Trinity University

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (Professors Richard V. Butler, Peter O'Brien, and Mary Ann Tétreault*)

The International Affairs concentration gives the student a global (rather than a regional) perspective on significant economic, political, historical and cultural processes. The courses in the International Affairs concentration stress an interest in markets, states, people (or individuals), and ethnic groups. Students are expected to gain a multidisciplinary appreciation of international affairs based on the social sciences and the humanities, especially economics, political science, history, religion, and anthropology. The concentration also stresses the dynamics of integration (trade, finance, law, identity) and of conflict (nationalism, wars, ethnic conflict). The concentration further assumes these dynamics transcend borders and regions.

To complete the major, students must satisfy:

Required courses: HIST 3369: U.S. Diplomatic History, or PLSI 1331: Comparing Countries, or SOCI 1316: Places and Regions in Global Context. INTL 3100: International Studies Colloquium enrollment required during all semesters in the major. Completion of at least 33 semester hours.

Advanced language study: at least six upper division hours. This requirement may be modified in special circumstances upon recommendation of the advisor.

Study abroad: recommended, with the advice of the Study Abroad Advisor.

Senior portfolio: INTL 4104 must be completed in the senior year. The portfolio reflects upon work completed toward the major and explains its relevance to professional and scholarly goals.

A student with a concentration in International Affairs must take 15-18 hours from the lists below. In place of certain courses on the specialization lists below, students may substitute other courses taken while abroad or special course offerings for comparable courses in the areas on the concentration list, subject to the approval of the concentration coordinator and the International Programs director.

Introductory List (9 semester hours)

1)ECON 1311 (Principles of Microeconomics)
An introduction to the economic organization of society, with emphasis on how markets, prices, profits and losses guide and direct economic activity. Throughout the course, economic analysis is applied to a wide range of contemporary problems and issues.

2)ECON 1312 (Principles of Macroeconomics)
The theory and measurement of changes in the levels of prices, employment, national income, and other aggregates. Topics addressed include money and the banking system, international economics, unemployment and inflation, and government stabilization policy. Prerequisite: ECON 1311.

OR

ECON 3330 (Economics and the Environment) 
The economic problem of coping with a finite environment. Study of the interrelationships among economic growth, environmental quality, urban concentration, and resource constraints. Economic analysis of pollution control and other environmental policy problems. (Also listed as URBS 3330.) Prerequisite: ECON 1311.

3)PLSI 1341 (Individual in World Politics) 
An introduction to world politics. How the distribution of power and resources is used by governing elites, technical experts, business and financial agents, social activists, and citizens to shape and operate the several intersecting physical and social systems that constitute the modern world.

OR

PLSI 3346 (Geography and World Politics) 
An interdisciplinary examination of the geographical basis of world politics, stressing the territorial state, contemporary challenges to the state, and "geographic literacy." Prerequisite: PLSI 1341 or consent of instructor.

Specialization List (9 semester hours)
 

One course in Economics
 

ECON 3318 The Global Economy 
An introductory survey of international economics aimed at students interested in political science, diplomacy, world affairs, history, or business. An examination of economic relationships among countries with an emphasis on the globalization process and the debate it has produced. Economic analysis is used to study the impact of imposing (or removing) barriers to trade and the problems of the balance of payments and the exchange rate. Special emphasis is given to the changing policy options available to governments, multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations in the rapidly evolving global economy. Prerequisite: ECON 1311. Cannot be taken for credit by students who have taken ECON 3347 or 3348 or 3361.

ECON 3340 Economic Growth and Development 
An inquiry into the desirability, the methods of measurement, alternative strategies for, and the impact of individuals and groups within society on economic development. A survey of theories of economic development. Case studies in comparative perspective. Prerequisites: ECON 1311 and 1312.

