IR 6300 International Relations research Methods (3)
This course is designed to introduce graduate students to the principles of social science research design and the various statistical techniques used to manipulate social science data. Students are introduced to various research techniques and methods utilized in all facets of the discipline from behavioral research to public policy analysis.

IR 6301 Internship (3)
Credit is awarded for work with a U.S. or foreign private business, non-governmental agency, state, national, or international organization that is involved in international trade, activity, or research. Three hours may be earned during a regular academic semester in which a student works 20 hours a week. Students may enroll in two semesters (up to six hours) for internship credit. If a student enrolls for six hours of internship in one semester, the student must work 40 hours a week. A member of the graduate faculty coordinates the internship. The internship student keeps a weekly log of activities and prepares at least one paper integrating theory with the internship experience.

IR 6302 Internship (3)
Same description as IR 6301; used if student is enrolling for additional 3 hours of internship

IR 6305 Research Design (3)
An advanced application of social science research design applied to international relations issues.
Prerequisite: IR 6300

IR 6309 Topics in International Development (3)
A special topics seminar that focuses on critical issues related to sustainable development within the context of the international arena. The specific topics may vary and students may take the course more than once if topic is different and with permission of the Program Director. The course will fulfill a focus course requirement for students in the International Development Studies focus area and will be considered an elective for students in other focus areas.

IR 6311 Topics in Inter-American Studies (3)
A special topics seminar that focuses on issues of politics, economics, security, or social and cultural history as they relate to Latin, Central, or South America. The specific topics may vary and students may take the course more than once if topic is different and with permission of the Program Director. The course will fulfill a focus course requirement for students in the Inter-American Studies focus area and will be considered an elective for students in other focus areas.

IR 6312 International Relations Theory (3)
This course provides students with an understanding of the diversity of approaches to the study of international relations, along with an appreciation of key concepts and frameworks. Another aim is to identify themes and issues that have enduring importance rather than those which are of the moment.

IR 6313 Topics in International Conflict Resolution (3)
A special topics seminar that focuses on various issues related to resolution of conflict, intra-state and/or inter-state within context of the international arena. The specific topics may vary and students may take the course more than once if topic is different and with permission of the Program Director. The course will fulfill a focus course requirement for students in the International Conflict Resolution focus area and will be considered an elective for students in other focus areas.

IR 6314 Topics in Security Policy (3)
A special topics seminar that focuses on issues related to national and international security issues. The specific topic can vary and students may take the course more than once if topic is different and with permission of the Program Director. The course will fulfill a focus course requirement for students in the Security Policy focus area and will be considered an elective for students in other focus areas.

IR 6315 United States Foreign Policy (3)
History of the United States’ foreign policy; consistencies and variations. Analysis of the role of vital interests of the United States in the world today.

IR 6323 European Integration (3)
This course examines the historical evolution of the European Economic Community, the economic and political impact of the collapse of Communism on Western Europe, and the problems/possibilities for future economic and political integration.

IR 6324 National Security (3)
This course examines the politics and economics of national security issues. Special emphasis is given to the changing international paradigm (i.e., post cold War) and the impact on domestic political and economic decision making.

IR 6340 International Political Economy (3)
This course stresses the human, strategic, and political dimensions of managing international economic change. The interrelatedness of the state, multinationals, NGOs, and international institutions will be examined as they impact North-North and North-South competition.

IR 6342 Inter-American Security Issues (3)
This course will examine the politics and economics of current security issues in the Americas. Military and non-military security issues will be discussed. Examples are: narco-trafficking, role of the military, human rights, environmental policies, population, etc.

IR 6346 International Law and Treaties (3)
Study of rules governing the community of nations, their nature, sources and development; international treaties and the agencies responsible for their development, interpretation, and administration.

IR 6352 Human Rights (3)
An analysis of the philosophical and legal basis for the development of international human rights. The discussion will include reference to cultural, ideological and religious debates on human rights issues.

IR 6398 Thesis Research (3)
Prior to writing a Master’s thesis, students are required to develop and defend a review of the pertinent literature, and an explanation and defense of the proposed methodology. The thesis proposal will be orally defended before the Thesis Committee comprised of three faculty.

IR 6399 Thesis (3)
The thesis is a culminating experience which provides a record of a student’s achievement in the program. The thesis requires research leading to the discovery of new knowledge or enhancement of existing knowledge in the field of interest. A project that helps solve a practical problem may also be acceptable. The thesis is a complete documentation of the research study, including the theoretical background, description of the problem, the method used to investigate or solve the problem, presentation of results, interpretation of results, and explanation of the significance of the results.

IR 7101, IR 7201, IR 7301 Directed Studies in International Relations (1, 2, 3 semester hours) (3)
The course emphasis will vary according to area of study, perceived needs, or research interest. Course must be approved the Graduate Program Director.

IR 7300 Ethical Issues in International Relations (3)
This is designed as a capstone course and discusses the ethical dimension of international relations from an interdisciplinary perspective.

IR 7320 Asian Security Issues (3)
This course examines the politics and economics of current security issues in Asia. Both military and non-military security issues are discussed. Examples are: collective security organizations, environmental security issues, technological transfers, the arms trade, and immigration/refugee patterns.

IR 7340 Middle East Security Issues (3)
This course examines the politics and economics of current security issues in the Middle East. Both military and non-military security issues are discussed. Examples are: regional balance of power politics, the role of international agencies, environmental security issues such as water, technological transfers, and immigration/refugee patterns.

IR 7350 European Security Issues (3)
This course examines the politics and economics of current security issues in Europe. Military and non-military security issues are discussed. Examples are: the changing role of NATO, a united European defense system, environmental security issues, technological transfers, and immigration/refugee patterns.

