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Department of Political Science: International Studies Program

The International Studies Program (Bachelor of Arts degree) is a multidisciplinary program located in the Department of Political Science at the University of Central Arkansas that is intended for students who are interested in studying global topics and problems primarily from a social science perspective.  Students are exposed to a variety of courses in the fields of international relations and comparative politics within the discipline of political science, as well as a variety of courses within the disciplines of economics, finance, geography, history, philosophy, and world languages.  There is also a foreign language component to the program.  Students are required to be proficient in at least one second language.  Students may choose to pursue either a major or a minor in International Studies (see below for degree requirements).

Students who choose to major or minor in International Studies are required to select one of three different concentrations: (1) International Politics & Diplomacy; (2) International Political Economy & Development; and (3) Regional Studies.  The concentration in International Politics & Diplomacy emphasizes the political relations and interactions between and among countries in the international system, as well as the behaviors of sub-national groups that operate within countries and transnational groups that operate across the borders of countries.  The concentration in International Political Economy & Development emphasizes the economic relations and interactions between and among countries in the international system, including the role of global institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization.  Finally, the concentration in Regional Studies emphasizes the development and transformation of political, economic, and cultural systems within specific regions of the world, including Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America.

The International Studies Program will prepare students to enter into one of many increasingly important and competitive careers in the 21st century, including business, diplomacy, intelligence, and economic development.  Students may choose to pursue employment with the United States government, including the State Department, Defense Department, Commerce Department, National Security Agency, and Central Intelligence Agency.  Students may also choose to work for an inter-governmental organization (IGO), such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and Organization of American States.  In addition, students may choose to seek a job in the private sector for a multinational corporation (MNC) or a non-governmental organization (NGO).  The International Studies Program will also prepare students to enter graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including business, economics, geography, history, and political science.  For students interested in foreign languages and study abroad, there are a number of government- and private-funded scholarships and fellowships for foreign language and study abroad programs.

 

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Degree Requirements

 

Concentrations

International Politics & Diplomacy: PSCI 3305, PSCI 3315, PSCI 3382, PSCI 4320, PSCI 4340*, PSCI 4388 (or PSCI 4334), PSCI 4395, PSCI 4390, PSCI 4399; HIST 4377; GEOG 3300; GEOG 3381.

International Political Economy & Development: PSCI 3382, PSCI 4305, PSCI 4310, PSCI 4328, PSCI 4340, PSCI 4390, PSCI 4399; ECON 4320, ECON 4335, ECON 4375, FINA 4333; GEOG 3305, GEOG 3385. 

Regional Studies** (Africa-AF, Asia-AS, Europe-EU, Latin America-LA, and Middle East-ME): PSCI 3340, PSCI 4325, PSCI 4340, PSCI 4345, PSCI 4348, PSCI 4390, PSCI 4399; HIST 3303, HIST 3304, HIST 3312, HIST 3315, HIST 4305, HIST 4309, HIST 4328, HIST 4347, HIST 4353, HIST 4370, HIST 4376, HIST 4380, HIST 4381, HIST 4382, HIST 4383, HIST 4387, HIST 4388, HIST 4394; PHIL 3352; GEOG 3300, GEOG 3315, GEOG 3335, GEOG 3345, GEOG 3346; SPAN 3312, SPAN 3313, SPAN 3398, SPAN 4396; GERM 3312; FREN 3312.   

* Students may use PSCI 4340, Seminar in Selected Topics, as an elective course in each of the three concentrations, depending

   on the specific topic of the seminar.

** Students are encouraged, but not required, to develop a specific regional specialization.

 

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Courses

Political Science (PSCI)

PSCI 1330 - United States Government & Politics (Fall, Spring, and Summer)

PSCI 2300 - Introduction to International Relations (Fall, Spring, and Summer)

PSCI 2312 - Statistical Methods for Political Analysis (Fall and Spring)

PSCI 2320 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (Fall and Spring)

PSCI 3305 - United Nations & International Politics (Fall)

PSCI 3315 - International Law & Organizations (Spring, even years)

PSCI 3340 - Governments & Politics of Europe/Former Soviet Union (EU) (Spring, odd years)

PSCI 3382 - Politics of Developing Nations (Fall, odd years)

PSCI 4305 - The Political Economy of Development (Spring, odd years)

PSCI 4310 - International Political Economy & Globalization (Spring, even years)

PSCI 4320 - Revolution & Political Violence (Fall, even years)

PSCI 4325 - Mexican Politics & U.S.-Mexican Relations (LA) (Spring, even years)

PSCI 4328 - Dynamics of Democratization (Fall, even years)

PSCI 4334 - The American Presidency (Fall, on demand)

PSCI 4340 - Seminar in Selected Topics (Fall and Spring, on demand)

PSCI 4345 - Governments & Politics of Africa (AF) (Spring, odd years)

PSCI 4348 - Governments & Politics of the Middle East (ME) (Fall, odd years)

PSCI 4388 - American Foreign Policy (Spring, even years)

PSCI 4390 - Internship in Political Science (AF, AS, EU, LA, ME) (Fall, Spring, and Summer)

PSCI 4395 - International Conflict & Conflict Management (Spring, odd years)

PSCI 4199, 4299, 4399, & 4499 - Studies in Political Science (AF, AS, EU, LA, ME) (Fall, Spring, and Summer)

Note:  See descriptions of PSCI courses below.

