Courses in International Studies

REQUIRED & CORE COURSES IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

IS 101 Introduction to International Studies
Addresses strategies for understanding international relations, human rights, sustainable development and environmental stewardship. these and other aspects of internationalization are studied in various social, cultural, economic, historical, and political contexts.

IS 200 Macro Economics: Development in an Independent World
This course is about exploring, understanding and being able to make appropriate responses regarding the underlying issues and the conditions that are required for long term self-sustained growth and socioeconomic development in the less developed countries and regions of a world that, by the beginning of the twenty-first century, has become markedly more interdependent. the course is designed to emphasize the ‘economic’ variables and goals of development, such as increased production, productivity and income, and poverty reduction. At the same time the course takes into account the very highly interactive (that is, multi-faceted) nature of development. As such, during its various stages, the course provides space to examine alternative, and sometimes hotly contested, meanings and possible ways of approaching and doing ‘development’.

IS 300 Sociology of Global Issues
Encourages students to make use of sociological perspectives in an effort to be critically aware of global issues and opportunities, particularly in reference to the developing world.

IS 302 Comparative Politics
Designed to introduce students to the study of politics and political systems in a global context. Richard John Neuhaus wrote, “the classical understanding of politics is that of free persons deliberating the question, How ought we to order our life together?” this course will engage students in a comparative examination of how citizens and/or leaders of nation states around the world have answered and continue to answer that question. the course will include examination of political systems in advanced democracies, emerging democracies and authoritarian regimes.

ELECTIVE COURSES IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

CA 295 Cultural Anthropology
An introduction to the fundamentals of cultural Anthropology, its methods and techniques of research; key concepts, theories and central issues. Students examine concepts of culture, worldviews, social and kinship structures and belief systems, particularly in relation to the cultures of Southeast Asia.

CA 297 Southeast Asia Field Experience
Students engage in intensive cultural immersion in the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand through anthropological data-collection methods, including research design, cross-cultural comparison, analysis and self-reflection.

Hist 215 The Emergence of Southeast Asia
Provides a survey of the traditional societies and ancient empires of the region, including patterns of migration and trade. focuses on the impact of the colonial period, and Southeast Asia’s various paths to independence, modernization and resurgence in the decades following world war II.

Hist 391 Studies in Genius
Evaluates significant transitions in European cultural and intellectual history through examining the biographies of individuals who have acted as change agents across the centuries.

IS 350 Principles and Practices of Effective International Development
There is a great deal of humanitarian relief and development work being done by organizations and agencies from within civil society (that is, non government agencies). while many of these agencies have similar objectives in terms of the goal of their development efforts, they often adopt different methodologies to accomplish their goals. this course will begin with a literature review of models of development and will attempt to formulate fundamental principles that seem to be consistently important for effective development in the present global context.

IS 390 Contemporary Europe
Considers various aspects of society and culture in relation to the myriad forces affecting contemporary Europe. encourages students to make connections between selected themes in European history, politics, religion and philosophy yesterday and today.

IS 391 Humanitarian Issues in Contemporary Europe
This course exposes International Studies students to selected issues currently present in the European union and what measures are being taken to address them. the international context of this course will give students the opportunity to examine many topics first- hand. to accomplish this, students will engage with literature and organizations that are working to address current humanitarian issues. Students will also read about and intentionally engage in cultural activities to become more familiar with European culture today and gain further insight into the people affected by the issues Europe is facing today.

IS/Hist 392 Introduction to the European Union
Introduces the European Union, its history, present circumstances, significance, and
future directions. Investigates similarities and differences between the political structure of individual nations that make up the EU and explores the perceptions of Europeans regarding their political institutions.

IS 400 Global Engagement (International Studies Practicum)
It’s one thing to study about global issues, but another thing to get engaged in an effective way right here at home. In this course students will discover creative ways to integrate knowledge attained through the International Studies curriculum, their other courses at SSU, observations from their travel experiences, and participation in events in civil society in order to articulate and share information with the rest of the SSU community and in the broader local community of St. Stephen.