ECON 3347 International Trade 
A study of the economic theory of international trade and the development of the practices of commercial policy. Emphasis is on the economic analysis of a variety of protectionist policies, the international institutions involved in trade and protectionist issues, the importance of trade for development, issues in international capital flows, and multinational corporations. Practice is provided in reading and understanding published sources of data and analysis. Prerequisites: ECON 1312 and 3325.

ECON 3348 International Monetary Systems 
A study of the principles and practices of foreign exchange, international money markets, the balance of payments, payments adjustment mechanism and the national policies for achieving both domestic and international objectives. Coverage includes the description and history of the relevant national and international institutions. Practice is provided in understanding recent international economic events and current policy issues. (Also listed as FNCE 3348.) Prerequisites: ECON 1311 and 1312.

ECON 3361 International Finance (FNCE 3361) 
This course emphasizes the study of the global exchange rate and associated derivatives markets with particular emphasis on foreign risk hedging; the study of financial equilibrium relations and their effects on the international capital markets, and the potential arbitrage opportunities that result in the absence of equilibrium; and the use of case studies to illustrate the application of theoretical tools on the multinational corporate environment. (Also listed as FNCE 3361.) Prerequisite: FNCE 3301 or consent of instructor.

One course in Political Science

PLSI 3341 Nationalism and Ethnicity in World Politics 
An examination of the politics of nationalism and ethnicity in one or more world regions including countries in the Third World. Prerequisites: Either PLSI 1341 or 1331 or 1332, or consent of the instruction.

PLSI 3342 International Law 
An introductory survey of public international law as practiced by states and international organizations, with an emphasis on jurisdiction, treaties, territory, law of the sea, human rights, economy, wars, and disputes as well as other topics. Prerequisite: PLSI 1341 or consent of instructor.

PLSI 3343 Violent Conflict in International Politics
Explores the nature, genesis, development, conclusion, and impacts of violent conflict through a detailed examination of a single war or a set of similar and/or related conflicts that, individually or together, had a significant impact on world politics. Students may take this course more than once provided the topics vary. Prerequisite: PLSI 1341.

One course from the following

ANTH 2357 Humans and the Environment 
The seminar will analyze humans' relationship with the natural environment. It will first focus on cultural adaptation to natural resources, with case studies drawn from African foragers, South American gardeners, and Asian farmers. The course will also analyze the effects of contemporary development, focusing on the destruction of the rainforest. The class will try to create new models for development from indigenous peoples' use of tropical resources.

ANTH 3332/SPCH 3372 Intercultural Communication 
Examines theory, research, and the application of communication in an intercultural context with an emphasis on verbal and non-verbal language variables; world view; acculturation; diffusion of innovation; and training for foreign assignments. (Also listed as SPCH 3372.)

ANTH 3358 The Anthropology of International Relations 
An examination of the processes of culture contact among the peoples of Europe, Africa, Asia, and the New World, and its effect on the distribution of wealth, power, and status in the modern world system. Topics to be covered include colonialism, nationalism, and cultural revitalization with special emphasis on Africa and Latin America.

COMM 3322/SPCH 3374 International Communication 
Studies communication as an essential component of international organizations and relations. Surveys major topics in international communication and international decision-making, comparative media systems and national philosophies, and Third World issues and policy development. Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or permission of instructor. (Also listed as SPCH 3374.)

HIST 3339 The World War II Era 
Rise of the dictators and the road to war, 1919-1939; World War II in Europe, Africa, and Asia; major Cold War events from 1945 to the death of Stalin.

HIST 3382 The City in History 
Cross-cultural examination of urban life in the pre-industrial, industrial, and contemporary cities of Asia, Europe, and the Americas with special emphasis on the U.S. urban experience. Interdisciplinary perspective drawing upon history, political science, sociology, and urban planning for an understanding of the complexity of urbanization. (Also listed as URBS 3305.)

RELI 1340 Judaism, Islam, and Christianity 
A comparative study of the three interrelated Abrahamic religions. Attention to such topics as founders, scriptures, worship and ritual, mysticism, material culture, identity and gender roles.