°µÍø½ûÇø

Skip To Content Skip To Menu Skip To Footer

Security Studies Current Courses

Fall 2026

Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
EASN 305-01 War and Memory in East Asian Literature and Film
Instructor: Alex Bates
Course Description:
Cross-listed with FMST 310-02. This class examines Japanese, Chinese, and some Korean and Taiwanese representations of the war fought in Asia between 1937 and 1945. This conflict affected the lives of millions and irrevocably changed the landscape of foreign relations in the region. We will investigate questions of collective (and contested) memory, victimization and responsibility, as well as how artists attempted to represent experiences that stretched the boundaries of imagination. Many of the issues we will discuss remain heated topics of debate in domestic and international politics today. This investigation into collective memory will involve in-depth engagement with fiction and films as well as scholarship relating to the war. By the end of the semester, students will gain experience expressing their ideas using the analytic and research tools that we practice in class. Students will evaluate responses to historical controversies in the realms of academia, politics, literature, film and popular culture, and consider how these debates shape the ways in which we remember and understand past conflicts.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, TF
STERN 12
Courses Offered in FMST
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
FMST 310-02 War and Memory in East Asian Literature and Film
Instructor: Alex Bates
Course Description:
Cross-listed with EASN 305-01. This class examines Japanese, Chinese, and some Korean and Taiwanese representations of the war fought in Asia between 1937 and 1945. This conflict affected the lives of millions and irrevocably changed the landscape of foreign relations in the region. We will investigate questions of collective (and contested) memory, victimization and responsibility, as well as how artists attempted to represent experiences that stretched the boundaries of imagination. Many of the issues we will discuss remain heated topics of debate in domestic and international politics today. This investigation into collective memory will involve in-depth engagement with fiction and films as well as scholarship relating to the war. By the end of the semester, students will gain experience expressing their ideas using the analytic and research tools that we practice in class. Students will evaluate responses to historical controversies in the realms of academia, politics, literature, film and popular culture, and consider how these debates shape the ways in which we remember and understand past conflicts.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, TF
STERN 12
Courses Offered in GRMN
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
GRMN 275-01 Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and the Rise of Authoritarianism
Instructor: Karl Qualls
Course Description:
Cross-listed with HIST 375-01 and RUSS 260-01. Contrary to the hope of contemporaries, World War I was not "the war to end all wars." Instead, at its end Europe emerged into a world of unprecedented turmoil and confusion, a time that was nonetheless permeated with hope, idealism, and possibility. This course explores European politics, society, gender, economics, and culture between 1918 and 1945, focusing on the extreme developments in Germany, Russia, and Italy during this time. We will examine the emergence, development, form, and consequences of the rule of Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini while also comparing to executive state expansion under FDR. Students will learn to think about modern state practices rather than lumping countries into unhelpful and inaccurate categories like totalitarian.This course is cross-listed as HIST 375. Offered occasionally.
03:00 PM-04:15 PM, MR
DENNY 204
Courses Offered in HIST
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
HIST 375-01 Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and the Rise of Authoritarianism
Instructor: Karl Qualls
Course Description:
Cross-listed with GRMN 275-01 and RUSS 260-01. Course taught in English. Contrary to the hope of contemporaries, World War I was not "the war to end all wars." Instead, at its end Europe emerged into a world of unprecedented turmoil and confusion, a time that was nonetheless permeated with hope, idealism, and possibility. This course explores European politics, society, gender, economics, and culture between 1918 and 1945, focusing on the extreme developments in Germany, Russia, and Italy during this time. We will examine the emergence, development, form, and consequences of the rule of Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini while also comparing to executive state expansion under FDR. Students will learn to think about modern state practices rather than lumping countries into unhelpful and inaccurate categories like totalitarian.This course is cross-listed as GRMN 275. Offered occasionally.
03:00 PM-04:15 PM, MR
DENNY 204
Courses Offered in INST
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
INST 170-01 International Relations
Instructor: Russell Bova
Course Description:
Cross-listed with POSC 170-01. An introduction to global politics which examines the interaction of states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in the world arena. Topics covered include traditional concerns such as war, balance of power, the UN and international law along with the more recent additions to the agenda of world politics such as international terrorism, human rights, and economic globalization. This course is cross-listed as POSC 170.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, MR
DENNY 104
INST 170-02 International Relations
Instructor: Rachel Jacobs
Course Description:
Cross-listed with POSC 170-02. An introduction to global politics which examines the interaction of states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in the world arena. Topics covered include traditional concerns such as war, balance of power, the UN and international law along with the more recent additions to the agenda of world politics such as international terrorism, human rights, and economic globalization. This course is cross-listed as POSC 170.
