120 International Relations
A study of the forces and forms of international politics and modern state system; nationalism, internationalism, imperialism; war and “cold war.” Restraints on the struggles for power: balance of power, morality, and law. The problems of world stability and peaceful change today; diplomacy, disarmament, collective security, the United Nations, regional federations, world government, universal empire.

121 International Political Economy
This course focuses on understanding the role and political-economic impact of global institutions like the IMF, World Bank, WTO, World Economic Forum, Multinational Corporations, common markets like the European Union/Eurozone, Mercosur, NAFTA-CAFTA, and free trade agreements. The rising role ofChinaand other 'BRICS' countries are explored. The role of currencies, especially the dollar, Euro and Yuan. The impact of these institutions on national political sovereignty, policymaking and democracy is explored, as well as the effects of trade/free trade on domestic jobs, wages, and income. The course will conclude with a look at the recent, and continuing, global economic crisis, the role of the above institutions in that crisis, and possible future outcomes in 2012 and beyond. There are no prior course requirements for Pol Econ. 121.

122 Topics in International Politics
The course addresses the growing integration of national economics and financial systems worldwide and its consequence for national political institutions, policymaking, sovereignty and democracy.  The course will focus on the evolution of international trade theory and policies since 1945, trends in foreign direct investment and the "securitization' revolution in international finance, and the evolution of transnational institutions (WTO, World Bank, IMF, etc.) and free trade mega-blocks (NAFTA-CAFTA, EU, etc.).  Special focus is given to current and recent international financial crises and the impact of globalization on U.S. domestic economic policy, economic growth, income distribution, and the evolution of the corporate form of business.  The course concludes with a review of the different responses and challenges to global economic integration today by environmentalist, worker-union, and other grass-roots 'civil society' based organizations.  Prerequisite: POL 004 or ECON 004 (or equivalent).

122-01 War and the Economy
The course will explore the different causal relationships between wars and the economy, with emphasis on the US experience, and with global consideration of World Wars I and II. Looking at the US revolutionary war, civil war, Spanish-American war, World Wars I and II, Vietnam and the two wars in the middle east (Iraq and Afghanistan), the course will ask: 1) To what extent are economic conditions and objectives causes of war? 2) What are the impacts of wars on the economy? 3) How are different wars financed, and what are the consequences? Was the 'Cold War' between the US and USSR really a war? Did the USSR collapse due to economics? Will the US politically be able to continue its global military presence in the 21st century given the continuing US and global economic crisis since 2001 and especially since 2007? The course will conclude with a detailed focus on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 in particular in the last third of the course.

122-02 Culture and Society in the Arab World
The course will explore the different causal relationships between wars and the economy, with emphasis on theUSexperience, and with global consideration of World Wars I and II. Looking at the US revolutionary war, civil war, Spanish-American war, World Wars I and II, Vietnam and the two wars in the middle east (Iraq and Afghanistan), the course will ask: 1) To what extent are economic conditions and objectives causes of war?  2) What are the impacts of wars on the economy? 3) How are different wars financed, and what are the consequences? Was the 'Cold War' between the US and USSR really a war? Did the USSR collapse due to economics? Will the US politically be able to continue its global military presence in the 21st century given the continuing US and global economic crisis since 2001 and especially since 2007? The course will conclude with a detailed focus on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 in particular in the last third of the course.

123 American Foreign Policy
An investigation of the institutions and processes of modern American diplomacy. Examination of case studies to illustrate the role of the State Department, the military, intelligence agencies, the Presidency, Congress, and interest groups. Consideration of current problems in foreign policy and discussion of future developments.

124 Defense Policy
The course examines U.S. national security policy objectives, the military strategies and institutions that have been designed to achieve these objectives and the defense capabilities that can be used to accomplish political and economic goals. The focus of readings and class discussion is on the following topics: the international environment as the setting for the making of American defense policy; the evolution of U.S. strategy; World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam as case studies; arms control; the institutional structure and processes of defense policy; military professionalism; reform and appraisal.

125 Human Rights
Three main areas of human rights are examined: 1) human rights theory and the philosophical foundation of human rights, 2) the international institutions, international law, and regional mechanisms for protecting rights, 3) an overview of major empirical theories of rights, identifying economic, political, and social factors and actors that shape present day human rights conditions.

126 Food Politics
This course examines why something as innocuous as choosing certain foods can be a political act with global consequences.