Goals of the Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS) are three-fold:

• Gain substantive knowledge in comparative and/or world politics
• Build an understanding of the linkage between politics and economics in the international arena
• Master an ability to use a variety of tools in the study of comparative and/or world politics
• Develop a capacity to use theoretical knowledge for practical purposes

Each MAIS student works out an individualized curriculum in consultation with an advisor. The career path in which a student is interested influences the selection of elective courses and research tools to be undertaken. A student intending to work in an international non-government organization (NGO) might include courses thematically related to the work of the particular NGO and about the areas within which the NGO operates. Students looking towards investment banking careers should develop an expertise in international political economy and political risk. For employment by an agency working on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, course offerings in defense and foreign policy are recommended.

Degree Requirements

• 36 units; no Master’s research paper required. 

Final Paper Portfolio.  All students are required to submit two papers to the program office.  One paper must be written during the student’s first semester in the program.  A second paper should represent the student’s best work and may come from a subsequent semester that the student was enrolled in the program.  Papers are used for accreditation reviews of the program.  The program’s Student Handbook provides additional details.

University Policies.  University policies detailed in the Academic Policies section of the Bulletin apply.

Track 1: International Relations (36 Units)

Core (16 Units):

• INST 401 World Politics
• PP 430 Seminar in Conflict & Peace
• SPE 411 International Political Economy
• SPE 418 Political Economy of International Development

Electives (8 Units):

Consult with Academic Advisor to select the best courses for your goals.

• PP 420 A-H Foreign Policy (USA, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Asian, etc.)
• PP 408 Seminar in Political Demography
• PP 412 Seminar in Integration
• PP 432 Seminar in Civil War
• SPE 429 Political Economy of China
• SPE 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics and Business

Research Methods (12 Units)

Choose three classes from one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1

• PP 481 Quantitative Research Methods
• PP 482 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• PP 487 Applied Data Analysis

Sequence 2

• ECON 382 Econometrics I (Pre-requisite: Econ 381 Probability and Statistics for Economists)
• Econ 383 Econometrics II
• PP 487 Applied Data Analysis OR ECON 384 Time Series Econometrics

Track 2: Chinese Political Economy (36 Units)

Core (16 Units):

• INST 401 World Politics
• SPE 429 Political Economy of China
• SPE 411 International Political Economy
• SPE 418 Political Economy of International Development

Electives (8 Units):

Consult with Academic Advisor to select the best courses for your goals.

• PP 408 Seminar in Political Demography
• PP 412 Seminar in Integration
• GOV 142E CM Chinese Politics
• PP 432 Seminar in Civil War
• PP 420 A-H Foreign Policy (USA, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Asian, etc.)
• SPE 363 Politics and Economic Development in Asia

Research Methods (12 Units)

Choose three classes from one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1

• PP 481 Quantitative Research Methods
• PP 482 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• PP 487 Applied Data Analysis

Sequence 2

• ECON 382 Econometrics I (Prequisite: Econ 381 Probability and Statistics for Economists)
• Econ 383 Econometrics II
• PP 487 Applied Data Analysis OR ECON 384 Time Series Econometrics

Note: This track requires papers for core classes to focus on China. Consult with Faculty Contact to select the best courses for your goals.

Track 3: Regional Studies (36 Units)

Core (16 Units):

• SPE 350 Theories and Issues in Comparative Politics
• SPE 351 Comparative Institutional Analysis
• SPE 352 Comparative Political Economy
• PP 364 Democracy and Development

Electives (12 Units):

Consult with Academic Advisor to select the best courses for your goals.

• PP 353 Comparative Parties and Elections
• PP 354 Politics of Developing Countries
• PP 356 Politics of Non-Democratic States
• PP 366 Political and Economic Development in Latin America
• PP 375/POST 225 Politics of Africa
• SPE 429 Political Economy of China
• SPE 371 Globalization
• PP 408 Seminar in Political Demography
• PP 412 Seminar in Integration
• TNDY 405B Politics, Modernization, and Development: The Muslim Workd in Comparative Perspectives
• TNDY 405C Wealth, Poverty and Inequality

Research Methods (12 Units)

Choose three classes from one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1

• PP 481 - Quantitative Research Methods
• PP 482 -  Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• PP 487 - Applied Data Analysis

Sequence 2

• ECON 382 Econometrics I (Prequisite: Econ 381 Probability & Statistics for Economists)
• Econ 383 Econometrics II
• PP 487 Applied Data Analysis OR ECON 384 Time Series Econometrics

Note: Students who wish to substitute classes or create alternative tracks must gain prior approval by a Faculty Advisor.