M.A. in Government – International Relations

Considers applicability of traditional IR theory paradigms to description and analysis of cyber conflict and cyber international relations. Considers issues of political economy associated with globalization and cryptocurrencies. Introduces cyberspace actors and institutions and prospects for global conflict and conflict resolution.

Considers the nature of war and peace, including thought and practice from philosophical and religious viewpoints, with particular reference to the Christian tradition (e.g. just war theory) and the formal law of armed conflict.

Evaluates the rationale for and contributions of major international organizations in the post-war period with a focus on the UN system, the European Union, and international legal covenants (e.g. international criminal tribunals, ICCPR, etc.)

Political change and ideological trends in the Mid-East after WWII. Explores the politics of state and nation building, the legacies of colonialism, the impact of nationalism, the development of civil society, the complications of oil wealth, the challenges of democracy, and the place of political Islam.

Overview of the global problem of trafficking in persons for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. The course examines the issue of trafficking from several perspectives: (i) the various international conventions that prohibit trafficking in persons; (ii) regional examples of trafficking and factors that contribute to it such as civil unrest and governmental corruption; and (iii) the United States legislative and foreign policy response to trafficking in persons. This course will focus on trafficking in persons as a human rights violation and the treatment of trafficked persons as a victim of a crime. Cross-listed with LAW 735. Law Student Prerequisites: Completion of first year. Recommended: LAW 683, 684, and 784.

Addresses the questions of the universality of human rights, including the right of life, the right to death, rights of the child, women’s rights, religious freedoms, the rights of third-world countries and the export of Western values to Eastern societies. Prerequisite: LAW 511. Cross-listed with LAW 883.

Discussion of balancing the government’s responsibility to defend the body politic and its parallel duty to safeguard the rights of individuals. Exploration of the tensions of achieving security and freedom from Lincoln’s suspension of habeas corpus to Bush’s detention of terrorist combatants. Law Student prerequisites: LAW 511 and completion of two semesters of law school. Cross-listed with LAW 672.

International and regional laws regarding the right to expression and protection of religious belief. Defenses to protect religious freedom, mechanisms for advocacy and intervention, and the impact that non-governmental organizations can have in protecting religious freedom. Law Student Prerequisite: LAW 511 and completion of two semesters of law school. Cross-listed with LAW 714.

A multi-disciplinary study of international and multinational social, political, and economic problems from a Comparative and international perspective.

Historical development of US foreign policy principles; actors involved in creation of foreign policy, role of interest groups and special interests; economic aspects of US foreign policy and the role of ideology and religion; considers America’s role in the world today.