History (HIST)

HIST 3303 - Asian Civilization I (AS)

HIST 3304 - Asian Civilization II (AS)

HIST 3312 - Comparative Modern Third World History (AF, AS, LA, ME)

HIST 3315 - From Columbus to Castro: Introduction to Latin American History (LA)

HIST 4305 - Latin America Through History, Film, and Literature (LA)

HIST 4309 - Women in European History (EU)

HIST 4328 - Modern Latin America (LA)

HIST 4347 - Cultural and Intellectual History of Modern Europe (EU)

HIST 4353 - Inter-American Relations (LA)

HIST 4370 - Europe, 1815-1914 (EU)

HIST 4376 - Europe, 1914-1939 (EU)

HIST 4377 - The Contemporary World (AF, AS, EU, LA, ME)
HIST 4380 - Czarist Russia (EU)

HIST 4381 - Modern China (AS)

HIST 4382 - Russia Since 1917 (EU)

HIST 4383 - Modern Japan (AS)

HIST 4387 - The Islamic Middle East (ME)

HIST 4388 - African History (AF)

HIST 4394 - Germany Since 1918 (EU)

Geography (GEOG)

GEOG 3305 - Economic Geography

GEOG 3315 - Geography of Latin America (LA)

GEOG 3335 - Geography of Europe & Russia (EU)

GEOG 3345 - Geography of China & East Asia (AS)

GEOG 3346 - Geography of South Asia (AS)

GEOG 3381 - Political Geography

GEOG 3385 - Global Food Resources

Economics (ECON)

ECON 4320 - Comparative Economic Systems  (Prerequisites: ECON 2320 and ECON 2321)

ECON 4335 - International Trade  (Prerequisites: ECON 2320 and ECON 2321)

ECON 4375 - Economics of Developing Nations  (Prerequisites: ECON 2320 and ECON 2321)

Finance (FINA)

FINA 4333 - International Finance  (Prerequisites: ECON 2320 and ECON 2321)

Philosophy (PHIL)

PHIL 3352 - Asian Philosophy & Religion (AS)

French (FREN)

FREN 3312 - French Civilization (EU)  (Prerequisite: FREN 2320 or consent of chair)

German (GERM)

GERM 3312 - German Civilization (EU)  (Prerequisite: GERM 2310 or consent of chair)

Spanish (SPAN)

SPAN 3312 - Spanish Civilization (EU)  (Prerequisite: SPAN 3300 or SPAN 3303)

SPAN 3313 - Latin American Civilization (LA) (Prerequisite: SPAN 3300 or SPAN 3303)

SPAN 3398 - Travel Seminar in Mexico (LA)  (Prerequisite: SPAN 2320 or consent of chair)

SPAN 4396 - Studies in Hispanic Civilization - Latin America (LA)

 

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Political Science Courses

PSCI 1330 - UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT & POLITICS:  Introduction to the principles and problems of American government, governing institutions, and political processes.  This course is a part of the General Education program as either an American History & Government or a Behavioral & Social Sciences elective, is a core requirement for the Public Administration major, is a prerequisite for the Presidential Studies minor, is a prerequisite for all upper-division Political Science courses, and is a core requirement for the International Studies major.  (Fall, Spring, and Summer)

PSCI 2300 - INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:  A study of the interactions and behaviors of state and non-state actors in the international system, with particular emphasis on the concepts and theories related to the subfields of international security, international political economy, and globalization.  This course is part of the General Education program as a Behavioral & Social Sciences elective, is recommended for all upper-division international relations courses, is a prerequisite for the Presidential Studies minor, is a core requirement for the Political Science major/minor, and is a core requirement for the International Studies major/minor.  (Fall, Spring, and Summer)

PSCI 2312 - STATISTICAL METHODS FOR POLITICAL ANALYSIS:  An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, and displaying of data in various formats. This course is a core requirement for the Political Science major, an elective for the Political Science minor, and is a core requirement for the International Studies major/minor.  (Fall)

PSCI 2320 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS:  A study of the concepts and methods of comparative politics, with a special emphasis on comparing how the types and forms of political systems develop and adapt to changing circumstances.  This course is a core requirement for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  (Fall and Spring)

PSCI 3305 - UNITED NATIONS & INTERNATIONAL POLITICS:  A study of the history, establishment, charter, structure, and decision-making processes of the United Nations.  Students will critically analyze the role of the UN in the international system during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods, specifically in the areas of international peace & security; disarmament & arms control; human rights; humanitarian assistance & refugees; and economic & social development.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2300.  (Fall)

