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 examines historical, cultural, economic, social and geographic traits that distinguish this region and shape its domestic political processes and interstate relations. Surveys the governments of selected countries to include China, Japan and Korea. Examines in particular the influence of Japan and China on regional and global affairs. Includes a survey of contemporary multilateral issues important to the region with emphasis on regional security concerns.

This course will provide students with an overview of Asian cultures, by focusing on political, religious, and philosophical aspects of various Asian societies. The course identifies connections between the past and the present, with an eye on anticipating future trends

This course will provide students with an overview of the political, economic, diplomatic interactions between Asian countries as well as between Asian countries and the rest of the world.

This course will provide students with an overview of the intersection of politics and macroeconomics in Asia. The course focuses on the post-WWII era and contemporary events.

This course is a study of the history of the modernization of the Pacific Basin in the 20th Century. It covers all the Asian nations except those of the Indian subcontinent. The course will cover such areas as the technological and economic development of the Pacific Basin, the trauma associated with the changes to the old order, social and economic upheaval, industrialization, and urbanization. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course is a study of major national and international developments within East, Southeast, and South Asia, to include current key issues involving China, Japan, the two Koreas, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, and India. This course focuses on issues in Asia that are important to the national security of the United States, particularly military, political, and economic issues. The course will also provide a close examination of U.S. relations with Asian nations. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

September 11 and its aftermath, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia and debate over the nature and effects of globalization all highlight the importance of political geography as a means of understanding the world around us. This course examines the relationship between earth and state. World political phenomena are studied from a geographic perspective, including international boundaries, territorial seas, and landlocked states. This course emphasizes the practical application of geography to political events.

Introduces major theoretical approaches to the comparative study of politics. The student applies these approaches to government institutions, the policy-making process, political participation, economic structures and social change for both state and non-state actors.

Based on a theoretical analysis, a detailed study is undertaken of the globalization of the market system and its impact on population growth, urbanization, political governance, and traditional values in various nation-states and regions.

U.S. national security policy recognizes this element of the international security environment and anticipates that American involvement in Asia will likely increase over time, making alliances and relationships in this region even more important. This course will highlight the changes in these interests and the actions that these and other states in the region take to advance or, when necessary, defend them and, therefore influence U.S. national security strategy and policy as well as the forces that support them.

This course is an introduction to the three great traditions of Chinese philosophy: Confucianism, Taoism, and Ch’an Buddhism. Modern translations and commentaries of the classical texts will be used.

This course is an introduction to the Japanese philosophical tradition. Zen Buddhist teachings will be examined through two quite different but equally representative schools: "zazen" - sitting in meditation, and "koan" - Zen riddles. The Bushido or Samurai teachings will also be examined. Modern translations and commentaries of the classical texts will be used.

This course introduces students to Hindu religious life with the primary focus being on the examination of some key concepts (such as dharma, samsara, atman, maya, moksha, artha, monism, and pantheism), along with an attempt to have a firm grasp of the meaning of religious ideas, symbols, and practices, as related to the participants. Course topics include the disciplines (yogas) of devotion (bhakti), action (karma), knowledge (jnana), ethics, and the major schools of thought.

This course is a study of Buddhism's major historical movements and cultural expressions. Students examine the origin and development of the teachings, rituals and institutions of the Buddhist tradition in South Asia since the beginning of the common era to the present day. Course topics include the life and times of Siddhartha Gautama (“the Buddha”); implantation in East Asian societies of the various forms of Buddhism that developed in South Asia; development of new Buddhist “schools” in East Asia; relationships between Buddhism and the other religious traditions in East Asia; relationships between Buddhism and the State; early Buddhist community; popular Buddhist piety and social movements; development of the three main branches of the Buddhist tradition, and the role of women in Buddhism.

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.