Introduction to Political Science

This is an introductory first-year course designed to introduce political science as a field of study. We will examine some of the central ideas in the systematic analysis of politics. These include ethical and empirical concepts such as power, ideology, economics, culture, socialization, parties, interest groups, and bureaucracy. We will work to understand and analyze political realities in the local, domestic, and international arenas.

Introduction to Economics

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of economics. The first half of the course deals with microeconomic issues including the behavior of individuals and firms, their interaction in markets, and the role of government. The second half of the course is devoted to macroeconomics and examines the determinants of aggregate economic variables such as national income, inflation, the balance of payments, and the relationships between them. Behavior of firms and consumers, functions of the price system, competition and monopoly, labor markets, poverty, government regulation, international trade, and the environment.

Introduction to Business Administration

This course is intended to ground students in a variety of theoretical perspectives on business administration. This course addresses such issues as marketing, accounting, finance, management information systems, leadership, business communication, and human resource management.

Research Methods

The purpose of this course is two-fold. First, it will introduce students to the basics of how to conduct social science research. The first part of the course will cover research design, questionnaire construction, and overall methods involved in gathering quantitative data. The second part of the course will focus on data input, data analysis (using SPSS) and research report. Lectures will be given on Mondays; Wednesdays are set aside for computer lab time for students to become familiar with the statistical package. We will spend much time reading and discussing published papers in the social sciences, to get acquainted with how to conceptualize, quantify and empirically test causal hypotheses related to various social phenomena (e.g., race- and gender-based economic inequality, voting behavior, public opinion on political events). Students are required to design an original research of their own interest and conduct research as the course requirement. Familiarity with statistical analysis will be helpful but is not required

International Relations

Ever since the Soviet Union collapsed and the Cold War ended, people have speculated that international relations are undergoing fundamental change. But exactly how are things changing? What will these changes, if they are in fact occurring, mean for international peace, prosperity, and justice? This course seeks to answer both of these questions. We will begin by assessing the fundamental dynamics of international relations as it has been practiced for the past several hundred years. You will learn about core concepts such as realism, liberalism, anarchy, balance of power, and the security dilemma. We will then examine five very different arguments about where international relations is headed as we enter the twenty-first century: (1) that the future will be much like the past; (2) that law and compromise are triumphing over force and conflict; (3) that the traditional geographic schisms in world politics are giving way to conflicts based on culture, ethnicity, and religion; (4) that the globalization of economic relations is undermining the power of states; and (5) that resource scarcity, overpopulation, and environmental degradation are the new threats to peace and prosperity.

International Law

This course deals with the nature and sources of international law and major developments in the international legal system. It considers such topics as the law governing treaties and other international agreements; the recognition of states and governments; jurisdiction, including foreign sovereign immunity and the act of state doctrine; methods for international dispute resolution; the role of international law in the legal system and the allocation of foreign affairs powers between the President and the Congress; the United Nations and other international and regional entities; and the use of force. The course also includes–to varying degrees depending on the individual professor–an introduction to international economic law and institutions, as well as additional issues of public international law, such as human rights, the environment, and law of the sea.

International Economics

This course provides the tools for analysis of trade and investment relations between nations. Among the questions considered are why and what nations trade and invest internationally. International monetary theory is also studied. A central concern is the way in which world financial markets contribute to growth and development. Some of the issues addressed include exchange rate and financial crises like those in Asia and Latin America in the 1990s. Is globalization really a new phenomenon? Is it irreversible? What are effects on wages and inequality, on social safety nets, on production and innovation? How does it effect relations between developed countries and developing countries? How does globalization affect democracy? These are some of the issues that will be examined.

International Business

The main purpose of the course is to introduce students to the field of international business. Although the distinction between international business and international economics is far from clear, international business here means theoretical or empirical studies aimed at analyzing behavior or management problems at the firm level, rather than macro-related aspects. Students are provided with an opportunity to examine the changing nature of industry and international economic intercourse and to assess how these changes affect the nature of the managerial challenges faced by those companies conducting business across national boundaries. Topics include global corporate strategy, organizational and human resource issues inside the multinational firm, international marketing and technology transfer, foreign investment, and market entry strategies.

East Asian History & Culture

The role of Confucianism and other forms of Chinese thought and the role of Chinese characters is particularly important for all four civilizations included in “East Asia.” In this course we will try to understand the cultural framework and main historical trends from early times and then focus in more detail on the period since the early 17th century when contact between the East and the West became a salient factor in East Asian developments. We will consider the varied reactions of the East Asian countries to Western imperialism, Japan`s attempt to join the ranks of imperialist states including its colonization of Korea, and the disaster of World War II. Because of its strong political and cultural influence on the other three, China will receive the most attention in this course.

Comparative Politics

The course seeks to provide students with a broad overview of comparative politics. Among other issues, we will during the course analyze democratic political institutions, democratization, political culture, and international political economy. Through this course students will get an understanding of the comparative method and will use it to analyze politics in a diverse set of countries from the developing world to the advanced industrialized democracies.

Leadership Workshop

The course focuses on understanding and creating models of effective leadership development by studying leadership theories and developing leadership skills. It will explore the ways in which organizations attempt to develop leaders, and how individuals become the agency of their own development. The course will draw on, and be relevant to, sociology, psychology, political science, business, and public policy.

Individual Study: Internships

All students are required to fulfill 6 credits in an internship. Internships may be performed in the summer between the first and second years. Although the summer break is an ideal period to do an internship, students may also wish to consider the possibility to combining internships with classes during school semesters. Internships provide an opportunity not only to test your value in the job market, but also are an excellent way to explore and better define areas of professional interest.