15590

BGIA 301

CORE SEMINAR: NGOs IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Jonathan Cristol

. . . Th .

4:00pm- 6:20pm

 

SSCI

The Core Seminar investigates the changing roles and influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in world politics by examining: NGOS, IGOs, think-tanks, multi-national corporations, and transnational networks in the international system. We bridge the gap between theoretical and practical through the application of relevant theory to students’ lived experiences at their internships. The course looks at recent and classic academic literature on: issue emergence; imperialism; discourse; and on what makes an NGO effective or ineffective.  The students draw both on that literature and on their practical experience to discuss these issues. Additionally, the Core Seminar features a number of guest speakers to highlight the variety of ways one can become a practitioner of international affairs and discuss the real life implications of what we’ve discussed in class; and hosts supplemental skill-building workshops to promote professional development. Students should expect to do 20-25 pages of formal academic writing, as well as: a multimedia presentation; written analysis of the competing stakeholders related to their internship organization; and a series of response papers throughout the course. Class size: 15

 

15588

BGIA 321

INTELLIGENCE, RISK & DECISION MAKING

Giles Alston

. . W . .

6:45pm-9:05pm

 

SSCI

This course is about the relationship between information, analysis, risk and decision makers. On one level, this means that it is about something you do yourself all the time -- but we will be looking specifically at how analysis is produced for those who work in both the public and the private sectors and face critical political, investment, or even humanitarian decisions. Concentrating on three crucial components – collection, analysis and communications – the goal is understand processes behind the production of good analysis and the ways in which it can be conveyed to decision makers. At the same time as intensively studying some of the instances in which intelligence analysis has resulted in success -- and, because it tends to be more revealing, those where it has not -- we will be trying out some of the techniques involved in professional analysis, including writing, presentations, and team work, and looking at analysts working in the government, financial, and non-profit sectors. The intention is to offer an appreciation of what professional analysts do in an intelligence and political risk context, and how their work can feed into the conduct of international relations and international business.  Major topics include the Iranian Revolution, the Iraq War, and the development of the American space program in the context of the Cold War. Class size: 15

 

15586

BGIA 326

TRENDS IN TERRORISM AND COUNTERTERRORISM

Tom Parker

. . TBA .

TBA

 

HIST

The purpose of this course is to chart the rise of international terrorism and examine State responses to this ever-evolving threat. The course is divided into three self-contained units addressing the origins of international terrorism, the growth and evolution of Islamic terrorism and State responses to terrorist threats. Seminars will consider case studies drawn from Western Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. At the conclusion of the course it is hoped that students will have a deeper understanding of the circumstances that motivate dedicated terrorist groups and the means and methods available to States seeking to contain or defeat them. Class size: 15

 

15587

BGIA 330

WRITING ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Ilan Greenberg

. . W . .

4:00pm-6:20pm

 

PART

In this course we will examine ways in which foreign correspondents cover the world. We will learn about how journalism interrogates human rights, conflict, economic development, climate change, culture, and current events generally. We will explore the social, economic, and political fissures impacting the coverage of global affairs. And we will discuss the changing media landscape such as the rise of social media, the perspectives of journalism from different parts of the world, and how the media influence international relations.  We will acquire an understanding of the issues animating current media coverage of global affairs, and also will learn about the mechanics of journalism, such as editing, contextualizing subject matter, and fundamental reporting skills. Although we will scrutinize video, radio, and multimedia journalism, this course primarily seeks to sharpen your understanding of and ability at expository writing on global affairs and you will be expected to write intensively almost every week. Class assignments will entail research and original reporting. We will read and discuss a representative sampling of articles and books by journalists about foreign affairs, and will include discussions with experienced reporters and editors about their work. Class size: 15

 

15589

BGIA 348

COUNTERinsurgency: history, strategy, tactics, and problems

James Creighton

M . . . .

7:00pm-9:20pm

 

HIST

Class size: 15

 

15585

BGIA 354

 American Grand Strategy

Walter Russell Mead

. . TBA .

TBA

 

SSCI

The American world system that exists today can be seen as version 2.0 of the liberal capitalist world system first built by Great Britain. Both the British and the American builders of these systems developed a distinct style of strategic thought around the needs of a maritime, global and commercial system. Students will read works by important thinkers in this strategic tradition like Admiral Mahan and Winston Churchill; they will also study the grand strategies of these powers in the series of wars from the War of the Spanish Succession through the Cold War and analyze contemporary American policy in the light of the three centuries of Anglophone world power.  Class size: 15