Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

An overview of the field of international and global politics. The nation state, factors of power, collective security, international trade, regional and international organization, sources of conflict and convergence are addressed.

This course analyzes international relations from 1945 to the present. Students will become thoroughly familiar with events and major interpretive issues. Topics include the Cold War, decolonization, the role of the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations, the development of international terrorism, the Arab-Israeli and Persian Gulf conflicts, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. (Prerequisite: IRLS210).

Pre Reqs: International Relations I(IRLS210)

This class examines the elements and practice of American Foreign Policy.  It reviews the history of American Foreign Policy and ideology, and then examines the actors, tools and processes of US foreign policy.  This class emphasizes current foreign policy issues, including policy geared toward national security.

Examines the role of and interrelationship of international organizations, nation-states, and non-state actors in the global system. North-South and East-West relations are discussed in terms of specific global issues: crisis management, conflict resolution, human rights, refugee problems, international finance, developmental assistance, world trade, and globalization.

A detailed study of the history, theories, and practices of global development initiatives with particular concentration in the prevailing views and practices of the 1960’s-contemporary times. A look at development in light of broader political constructs that influence the development of nations.

Information Literacy for Global Citizenship builds students’ information literacy skills in the international relations/global studies context. Students analyze scholarly sources in the discipline, identifying the types of issues and questions scholars pursue, the discursive conventions they employ, and their methods of engaging in dialogue with and citing sources. After identifying their own discipline specific research question, students select and use appropriate research tools, developing complex search strategies that help them to find relevant scholarly information on their topics. They evaluate sources and information to determine their authority, reliability, timeliness as well as the quality and underlying assumptions of the arguments presented. They synthesize the information they’ve found with their own ideas, effectively integrating source material into their papers and citing that material appropriately. Finally, the course asks students to reflect upon the ways in which the information literacy skills they’ve acquired provide a foundation for both global citizenship and lifelong learning.

Introduces the student to the basic principles and practices of international law and legal regimes. Examines traditional and emerging topics in the field: human rights, the Law of the Sea, the Law of Armed Conflict, War Crime Tribunals, and the International Criminal Court. (Prerequisite: IRLS210).

Pre Reqs: International Relations I(IRLS210)

This course is an examination of the fundamental principles behind peacekeeping, to include the political, managerial, military, and humanitarian aspects of the peacekeeping process. Completion of this course will make students eligible to obtain a certificate of completion from the United Nation's Peace Operations Training Institute. It is up to the student to go to the POTI website to find how to obtain the POTI certificate.

This course in an overview of logistics in a United Nations mission area. It consists of two parts, the United Nations Peace Operations Training Institute (POTI) course, "Logistical Support of UN Peace-keeping Operations," and a survey of major principles and concepts that govern logistics support for military forces engaging in UN peacekeeping. Topics include an overview of UN Peacekeeping; UN logistics support concepts; UN mission area infrastructure, accommodations, facilities and utilities; financial and resource issues for UN Peacekeeping logistics; UN logistics planning; UN supply operations; UN engineering support; UN intra-theater and inter-theater transportation; UN air and aviation services; equipment maintenance; medical support; and postal and courier services. Completion of this course will make each student eligible to obtain a Certificate of Completion from the United Nation's Peace Operations Training Institute. It is up to the student to go to the POTI website to learn how to obtain the certificate.

This course examines the overall evolution and functioning of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) during the Cold War period. Emphasis is on the significance of individual peacekeeping missions, including their background, functioning, military operations, and end result. The origins and evolution of UN peacekeeping are explained in military, diplomatic, and political terms. This course describes how superpower conflicts shaped both the direction and scope of UN PKOs. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only). Completion of this course will make students eligible to obtain a certificate of completion from the United Nation's Peace Operations Training Institute. It is up to the student to go to the POTI website to find how to obtain the POTI certificate.

This course examines the strategy, operations, evolution, and functions of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) from the end of the Cold War to the present. Emphasis is on the significance of individual peacekeeping missions, including their background, functioning, military operations, and end result. While the United Nations peacekeeping operations are studied in detail, other forms of peacekeeping are presented as well. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only). Completion of this course will make students eligible to obtain a certificate of completion from the United Nation's Peace Operations Training Institute. It is up to the student to go to the POTI website to find how to obtain the POTI certificate.

This course is an examination of the theory and practices by sovereign states to resolve conflict through national and international organizations, conventions, and non-government agencies.

This course will explain how an alliance of nations, formed to protect its member countries from a re-emergence of post-World War II Germany, transformed itself in order to protect Western Europe from the Warsaw Pact. It will delve into how an alliance that was purely defensive in origin evolved into an organization that conducted offensive operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and attacked a sovereign nation in an attempt to bring peace to Kosovo. It will conclude with a study on the possible future of NATO in the changing environment of Europe and America. The scope of this course focuses on the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since it’s founding to the present. The course includes the formation of the Alliance, the study of the member countries military forces, the organization and purposes of the various NATO Headquarters, the role of NATO in the Cold War, and the role NATO is playing today in the stabilization of Europe.

This course will explore the role of international civilian police in peacekeeping operations in establishing a rule of law sufficient to support an emerging democratic society and a sustainable peace. Emphasis will be placed on exploring civilian police relationships with other actors in theater and on understanding public order maintenance through the lenses of peace building, justice and reconciliation. Completion of this course will make students eligible to obtain a certificate of completion from the United Nation's Peace Operations Training Institute. It is up to the student to go to the POTI website to find how to obtain the POTI certificate.

This course examines the strategic, operational, and tactical aspects of asymmetric warfare throughout history. Defined as a form of warfare that differs significantly from traditional conflict, asymmetric warfare is a tool of weaker and less resourced non state actors who seek parity with state's military power. Non state actors resort to asymmetric warfare to offset their obvious lack of conventional military power base and capacity. Moreover, signs and methods of asymmetric warfare are found in all facets of unconventional warfare - terrorism, insurgency, revolution, guerilla war, and irregular war - throughout history. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course is a study of acute and chronic behavioral response to battle. Students will review, analyze, and evaluate the range of psychological responses to combat, from "normal" reactions to variations of "Combat Stress Reaction." Case studies from combat action will provide material for application and synthesis of the concepts presented in the course. Topics include the U.S. military approach to psychiatric management of combat, POW experiences, mental adaptation for future warfare, and stress associated with other forms of conflict, such as peacekeeping.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

This senior capstone course allows students majoring in International Relations to analyze specific issues at the global level that would include: armaments, disarmament and proliferation; nationalism and world order; terrorism; peacekeeping; drug wars; political development and revolutionary change in less developed countries; and the organized use of force. This course will provide students with the opportunity to complete an approved academic research exercise that demonstrates knowledge of a selected field of study. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other International Relations courses have been satisfactorily completed. Student must have SENIOR standing to register.