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. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

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 315 - Game Theory
• SP&E 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business Decisions 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 - Deterrence and Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
• Foreign Policy Courses (USA, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia etc.):
  • PP 375 Politics of Africa
  • PP 413 Politics of Pacific Asia
  • PP 417 European Public Policy
  • PP 420A Foreign Policy USA
  • PP 420E Foreign Policy of Latin America
  • PP 420F Foreign Policy of the Middle East
• PP 408 - Seminar in World Politics: Political Demography and Development   
• PP 432 - Seminar in Civil War
• PP 412 - Political Economy of International Integration
• SP&E 429 - Political Economy of China
• SP&E 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics, & Business Decisions
• SP&E 316 - Computational & Agent-Based Modeling
• SP&E 438 - Dynamic Modeling
• SP&E 359 - International Development: Finance, Institutions and Policy

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 315 - Game Theory OR
• SP&E 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business Decisions 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 World Politics: Political Demography and Development OR TNDY407I Seminar in Social Demography
• PP 412 - Political Economy of International Integration
• GOV142E - CM Chinese Politics
• PP 432 - Seminar in Civil War
• INST 403 - Deterrence and Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
• Foreign Policy Courses (USA, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia etc.):
  • PP 375 Politics of Africa
  • PP 413 Politics of Pacific Asia
  • PP 417 European Public Policy
  • PP 420A Foreign Policy USA
  • PP 420E Foreign Policy of Latin America
  • PP 420F Foreign Policy of the Middle East

 

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 Political Institutions
• 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 315 - Game Theory 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 - Latin American Politics
• 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 World Politics: Political Demography & Development  OR
• TNDY407I - Seminar in Social Demography
• PP 412 - Political Economy of International Integration
• SP&E 429 - Political Economy of China
• TNDY 405B - The Muslim World in Perspectives: Shiftin Paradigms
• TNDY 405C - Wealth Poverty and Inequality
• INST 369P - Globalization and Political Economy of the Middle East
• SP&E 359 - International Development: Finance, Institutions and Policy