Loyola University Chicago

Department of Political Science

international relations

PLSC 300D: Conflict Management
Professor Melin
MWF 11:30am / LSC

This course considers a variety of different approaches to international conflict management: direct bargaining, mediation, military intervention, economic sanctions, arbitration, and adjudication. In addition to learning about the differences among these various conflict resolution techniques, we will also talk about factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of successful conflict resolution. We will look at the role of regional and international institutions, such as the United Nations, in the conflict management process.

PLSC 300D: Politics of Globalization
Professor Grigorescu
TTh 10:00am / LSC

This course explores the conceptualization, causes and consequences of globalization.  It will discuss the economic, cultural, environmental, technological, and demographic factors that are associated with the processes of globalization.  Yet its main focus will be the political realm.  It will therefore emphasize the effects of globalization on political relations at the national and international levels.  The readings are selected in order to offer a broad sample of the kinds of debates in the literature.  They also emphasize the different roles played by actors such as intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, multi-national corporations and ethnic groups in the politics of globalization.

PLSC 300D/367: Model United Nations I & II
Professor Endless
TTh 2:30pm / LSC

This course is designed to provide an orientation to the activities of the United Nations, as well as providing an understanding of the modalities of international diplomacy. This course will include current events, pressing international issues, the basics of international law and some of the protocol and procedures of diplomacy. All of this will assist students in preparing for their role as a distinguished diplomat at the National Model United Nations conference in New York.

PLSC 325: American Foreign Policy
Mr. O'Leary
MWF 10:25am / LSC

American foreign policy is made by the President and executed by the State Department--or so says grammar school civics.  In reality, policy is occasionally articulated by the President, but usually not.  Numerous agencies have their own foreign and domestic agendas and Congressional mandates and compete to determine America’s outlook and actions.  Members of Congress also want a hand in foreign policy, often in response to their constituents’ concerns.  Special interest groups, NGOs, “public opinion ”, the press, the availability of resources, foreign governments, and international entities also influence policy formation and execution.  In this course, we will attempt to sort out who does what to whom against the backdrop of President Obama’s first 18 months in office.  Students will determine the foreign policy priorities and orientations of the Administration and assess how those policies may fare as competing interests struggle to shape them to achieve their own goals.  Current events will also be used to illustrate the policy-making process.  The goal is to enable students to understand American foreign policy and its components; comprehend constraints on policy formation; and evaluate effectiveness of the policy itself, both at home and abroad.

PLSC 353: International Law
Professor Endless
TTh 10:00am / LSC

This course will introduce students to the study of international law. Emphasis will be placed on both international legal concepts and theoretical issues, as well as the application of international law in
the analysis of several case studies. Topics will focus on the development and use of international law in the conduct of international relations, with special emphasis placed on such current topics as laws of war, law of the sea, diplomatic immunity and human rights.

PLSC 358: War, Peace & Politics
Ms. Lebamoff
T 7:00pm / LSC

This course examines what factors initiate, escalate, spread and terminate various types of international conflict, and what the consequences of both war and peace are. Some argue that war is the norm and peace an anomaly; others reverse this.  We will examine viewpoints regarding the causes of war as well as the diverse definitions and arguments on peace.  We will also address war, peace and political issues through various key theoretical approaches and scholarly literature, as well as the effects of film, photography, fiction and non-fiction on the representations and perceptions of both war and peace. History and current events will also offer further insights into this complex area of study in international relations.