09:00 AM-10:15 AM, TR
DENNY 104
INST 170-03 International Relations
Instructor: Kristine Mitchell
Course Description:
Cross-listed with POSC 170-03. An introduction to global politics which examines the interaction of states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in the world arena. Topics covered include traditional concerns such as war, balance of power, the UN and international law along with the more recent additions to the agenda of world politics such as international terrorism, human rights, and economic globalization. This course is cross-listed as POSC 170.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, TF
DENNY 203
INST 280-01 American Foreign Policy
Instructor: Andy Wolff
Course Description:
Cross-listed with POSC 280-01. A survey of U.S. foreign policy since World War II. American approaches to such issues as containment, detente, arms control, deterrence, international law, and foreign aid will be discussed. Students will also address issues of U.S. foreign policy formulation, including the roles of the public, Congress, and the president in the foreign policy process.Prerequisite: POSC 170 or INST 170. This course is cross-listed as POSC 280.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, MR
STERN 103
INST 284-01 European Security
Instructor: Andy Wolff
Course Description:
Cross-listed with POSC 284-01. What security issues do European countries face? How are European countries, the European Union, and NATO responding to various threats? This course delves into the structure of European security, examines the security challenges confronted by Europe, and weighs the opportunities these challenges present for enhancing Europe's security and global leadership. Students will learn how European governments define security, formulate strategies, and implement policies to meet a host of traditional, transnational, and human security concerns. This course is cross-listed as POSC 284. Prerequisite: 170/POSC 170.
10:30 AM-11:45 AM, TR
EASTC 314
INST 290-02 The Ukraine War & International Relations
Instructor: Russell Bova
Course Description:
Cross-listed with POSC 290-02. By the time this class begins, it is possible that the war in Ukraine will have come to an end. Whether it has ended or not, this war has raised enduring questions about almost every big issue in the study of international relations. After an introduction to Ukraine, its recent history, its historical relationship with Russia, and its geopolitical significance, we will turn to those larger questions. What were the causes of the Ukraine war, and what does this war have to tell us about the future of war more generally? Is the "long peace" over, and is great power war becoming more likely? How stable is nuclear deterrence? Has the nuclear taboo eroded? Was the expectation that economic interdependence is an antidote to war wrong? Do economic sanctions work? In light of Ukraine, does the United Nations still have relevance? What is genocide, and has it occurred in Ukraine? Can Putin be prosecuted for war crimes? How and why do wars end? What paradigm of international relations theory best explains the Ukraine crisis? The goal will be to build on what you learned in the introductory IR class by examining both how IR concepts and theory help us to understand the Ukraine situation and how that situation might require critical rethinking of those very same concepts and theories.
09:00 AM-10:15 AM, TR
DENNY 103
Courses Offered in JDST
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
JDST 216-01 Religious Conflict, Violence, and Peacemaking
Instructor: RELG STAFF
Course Description:
Cross-listed with RELG 260-01 and SOCI 230-01.
09:00 AM-10:15 AM, TR
DENNY 311
Courses Offered in POSC
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
POSC 170-01 International Relations
Instructor: Russell Bova
Course Description:
Cross-listed with INST 170-01. An introduction to global politics which examines the interaction of states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in the world arena. Topics covered include traditional concerns such as war, balance of power, the UN and international law along with the more recent additions to the agenda of world politics such as international terrorism, human rights, and economic globalization. This course is cross-listed as INST 170.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, MR
DENNY 104
POSC 170-02 International Relations
Instructor: Rachel Jacobs
Course Description:
Cross-listed with INST 170-02. An introduction to global politics which examines the interaction of states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in the world arena. Topics covered include traditional concerns such as war, balance of power, the UN and international law along with the more recent additions to the agenda of world politics such as international terrorism, human rights, and economic globalization. This course is cross-listed as INST 170.
09:00 AM-10:15 AM, TR
DENNY 104
POSC 170-03 International Relations
Instructor: Kristine Mitchell
Course Description:
Cross-listed with INST 170-03. An introduction to global politics which examines the interaction of states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in the world arena. Topics covered include traditional concerns such as war, balance of power, the UN and international law along with the more recent additions to the agenda of world politics such as international terrorism, human rights, and economic globalization. This course is cross-listed as INST 170.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, TF
DENNY 203
POSC 280-01 American Foreign Policy
Instructor: Andy Wolff
Course Description:
Cross-listed with INST 280-01. A survey of U.S. foreign policy since World War II. American approaches to such issues as containment, detente, arms control, deterrence, international law, and foreign aid will be discussed. Students will also address issues of U.S. foreign policy formulation, including the roles of the public, Congress, and the president in the foreign policy process. Prerequisite: 170 or INST 170 or permission of the instructor. This course is cross-listed as INST 280.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, MR
STERN 103
POSC 284-01 European Security
Instructor: Andy Wolff
Course Description:
Cross-listed with INST 284-01. What security issues do European countries face? How are European countries, the European Union, and NATO responding to various threats? This course delves into the structure of European security, examines the security challenges confronted by Europe, and weighs the opportunities these challenges present for enhancing Europe's security and global leadership. Students will learn how European governments define security, formulate strategies, and implement policies to meet a host of traditional, transnational, and human security concerns. This course is cross-listed as INST 284. Prerequisite: 170/INST 170.
