The Jackson School is offering some fun and exciting courses for you to consider this Winter Quarter! See our list of some highlighted courses below.
ALL Winter Jackson School courses: WINTER 2027 Courses website
JSIS B 200: Sports and Diplomacy (5 credits, SSc)
Ron Krabill
Provides a global history of the present by investigating the relationships between political forces, economic processes, and socio-cultural dynamics of expansion, domination, and resistance. By looking into the past to understand the contemporary world, examines how the modern world came to be structured around nation-states, when most economies became capitalist, and why most societies are organized around structures of inequality.
How does this count towards my degree?
- SIS major and minor as a theme course
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Ron Krabill
Questions? Email rkrabill@uw.edu
JSIS 201: Contemporary International Problems (5 credits, SSc)
David Bachman
Explains contemporary international and global problems using interdisciplinary approaches. Focuses on the origins of current issues such as war, migration, poverty, trade, populism, climate change, technology, and other topics from the twentieth century up to today. Students learn to critically engage with the causes and potential solutions to problems facing the world today through research, writing, and discussion.
How does this count towards my degree?
- SIS major Foundational Course!
- Many International Studies minors also require this course!
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: David Bachman
Questions? Email dbachman@uw.edu
RELIG 201: Introduction to Western Religions: Western Traditions (5 credits, SSc)
Jennifer Hunter
History of religions, concentrating on religious traditions that have developed west of the Indus. Primary attention to the Semitic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and to their ancient world background with emphasis on basic conceptual and symbolic structures.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Jennifer Hunter
Questions? Email jrh259@uw.edu
RELIG 212: Introduction to the Quran (5 credits, A&H/SSc)
A literary, historical, and theological introduction to the Quran. Looks at the historical circumstances of the text’s compilation; its collection and redaction; its narrative structure; its rhetorical strategies; its major themes; its connections to and departures from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament; commentary and exegesis; translation; and its impact on political and religious thought. Offered: jointly with MELC 231.
How does this count towards my degree?
- International Studies Theme course
- Comparative Religion major and minor
- General education: Social Sciences or Arts and Humanities
Instructor: Amina Moujtahid
Questions? Email amoujt@uw.edu
JSIS B 220: Diplomacy, Strategy, and United States Foreign Policy (5 credits, Ssc)
Daniel Bessner
Explores key theories and approaches that shape U.S. foreign policy, with a focus on history and political science. Covers diplomacy, strategy, and U.S. foreign relations, including military, economic, and cultural aspects. Includes how domestic, international, and transnational processes shape these policies and their global impact. Provides a well-rounded understanding of U.S. foreign affairs.
How does this count towards my degree?
- International Studies Theme course
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Daniel Bessner
Questions? Email dbessner@uw.edu
JSIS A 239 / CLAS 239: Greece: From Ancient to Modern (5 credits, SSc/A&H)
Nektaria Klapaki
How are Ancient and Modern Greece connected to each other? Learn about great moments in Ancient Greek culture (tyranny and democracy, tragedy and comedy, athletics and art) and the complex ways Modern Greece has drawn on this heritage by exploring ancient and modern texts and images. Offered: jointly with CLAS 239.
How does this count towards my degree?
- International Studies Area course
- Hellenic Studies minor
- General education: Social Sciences or Arts and Humanities
Instructor: Nektaria Klapaki
Questions? Email nklapaki@uw.edu
JSIS A 325 / HSTLAC 325: Modern Mexico: Culture, Politics and Society (5 Credits, SSc)
Vanessa Freije
Provides an historical survey of Mexican politics, culture, and society. Explores debates about the role of violence and foreign intervention in Mexico’s political development. Topics include revolution, U.S.-Mexico relations, race and gender politics, student movements, cultural production, neoliberalism, and the war on drugs.
How does this count towards my degree?