PSCI 3315 - INTERNATIONAL LAW & ORGANIZATIONS:  A study of the origins and roles of international law and international organizations in the international system beginning in the 19th century.  Special emphasis is placed on the extent to which aspects of international law and international organizations influence or constrain the behaviors and interactions of states and non-state actors in the international system.  As a result of this course, students will be able to critically analyze the effectiveness of specific aspects of international law and international organizations in the international system since the end of the Second World War.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2300.  (Spring, even years)

PSCI 3340 - GOVERNMENTS & POLITICS OF EUROPE/FORMER SOVIET UNION:  A comparative study of the governments and political systems of selected countries in Western and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union since the end of the Cold War.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2320.  (Spring, odd years)

PSCI 3382 - POLITICS OF DEVELOPING NATIONS:  A study of "Third World" governments and politics with analysis of current trends and developments, including the relationship between Western countries and those of the "Third World."  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended:  PSCI 2300 or PSCI 2320.  (Fall, odd years)

PSCI 4305 - THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF DEVELOPMENT:  A study of the causes and consequences of political and economic development in the "Third World."  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2300 or PSCI 2320.  (Spring, odd years)

PSCI 4310 - INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY & GLOBALIZATION:  A study of the theories of international political economy and globalization.  The dynamics of the global economy and the role of the international financial institutions, such as the WTO, IMF, and the World Bank Group will be examined.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2300 or PSCI 2320.  (Spring, even years)

PSCI 4320 - REVOLUTION & POLITICAL VIOLENCE:  A study of the causes and consequences of mass political violence including revolutions, civil wars, and coups d' etat.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2300 or PSCI 2320. (Fall, even years)

PSCI 4325 - MEXICAN POLITICS & U.S.-MEXICAN RELATIONS:  A study of the government and politics of Mexico and the relationship between Mexico and the United States.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2320.  (Spring, even years)

PSCI 4328 - DYNAMICS OF DEMOCRATIZATION:  A comparative approach to the study of democratization including the origins and causes of democracy, the problems of democratic transition, and the conditions for democratic stability and development. The course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2300 or PSCI 2320.  (Fall, even years)

PSCI 4334 - THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY:  A study of the U.S. Presidency, nomination, election, responsibilities and powers, and principles of contemporary executive-legislative relationships.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor, is a core requirement for the Presidential Studies minor, and is an elective for the Public Administration major.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330. (Fall, on demand)

PSCI 4340 - SEMINAR IN SELECTED TOPICS:  Investigation of a significant issue or field of study in political science.  Depending on the topic, this course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: Junior, Senior, or approved graduate standing with the prerequisites varying according to the topic and degree of specialization required. (Fall and Spring, on demand)

PSCI 4345 - GOVERNMENTS & POLITICS OF AFRICA:  A broad study of African traditional and modern political institutions as well as a specific examination of selected cases.  Lecture and discussion.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2320.  (Spring, odd years)

PSCI 4348 - GOVERNMENTS & POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST:  A comparative approach to the study of governments and politics of the Middle East, including the region's pre-colonial and modern political institutions, political culture, and democratization process.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2320.  (Fall, odd years)

PSCI 4388 - AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY:  A study of the foreign policy of the United States since the end of World War II, with emphasis on the goals and instruments of U.S. foreign policy, as well as the individual, societal, governmental, interstate, and global influences on U.S. foreign policy decisions.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2300.  (Spring, even years)

PSCI 4390 - INTERNSHIP IN POLITICAL SCIENCE:  This course involves full-time or part-time employment for an agency of the federal, state or local government; political party or political campaign; or non-governmental (non-profit) organization in Arkansas or elsewhere.  Students who are interested in a political science internship should contact the Internship Coordinator in the Department of Political Science at least one semester prior to the start of the internship.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  (Fall and Spring, on demand)

* PSCI 4395 -  INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT & CONFLICT MANAGEMENT:  A study of the concepts and theories of crisis, conflict, and war, as well as the techniques and theories of conflict management.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.  Recommended: PSCI 2300.  (Spring, odd years)

* Note: This course will not be offered during Spring 2009.  Instead, PSCI 4340, Seminar on CHINA & INTERNATIONAL POLITICS will be offered.

PSCI 4199, 4299, 4399, & 4499 - STUDIES IN POLITICAL SCIENCE:  Independent studies course in political science designed to meet the individual needs of a student. Credit from one to four hours may be earned in one semester. The work is chosen by the student and his tutor with the approval of the department chair.  This course is an elective for the Political Science major/minor and International Studies major/minor.  Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and department chair. (Fall and Spring, on demand)

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Note:  When you initially declare "International Studies" as your major/minor or change your major/minor to "International Studies," please inform Dr. John Passe-Smith at johnp@uca.edu.  Dr. Passe-Smith will be maintaining a list of students majoring or minoring in International Studies.  Also, If you have any questions or comments regarding the International Studies major/minor, please contact Dr. John Passe-Smith at johnp@uca.edu.