Course Description


Pre-requisite Course

Explore basic concepts, theories and approaches that define political science at present. The contents include major debates over paradigms and values, as well as consideration of methodologies for doing research in the field of political science as one of the social science

Explore basic concepts, assumptions, theories, and approaches to International Relations (IR) as well as the political changes in international relations from the ascendency of states as major actors in international arena in 1648 up to the present in the 21st century


Required Course

Study research principles, design and methods, both qualitative and quantitative methods, applied in international relations. Three main objectives are accentuated: first, to enhance the ability to conduct research in IR; second, to explore different research methods and techniques and evaluate strengths and limitations of such methods; and third, to promote careful consideration of various ethical implications in conduction research.  

Focus on fundamental knowledge of contemporary international relations by examining various approaches such as realism, neo-realism, liberalism, neo-liberalism, constructivism as well as alternative approaches. The impact of globalization and global challenges on international processes, conflicts, cooperation, and decision making and on international institutions will also be examined. The analysis will include the concepts of actors, state and non-state, international norms, and behavior.

Introduce the study of global governance. The course explores the roles of international institutions and understands how they are engaged in global governance. The course analyses global governance through a number of key formal international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank Group, the World Trade Organization, the International Court of Justice, and International Criminal Court. It also explores a different contemporary issues and challenges of global governance, ranging from the environment, trade, and security.

Explore the current international political economy shaped by the interactions related to market forces, information-communication technology and the various nation-states (with limited sovereignty) and their corresponding impacts on states as well as “non-state” actors (TNC, International Organizations, NGOs, etc.). New rules and agendas for multilateral and international organizations pertaining to public participation, accountability and transparency will be examined as emerging issues – such as transnational crime, the environment, global epidemic and all types of security-related issues, traditional and otherwise, - are posing immediate challenges to existing institutions and norms.


Elective Course

This course studies theories related to power and the hierarchy of state. In addition, it explores the relationship between the major powers in political, economic, and cultural perspectives since the Cold War. Particularly, it examines foreign policy of the United States, the Soviet Union, and China towards one another and the impacts on other countries. This course also studies the increasing roles of the middle powers in global politics, especially its collaboration and contradiction with the major powers. 

Offer a theoretical foundation of foreign policy analysis. The emphasis of the course is to apply various approaches to the study and practice of foreign policy. It presents the process-oriented analysis where the decision-making process will be highlighted to understand how foreign policy is made and how different actors shape and influence the foreign policy making process.

Study principal concepts and the science of negotiation. Following a framework for international negotiation analysis, students will be looking at various case studies of important international negotiations such as those between the United States and the Soviet Union and between Egypt and Israel with the United States as a mediator. The seminar is participatory and interactive in which students will be trained to employ their knowledge and personal experience in role-play simulations.

Study the management of international issues such as international security, conflicts, economic, and other transnational issues. It also studies concepts, theories, structures, and processes of international public policies, which include policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. Diplomacy and international negotiation will also be examined.

Examine politics and international relations of the European Union (EU) and Russia. By employing theoretical framework in IR, the course explores the origin, evolution, and functioning of EU institutions. The EU and Russia as major actors in global politics and their external relations will also be examined.

Analyze institutions, policies, and processes of ASEAN in both its internal and its external cooperation. The course also examines changes in ASEAN from political, economic, and socio-cultural viewpoints. This course evaluates the success and failure of ASEAN in addressing regional and international issues. Particular emphasis will be given to how ASEAN responds to extra-regional powers and changing global contexts.

Explore various security concepts such as collective security, collective defense, comprehensive security, and cooperative security. The course will also analyze traditional and non-traditional security issues as well as strategic changes at the global and regional levels, with the focus on Asia. Security arrangements, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and security community, will be discusses as well.

Critically approach the nexus between the discourses of human rights and international ethics from both statist and non-statist perspectives. The former concentrates on the emergence and significance of international human rights norms in relations to state sovereignty and state obligations. The latter focuses on issues that, by and large, require a shift of emphasis from the state to global forces, the peoples, or the “natural’ world. These issues include, but not limited to, globalization, gender, the environment, indigenous peoples, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, migrant workers, and discourse on human security.

