Courses - International Studies
IS 100 - Introduction to International Studies
This interdisciplinary course introduces students to a range of global issues, including the basics of world geography, history, political and economic systems, and culture. The strong cross-cultural perspective of the course provides students with the necessary foundation to specialize in their own area of interest within the international studies program. *Note: Formerly numbered INTL 100. Students may receive credit for one of INTL 100 or IS 100. *
IS 200 - Feeding the World and Cooling the Planet
Who decides who eats? Who decides what food is produced? Is the dominant food production model 'efficient'? This course examines the root causes of hunger and recurring global food crises, analyzes how being 'stuffed' or 'starved' is connected, and explores how food sovereignty helps 'feed the world and cool the planet'.
***Prerequisites: IS 100 or 15 credit hours***
IS 210 - Introduction to Asian Studies
Asian studies will be introduced with respect to a variety of countries and the following themes: Orientalism; Imperialism/Colonialism; Neo-liberalism and Globalization; Tradition versus Modernity; Agriculture; Population; Resources and Environment; Religion; Political System and Visual Culture.
*** Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credit hours. *** * Note: Formerly numbered ASIA 200. Students may receive credit for one of ASIA 200 or IS 210.
IS 220 - International Development and Poverty
This is an introduction to international development. Mainstream development is geared to 'attacking poverty' through various models of development: modernization, industrialization and urbanization, globalization, and good governance. Alternative models of development argue that these actually spread inequality and impoverishment. Can development be done right? Does development have a future?
*** Prerequisites: IS 100 ***
IS 230 - Introduction to European Studies
An interdisciplinary introduction to the principal historic and emerging contemporary features of Europe. The course will explore the defining yet very diverse characteristics of social, intellectual, political, economic and cultural life and will examine the motivation for and impact of integration on European Union member states.
*** Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credit hours. *** *Note: Formerly numbered ES 200. Students may receive credit for one of ES 200 or IS 230. *
IS 240 - Contemporary Issues in International Affairs
This course examines selected global issues through a problem-based learning approach. Students will work in teams to simulate global conferences on selected transnational issues such as United Nations reform, international justice, conflict resolution, terror and security, or the environment.
***Prerequisites: IS 100***
IS 290AA - Local Lives in a Global Political Economy
An introduction to economic and political geography, emphasizing the development of the global economy as it plays out in local places with particular politics, histories and cultures. The course will focus on the crisis of Fordism and the restructuring of different sectors of the economy (eg resources, services and finance).
IS 290AB - Indigenous Peoples in Global Context
This course will examine the political, social, and cultural backgrounds of diverse Indigenous peoples around the globe. It will explore patterns and themes of Indigenous history and the impacts of colonization and settlement. Treaty-making, diplomacy, decolonization, and contemporary global Indigenous movements will be areas of particular focus.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 or permission of Department Head***
IS 300 - Globalization: Its Dynamics and Consequences
The course focuses on the driving forces and consequences of globalization. First, it seeks to bring clarity to the idea of globalization by engaging with major arguments. Second, it analyzes the distinct processes of globalization. Third, it explores how globalizing dynamics are linked to the local, national and regional transformations.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 (formerly INTL 100) or 30 credit hours***
*Note: Formerly numbered INTL 300. Students may only receive credit for one of INTL 300, IS 300, and PSCI 390AH.*
IS 301 - Global Governance: International Organizations
The course studies the role of international organizations in contemporary global governance. It examines the functions of global and regional organizations in major issue areas, including peace and security, international economic relations, development, human rights and the environment. It investigates the effectiveness, legitimacy and accountability of the exiting system of global governance.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 (formerly INTL 100) or 30 credit hours***
*Note: this course is cross-listed with PSCI 342. Students may receive credit for only one of IS 301 or PSCI 342.*
IS 302 - Non-Governmenal Organizations Crossing Borders
Do non-governmental organizations make a difference? How do they interact with and alter the international state system? This course examines the activities and influence of transnational non-governmental organizations such as global struggles against colonialism and slavery; and campaigns for human rights, women's rights, indigenous rights and banning land mines.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 (formerly INTL 100) or 30 credit hours***
IS 303 - Social Movements and Alternatives to Global Capital
What are social movements? What alternatives do they propose? What are the links between land takeovers in Brazil, anti-dam protests in India, resistance to mining and transnational movements? Can social movements make a difference? This course explores the power of collective action by examining how social movements challenge mainstream development.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 (formerly INTL 100) or 30 credit hours***
*Note: Formerly numbered IS 320. Students may receive credit for only one of IS 303 or IS 320*
IS 390AB - Globalization and Human Rights
This course investigates global economic, social and political relations from the perspective of human rights. It focuses on current issues in international human rights, including the recent struggles for new rights, threats from security regimes, corporate power, and growing international inequalities.
