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: World Politics (36 Units)

Core (16 Units):

• INST 401 World Politics
• INST 430 Perspectives in Conflict & Peace
• INST 410 Political Economy of International Development
• SP&E 411 International Political Economy

Research Tools (12 Units)

• INST 400 Math Preparations Workshop (0 units) for those who need basic calculus, linear algebra and probability theory
• INST 481 Statistical Methods for Social Sciences (4 units)
• INST 483 Multivariate Analysis in International Studies Using SAS (4 units)

And

• INST 487 Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics OR
• SP&E 317 Advanced Formal Models OR
• SP&E 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business OR
• INST 489 Advanced Research Design

Note: MA students who wish to a substitute must gain prior approval by a Faculty Advisor and the Department Chair

Electives (8 Units):

Choose two of the following:

• INST 403 Seminar in Deterrence and Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
• PP 420A-H Foreign Policy (USA, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia etc.)
• PP 408 Seminar in Political Demography OR TNDY407I Seminar in Social Demography  
• PP 432 Seminar in Civil War
• PP 412 Seminar in Integration
• SP&E 429 Political Economy of China
• SP&E 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics, & Business
• PP 316 Seminar in Computational & Agent-Based Modeling
• SP&E 438 Dynamic Modeling

Note: Students who wishes to a substitute classes must gain prior approval by a Faculty Advisor to choose the best courses for your goals.

 

Track 2: China Track (36 Units)

Core (16 Units):

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

Research Tools (12 Units)

• INST 400 Math Preparations Workshop (0 units) for those who need basic calculus, linear algebra and probability theory
• INST 481 Statistical Methods for Social Sciences (4 units)
• INST 483 Multivariate Analysis in International Studies Using SAS (4 units)

And

• INST 487 Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics OR
• SP&E 317 Advanced Formal Models OR
• SP&E 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business OR
• INST 489 Advanced Research Design

Note: MA students who wish to a substitute must gain prior approval by a Faculty Advisor and the Department Chair

Electives (8 Units):

• PP 408 Seminar in Political Demography OR TNDY407I Seminar in Social Demography
• PP 412 Seminar in Integration
• GOV142E CM Chinese Politics
• PP 432 Seminar in Civil War
• INST 403 Deterrence and Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
• PP 420A-H Foreign Policy (USA, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia etc.)
• SP&E 363 Politics and Economic Development in Asia

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

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)

• INST 400 Math Preparations Workshop (0 units) for those who need basic calculus, linear algebra and probability theory
• INST 481 Statistical Methods for Social Sciences (4 units)
• INST 483 Multivariate Analysis in International Studies Using SAS (4 units)

And

• INST 487 Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics OR
• SP&E 317 Advanced Formal Models OR
• SP&E 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business OR
• INST 489 Advanced Research Design

Note: MA students who wish to a substitute must gain prior approval by a Faculty Advisor and the Department Chair

Electives (8 Units):

• 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 367 Political Economy of Africa
• SP&E 417a Public Policy in the European Union: Markets and Security
• PP 408 Seminar in Political Demography OR TNDY407I Seminar in Social Demography
• PP 412 Seminar in Integration
• PP 363 Politics and Economic Development in Asia
• SP&E 429 Political Economy of China
• TNDY 405B Politics, Modernization, and Development: The Muslim World in Comparative Perspectives
• TNDY 405C Wealth Poverty and Inequality
• INST 369P Globalization and Political Economy of the Middle East