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School of Diplomacy and International Relations
Samantha Power

M.A. and Executive M.S. Specializations

Students work with faculty mentors to select and develop two areas of coursework concentration and take a minimum of three courses for each specialization. A range of functional and regional specializations are available to help students develop a more detailed understanding of critical global issues and processes.

The courses below represent a comprehensive list of all University approved Diplomacy course offerings that can be counted towards graduate specializations. All courses have been taught and are eligible to be taught again. However, some courses are offered more frequently than others. Students interested in courses that are not currently scheduled should contact the Department Chair.

Course descriptions are available here.

Foreign Policy Analysis

The specialization in foreign policy analysis is designed for students interested in how states pursue their national interests in the realm of international affairs. The courses provide students with a strong conceptual foundation for understanding foreign security, economic, and humanitarian policy. They aim to develop expertise in evaluating the relative success of policy in these functional areas. Through carefully selected case studies, students are exposed to the very different types of challenges facing statesmen in key world regions.

In addition to preparing students for careers in government service, students interested in international business, journalism, and human rights work will find this specialization useful in their future careers. The intensive study of cost-benefit analysis and strategic interaction that is at the heart of the foreign policy specialization hones analytical skills that will serve students well in any future endeavor.

For more information contact Dr. Ann Marie Murphy

Foreign Policy Courses
DIPL 6180 Comparative Foreign Policy *
DIPL 6132 American Grand Strategy
DIPL 6181 Statecraft: Designing Foreign Policy
DIPL 6182 U.S. Foreign Policy
DIPL 6198 Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy
DIPL 6403 European Union: External Relations
DIPL 6405 Foreign Policy of Post-Soviet States
DIPL 6501 The Modern Middle East: U.S. Involvement
DIPL 6601 Sino-U.S. Relations
DIPL 6610 China's Rise: Opportunities and Challenges
DIPL 6611 International Relations of Southeast Asia
DIPL 6622 China's Foreign Relations
DIPL 6700 International Relations of the African States
DIPL 6801 U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean
DIPL 6809 Cuba Seminar

* Required foundation course for specialization.

Global Health and Human Security

Health has become a pre-eminent political value for 21st century humanity. With new programs and initiatives constantly arising through varied organizations, the demand for professionals in this field is an omnipresent outcry that will not diminish. The School of Diplomacy is proud to be the first professional school of international affairs in the U.S. to offer an academic concentration that explicitly addresses the international security and foreign policy aspects of health issues. The coursework transcends traditional models of inter-state conflict and seeks to develop new tools of analysis in assessing the nature of global health threats and mapping out effective responses to them. It covers topics of biological weapons, new and re-emerging diseases, demographic and epidemiological transitions, and sustainable development.

Students may be involved in programs of the School's Center for Global Health Studies. Through opportunities such as Internships with the World Health Organization and other institutions, students gain a competitive edge in launching or furthering careers in government service, the public health sector, pharmaceutical and bio-tech industries, international organizations and other nonprofit groups.

For more information contact Dr. Yanzhong Huang.

Global Health and Human Security Courses
DIPL 6277 Global Health, Bioterrorism, and International Security *
DIPL 6004 Peacemaking and Peacekeeping
DIPL 6031 International Environmental Policy
DIPL 6129 Preventing Humanitarian Crises
DIPL 6130 International Security
DIPL 6276 Global Health Governance
DIPL 6278 Global Health Diplomacy
DIPL 6279 Contagion and Conflict: Global Impact of Infectious Disease
DIPL 6280 International Health and Development
DIPL 6506 Energy Policies of the 21st Century
DIPL 6809 Cuba Seminar

* Required foundation course for specialization.

Global Negotiation and Conflict Management

The ability to negotiate and manage conflicts effectively has become an essential skill in international diplomacy, as well as in our organizational and personal settings. The objective of this specialization is to empower students in the roles of negotiator, mediator, facilitator, and problem-solver. Students explore the causes of and approaches to managing and resolving conflict in the international context; the major foreign policy issues surrounding the management of international conflict; the analytical, methodological and practical tools of negotiation and mediation; the theory and practice of cross-cultural communication and problem-solving; and the nature, history, and implications of peace operations.