*** Prerequisites: INTL 100 and completion of 30 credit hours, or with the permission of International Studies Program Coordinator. ***
* Note: Students cannot receive credits for both IS 390AB and HJ 380AJ. *
IS 390AE - Global and Local Environmental Struggles
This course examines key current global environmental issues and debates such as struggles over the production and disposal of toxic waste; the promises and limitations of the green economy; climate justice; global land grabbing; sustainable use of forests, water and land resources; global environmental agreements; and efforts to reclaim the global commons.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 (or INTL 100) and 30 credit hours***
IS 390AF - Global and Local Mining
This course examines the environmental, political, and social justice aspects of minig and resource extraction in various countries. How does extraction shape local communities and environments? How have indigenous claims and resistance influenced corporate and government strategies and vice versa? Is resource wealth a blessing or a curse?
*** Pre-requisites: IS 100 or Geog 100 or Geog 120 and 30 credit hours ***
IS 390AG - Pacific Perspectives: The History of Canada's Relations with Asia
This course explores the history of Canada's relations with the Asia Pacific region, from early ties involving missionaries, immigration and trade to more recent concerns regarding human rights and development. Prerequisite: IS 100 or completion of 30 credit hours.
IS 390AH - International Human Rights
This course investigates evolution of international human rights and global and regional institutions that protect human rights such as the UN. It examines the international bodies that have judicial powers over human rights crimes and the challenges they face. Those bodies include the International Criminal Court and ad hoc tribunals.
***Prequisite: IS 100 and completion of 30 credit hours or permission of the International Studies Program Co-ordinator***
IS 390AI - International organizations and NGOs: Conflict and cooperation I
The course prepares students for a study tour to New York and Washington DC to investigate the causes and consequences of the growing engagement of international organizations with NGOs. To receive credits, students are required to complete both IS 390AI and IS 390AJ.
**Permission of the Instructor is required to register**
IS 390AJ - International organizations and NGOs: Conflict and Cooperation II
A study tour to New York and Washington DC to investigate the causes and consequences of the growing engagement of international organizations with NGOs. It includes visits to the UN, IMF, World Bank and NGOs. To receive credits, students are required to complete both IS 390AI and IS 390AJ.
**Permission of the Instructor is required to register**
IS 390AK - Global Indigenous Peoples
This course examines the political,social and cultural backgrounds of Indigenous peoples around the globe, indigenous histories, treaty-making, diplomacy, as well as decolonization movements and contemporary challenges will be central. Students will examine efforts to create linkages between Indigenous peoples globally to secure self-determination and articulate Indigenous rights.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 (formerly INTL 100) or 30 credit hours***
IS 390AL - Indigenous Human Rights
Current developments at the international level with respect to rights of Indigenous peoples, particularly at the level of the United Nations is the focus. It reviews the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous peoples (UNDRIP) with special attention to issues of violence against women, child removal and environmental degradation.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 (formerly INTL 100) or 30 credit hours***
IS 390AM - History of the Mexico-US Border
How has the US-Mexico border region changed over time? What role has violence played? This course explores these questions in the context of the US-Mexico relationship. Topics covered include nation and identity formation, the Mexican-American War, the Mexican Revolution, transnational wealth disparity, migration, NAFTA, and the Trump Presidency.