IS 420 Principles and Practices for Effective Development: A case Study of a Partnership Model for Development in East Africa
This course will combine a strong experiential learning component with readings and assignments that will help students to locate the hands on learning within a broader academic and international development context (Kenya). By examining one partnership in considerable detail as a case study and in light of the literature on this topic, this class will identify principles of effective development and assess whether or not they are present in this case.

Lit 327 Environmental Literature
Exposes students to a wide variety of literature written about the environment, drawing largely from literary traditions. Ranging from the American transcendentalism of the early nineteenth century to the highly politicized contemporary writers of fiction and nonfiction, these texts are united by a focus on the natural world and our place in relationship to it. In response to personal experience, contemporary issues, and a vast array of readings, students will be asked to explore creative nature writing, write analytical responses to texts , make presentations, lead class discussions, and finally write and present a review of an additional text or film, drawing a conclusion which focuses on human action in the face of a growing environmental crisis. Authors may include Thoreau, Emerson, Whitman, Dillard, Berry, Kingsolver, Abbey, and Atwood.

Lit 365 Global Short Fiction
Provides an overview of fictional short stories from various countries in Africa, the Middle east, Europe and Asia; examines the current political, economic and cultural context of each country and how a piece of literature has influences (and been influenced by) a particular period in world history. through researching the current and historical situations of various countries, studying a sampling of the fictional literature created in these nations and discussing issues of gender, race, origin of birth, economic standing, etc., students will gain new insight into literature from around the globe.

Lit 390 European Myth and Legend: Contemporary Responses to Ancient Stories
Examines the foundations of mythology and legends of western Europe, beginning with stories of ancient Greece and Rome through to the Arthurian legends of the Middle Ages. considers contemporary explorations of these issues through a revival and reinterpretation of classic narratives.

Phil 325 Philosophy of Human Rights
Examines the philosophical foundations of human rights, including whether human rights should be understood as universally valid or a modern western construct. competing rights claims are also considered.

Phil 335 The Ethics and Politics of Justice
examines ethical and political conceptions of justice and some of their applications in regional and global contexts.

Phil 345 Philosophy of Peace and Violence
Examines issues of peace and violence in relation to ethics, political theory and philosophical theories of human nature.

Phil 370 Contemporary Ethical Issues
Examines a number of contemporary ethical issues such as: the environment, bioethics, euthanasia, terrorism and world hunger.

Phil 380 Business Ethics
Examines ethical issues arising in the business environment, including drug testing, sexual harassment, whistle-blowing and corporate social responsibility.

RS 295 World Religions
This course is an overview and comparison of the major religions of the world with a focus on Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, the religions found in South East Asia.

RS 2/397 World Religions Research
Through anthropological observation, lectures in Southeast Asia, and discussions with practitioners, the student learns to appreciate and understand the religion as it is practiced, including, for example, local customs, Animist influence and historical development.

RS/Hist 351 The Reform Movements of 16th Century Europe: Effects on Society and Culture
Explores the reform movements of the early 16th century in central Europe, particularly those associated with Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, the Anabaptists, and the significance of the Roman catholic counter-Reformation.

IS 490 Thesis Reading and Research
the research portion of the baccalaureate thesis project in International Studies. By the end of the term, each student will submit to the instructor: (1) an annotated bibliography of the secondary material relevant to the thesis, (2) an 8- to 10-page paper related to some aspect of the material examined during the bibliographical search, and (3) a detailed outline of the thesis.

IS 493 Baccalaureate Thesis
following successful completion of IS 490, a student may use the research to write a thesis of at least 15,000 words (exclusive of footnotes and bibliography). the thesis should demonstrate thoughtful appraisal and the ability to present a scholarly argument, and should reflect the ethos of SSU in a substantial way. At the conclusion of the term, students will be required to make oral presentations based on their theses.