Course descriptions for Global Studies

Studies a particular topic in Global Studies. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Individualizes student placement for field study as related to global studies. Offered as interest warrants.

Student and faculty member select topic of study and number of credits. Offered as interest warrants.

Looks at contemporary political life by recognizing the public, historical, and political dimensions of daily life. Examines American and California government and politics by analyzing historical and political events that affect people's daily lives. Focuses on domestic and global influences and their interaction on the laws and structures that govern people's lives. (Offered fall and spring semesters.)

Globalization is an uneven process. It is the intensification of economic, political, social and cultural relations across international borders. Students will understand the history and the key features of the pro and anti-globalization debates. They will follow how popular struggles for social justice and equity have shaped the global order. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Seeks to place the historical experience of the United States in a comparative and global framework. Compares selected themes in US history (colonial experience, revolution, slavery, racial conflict, industrialization) with similar experiences elsewhere in the world. Focuses attention on US interaction with other regions of the world through immigration, imperialism, and the emergence of the United States as a global superpower. (Offered spring semester.)

Explores the history of humankind from the early city states of the Middle East through the advent of global connections around 1500. Focuses on the major civilizations (China, India, Middle East, Americas, Europe) as expressed through the arts, religion and trade relations. (Offered fall and spring semesters).

Explores the history of humankind from roughly 1500 to 2000. Highlights the processes of globalization on the diverse populations of the world as expressed through the arts, religion, intellectual discourses, economic activity, and cultural self determination. Explores issues of the rise of European domination and the era of revolutions and independence movements.

This course examines the "global voices" of those affected by "global flows and disjunctures" through fiction, music, film, memoir, and visual art. These flows move in unequal and random ways that cause hybrid expressions of life and art, but also poverty and social dysfunction/breakdown. This course enables students to articulate contemporary understandings of the human condition and engage in respectful dialogue about the ethical dilemmas in a rapidly changing world.

Reviews salient periods of U.S. territorial expansion from the Mexican-American war to the declared and undeclared interventions to the present. Analyzes domestic and international charges of neo-colonialism and economic imperialism versus recurrent open calls for a civilizing American Empire, benign conquest, humanitarian interventions, and regime change. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

This class will introduce students to a number of religious traditions in their classical and contemporary practices. Through academic study of religion, students consider how various disciplines approach the myths, stories, symbols, rituals, ideas, and ethical practices of these religions. This introduction will provide a framework within which to reflect on one's own experiences. Traditions include: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (Credit/No Credit Available)

If you ask most people where globalization occurs, they will tell you `out there' - not in the US. We consider how local problems are set in systems of inequity and discrimination -- linking the US to their expression elsewhere.

Students acquire a basic foundation in globalization and social theories and methods through exploration of current issues. Required entry into the Global Studies major.

Preparatory to advanced theory and research methods, students engage in hands-on practice to develop introductory skills and techniques for globalization in the social sciences. Students begin preparation of a Graduation Portfolio and complete an Individualized Learning Plan. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Offered as interest warrants.

Examines contemporary and historical processes of globalization from a variety of perspectives: conceptual, historical, geographic, economic, political, cultural, and sociological. Covers how capitalism, Western imperialism, colonialism, nationalism, racism, sexual exploitation, religion, environmental destruction, war, trade, technological development, international agreements, social movements, democratization, human rights, and popular struggles for social justice and equity have shaped the global order. (Offered fall and spring semesters.)

Focuses on U.S. foreign policy in the Asia Pacific region, the Caribbean, Central America, and selected developing countries. Pays particular attention to U.S. diplomatic, economic, and military relations with Korea, China, Japan, Viet Nam, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Island countries, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Panama, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Liberia, and Iraq. (Offered fall semester.)