Discuss the multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary nature of development. First, it introduces students to the conceptual and analytical tools crucial to development studies. It then investigates the contemporary political debates in relation to various development themes, which include the question of economic and political liberalization, environmental degradation, poverty reduction, ethnic conflict, and the role of international aid and non-government organizations (NGOs), all these themes will be examined in the light of the international politics of development.

Study conflict and cooperation among states and non-state actors in Asia, which now has come to included East and Southeast Asia. Covering Political Security, as well as socio-economic issues, particular emphasis will be given to the complex interactions among states amid the influences from external powers.

Study and trace the evolving relationship between new media and politics, including the changes in the media landscape, the evolution of convergence, the diffusion of social media and their implications for political environments. Topics also cover media and social movements, new media and political conflicts, the role of the media in campaigns and elections, as well as, its impact on political attitude and behaviors. The course aims to help students to understand the complexity and the variability of information society that effects the political environment, domestically and internationally.

The course studies the origins, development and crisis of global capitalism. It explores theories and approaches that make sense of global capitalist systems, such as mercantilism, liberalism, and Marxism. By examining the globalization and neoliberalization of the world, the course also provides a variety of case studies that illustrate how global capitalism transforms different state formations and economic transition as well as their implications. It also analyze key challenges to the contemporary global capitalism, such as state-led capitalism, global supply chain and pandemic crisis.   

The course studies theoretical debates and contemporary issues of geopolitics as well as traditional and critical security studies such as Copenhagen, Aberystwyth and Paris Schools. It also explores how geopolitics influence global order and regional security architecture.

In an age of Anthropocene, the planet is facing a climate change, which has posed a complex challenge to human lives, political and ecological systems and international relations. The course aims at understanding this complexity and existential global challenge. It examines why and how states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, social movements and other non-state actors have confronted and cooperated to save the planet. The course then explores the efforts to create an international climate regime, such as International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the 2015 Paris Agreement. It ends by addressing the extent to which international relations theory can account for climate change and international climate cooperation.  

In an age of Anthropocene, the planet is facing a climate change, which has posed a complex challenge to human lives, political and ecological systems and international relations. The course aims at understanding this complexity and existential global challenge. It examines why and how states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, social movements and other non-state actors have confronted and cooperated to save the planet. The course then explores the efforts to create an international climate regime, such as International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the 2015 Paris Agreement. It ends by addressing the extent to which international relations theory can account for climate change and international climate cooperation.  

Explore historical background and contemporary complexity of the Muslim World. The course also deals with the geographical setting and the ideological orientation, socio-political structures, and socio-economic problems including its past subjugation and current rejuvenation. Changes in Muslim World since 9/11 will also be examined.

Focus on the approaches, theories, and principles of environment-disaster policy and management in a context and content of international community which lead to a sustainable development. The study also includes the dynamic change of the global and international collaboration in dealing with the problems of environment and natural disaster. Students will study mechanisms, methods and best practices in solving and managing the crises from contemporary case studies.

“International Studies” combines social sciences and humanities to explore both international and transnational phenomena. It aims to discern the interconnectedness of political, social, economic, cultural, and environmental dimensions within the local/global nexus. Contextualized within contemporary landscapes, the following five board topics guide this course: (1) peace and security; (2) transnational and global economic processes; (3) international demography and transnational migration; (4) culture in the age of globalization; (5) international relations and the management of global environment.

Analyze a particular topic of international relations in depth, which can be theories, world phenomena, or area-specifics issues.


Research Course

Offer a directed study to a student or a group of students by one or more faculty members. Student will conduct their independent research and explore a special topic in international relations and studies.

Offer a directed study to a student or a group of students by one or more faculty members. Student will conduct their independent research and explore a special topic in international relations and studies.

The thesis is the in-depth research on an important issue in international relations/studies under the supervision of a thesis committee, comprising of one principal advisor 

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