Course Description:
International Studies is often a misunderstood discipline. It is often perceived as being concerned only with the workings of government and left to those who would control the world. But what is International Studies? How does International Studies work in our everyday lives? What is the relationship between International Studies and government or governance? To what extent does International Studies influence our way of life? These questions and others will be critically analyzed during this course through a variety of readings, clips, and references.
This course will help you achieve three major objectives. First, it should ignite the political consciousness of anyone who completes it. Ideally, students should start to understand how International Studies shapes the way they live and their various “ways of being” in the world. Second, the course fosters an attitude that is critical of concepts such as power, government and governance, ethnicity, ideology, nation states, sovereignty, and legitimacy with a special focus on international issues. Democracy is another concept that will be explored in depth as it seems to be the fastest growing political ideology in the world. Third, the course should instill a general sense of critical inquiry in the student with regard to politics and international issues. As we live in an ever interconnected world, it is important to know and understand the events that shape it. Understanding these events, such as the Arab Spring or the Republican primary, is the primary concern of International Studies. Through examples, we will explore the political motivations and consequences of a number of these events. For this course, it may be wise to familiarize yourself with current events by logging on to any of the following websites: bbcnews.com, aljazeera.com, or cnn.com.
Lesson 1: Globalization
Lesson 2: History
Lesson 3: Security
Lesson 4: Economics
Lesson 5: Politics
Lesson 6: Culture
Lesson 7: Development Theory
Lesson 8: Food Security
Lesson 9: Healthcare and Pandemics
Lesson 10: Energy Security
Lesson 11: Environment and International Law
Lesson 12: Career and Wrap Up
Please e-mail Student Services that you have completed this course and request they assign you the Final Exam.