An introductory course on global issues taken predominately by non-political science majors. I prime students to think critically about global events, using political science research and more broadly social scientific methodology, as their framework. After giving a brief introduction the IR theories and the foundations of the international system, I review pressing topics of concern, such as conflict, nuclear weapons, and climate change. I provide students with an overview of research on each topic while dedicating extended periods of class time to student engagement and reflection.

How we understand the pressing issues facing Middle East and Nrth African (MENA) societies in the context of their political institutions? This course takes a broad view in an attempt familiarize students with the context needed to make sense headlines from the region. We begin by reviewing the distant and not so distant history of the region as well as the tensions and regime resiliency exposed by the Arab Spring. We examine the distinctions between regime types in the MENA, from the republic of Egypt to the monarchies of Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and the Islamist government of Iran. We conclude by examining trends in Lebanese and Palestinian politics.

UMD’s introductory course to international relations. We examine the core paradigms political scientists use to understand international relations: realism, liberalism, and constructivism, as well as recent efforts to create a more Global IR theory. We then examine the most impactful ways states interact, through conflict, international organizations, and trade and investment agreements. Finally we apply these lessons to understand threats to global security such as climate change, pandemics, and terrorism.

Is globalization really changing dictators’ modus operandi? Is democracy under siege? This course examines theories that autocrats have adopted new tactics to co-opt liberal international institutions in order to promote their governance and undermine liberal norms. After wading into the theoretical debates on autocracy promotion and a global democratic decline, we examine the use of tactics such as transnational repression, foreign election interference, and sportswashing.

In addition to performing research tasks for faculty mentors, students in GVPT’s UGRA program develop, undertake, and present their own research projects. To this end, students meet biweekly for a course on social science research covering research design, methodology, and presentation. In addition, on alternating weeks students meet with their GA for individualized mentoring on their research program.

This course introduces students to one of the “big questions” of our time – the persistent challenge of authoritarianism. Students explore the evolution of authoritarianism from ancient to modern times. We ask key questions about authoritarianism such as why citizens comply with them and when and how they rebel. Finally, students gain an understanding of the resilience and potential resurgence of contemporary authoritarianism.

This course is a survey of the main political thinkers of the Western Tradition. We review the works of philosophers such as Machiavelli, John Locke, and Karl Marx while also discovering the themes and ideas that span different periods. We will also consider some perennial issues in the history of political thought, like the “what is freedom?”, “what is justice?”, and “how do we adjudicate between the demands of the individual and the demands of the state?”