PLSC 102: International Politics
Mr. Nicholas Gest
MWF 10:25am / LSC

This introductory course in international relations will consider both historical and current issues in international relations, focusing on the role and interactions of states. We will examine the central theories and concepts of international relations with the goal of assessing how well they allow us to understand timeless political struggles within particular historical contexts. Topics examined will include international security, conflict resolution, and human rights.  This course is an option in the "Societal and Cultural Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.

PLSC 102: International Politics
Mr. Piotr Paradowski
MWF 11:30am / LSC

This course provides an introduction to global politics by placing particular emphasis on the relationship between academic knowledge of international relations (IR) and the real world happenings and conduct of world politics. Important theoretical points will be accompanied by empirical illustrations which demonstrate the connection between theory and actual events, both historical and contemporary. We will look at several significant theories that attempt to explain the complexities of international arena such as realism, liberalism, constructivism, and Marxism. Using these theories, we will critically explore several controversial issues confronting the global community, such as terrorism, war, poverty, global trade and finance, human rights, and environmental degradation.  This course is an option in the "Societal and Cultural Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.  

PLSC 102: International Politics
Ms. Megan Sholar
MWF 12:35pm / LSC

This course provides an introduction to the core concepts of international politics. We will examine the major theoretical perspectives in the field, and use them to explain both historical and current issues, trends, conflicts, and other problems in the international system. An array of topics will be addressed, including war and peace, democracy, international organizations, economic relations, global interdependence, nuclear weapons, and security issues. This course is an option in the "Societal and Cultural Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.

PLSC 102: International Politics
Ms. Mary Lebamoff 
MWF 2:45pm / LSC

In this introductory course, we will examine major theoretical perspectives in international security and international political economy that attempt to explain a variety of international relations/politics. What happens when certain theoretical, social, cultural, economic, and other assumptions are made? How well does "theory" do in helping understand and explain real-world events? We will examine historical and contemporary challenges and issues (wars, militarism, terrorism, the North-South "gap", and globalization, as examples). Human rights, ethno-religious disputes, conflict resolution, and international organizations will also be considered. Discussions and debates on crucial issues in international relations are highlights of this course, which is an option in the "Societal and Cultural Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.  

PLSC 102: International Politics
Professor Peter Schraeder
TTh 8:30am / LSC

This course introduces students to the study of international politics. The first portion of the course offers an analysis of historical trends and intellectual traditions, most notably the major theoretical debates that have dominated this field of study. We subsequently will focus on the historical evolution of the contemporary international system and the role of foreign policy within that system. The final portion of the course will focus on trends in international relations in various regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. This course is an option in the "Societal and Cultural Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.