The coursework moves progressively from the prevention of international conflict, to negotiation and third party intervention, and culminates with post conflict peace-building. Using simulations and negotiation role plays in class, students are provided with a solid academic grounding in the relevant theories, history and cases, as well as practical knowledge and skills. Students seeking careers in the diplomatic service, government, international organizations, as well as NGO and advocacy work benefit from enhancing their negotiation performance and their ability to persuade and build consensus.

For more information contact Dr. Zheng Wang.

Global Negotiation and Conflict Management Courses
DIPL 6104 Art and Science of International Negotiation *
DIPL 6004 Peacemaking and Peacekeeping
DIPL 6115 Cross-Cultural Negotiation and Conflict Management
DIPL 6116 Palestinian-Israeli Peace Process
DIPL 6118 Global Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
DIPL 6120 Catholic Peacemaking
DIPL 6121 Catholic Peacemaking Intensive Study Seminar
DIPL 6134 Nuclear Weapons in International Relations
DIPL 6250 Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Plural Societies
DIPL 6251 Justice, Truth and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Societies
DIPL 6258 Memory and Conflict: Dealing with the Past Constructively
DIPL 6277 Global Health, Bioterrorism, and International Security
DIPL 6278 Global Health Diplomacy
DIPL 6509 EU and Cyprus Study Seminar
DIPL 6610 China's Rise: Opportunities and Challenges
DIPL 6710 African Union Seminar
DIPL 6717 Conflict and Forced Population Displacement in Africa

* Required foundation course for specialization.

International Economics and Development

An understanding of global trade, global finance, and the effects of multinational corporations on international exchange relations is vital in order to understand interstate relations and development issues. International economics and finance is more important than ever to interstate relations, as the forces of globalization continue to increase the complex economic and political webs linking nation-states, transnational actors, and international organizations.

In order to appreciate the importance of international organizations or the economic causes of ethnic conflict, students need to understand the interaction of politics and economics. In addition, regional specializations benefit greatly from a nuanced appreciation for the economic and development issues associated with a given area of the world. Courses in the international economics and finance specialization provide students with the tools required to think critically and reason analytically about such topics as international trade, international finance, third world development, sustainable development and international political economy.

For more information contact Dr. Omer Gokcekus

International Economics and Development Courses
DIPL 6105 or
DIPL 6155		 International Political Economy * or
Advanced Economic Aspects of International Relations *
DIPL 6032 International Trade Law
DIPL 6113 International Financial Institutions
DIPL 6153 Comparative Political Economy Development
DIPL 6170 Advanced Topics in Economic Development for International Affairs
DIPL 6253 Civil Conflict and Development
DIPL 6280 International Health and Development
DIPL 6506 Energy Policies of the 21st Century
DIPL 6704 Economic Development in Africa
DIPL 6806 Political Economy of Latin America and the Caribbean
DIPL 6809 Cuba Seminar

* Required foundation course for specialization.

International Law and Human Rights

International law topics that have been in the news recently include the status of prisoners in the war on terror, the creation of the International Criminal Court, and the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. As these examples illustrate, an understanding of international law and human rights is crucial to an understanding of international affairs. International law affects the relations between states, the activities of international organizations, the operation of the international economy, and the interactions of businesses and individuals. Courses in the international law and human rights specialization examine these subjects and others, teaching students how to use the tools of legal analysis in an accessible and interdisciplinary way. Students learn to analyze issues and arguments in a rigorous manner, to tackle complicated topics with confidence, and to think on their feet.

For more information contact Dr. Philip Moremen.

International Law and Human Rights Courses
DIPL 6005 Public International Law *
DIPL 6004 Peacemaking and Peacekeeping
DIPL 6007 UN Insider's View
DIPL 6008 International Criminal Law
DIPL 6031 International Environmental Policy
DIPL 6032 International Trade Law
DIPL 6104 Art and Science of International Negotiation
DIPL 6129 Preventing Humanitarian Crises
DIPL 6140 International Human Rights
DIPL 6198 Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy
DIPL 6251 Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Societies
DIPL 6258 Memory and Conflict: Dealing with the Past Constructively
DIPL 6276 Global Health Governance
DIPL 6279 Contagion and Conflict: Global Impact of Infectious Disease
DIPL 6401 European Union: Development and Dynamics
DIPL 6402 European Union: Governance and Policy
DIPL 6506 Energy Policies of the 21st Century

* Required foundation course for specialization. B.S./M.A. candidates who have taken DIPL 3104 have fulfilled the foundation course requirement for the specialization and should take three other courses from the specialization.

