Comparative Cultural & Political Studies

• Students selecting this field must take (IS 716/816) and (IS 760/860) as the required field courses.
• MA students must select ONE more course within the field.
• Ph.D. students must select THREE courses for primary concentration or ONE course for secondary concentration.
• Students may take courses other than those listed below only in consultation with the field coordinator.
• Students could enrich their classroom experience through Independent Study/Directed Research projects with the agreement and under the supervision of the field coordinator.

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IS 703/803 Ethics and Foreign Policy

The focus of this research seminar will be on the role of normative ideas in international relations. Students will be introduced to the growing literature on normative approaches to international relations as well as the traditional literature on the practical and philosophical problems of ethical action in the relations of states. Although several policy applications will be considered, the primary focus will be on the theoretical incorporation of normative ideas into our understanding of state action in the anarchic international environment.

IS 704/804 Latin American Politics

This course examines Latin American politics from comparative and historical perspectives. Focus is placed on various manifestations of political authority in the region and the major societal challenges to state power. The course reviews and critiques alternative theoretical approaches to the study of state-societal relations in Latin America.

IS 708/808 Asian Politics

This course is a graduate seminar on the domestic politics and international relations of (East) Asia focusing on both Northeast and Southeast Asia. The first half of the course examines the domestic politics of Asian countries, with a focus on mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. The topics include political development, state-society relations, and political economy. The second half of the course turns to foreign relations in the region, exploring various topics and different levels of analysis to understanding the regional dynamics.

IS 716/816* Theories of Comparative Sociopolitical Studies

The fundamental goal of the course is to provide the theoretical basis for subsequent coursework and research in the comparative and regional studies concentration. To achieve this goal, this seminar examines major theories and debates in comparative political studies based on extensive and intensive literature review.

IS 722/822 Democracy and International Relations

An examination of the relationship between democratic politics, democratic ideals, and international relations. Subjects covered will include trends and processes of democratization and their implications for international relations, the distinctiveness of democratic states in their international behavior, the impact of the international environment on the internal politics of democratic states, and the problems of democracy in global governance.

IS 725/825 Politics of the Middle East

Explores the international relations of the Middle East from World War I to the present. Examines the origins of the Arab Israeli and Persian Gulf Wars and their modern dimensions. Examines the role of oil, outside powers and religion.

IS 728/828 Ghosts of French Colonization

An analysis of France ex-colonies as they moved from colonization, and decolonization to independence. An overview of political, historical, cinematic, and literary texts with a focus on France's relationship with its ex-colonies, and its ex-colonies' struggles in a post-decolonized world up until contemporary times.

IS 731/831 Media & Migration

This class explores the complex relationships between immigration, globalization, nationalism, and media at the turn of the 21st Century. Students distinguish between different forms of migration and experiences of travel. It explores how media has depicted immigration processes and shaped public attitudes toward different immigrant groups. It also investigates how first and second-generation immigrant populations consume and produce media that both shape and are shaped by transnational identity formations.

IS 738/838 European Politics

The course explores on the politics of Europe, focusing on four core themes: the political economy and the travails of the single currency, the question of immigration, legitimacy and democracy, and the changing political landscape. Students will familiarize themselves with the European Union and its institutions, as well as such themes as populism, the decline of centrist political parties and economic stagnation.

IS 740/840 Political Economy of Development

This seminar examines alternate theoretical perspectives on development. These perspectives are then employed to understand contemporary political and economic changes in the developing world, including the consolidation of democratic governance and the liberalization of domestic economics.

IS 748/848 Gender & Globalization

Studies systems of global restructuring as they impact women throughout the globe. Migration, international development, and transnational activism will be focal themes, explored across a variety of national contexts.

IS 760/860* International Cultural Studies History, Theory and Application

Course analyzes culture in the context of material conditions in which it is produced, disseminated, controlled, and practiced. Theoretical application of cultural studies will include developing familiarity with key foundational theories, terminologies, and critical thinking.

IS 770/870 Transnational Media Practices

Course examines the key roles played by media technologies in implementing and promoting international development programs, as well as some of the concerns these initiatives have raised in terms of media literacy, cultural sovereignty, and information access.

IS 795/895 Topics in International Studies (Gender & International Migration)

HLSC 776/876 Global Health

This course will introduce the student to the political, social, cultural, and ethical issues involved in disease prevention and health promotion globally. Specific emphasis will be on incidence/prevalence, morbidity/mortality, and identified health problems in specific regions and countries. This course will also identify international health prerogatives aimed at improving health status through education and intervention.

*Core Seminar