these include economic opportunities, political rights, social facilities, transparency guarantees, and protective security. Course format will present opportunities for exploring development, including a formal debate on the role of societal arrangements.

The study of global health requires the examination of predominant health issues and current health policy from the local to international perspectives and analysis. The increasingly open flow of resources, including human capital, and the potential of the catastrophic impact of epidemics and pandemics has transformed health from a domestic to a multi–national concern and challenge. Emphasis will be on the international health regime characterized by the institutional rules, norms, and organizations that address global health. Specifically, this course examines and discusses topics in health – and organization–related issues, including a current survey of global health problems, surveillance of diseases and injuries, basic methods for outbreak investigation, international health policies and treaties, and introduction to organizational theories relevant to global health.

A course that inquires into global governance as a policy arena and examines the contributions that international organizations make. Economic and cultural integration over recent decades have given rise to new problems facing requiring concerted solutions. In addition to states increasing numbers of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations seek input into the shaping of global policy. How ell do they do? The course asks "what is global governance?" and "what should it be?" It then delves into the workings of several intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and evaluates their potential for finding innovative answers to the challenges facing the world community.

This course compliments Regional Study: North Africa and the Middle East by examining the dynamics, debates, and crises that mark the modern Middle East. Topically it includes women and gender in the Middle East; the economics of oil; water as a scarce and contentious resource; Muslim fundamentalism; the Arab-Israeli conflict; the politics of armament. Topics rotate from semester to semester. It will strengthen methods and analytical capabilities for understanding the complexities of current affairs in this strategic world region.

This course is a survey of the contemporary history, politics, economics, and external relations of the Republic of China on Taiwan, known to most of the world as simply Taiwan. While founded on mainland China in 1912, the Republic of China we know today has been shaped largely by events after 1949. On the verge of total defeat near the end of China's civil war, the Nationalist government reestablished itself on the island of Taiwan. Since 1949, Taiwan has transitioned from abject poverty to one of the wealthiest societies in the world; from fascism to liberal democracy; and from near universal diplomatic recognition to nearly complete diplomatic isolation. This course will explore the immense challenges faced by Taiwan's people and government and investigate the manner in which such an imperiled island managed such a fascinating process of change. Highlighted as well is the prominent role played by the United States in guaranteeing the regional security necessary for Taiwan's ascendance. Prerequisite: 60+ credit hours

This course explores the country risks businesses and non-profits face in the developing world, including government instability, the lack of government capacity, insecurity, dysfunctional legal systems, corruption, human rights violations, poverty, poor infrastructure, and a low level of social services, including poor education and health care. We will look at how entities evaluate these risks before entering a country and how they manage these risks once on the ground. We will also discuss the ethical issues encountered in doing business in developing countries. The course will provide a foundation for anyone interested in doing business or otherwise working in developing countries. While the course is organized around specific risks, it will also review the broader issues common to developing countries. Prerequisites: INST 1351 and INST 1352

This course overviews the growth and scope of cyber warfare and its impacts on national power in the domains of government, diplomacy, international law, international commerce/economic power, social media/privacy, science/technology, and civil society. It traces the evolution of conflict from traditional information gathering to the development of cyber weaponry with destructive capabilities and the use of those capabilities to advance national foreign policy interests. Through the use of case studies and selective readings from a variety of sources (government policy directives, cyber security industry studies, and defense related academic papers), the course guides students through the emergent quality of the broadening scope of cyber conflict and the multifaceted response to the challenge. Ultimately, students are confronted with the impact of the ongoing threat as they interface with cyberspace in their day-to-day interactions. The goal is for a deeper understanding of the scope and complexity of the cyber domain and the global conflict that is raging out of view.

This course begins with the premise that conflict is a part of everyday life that spans across every inch of the globe and is found in all careers and relationships, so it is designed to be a practical course that provides a comprehensive overview of conflict resolution from a micro (person-to-person) to a global perspective. This course reviews the theoretical components while exploring conflict within different contexts, including intergroup, interpersonal, cross-cultural, legal, and international, by analyzing select global conflicts and learning to identify its primary and secondary participants. This course introduces positive conflict management skills, including active listening, communication skills, principled negotiation, facilitation, and peacekeeping skills. This skill-based course will explore how these variables and behavioral attributes have, and can, influence global conflicts through escalation and de-escalation. Upon completion of this course and attendance in class for at least 40 hours, as designated by Texas State Statute, graduate and undergraduate students will be able to mediate globally with their basic mediation certificate.

This course will provide a broader understanding of security and geopolitics in East Asia. With the rise of China and the nuclear threat from North Korea, the security dynamics within and beyond East Asian states is of critical importance to both the United States and the world. To better comprehend such complex security dynamics in East Asia, this course will review the historical progress of diplomatic and security related interactions between East Asian countries, and their relations with the United States as well. After a profound understanding of the history is acquired, this course will guide students to analyze the current events and potential changes in this region and derive policy implications and strategic proposals for the East Asian countries and the United States.

Work experience in business, government, media or private, not-for-profit agencies in the international field. To be arranged with the director.

Student research on a selected problem in the field under the guidance of an international studies faculty member.

Selected topics in international studies.