International Studies, MA

Goals of the Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS) are threefold:

Gain substantive knowledge in comparative politics and/or international relations
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 international 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.

University Policies

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

Admissions Requirements

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

Track 1: International Politics (36 Units)

Core (16 Units):

PP 401 - World Politics (4 units)
PP 430 - Perspectives in Conflict & Peace (4 units)
SPE 410 - Political Economy of International Development (4 units)
SP& 411 - International Political Economy (4 units)

Research Tools (12 Units)

PP 481 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis (4 units)
PP 482 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (4 units) And
PP 487 - Applied Data Analysis (various letter and topics) (4 units) OR
SPE 315 - Game Theory (4 units)
SPE 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business Decisions (4 units) OR
SPE 489 - Computational Tools for Social Science (4 units)

Note: MA students who wish to make a substitution must gain prior approval by a Faculty Advisor and the Division Director.

Electives (8 Units):

Choose two of the following:

SPE 403 - Deterrence and Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (4 units)
PP 420 – American Foreign Policy (4 units)
PP 420A – Foreign Policy of the USA (4 units)
PP 420E – Foreign Policy of Latin America (4 units)
PP 420F – Foreign Policy of the Middle East (4 units)
PP 421 – Seminar in American Foreign Policy (4 units)
SPE 408 – Globalization & Regional Integration (4 units)
SPE 429 – Political Economy of China (4 units)
SPE 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics, & Business Decisions (4 units)
ECON 370: The World Economy (4 units)
ECON350 – Global Money and Finance (4 units)
ECON 302 – Modern Macroeconomics: Analysis, Policy, and Applications (4 units)

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

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Track 2: Comparative Politics (36 Units)

Core (20Units):

SPE 350 - Theories and Issues in Comparative Politics
SPE 351 - Comparative Political Institutions
SPE 352 - Comparative Political Economy
SPE 353 –
SPE 354 – Comparative Public Policy (4 units)

If a particular core course is not offered during your time at CGU, in consultation with your advisor, a reasonable substitute may be selected from the Electives offerings.

Research Tools (12 Units)

PP 480 – The Nature of Inquiry: Quantitative Research in Social Sciences (4 units)
PP 481 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis (4 units)
PP 482 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (4 units)

SPE 315 - Game Theory (4 units)

Electives (4 Units)

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

PP 353 - Comparative Parties and Elections (4 units)
PP 356 - Politics of Non-Democratic States (4 units)
PP 366 – Latin American Politics (4 units)
PP 375/POST 225 - Politics of Africa (if taken as POST 225 student must obtain permission from instructor and agreement to add work to raise course to a graduate level) (4 units)
PP 408 - Seminar in World Politics: Political Demography & Development (4 units)
SPE 359 - Economic Development: Household and Local Development Issues (4 units)
SPE 429 - Political Economy of China (4 units)
TNDY 405C - Wealth, Poverty and Inequality (4 units)
PP 330 - Public Policy Process (4 units)
TNDY 407v - Urban Studies (4 units)
PP 331 - Policy Evaluation (4 units)
PP 338 - Policy Design and Implementation (4 units)
SPE 318 - Cost-Benefit Analysis (4 units)
PP 302 - American Political Behavior (4 units)
PP 333 - Identity Politics (4 units)
PP 484 - Survey Research (4 units)
SPE 489 - Computational Tools for Social Science (4 units)
SPE 487 - Data Visualization (4 units)
PP 300 - American Politics & Institutions (4 units)
PP 305 - Congressional-Executive Institutions & Policymaking (4 units)
PP 313 - Representation & Elections (4 units)
PP 487L – Applied Data Analysis: Limited Dependent Variables and MLE (4 units)

Other courses can be taken in Economics and other fields. Pre-approval of the field chair is required and the program coordinator must be informed.