International Relations

This course is designed to give students a broad understanding of role of the U.S.'s role within the international system. To understand current U.S. foreign policy, we must also understand the past. This is especially important in understanding how international actors perceive the U.S., how we have related to these actors over time, and how to think about ethics and foreign policy.

Course examines the different approaches to economic and political cooperation and integration, including some select institutional examples of global interdependence, such as the European Community, the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Roman Catholic Church, and Amnesty International.

Introduces the student to the systematic study of world peace, beginning with the causes of war and war's effect on communities and the environment. Negative peace: diplomacy, negotiations and conflict resolution, disarmament and international law; positive peace: human rights, nonviolence, international organizations, and the role of the individual will be considered.

Examines European integration from a political and economic perspective. The course concentrates on patterns of representative institutions with special attention given to parties, elections, and governments. Finally, the course examines the process and institutions of European integration.