International Organizations

How do different states and other actors work together in search of solutions to pressing global problems? What are the most common mechanisms through which these actors try to reconcile their diverse interests? This specialization examines the role that international organizations play as the primary vehicles for facilitating cooperation in international politics. As transnational issues have grown in scope and complexity, the demands placed upon both global and regional international organizations have multiplied. From creating commonly accepted norms of state behavior to monitoring compliance with legally binding treaties, international organizations must continually struggle to promote human well-being in light of the political realities in which they operate. As such, international organizations act as forums through which states seek to balance their willingness to work cooperatively and their desire to respect each other's sovereignty. Courses in this specialization provide students with the analytical tools necessary to understand how these organizations function and to carefully evaluate their activities across a wide range of international issues.

For more information contact Dr. Martin Edwards

International Organizations Courses
DIPL 6002 International Organizations *
DIPL 6004 Peacemaking and Peacekeeping
DIPL 6005 Public International Law
DIPL 6007 U.N. Insider's View
DIPL 6015 Human Resources Management in International Organizations
DIPL 6031 International Environmental Policy
DIPL 6032 International Trade Law
DIPL 6113 International Finance Institutions
DIPL 6120 Catholic Peacemaking
DIPL 6121 Catholic Peacemaking Intensive Study Seminar
DIPL 6129 Preventing Humanitarian Crises
DIPL 6134 Nuclear Weapons in International Relations
DIPL 6140 International Human Rights
DIPL 6201 UN Security Council Issues
DIPL 6202 Politics at the UN: Relevance and Reform
DIPL 6205 UN Field Seminar
DIPL 6252 Institutions of Post-Conflict Governance
DIPL 6276 Global Health Governance
DIPL 6278 Global Health Diplomacy
DIPL 6279 Contagion and Conflict: Global Impact of Infectious Disease
DIPL 6401 European Union: Development and Dynamics
DIPL 6402 European Union: Governance and Policy
DIPL 6403 European Union: External Relations
DIPL 6710 African Union Seminar

* Required foundation course for specialization.

International Security

This specialization is designed to examine the causes, consequences, and array of strategies for addressing problems related to war and peace in world politics. It aims to provide students with a solid conceptual foundation for understanding a variety of contemporary and historical international conflicts. Students will consider not only topics of interstate use of force, but also various intrastate conflicts and emerging security problems including terrorism, resources and environmental security, dangers of global health, and issues of human security, which all have profound international implications. The goal is to train students with the knowledge and analytical skills to form independent opinions regarding the nature, origins, and policy prescriptions of a given international security issue.

This specialization prepares students for careers in government services and other public or private organizations that can influence national foreign and security policies. Students wishing to seek success in public policy areas such as health, environment, and energy will also benefit from this specialization in their future careers. In addition, the extensive coverage of international security issues by this specialization will provide students interested in working at multinational corporations with excellent background knowledge and ability to assess international business opportunities.

For more information contact Joseph Huddleston.

International Security Courses
DIPL 6130 International Security*
DIPL 6004 Peacemaking and Peacekeeping
DIPL 6116 Palestinian-Israeli Peace Process
DIPL 6118 Global Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
DIPL 6131 Causes of War
DIPL 6132 American Grand Strategy
DIPL 6133 Energy and Resource Security
DIPL 6134 Nuclear Weapons in International Relations
DIPL 6201 UN Security Council Issues
DIPL 6277 Global Health, Bioterrorism, and International Security
DIPL 6501 Modern Middle East: U.S. Involvement
DIPL 6510 Persian Gulf in the 21st Century
DIPL 6520 Politics of Terrorism in the Middle East
DIPL 6601 Sino-U.S. Relations
DIPL 6610 China's Rise: Opportunities and Challenges
DIPL 6622 China's Foreign Relations
DIPL 6710 African Union Seminar
DIPL 6801 U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean

* Required foundation course for specialization. B.S./M.A. candidates who have completed DIPL 2120 with a B+ or better have fulfilled the foundation course requirement for the specialization and should take three other courses from the specialization.