- International Studies Area course
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Vanessa Freije
Questions? Email vfreije@uw.edu
JSIS B 333 / GWSS 333: Gender, Sexuality, and Globalization (5 credits, SSc, DIV)
Randa Tawil
Examines gender and sexuality as integral to global circuits of empire, war, work, capitalism, and cultural production. Analyzes how these transnational processes produce power and inequity, transforming lived experience in complex and contradictory ways. Explores feminist and queer movements for social change across discrepant conditions, locations, and politics.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Upper division International Studies Theme course
- General education: Social Sciences and Diversity
Instructor: Randa Tawil
Questions? Email rtawil@uw.edu
NEW COURSE ** JSIS B 348 / LSJ 348 A: Foundations of International Law (5 credits, SSc) ** NEW COURSE
Megan McCloskey
Explores contemporary global challenges through the lens of international law and its institutions. Introduces the sources and functions of international law and evaluates its ability to constrain state behavior. Focuses on how international law applies to specific problems, including the use of force, treatment of refugees, and prevention and responses to climate change.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Upper division International Studies Theme course
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Megan McCloskey
Questions? Email meganmc@uw.edu
JSIS B 359: Artificial Intelligence and Global Governance (5 credits, SSc)
Taso Lagos
Covers the current issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, analyzing what is and is not factual. Takes a global, non-technical approach to AI’s impact on governance and society. Explores ethical frameworks, international regulations, and the future of AI policy while critically analyzing its role in the world.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Upper division International Studies Theme course
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Taso Lagos
Questions? Email taso@uw.edu
JSIS B 360: The United States in the World (5 credits, SSc)
Daniel Bessner
Explores U.S. foreign policy history from colonial times to the mid-twentieth century. Examines how policymakers and citizens shaped and reacted to foreign policy decisions. Investigates key events, figures, and shifts in U.S. foreign relations, analyzing primary sources and considering factors influencing policy. Topics include the American Revolution, the Civil War, the World Wars, and the Cold War.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Upper division International Studies Theme or Area course
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Daniel Bessner
Questions? Email dbessner@uw.edu
JSIS B 370: Privacy (5 credits, SSc)
Justin Petelka – chosen image
Explores how individuals, corporations, and governments respond to privacy challenges in the digital age. Examines evolution of the idea of privacy using case studies of actual privacy policies, legal cases, and real-world situations. Covers legal, political, and social facets of this fundamental human issue.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Upper division International Studies Theme course
- Technology Studies minor course
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Justin Petelka
Questions? Email jpetelka@uw.edu
JSIS B 402: The Middle East in the Modern World (5 credits, SSc)
Reşat Kasaba
Economic, political, and cultural ties between the Middle East and the modern world between the eighteenth century and the present. Particular attention to the transformation of societies, formation of modern states, the relationship between Islam and democracy, and gender and society in the Middle East.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Upper division International Studies Area course
- Middle East Studies minor
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Resat Kasaba
Questions? Email kasaba@uw.edu
JSIS B 407: Political Islam and Contemporary Islamist Movements (5 credits, SSc)
Imam Subkhan
Examines Islamist movements (which seek to reform Muslim society through the capture and the modern state and the establishment of Islamic law) to understand how they impact regional politic and global political Islam. Prerequisite: either HIST 161, NEAR E 211, NEAR E 212, JSIS C 211, JSIS C 212, JSIS B 406/POL S 432, JSIS A 215, or JSIS A 402, any of which may be taken concurrently.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Upper division International Studies Theme course
- Middle East Studies minor
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Imam Subkhan
Questions? Email imams@uw.edu
JSIS B 427: Weapons of Mass Destruction: Development, Deployment, and Detection(5 credits, SSc)
Russ Goyachev
Practical understanding of the development of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons plus missile delivery systems. Proliferation detection technology and its limitations. Case studies of past and current arms control agreements and non-proliferation programs.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Upper division International Studies Theme course
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Russ Goychayev
Questions? Email rustamg@uw.edu
JSIS A 480: Indigenous Taiwan and the Pacific (5 credits, SSc/A&H)
Margaret Tu
Explores the Indigenous peoples of Taiwan through law, culture, and literature (e.g., music, fiction, and poetry). Includes language revitalization, land rights, storytelling as resistance, and legal struggles. Case studies highlight shared and distinct Indigenous experiences in Taiwan, Oceania, and the U.S., fostering cross-cultural dialogue and critical thinking.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Upper division International Studies Area course
- Asian Studies major
- General education: Social Sciences or Arts and Humanities
Instructor: Margaret Tu
Questions? Email ypt@uw.edu
JSIS 484: Special Topics in East Asian Studies (5 credits, SSc)
TOPIC: Understanding North Korea: A Historical and Cultural Approach
How does this count towards my degree?
- International Studies Upper division Area course
- Asian Studies Major
- General education: Social Sciences
Instructor: Claudius Kim
Questions? Email jsiscourse@uw.edu
