International Studies, MA

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.

Admission requirements are detailed in the Admission section of the Bulletin.

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
INST 430 - Seminar in Conflict & Peace
SP&E 410 - Political Economy of International Development
SP&E 411 - International Political Economy

Research Tools (12 Units)

Choose three classes from one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1

INST 481 - Statistical Methods for Social Sciences
INST 483 - Multivariate Analysis in International Studies Using SAS
INST 487 - Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics

Sequence 2 (recommended only for those with a strong math background)

ECON 381 - Probability & Statistics for Econometrics
ECON 382 - Econometrics I
ECON 383 - Econometrics II

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
SP&E 429 - Political Economy of China
SP&E 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics and Business

Note: Students who wish to substitute classes must gain prior approval by their faculty advisor to choose the best courses for their goals.

Track 2: China Track (36 Units)

Core (16 Units):

INST 401 - World Politics
SP&E 429 - Political Economy of China
SP&E 410 - Political Economy of International Development
SP&E 411 - International Political Economy

Research Tools (12 Units)

Choose three classes from one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1

INST 480 - Math Preparations Workshop (0 units) for those who need basic calculus, linear algebra and probability theory
INST 481 - Statistical Methods for Social Sciences
INST 483 - Multivariate Analysis in International Studies Using SAS
INST 487 - Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics

Sequence 2 (recommended only for those with a strong math background)

ECON 381 - Probability & Statistics for Econometrics
ECON 382 - Econometrics I
ECON 383 - Econometrics II

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

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.)
SP&E 363 - Politics and Economic Development in Asia

Track 3: Regional Studies (36 Units)

Core (16 Units):

SP&E 350 - Theories and Issues in Comparative Politics
SP&E 351 - Comparative Institutional Analysis
SP&E 352 - Comparative Political Economy
SP&E 364 - Democracy and Development

Research Tools (12 Units)

Choose three classes from one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1

INST 480 - Math Preparations Workshop (0 units) for those who need basic calculus, linear algebra and probability theory
INST 481 - Statistical Methods for Social Sciences
INST 483 - Multivariate Analysis in International Studies Using SAS
INST 487 - Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics

Sequence 2 (recommended only for those with a strong math background)

ECON 381 - Probability & Statistics for Econometrics
ECON 382 - Econometrics I
ECON 383 - Econometrics II

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

Electives (8 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
SP&E 429 - Political Economy of China
SP&E 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