M.A. in Government – International Relations

A comprehensive overview of career management principles and practices to more effectively equip students for employment and career advancement from a Christian worldview perspective.

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.

Qualitative and quantitative reasoning, the basic principles of the philosophy of science, and positivist and reflexivist approaches to knowledge creation.

Offers a biblical perspective of the religious, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Western civilization as expressed in education, law, ethics, biology, politics, science, psychology, sociology, economics and history. It will contrast biblical Christianity with the other principal worldviews in Western civilization: Secular Humanism, Marxism/Leninism and Cosmic Humanism (New Age), and will analyze public policy issues using each worldview.

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.

Introduces major operational concepts as applied to cyberspace; compares and contrasts traditional military doctrines, tactics and strategies with those used in cyberspace; presents institutions involved in cyberconflict and their functions domestically and internationally, and describes prospects for peace-building and international cooperation in cyberspace.

An analysis of the nature and development of the Israeli political system, including historical background, Zionism, elections and the institutions of government, constitutional issues, and religion and politics.  The relationship between domestic politics and foreign policy will also be explored as well as the regional and global context in which Israel exists.

Comparative politics seminar.  Examines founding and history of Russia, creation of Soviet and later Russian political institutions, problems of post-communism and democratization and future of Russia as a quasi-authoritarian regime.

Foundational seminar for graduate work in American politics.  Introduces behavioral, reflexivist and institutional approaches to study of key concepts in American politics – including the presidency, Congress, voting and the judiciary.

The major approaches and methodologies of international relations, examines the First, Second and Third Debates within the field, reviews emerging topics and identifies research questions.

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.)

Analyzes the past and present foreign policy of U.S. in relation to the greater Middle East, with a focus on the post-war era.  Cold War politics, the evolving relationship with Israel and various others governments, religionized politics, and related global trends such as terrorism and oil economics.

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.

Examination of the philosophical and religious roots of early America from the colonial era to the formation of the Constitution.

Survey Islamic Law in three parts:  (1) Qur’anic foundations using the Qur’an itself and the history of its various interpretations; (2) “classical/historical/orthodox/traditional” Sharia itself; and (3) the application of Sharia in Muslim nations today and its relevancy to non-Muslim nations.  Cross-listed as LAW 812.

Presents the most influential threads of political thought and philosophy in the Islamic world from Muhammad and the Caliphate through modern jihadism.  Topics and authors examined include Sunni and Shi’ite theories of leadership, the Mamluk ideology, Ibn Khaldun, al-Farabi, Ibn Rushd, Sayeed Qutb, and others.

Political development, post-colonial approaches to understanding democratization, Realist and Critical Theory, state failure, evaluating and critiquing the role of foreign aid providers, and the role of culture in democratization.

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

Deals with Asia’s wars and peace in the 20th century, and the dynamic political, economic, and religious developments in the 21st century.  It will also discuss the division and desire for unification of Korea, and China’s rise as a regional and global power. Includes an analysis of ASEAN’s goal to move from economic cooperation to political integration and regional security; and the consideration of the role of APEC and Asia’s future relations with The United States and European Union.

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.

An  online  two-credit  course  designed  to  help  acclimate students to Regent University and online learning. It will provide the knowledge, resources and essential skills needed for success  at  the  graduate  level. Topics  include  academic  writing,  online  learning,  information  literacy,  and  advising  and support services. It may be required for some students as a condition of admission, and may substitute for UNIV LIB Information Research and Resources and/or ENGL 500 Graduate Academic Writing Seminar.