*** Prerequisite: IS 100 or 30 credit hours ***
IS 390AN - Pop Culture and International Politics
What can we learn about international politics from popular culture? Popular culture presents the possibilities of politics that are not abstracted from of everyday life and experience. This course draws the popular culture to explore the nature, limits, and possibilities of contemporary international politics ***Prerequisite: IS 100 (formerly INTL 100) or 30 credit hours***
IS 390AO - Democracy and Authoritarianism in Contemporary Latin America
This course discusses the historical construction of Latin American political regimes, such as oligarchy, populism, and dictatorships; likewise processes of transition to democracy. It will approach individual country cases and regional trends, as well as relations between Latin American nations and foreign powers.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 (formerly INTL 100) or 30 credit hours***
IS 390AP - Canadian Foreign Policy and Development Assistance
How does Canada participate in the world through international development? This course explores official development assistance as an element of Canadian foreign policy. Particular attention is paid to long-term policy shifts and to the influence of civil society and the private sector on development policy.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 (formerly INTL 100) or 30 credit hours***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of IS 390AP or PSCI 390BD.*
IS 390CH - Jilin Study Abroad
This study abroad course takes place at Jilin University, Changchun, China in the School of International and Public Affairs. Students take special courses by Jilin faculty in English on Public Diplomacy and on Chinese Diplomacy, plus a course on Chinese Culture and Language over four weeks. There are also field trips to Beijing and Changchun. This course is intended for a group of approximately 10-15 UofR students to travel together to China.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 or completion of 30 credit hours.***
**Corequisite: IS 390CI.**
*Note: This course is offered on a Pass/Fail basis.*
IS 390CI - Jilin Study Abroad
This study abroad course takes place at Jilin University, Changchun, China in the School of International and Public Affairs. Students take special courses by Jilin faculty in English on Public Diplomacy and on Chinese Diplomacy, plus a course on Chinese Culture and Language over four weeks. There are also field trips to Beijing and Changchun. This course is intended for a group of approximately 10-15 UofR students to travel together to China.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 or completion of 30 credit hours.***
**Corequisite: IS 390CH.**
*Note: This course is offered on a Pass/Fail basis.*
IS 390DC - United States Presidential Inauguration
This course, to take place in Washington, D.C. under the auspices of the Washington Center, involves readings, discussions, written assignments, lectures and seminars pertaining to the inauguration of the President of the United States, on January 21, 2012. Students will witness the inauguration and participate in the events surrounding it.
***Pre-requisite: One IS course or completion of 30 credit hours.***
IS 390GT - Mega-Development & Alternatives
In 9 days travelling across Guatemala, we will witness two visions of 'development'--mega-development by extractive industries, and alternative development by Maya and Xinca Indigenous community groups. Site visits include a Canadian mine site, an agro-fuel plantation, communities in resistance to these, and a social movement organization practicing alternative agriculture.
***Prerequisite: IS 100 or minimum 30 credit hours and permission of the instructors***
*Additional Fee: $2000.*
IS 391 - Internships in International Studies
Internships that will contribute to students' learning and experience in the area of International Studies.
*** Prerequisite: Permission of the Coordinator of the International Studies Program ***
IS 400 - Capstone International Studies Seminar
This interdisciplinary seminar will examine key selected international contemporary issues that integrate area studies or international relations concentrations, from the perspective of globalization and its link to human development. The seminar will put emphasis on the development and presentation of an integrative paper by each participant with critiques from each other being a key component.