10:30 AM-11:45 AM, TR
EASTC 314
POSC 290-02 The Ukraine War & International Relations
Instructor: Russell Bova
Course Description:
Cross-listed with INST 290-02. By the time this class begins, it is possible that the war in Ukraine will have come to an end. Whether it has ended or not, this war has raised enduring questions about almost every big issue in the study of international relations. After an introduction to Ukraine, its recent history, its historical relationship with Russia, and its geopolitical significance, we will turn to those larger questions. What were the causes of the Ukraine war, and what does this war have to tell us about the future of war more generally? Is the "long peace" over, and is great power war becoming more likely? How stable is nuclear deterrence? Has the nuclear taboo eroded? Was the expectation that economic interdependence is an antidote to war wrong? Do economic sanctions work? In light of Ukraine, does the United Nations still have relevance? What is genocide, and has it occurred in Ukraine? Can Putin be prosecuted for war crimes? How and why do wars end? What paradigm of international relations theory best explains the Ukraine crisis? The goal will be to build on what you learned in the introductory IR class by examining both how IR concepts and theory help us to understand the Ukraine situation and how that situation might require critical rethinking of those very same concepts and theories.
09:00 AM-10:15 AM, TR
DENNY 103
Courses Offered in RELG
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
RELG 260-01 Religious Conflict, Violence, and Peacemaking
Instructor: RELG STAFF
Course Description:
Cross-listed with JDST 216-01 and SOCI 230-01.
09:00 AM-10:15 AM, TR
DENNY 311
Courses Offered in RUSS
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
RUSS 260-01 Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and the Rise of Authoritarianism
Instructor: Karl Qualls
Course Description:
Cross-listed with HIST 375-01 and GRMN 275-01. Contrary to the hope of contemporaries, World War I was not "the war to end all wars." Instead, at its end Europe emerged into a world of unprecedented turmoil and confusion, a time that was nonetheless permeated with hope, idealism, and possibility. This course explores European politics, society, gender, economics, and culture between 1918 and 1945, focusing on the extreme developments in Germany, Russia, and Italy during this time. We will examine the emergence, development, form, and consequences of the rule of Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini while also comparing to executive state expansion under FDR. Students will learn to think about modern state practices rather than lumping countries into unhelpful and inaccurate categories like "totalitarian.
03:00 PM-04:15 PM, MR
DENNY 204
Courses Offered in SOCI
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
SOCI 230-01 Religious Conflict, Violence, and Peacemaking
Instructor: RELG STAFF
Course Description:
Cross-listed with JDST 216-01 and RELG 260-01.
09:00 AM-10:15 AM, TR
DENNY 311
SOCI 310-01 Immigration Politics: Gender, Race and Sexuality in Contemporary Migration
Instructor: Katie Oliviero
Course Description:
Cross-listed with WGSS 310-01. Why do global controversies over immigration so often center on migrant womens fertility and their childrens access to government benefits? Why do some countries accept LGBTQ migrants but deny them the right to adopt, use assisted reproductive technologies, or extend citizenship to their children? How are efforts to limit marriage-and-family based migration racialized and classed? What are the gendered implications when nurses are a countrys central export? Could building a border wall or sending refugees back stop unwanted immigration? This course examines how intersecting gender, sexual and ethnic hierarchies shape and are shaped by immigration. Applying insights from feminist and queer theories of migration, students will explore how the gendered processes surrounding immigration craft concepts of nation, borders and citizenship. Readings and films examine how racial and sexual norms are renegotiated through the selection and regulation of immigrants. Central to our investigation is how transnational and economic forces compel migration, reshaping understandings of national belonging, workplaces, and family in the process. We will particularly consider how migrants negotiate multiple marginalizations, and in turn refashion understandings of community, identities, culture, and politics. An interdisciplinary framework combines sociological, historical, legal, activist, media, literary and artistic accounts.Prerequisite: One WGSS or SOCI course, or permission of instructor; not appropriate for first-year students. Cross-listed as WGSS 310.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, TF
DENNY 211
Courses Offered in WGSS
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
WGSS 310-01 Immigration Politics: Gender, Race and Sexuality in Contemporary Migration
Instructor: Katie Oliviero
Course Description:
Cross-listed with SOCI 310-01. Why do global controversies over immigration so often center on migrant womens fertility and their childrens access to government benefits? Why do some countries accept LGBTQ migrants but deny them the right to adopt, use assisted reproductive technologies, or extend citizenship to their children? How are efforts to limit marriage-and-family based migration racialized and classed? What are the gendered implications when nurses are a countrys central export? Could building a border wall or sending refugees back stop unwanted immigration? This course examines how intersecting gender, sexual and ethnic hierarchies shape and are shaped by immigration. Applying insights from feminist and queer theories of migration, students will explore how the gendered processes surrounding immigration craft concepts of nation, borders and citizenship. Readings and films examine how racial and sexual norms are renegotiated through the selection and regulation of immigrants. Central to our investigation is how transnational and economic forces compel migration, reshaping understandings of national belonging, workplaces, and family in the process. We will particularly consider how migrants negotiate multiple marginalizations, and in turn refashion understandings of community, identities, culture, and politics. An interdisciplinary framework combines sociological, historical, legal, activist, media, literary and artistic accounts.Prerequisite: One WGSS or SOCI course, or permission of instructor; not appropriate for first-year students. Cross-listed as SOCI 310.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, TF
DENNY 211