Post-Conflict State Reconstruction and Sustainability

For more information contact Assefaw Bariagaber.

Post-Conflict State Reconstruction and Sustainability Courses
DIPL 6004 Peacemaking and Peacekeeping
DIPL 6120 Catholic Peacemaking
DIPL 6121 Catholic Peacemaking Intensive Study Seminar
DIPL 6250 Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Plural Societies
DIPL 6251 Justice, Truth and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Societies
DIPL 6252 Institutions of Post-Conflict Governance
DIPL 6253 Civil Conflict and Development
DIPL 6254 Fieldwork in Post-Conflict Societies
DIPL 6258 Memory and Conflict: Dealing with the Past Constructively

Africa

Encompassing more than 50 countries with a combined population of about 800 million, Africa is the second largest continent. Its almost unparalleled diversity, coupled with frequent outside interventions, has put the post-colonial African state under enormous stress. The courses in this specialization raise pertinent issues affecting the African continent; examine the domestic and foreign economic, political, social, and cultural variables that have shaped and continue to shape present-day Africa; and investigate measures that have been taken to combat the negative effects of the globalization process on African nations.

For more information contact Dr. Assefaw Bariagaber

Africa Courses
DIPL 6700 International Relations of African States
DIPL 6704 Economic Development in Africa
DIPL 6710 African Union Seminar
DIPL 6717 Africa: Displacement and Conflict
DIPL 6198 Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy
DIPL 6252 Institutions of Post-Conflict Governance
DIPL 6253 Civil Conflict and Development
DIPL 6001 Politics of Cultural and Ethnic Pluralism**
DIPL 6121 Catholic Peacemaking Intensive Study Seminar**
DIPL 6153 Comparative Political Economy Development **
DIPL 6170 Advanced Topics in Economic Development for International Affairs **

** Qualifies for inclusion, provided the student completes the region-specific requirements within the course. Only one course with ** can count towards the specialization.

Asia

Asia is a region that has significant implications for world peace and prosperity. The region has seen some of the past century's fiercest battles and still includes areas of great potential dangers to international security, such as North Korea and the Taiwan Straits. It includes Japan, the second largest economy in the world and one of the most important treaty allies of the US; China, the most populous nation poised to be the next superpower in the 21st century; and Indonesia, the largest Muslim state in the world. Home to approximately 60 percent of the Earth's population, Asia accounts for one third of U.S. total trade, and is growing at a rapid pace. These critical security, political, and economic ties with Asia make it clear that the region is and will remain of vital importance.
Studying such a populous and diverse region not only strengthens students' cross-cultural understanding and competency, but prepares them to address the tremendous opportunities and challenges brought by the rapid changes in this region. Knowledge of Asia is useful for students who anticipate careers in government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and international business, as well as academia.

For more information contact Dr. Yanzhong Huang

Asia Courses
DIPL 6601 Sino - US Relations
DIPL 6610 China's Rise: Opportunities and Challenges
DIPL 6611 International Relations of Southeast Asia
DIPL 6622 China's Foreign Relations
DIPL 6198 Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy
DIPL 6001 Politics of Cultural and Ethnic Pluralism**
DIPL 6121 Catholic Peacemaking Intensive Study Seminar**
DIPL 6153 Comparative Political Economy Development **
DIPL 6170 Advanced Topics in Economic Development for International Affairs **
DIPL 6506 Energy Policies of the 21st Century

** Qualifies for inclusion, provided the student completes the region-specific requirements within the course. Only one course with ** can count towards the specialization.

Europe

Europe has experienced two dramatic changes since the end of the Cold War: the growth of the European Union into a supranational entity encompassing twenty-five members and numerous issues, and the political and economic transitions of the former Soviet States in Central and Eastern Europe. In order to understand how these changes affect the nature of the international system, this specialization combines studies in economics, security, international organizations, and cultural and ethnic diversity. It looks at the ever changing transnational relationship between Europe and the United States, as well as how the development of the European Union has reconfigured our understanding of the balance of power in international relations. This specialization includes courses on governance and the political economy of development, as well as courses on Eastern Europe in particular. Given the important political, economic, and social role that Europe plays in the 21st century, this specialization helps students to appreciate the region's evolving patterns of governance and power.