IR 7380 African Security Issues (3)
This course examines the politics and economics of current security issues in Africa. Military and non-military security issues are discussed. Examples are root causes of regional conflict, the international arms trade, environmental security issues, technological transfers, and immigration/refugee patterns.

IR 8300 Theories on the Causes of War (3)
This course examines current theories on the root causes of war and violent conflict, both civil and international. Causal actors such as ethnicity, race, religion, territory, water, population migration/refugees, arms race/militarism, personality of leaders, etc. are researched.

IR 8303 Women and War (3)
An examination of the role of women in war. Literature will examine women in the workforce during war, women in the service, women as victims of war, and women in the peace movement.

IR 8305 Conflict Transformation: Theory and Practice (3)
This course examines the latest research on how to resolve civil and international conflict. Emphasis is placed on pairing the appropriate conflict resolution theory to various categories of conflict.

IR 8307 Sustainable Human Development (3)
This course examines alternative theories of development that are oriented towards sustainable models of creating cultural, economic and political democracy. The course researches sustainable development models that apply to both South and North nations.

IR 8308 NGOs, Civil Society and Non-State Actors (3)
This course aims to foster a critical perspective on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other non-state actors by examining key concepts underlying their evolution and practice, including civil society, social capital and development.

IR 8309 Foundations of International Aid (3)
This course examines international aid programs originating in donor countries. The decision-making process regarding program/resource allocation and assessment will be analyzed as well as designing donor nation participation in this process.

IR 8311 World Religions and International Conflict (3)
This course will provide students with a general understanding of major world religions, then analyze the extent to which religion/s are a major source of conflict and how religion/s can become part of a peaceful end to violent conflict and to successful reconciliation between warring parties.

IR 8313 Cross-Cultural Communication for International Development (3)
This course focuses on developing an understanding of patterns of communication and discourse in a variety of cultures to increase awareness of different communication norms within different cultures and an understanding of cross-cultural discourse interactions. Primary methodologies for the course are rooted in Sociolinguistics and the Ethnography of Communication.

IR 8320 Globalization of Crime (3)
This course will introduce students to crime as a worldwide phenomenon and study international cooperation attempts to compile crime-related data, crime trends, violations of human rights, and the prevention and control of crimes such as international terrorism, manufacture and trafficking of illicit drugs, and other forms of internationally interconnected criminal activity.

IR 8322 International Justice System (3)
This course will introduce the student to selected criminal justice systems of developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries. This will include study of police functions and roles, functions and forms of judicial systems, and correctional practices and processes.

IR 8324 International Legal System (3)
This course will introduce the student to various international legal systems focusing on: the development of ancient legal systems and current civil law, common law, socialist law, and Islamic law processes and practices along with study of their respective countries.

IR 8325 Business in an Interdependent World (3)
A survey of the effects that differences in the cultural, economic, legal, political, social, and technological environments of countries have on the way business is conducted throughout the world. Also explored are the effects that regional economic and political arrangements and international institutions are having on firms involved in business activities that cross national borders. The course concludes with an examination of some of the contemporary issues and challenges confronting U.S. business people at home and overseas as a consequence of the growing globalization of economic activities.

IR 8326 International Development of Criminological Thought (3)
This course will introduce the student to various European and American historical explanations of criminal behavior and related research leading to current theoretical explanations.

IR 8328 Intelligence Gathering and National Security (3)
An examination of the role intelligence agencies play in defining national security interests and in the making of foreign policy (i.e., the relationship between the intelligence communities, the NSC, Congress, and the White House).

IR 8330 Global Political Geography (3)
This course is an introduction to the theories and methods of political geography. It focuses on where the political and spatial meet, illuminating the close relationship between geography and power on a variety of scales – from local to global. Included are such topics as geopolitics, frontiers and boundaries, physical and ideological characteristics of the States, imperialism, nationalism, war and terrorism, migration, laws of the sea, and human geography and the environment.

IR 8342 Ethical Issues in International Development (3)
This course will examine ethical issues in economic development and globalization. Students will be asked to apply ethical theory/reasoning to hard cases related to environment, free trade, marketing practices in poor countries, tax policies, outsourcing, etc.

IR 8350 Reform and Revolution in Latin America (3)
This course will historically examine revolution in Latin America and reasons for success/failure in efforts to bring about lasting reform to political and economic systems.

IR 9300 Topics in International Relations (3)
A special topics seminar that can focus on a variety of issues that cannot be limited to any one focus area. Topics can include a systematic consideration of politics, economics, security and/or social and cultural history as related to a specific topic in international relations. The specific topic can vary and students may take the course more than once if topic is different and with permission of the Program Director. The Program Director will determine whether or not the course will be considered a focus course or an elective for the different areas.

IR 9301 Topics in International Relations: International Field Studies (same as BA9301) (3)
The primary focus of the course is sustainable economic development and a second focus is the relationship of sustainable economic development to security and conflict resolution. The course is normally taught in Summer 1 or Summer 2 and includes a required international field trip that is designed to give students an exposure to governmental, not-for-profit, educational, micro-entrepreneurial, small business, and cooperative organizations in less-developed countries that are struggling with sustainable economic development.

IR 9396 Grant Proposal Writing (same as CM7334) (3)
This course is designed to teach the fundamental process of grant development for the beginning grant writer. Participants will be expected to develop a complete grant proposal suitable for submission to a funding agency. Those registering for the course should have conducted preliminary, independent research about a potential grant development project suitable for a major grant submission. Projects may be related to education, public works, museum programs, art, research, or similar areas. Specific projects are normally developed during the first two weeks of the course.