International Security and Intelligence Studies Degree - Master of Science

College of Arts and Sciences

Curriculum

Major Requirements (27 credit hours)

(Click a course name below to view course details)

• PS 500 National Security, Transnational Interests

  This course examines the application of national security into the global arena and how complicated transnational threats represent unique dangers to American interests.

• PS 505 Comparative Intelligence Cultures

  Examines in comparative perspective the intelligence communities of various important states around the globe, including both allies and adversaries of the U.S.

• PS 510 Post-Conflict Politics: Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

  This course examines how and what happens when states fail, the challenges and debates surrounding rebuilding conflict-ridden states, the methods available to achieve such objectives, and the criticisms and opponents of peacekeeping. Analyzing what is arguably the chief producer of conflict in the 21st century will be a major element of the course, considering the problems of managing and overcoming internal unrest, economic instability, and political corruption.

• PS 605 Green Security: Eco-conflict and its Challenges

  Examines how ecological and environmental issues are becoming ever more centered as political security issues for the global community and how the future of conflict may be founded upon deficits and scarcities within this area.

• PS 615 Political Islam and Terrorism: Understanding Martyrs and Messiahs

  This course examines the underlying philosophy behind the most prominent terrorist groups at the international level and the controversies and contradictions entailed within said groups. Analyzing the philosophy of jihad and the logic informing the decision to engage in suicide terrorism will be a major element of the course. The future of global Islam and potential trends emerging from the Islamic community will be considered.

• PS 620 Transnational Crime and Corruption: The Dark Side of Globalization

  This course examines the complexity of international political economy, its manipulation, misuse, and role in the elevation, continuation, and worsening of conflict around the globe.

• PS 625 Analyzing Anti-Americanism

  This course examines the various and diverse forms, philosophies, and political arguments made around the globe for going against American policy and interest. It will analyze the different theoretical approaches used to study anti-Americanism and delve into the various international and domestic factors impacting the phenomenon.

• PS 633 Strategic Deterrence: Past, Present, and Future

  This course examines deterrence in a comprehensive fashion, giving not only an historical grounding in the concept but also its evolution and likely transformation into the future as it applies to American interests.

• PS 639 Cyberwar and Cyberdeterrence

  This course presents an examination of the arena of national security that meshes high-technology with traditional concerns of war and peace. Topics include war and deterrence in the cyber realm, attribution, threat assessment, retaliation, and offensive and defensive capabilities. Discussion also includes global politics related to cyber activity, and ethical issues linked to privacy, civil rights, national security and national defense.

Electives: 9 credits
(Students choose 3 courses in the following two sub-categories)

Comparative Politics Specialization: Students are required to choose 1 course from this specialization.

• PS 650 Democracy, Ethnicity, and Development in Africa

  This course examines the complex, intriguing, and frustrating continent of Africa. Independence and democracy have been accompanied by revolts and mass atrocities; global development and aid has coincided with poverty and famine; the rule of law has been offset by human rights abuses and authoritarian outrages. All of these issues will be covered so as to document the present condition and future trajectory of Africa going forward into the 21st century.

• PS 660 Democracy, Political Economy, and Human Rights across Asia

  This course examines Asia from the perspectives of democracy, political economy, and human rights. It will assess how political and economic factors in the region impact not only individual states, but also transnational relations with other regions like North America and the European Union. How the region’s ongoing economic and political transformation influences governance will be examined. How power interplays with other states on issues pertaining to conflict and human rights will be important. Finally, the course will look at all of these issues from a theoretical and philosophical perspective, asking if culture impacts some of the variations.

• PS 690 Democracy, Gender, and Reform Across the Middle East

  This course examines the greater Middle East (from Morocco to Iran), aiming to expose the issues of democratization, gender relations, and economic/political reform. It will analyze various democratization projects ongoing across the region, comparing similarities and divergence along with strengths and weaknesses. The evolving and complicated role of women in this transformation will be important, across economic, political, and cultural lines.

International Relations Specialization: Students are required to choose 2 courses from this specialization.

• PS 515 Comparative Foreign Policy

  This course defines, analyzes, and compares foreign policies in global perspective. It will examine internal and external factors that influence and complicate the formation of foreign policy as well as consider the various norms and theories that exist about foreign policy construction within the global environment. Finally, numerous case studies will be reviewed to examine in detail how there is divergence and variety across states and regions.

• PS 610 Hard and Soft Power: Balancing Hawks and Doves

  This course examines hard and soft power as concepts, theories, and consequential implications in global politics. It will estimate the applications of diplomatic and military strength and the proper context and applicability of each in given complex foreign dilemmas.

• PS 636 Deterring the Enemy: Case Studies in Strategic Deterrence

  Examines the successes and failures within deterrence by exposing students to case studies and drawing conclusions as to the future for global stability and workable peace.