International Relations

PLSC 300D: Politics of Genocide
Professor Endless
MWF 10:25am / LSC

This course analyzes the politics surrounding genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in contemporary times. While the Holocaust and other historical instances of genocide will be discussed, the primary focus will be on occurrences since the end of the Cold War. This will include past and ongoing events in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo among others. Topics of discussion will include: why do genocides and similar crimes occur? How is the international community involved in these crimes – both in preventing and supporting them? And how can current crimes of this magnitude  be stopped and those in the future prevented?

PLSC 325: American Foreign Policy
Professor O'Leary
TTh 1:00pm / 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 years in office—a time when Presidents have come to accept that campaign rhetoric usually does not match reality.  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
M 4:15pm / 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 354: Global Environmental Politics
Professor Frendreis
MWF 9:20am / LSC

This course examines the challenges, significant actors, and potential solutions to global environmental problems.  The problems are sometimes national or subnational problems occurring in various parts of the globe and sometimes problems which span national boundaries are require international solutions.  Environmental challenges considered include climate change, availability of fresh water, global poverty and environmental problems, environmental justice and human rights, desertification, destruction of habitat and endangered species, and overfishing and whaling.