research

Research

Teaching

Introduction to International Relations (undergraduate)

The purpose of this course is to develop a basic vocabulary and analytical framework for evaluating current international political issues. This course will introduce major international relations theories and discuss topics that incorporate both historical and current examples. In addition, the course will provide tools necessary to evaluate the role of power and interests in the international system, inter-state conflict and cooperation, and emerging global security and economic issues.

Sample syllabus
Students who take this class (POLS 184) in Spring 2008 need the following two books:
- Karen Mingst. 2004. Essentials of International Relations. 3rd Edition. W. W. Norton.
- Karen Mingst and Jack Snyder. 2004. Essential Readings in World Politics. 2nd Edition. W. W. Norton.

International Political Economy (undergraduate)

This course introduces students to the politics of international economic relations. Its goal is to equip students with the necessary tools to evaluate the interaction between politics and markets at the global level. Class discussion will cover the major theoretical approaches to international political economy as well as the interaction between domestic and international interests and institutions. It then delves into many of the historical and contemporary empirical issues that make the international political economy. The course explores the recent political history of trade liberalization, the economic rationale for international trade, and the politics of economic protectionism. It also examines problems of economic development and the role of multinational corporations in the global economy. Finally, it investigates the politics of the international monetary system and the sources and consequences of national and regional financial crises.

Sample syllabus
Students who take this class (POLS 283) in Spring 2008 need the following two books:
- Thomas Oatley. 2007. International Political Economy: Interests and Institutions in the Global Economy. 3rd Ed. Pearson Longman.
- Thomas Thomas. 2005. The Global Economy: Contemporary Debates. Pearson Longman.

International Political Economy (graduate)

This course is an advanced graduate seminar on international political economy (IPE). It examines alternative theoretical approaches to the understanding of the interaction between wealth and power at the international level. In particular, it focuses on the nexus between interests and institutions on both the domestic and international level. We will use these theoretical tools to shed light on empirical research in key issue-areas, such as international trade, the link between IPE and security, the international monetary system, and international finance.

Sample syllabus

Introduction to Data Analysis (graduate)

This course introduces students to applied statistics. It provides the building blocks necessary to competently consume and use statistics. The goal of this course is to arm students with knowledge to employ basic statistics in their research and be a discerning critic of the statistics others report.