International Relations (INTR)
INTR 1001 Transnational Issues in Global Politics
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to transnational issues and world politics and to acquaint them with some of the leading issues, theories, concepts and processes, and history that shape and define world events. It is suitable for students embarking on long-term study of international affairs as well as for students with other majors and intellectual interest who simply want to know more about how the world works and how the material covered in this class affects their lives. It is expected that students taking the course will gain an ability to analyze, understand objectively evaluate and appreciate the complex dynamics that affect "global politics" writ large, including issues relating to trade, diplomacy, people-to-people and business transactions, and shifts in demography, borders, international institutions and global governance. In additional to issues of diplomacy, statecraft, and security we will assess some of the major international issues of our time (i.e. climate change, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, genocide and human trafficking) and debate the prospects for bringing peace and prosperity to a world that is rife with conflict and poverty.
Fall or Spring
1 Course Unit
INTR 2500 Political Risk Analysis
This course teaches students to apply social science theories and concepts together with futures methodologies (e.g. Delphi method; country risk assessments used by ratings agencies) to the challenges of addressing international political risks to the continuity, effectiveness and operations of business, government and other organizations in their international transactions.
Fall or Spring
1 Course Unit
INTR 2600 Counterintelligence: History, Theory, and Practice
This course will address the conceptual and practical issues of the practice of counterintelligence as it relates to the national defense, economic competitiveness, and foreign policy decision-making and the role of the intelligence community in thwarting intelligence gathering and espionage against the United State and the United Kingdom. Because the closer is to the contemporary world and the inherent secrecy the surrounds intelligence and counterintelligence activities, much of this class focuses on historical cases where long term public research and declassification of government documents have allowed us to look into the system and process of intelligence gathering, analysis, and recommendations for action. We will explore recurrent and prominent themes of intelligence failures, the trade-offs and calculations of a strong CI infrastructure as it relates to ethics, democracy and national power and prestige that shape our understanding of the subject and how it directly and indirectly impacts our lives and our society. Students will gain an appreciation of how the practice has been utilized by government, specifically: its structure, analytical processes, organizational culture, practice-related ethics, perception(s) by the public, guiding charter, and governmental oversight. This class covers the diverse array of counterintelligence applications - within the government as well as in the private sector and our individual lives. TO APPLY FOR THIS COURSE, EMAIL INSTRUCTION FOR APPLICATION FORM FPLANTAN@SAS.UPENN.EDU
Spring
1 Course Unit
INTR 2900 Topics in International Relations
Topics in International Relations focuses on specialized issues, practical or applied approaches, policy and other topics of contemporary relevance in modern study of international relations. These are experimental or occasionally offered classes. Past topics of included US Foreign Policy and the Arab Spring, the Iraq Wars, Secret Intelligence & American Democracy, Counterintelligence, Homeland Security, the US & South Asia Cold War and New Alignments, and Think Tanks and Global Governance.
Fall or Spring
1 Course Unit
INTR 2999 Independent Study
Independent study for IR majors.
Fall or Spring
1 Course Unit
INTR 3500 Research Methods/Practice in IR
International Relations is concerned with both theory and practice so we employ a range of analytical tools to examine actors and events in world politics. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the various research methods utilized by students and scholars in the field of IR including: case studies, historical - comparative and archival research, survey research, interviewing techniques, simulations, quantitative and statistical analysis.
Fall or Spring
Prerequisite: PSCI 0400
1 Course Unit
INTR 4197 Senior Seminar for Thesis Research I
Seminar in International Relations. A two semester sequence including review of advanced International Relations theory and research methods for the preparation of the senior thesis.
Fall
Prerequisite: INTR 3500 AND PSCI 0400
1 Course Unit
INTR 4198 Independent Study for Thesis Research
Independent study for international relations majors completing senior thesis research.
Fall or Spring
1 Course Unit
INTR 4297 Senior Seminar For Thesis Research II
Seminar in international relations. Second semester of a two semester sequence including review of advanced international relations theory and research methods for the preparation of the senior thesis.
Spring
Prerequisite: INTR 4197
1 Course Unit
INTR 4597 Senior Project I
This seminar will prepare students to plan, implement, and present their senior research project. Students will draw on the experience and insight they have gained in the course of their fieldwork or internship to develop defensible policy recommendations for their target audience. As such, the seminar will introduce students to the policy formation process as they develop the practical skills needed to formulate and produce actionable policy recommendations. Students will produce a formal report and will present their findings to relevant stakeholders at the conclusion of the Seminar. This class will ensure that students develop the skills necessary to undertake a substantive research project.
Fall
Prerequisite: INTR 3500 AND PSCI 0400
1 Course Unit
INTR 4697 Senior Project II
This course is a continuation of INTR-395, culminating with the production of a policy research paper and presentation.
Spring
Prerequisite: INTR 4597
1 Course Unit