Examines the application of historical approaches to themes related to past and contemporary societies. Demonstrates the role that theoretical approaches can aid in an understanding of past and contemporary societies. Introduces students into how societies have used these methods to foster political, economic, cultural and religious aims. (Credit/No Credit Available)

Identifies and critiques various important global issues that have particularly adverse effects on the Global South countries. Students comprehend, analyze, and evaluate the role played in the Third World or Global South by the more powerful states, corporations and civil society of the First World or Global North. (Offered spring semester.)

This course critically examines theories and practices of humanitarianism - the principles of foreign intervention in situations of crisis, and in `weak,' `failing,' and post-conflict states. The course assesses the effects of humanitarian intervention on local realities and global relations in the post-Cold War period. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Offers a historical route through both grand theories and mini-narratives of international development, covering Modernization theory, Dependency Theory, the Basic Needs movement and the Human Development Index, 'Anti-developmentalism,' Sen's capabilities approach and Nussbaum's contributions to that framework, the neoliberal structural adjustment period, and its backlash. Students are challenged to question what is meant by 'development,' and to assess critically the ideas that have shaped approaches to international development in the 20th century. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Reviews salient periods of U.S. territorial expansion from the Mexican-American war to the declared and undeclared interventions to the present. Analyzes domestic and international charges of neo-colonialism and economic imperialism versus recurrent open calls for a civilizing American Empire, benign conquest, humanitarian interventions, and regime change. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Introduces diverse philosophical, ideological, religious, spiritual, scientific, technological, and gender views or perspectives. Focuses on the similarities and differences between worldviews and how those people interact with the world. Students study the adverse effects of ethnocentrism, reflect on their own worldview, and empathize with people with differing worldviews. (Offered fall semester.)

We now live in a "post-secular" world. We will cover the nature and debates of the "post secular" - what it means and how we arrived here. This course will cover the politics of pluralism, differing church-state relations and religious debates on rights - of nature, sexuality, life, practice, sovereignty, and economic well-being. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Compares the dominant forms of government that have endured into the 21st century and the political ideologies and economic institutions that have created them. Addresses the contest over emerging forms of global governance embodied in the two poles of neo-liberal corporate commercial/financial institutions (WTO/IMF/World Bank) on one side, and a growing global network of civil society alliances that have arisen to challenge them on the other. Examines issues of national sovereignty. Covers the K-12 History/Social Science Content Standards. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Social networking technologies have brought with them new types of mediated interaction: collaboration and consumption. Students will think critically about the influence of social networking technologies on political events and government policies, cultural norms, and social movements. They will develop media literacy through immersion in various social cyberspaces. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

The proliferation of film industries throughout the globe has challenged the west's grip on representing the 'other' through cinema. Students will analyze films, television shows, and soap operas from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The course will also examine the economics of these film industries including the rise of Nollywood, and of 'media cities' throughout the Middle East. (Credit/No Credit Available)

Introduces students to selected political theories and philosophies and discusses how, where, and when they have influenced intellectual thought and cultural practices in the past and the present. Explores political philosophies from different parts of the world and connects them to relative climates of social diversity, political dissent, and religious tolerance. Examines the relationship between political thought and the problem of identification-individual, cultural, and national. Covers the K-12 History/Social Science Content Standards. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

The Soliya Connect Program uses the latest web-conferencing technology to bridge the gap between university students in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the United States. Through dialogue, students discuss culture and everyday life and controversial topics ultimately arriving at a better understanding of other cultures and perspectives. A media module on current events is the final project. (Credit/No Credit Available)

Students learn how to analyze, and evaluate the role of women and gender violence in global life. Examines gender, race, class, and culture in relation to issues of security, power, production, reproduction, and activism in global life and related forms of violence. (Offered fall semester.)

Studies the history and recent proliferation of politically motivated religious violence and interreligious conflicts-Muslim-Christian, Christian-Jewish, Jewish-Muslim, Hindu-Muslim, Buddhist-Hindu. Investigates religious violence, particularly Christian, Jewish, and Muslim contexts: What are the theories of religious violence? How is it different than other forms of political violence? What is the relationship between religious conflict and nationalism, terrorism? What is a holy war, just war, jihad? Considers religious sources for reconciliation: What are the theological arguments for nonviolence across religion? How have religious actors assisted in peace building in protracted conflicts? (Offered spring semester.)

