Areas of Study

In the second year of study, students will select three courses (9 credit hours) from one of the following Areas of Study and pursue in-depth course work on a topic of concentration. Students will choose their electives according to their individual academic interests and career goals. To view current course offerings, please click here.

INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY

International political economy examines the interconnections among national governments and economies around the world. This area of inquiry involves trade, financial markets, taxation, energy production, and global health and environment.

Example Courses:

  • International Macroeconomic Policy
  • Energy Policy
  • International Business Environment and Global Economic Governance
  • Economic Modeling and Public Policy
  • Public Finance

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

International security considers how governments, international organizations and nongovernmental actors seek to provide, and in some cases actively work against, mutual stability and safety in the world. This involves the study of wars and the use of conventional military power, terrorism, and religious and ethnic conflicts that spill across borders and the resolution of these international conflicts with treaties and other agreements designed to foster international cooperation.

Example Courses:

  • Cyberpolitik: International Affairs in Technology & Information
  • International Security: De-risking National Threats and Business Threats
  • International Crisis Management in a Multi-Risk, Inter-Connected World
  • War and Politics
  • Strategic International Relations
  • US China Conflict and Cooperation

INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

International political development examines the ways in which nations’ governments and economies grow and become more robust or falter on the world stage. Such topics as cultural norms, modernization and conditions for democratically elected governments are considered as they shape regions of the world, including Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

Example Courses:

  • Conflict, Cooperation, and Change in Global Governance
  • America in the Middle East
  • Elections in the Americas
  • Latin American Politics
  • Gender and Representation in Latin America
  • Immigration and the State