***Prerequisite: One of IS 300 (formerly INTL 300), 301, 302 or 303 and 60 credit hours, or permission of the department head***
*Note: Formerly numbered INTL 400. Students may receive credit for one of INTL 400 or IS 400*
IS 410 - Advanced Topics in Asian Studies
This seminar course examines political, historical, economic and cultural developments throughout Asia from a transnational and interdisciplinary perspective. Students will discuss and carry out research integrating insights from Asian studies, as well as considering Asian interactions with the rest of the world. ***Prerequisite: IS 210 (formerly ASIA 200) and 60 credit hours, or permission of the department head***
*Note: Formerly numbered ASIA 400. Students may receive credit for only one of ASIA 400 or IS 410*
IS 420 - Advanced Topics in International Development
This seminar course examines critical perspectives of international development. Topics include, among others, strategies to alleviate poverty, population growth and scarcity, urbanization, land rights, microfinance, displacement and development refugees, environmental sustainability, and the role of civil society in development.
***Prerequisite: IS 220 and 60 credit hours, or permission of the department head***
*Note: Formerly numbered DEVS 400. Students may receive credit for one of DEVS 400 or IS 420*
IS 430 - Advanced Topics in European Studies
This seminar course consolidates an understanding of the essential characteristics of contemporary and emergent cultural, economic and political life in Europe. In particular, the character and impact of European integration on historically differentiated member states will be considered. The significance of European contributions to the world community will also be examined.
***Prerequisite: IS 230 (formerly ES 200) and 60 credit hours, or permission of the department head.***
*Note: Formerly numbered ES 400. Students may receive credit for one of ES 400 or IS 430*
IS 440 - Advanced Topics In International Affairs
This seminar course studies major contemporary issues in international affairs within the framework of main relevant theories. The objective is to develop a good understanding of how the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of international issues are interrelated.
***Prerequisite: IS 240 and 60 credit hours, or permission of the department head***
*Note: Formerly numbered INAF 400. Students may receive credit for one of INAF 400 or IS 440*
IS 490AD - Foundations of Human Rights
Examines the historical, political, and legal development of human rights and how gender, class, and various aspects of personal and collective identity affect our understanding and realization of human rights. Emphasizes the interrelationships of civil and political rights with social and economic rights. Includes supplemental readings and adapted assignments for 400-level workload.
IS 490AE - Topics: Africa Through Film
This course explores issues of political, economic and social development through the medium of film, focusing on Africa. The themes covered in film screenings and class discussions will include colonialism and imperialism; poverty, inequality and marginalization; urbanization and alienation; and racial and gender inequalities. ***Prerequisites: One of IS 200, IS 220, IS 300, or IS 303 and completion of 60 credit hours, or permission of the International Studies Program Co-ordinator.***
IS 490AF - Advanced Readings in Latin American Politics and Society
This course explores important themes in contemporary Latin American politics and society. The assigned texts explore tensions between governments, civil society, and global capitalism; the continued role of imperialism in the region; organized state and non-state violence; and current forms of social movement and community organizing.
IS 490AG - Rebel groups and Machine-Learning: research of conflict videos related to civil war
The premise of this course is that studying the forces shaping armed group structures and evolution are critical to identifying patterns of organized armed violence, whether related to intra-state conflict or urban violence. It approaches armed groups as adaptive, self-sustaining multinational entities that survive despite formidable political and military pressure.
IS 490AH - Insurgencies the 21st Century: Social Media, Alliances, and Complexity
This course provides students with an overview of the theoretical and policy debates regarding armed conflict in the 21st Century, with a focus on non-international conflicts. Examples of the kinds of topics we will discuss include explanations for the causes of insurgency and success in counterinsurgency.
IS 498 - Honours Paper in International Studies l
Students work towards an Honours Paper in their area of concentration under the supervision of a faculty member. Students must submit a proposal at the end of the semester.
*** Permission of the Coordinator of the International Studies Program is required to register. ***
IS 499 - Honours Paper in International Studies ll
Students write an Honours Paper under the supervision of a faculty member. Students must submit an extensive research paper based on their proposal in IS 498.
*** Prerequisite: IS 498 with a minimum grade of 75% ***