Examines intercultural communications through a global/historical lens that encompasses encounters in colonial, post-colonial, and global contexts. A series of novels, essays, and short stories from the postcolonial world are read in which the authors project their sense of individual and collective identities formed through the colonial interface and its aftermath. Examines relationships between author/audience and student/text in a cross-cultural dialog. (Offered every semester.)

Examines origins of global economy. Analyzes and evaluates the interrelationship among global, political, and economic conditions. Studies global economy through 1) historical development, 2) current patterns of changes, 3) effects of globalization on the quality of life, 4) solutions and alternatives to inequity, and 5) the students' place in the global economy. Examines major structures, processes, and effects of evolving global economy. (Offered every semester.)

Introduces students to core concepts of ecological political economy that focus on the interrelationships between humans and nature in a non-hierarchial manner. Takes an ecological political economy approach to study issues of planetary resources, their distribution, allocation, and concentration. Engages perspectives on conservation of planetary resources referred to as global commons that are beyond the jurisdiction of nation-states, international agreements, and institutions. Engages issues of consumption and the use of resources to analyze alternative accounts of Northern ecological debt and Southern ecological credit. (Offered every spring semester.)

Introduces the workings of the U.S. economy in political and global context. Examines recent changes in income and wealth distribution, as well as economic policies and shifts in power fueling the growing divide between rich and poor. Examines the decline of organized labor, conditions of work, and the current climate of outsourcing jobs, executive excess, defective corporations, and indefinite war. Includes health, education, environment, and consumption and a growing national debt. Shows how ordinary citizens have been reclaiming polluted, bankrupt communities, resources, and human dignity by taking actions to create a Fair Economy. (Offered every other spring semester.)

This learning experience provides a critical examination of the structure, workings, and politics of global governance and global civil society. Students explore interactions between inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and grassroots organizations working locally and across borders on current issues of local and global import. As they complete their upper division service learning requirement at local organizations, students map their activities in and through networks while engaging network analysis methods.

Integrates study of earth systems with social systems by examining global natural and social systems. Combines perspectives, concepts, and methods of physical, biological, and social sciences in a holistic analysis and evaluation of issues related to resource access, use, pollution, and conservation by human communities locally and globally. Used to denote equivalent courses fulfilled through study abroad, field studies, approved upper-division ESSP courses, and approved graduate courses at MIIS to fulfill GS MLO 9. (Offered every semester.)

Introduces students to the main political concepts and ideologies that constitute the discourse of global politics. Explores the global realm of: 1) interstate and transnational political relations; 2) Western and non-Western schools of thought about international politics; 3) gendered discourses of international relations including contributions from women, especially Global South; 4) environmental politics; and 5) the structure and role of intergovernmental organizations and 6) global security discourses. (Offered spring semester)

Studies a particular topic in Global Studies. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered as interest warrants.) (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Individualizes student placement for field study as related to Global Studies. (Offered as interest warrants.)

Student and faculty member select topic of study and number of credits. (Offered as interest warrants.)

Students research and develop a capstone proposal. They will complete major elements of a graduation portfolio. The portfolio provides evidence that a student is making satisfactory progress toward meeting Global Studies Major Learning Outcomes. Offered Spring Semester. (Credit/No Credit Available)

Students synthesize, research, and write a Capstone project that integrates: 1) course-based and experiential learning completed for the major; 2) a major research paper that demonstrates knowledge of theoretical, methodological, and philosophical undercurrent of intellectual production in Global Studies.

Student and faculty member in consultation select topic of study, reading list, and number of credits. (Offered spring semester.)

Offered as interest warrants.

Studies a particular topic in global studies. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered as interest warrants.)

Individualizes student placement for field study as related to global studies. (Offered as interest warrants.)

Student and faculty member select topic of study and number of credits. (Offered as interest warrants.)