For more information contact Dr. Margarita Balmaceda

Europe Courses
DIPL 6153 Comparative Political Economy Development
DIPL 6170 Advanced Topics in Economic Development for International Affairs
DIPL 6401 European Union: Development and Dynamics
DIPL 6402 European Union: Governance and Policy
DIPL 6403 European Union: External Relations
DIPL 6405 Foreign Policy of Post-Soviet States
DIPL 6406 Eastern Europe and Post-Soviet Politics
DIPL 6509 EU and Cyprus Seminar
DIPL 6258 Memory and Conflict: Dealing with the Past Constructively
DIPL 6001 Politics of Cultural and Ethnic Pluralism**
DIPL 6121 Catholic Peacemaking Intensive Study Seminar**
DIPL 6153 Comparative Political Economy Development **
DIPL 6170 Advanced Topics in Economic Development for International Affairs **

** Qualifies for inclusion, provided the student completes the region-specific requirements within the course. Only one course with ** can count towards the specialization.

Latin American and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean is a region rich in history, culture, and political importance. This specialization provides students with the substantive knowledge and conceptual tools necessary to understand the countries and peoples of this region as well as its role in international affairs. In particular, the courses in this specialization examine the significant role the United States has played in the political and economic evolution of Latin America. They also explore how Latin America's colonial history and struggles with development have not prevented it from helping to shape some of the most important forces in international affairs, from globalization to the spread of democracy. Additionally, these courses investigate the similarities and differences among and between the countries of Latin America by focusing on issues such as culture, economic well-being, political governance, and human dignity. As a result, students in this specialization are well-prepared to work for public sector, private sector, and nonprofit organizations focused on or active in Latin America and the Caribbean.

For more information contact Dr. Benjamin Goldfrank

Latin American and the Caribbean Courses
DIPL 6801 U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean
DIPL 6803 Politics and Society in Latin America and the Caribbean
DIPL 6806 Political Economy of Latin America and the Caribbean
DIPL 6809 Cuba Seminar
DIPL 6001 Politics of Cultural and Ethnic Pluralism**
DIPL 6121 Catholic Peacemaking Intensive Study Seminar**
DIPL 6153 Comparative Political Economy Development **
DIPL 6170 Advanced Topics in Economic Development for International Affairs **

** Qualifies for inclusion, provided the student completes the region-specific requirements within the course. Only one course with ** can count towards the specialization.

Middle East

The Middle East specialization enables students to gain a comprehensive overview of the Middle East, universally recognized as one of the most important regions in the geopolitical map of the world. The United States and other international actors are engaged in an ambitious and far-reaching program of transformational diplomacy in the Middle East aimed at resolving the region's ongoing conflicts. This would create an environment in which democratic norms and values could be fostered and peace and prosperity enhanced. The courses in this specialization provide students with the conceptual tools to understand the challenges and opportunities of the changing Middle East. This specialization prepares students for careers in the US State Department, the numerous security agencies, the Department of Homeland Security, other departments of the federal government, non-governmental organizations and corporations dealing with the Middle East. Currently there is a significant demand for professionals with knowledge of this region.

For more information contact Dr. Joey Huddleston.

Middle East Courses
DIPL 6116 Palestinian-Israeli Peace Process
DIPL 6500 The Modern Middle East: History, Challenges and Opportunities
DIPL 6501 The Modern Middle East: U.S. Involvement
DIPL 6506 Energy Policies in the 21st Century
DIPL 6510 The Persian Gulf in the 21st Century
DIPL 6520 Politics of Terrorism in the Middle East
DIPL 6001 Politics of Cultural and Ethnic Pluralism**
DIPL 6121 Catholic Peacemaking Intensive Study Seminar**
DIPL 6153 Comparative Political Economy Development **
DIPL 6170 Advanced Topics in Economic Development for International Affairs **

** Qualifies for inclusion, provided the student completes the region-specific requirements within the course. Only one course with ** can count towards the specialization.