Jackson School has some excellent courses for you to consider this Spring! See list below for some featured courses!
To see ALL Spring Jackson School courses, visit the SPRING 2026 Courses website to view how they meet major requirements.
Jackson School Lecture Seminar, Spring 2026
Ron Krabill
JSIS 478: Special Topics in International Studies – Global Sport Lab (2 cr, CR/NC): The World (Cup) Comes to Seattle
Each week of spring quarter, the Global Sport Lab will be bringing experts to discuss the geopolitical, local, and sporting implications of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Seattle. Seminars will focus on teams coming to Seattle, along with specific topics including workers’ rights, World Cup histories, immigration and the travel ban, and the Pride Match controversy, among others. Whether you are a lifelong fan of the sport or just curious about how the World Cup will impact our city and the world, this seminar series is for you.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Credits will count towards graduation.
Instructor: Ron Krabill
Questions? Email rkrabill@uw.edu
Taso Lagos
JSIS 101 – Media and Information Technology in Global Conflict (5 credits, SSc)
Explores the role media and information technology have played in global conflicts since the twentieth century. How different groups have mobilized new technologies for covert warfare, surveillance, and cyberattacks, as well as for self-determination, cultural survival, and whistleblowing. Includes war photography; bots and election interference; and Indigenous movements and media.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Taso Lagos
Questions? Email taso@uw.edu
James Wellman
RELIG 101: A Life Worth Living: Meaning, Morals and Money (5 credits, SSc)
Investigates how to create meaning in religious and humanistic traditions, how to develop ethical traditions that enable trust and a thriving social order, and the relationship between money and meaning. Students ask what makes life worth living and discover sources of meaning and ethical maxims, as well as tools to navigate decision-making and fashion a flourishing life.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion
Instructor: James Wellman
Questions? Email jwellman@uw.edu
Scott Montgomery
JSIS 201: The Making of the Twenty-First Century (5 credits, SSc)
Dive deep into the major global issues from the mid-20th century to today. We’ll explore big world events and trends through social science theories and methods, learning how different forces shape our world. You’ll also build skills in analyzing and writing about the causes and impacts of these global events, to tackle complex questions with a broader perspective.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- Asian Studies: Introductory course
- Comparative Religion: Introductory course
- European Studies: Introductory course
- Latin American and Caribbean Studies: Introductory course
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; States and Markets; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Scott Montgomery
Questions? Email scottlm@uw.edu
Sara Curran
JSIS 202: Culture and Power in International Studies (5 credits, DIV, SSc)
Dives into how cultural framings and power structures interact to shape the world, focusing on case studies to illustrate the role of both for compelling and dividing societies. We’ll explore how economic, political, and social backgrounds influence interactions and identities internationally. Students will think critically about culture, examining how different groups use it today. Through case studies and social science methods, students will gain new perspectives on how global and local challenges may be addressed.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Diversity, Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; States and Markets; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Sara Curran
Questions? Email scurran@uw.edu
Sunila Kale
JSIS 203: Rise of Asia (5 credits, SSc)
Key themes in the study of Asia. Topics include: the notion of “Asia;” understanding current economic rise in a longer historical trajectory; comparison of colonial experiences under Western and Asian powers; World War II and Asian nationalism; postwar patterns of economic and political development; social patterns and issues.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- Asian Studies: Core, Elective
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; States and Markets; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS Areas: Asia; China; East Asia; Japan; Korea
Instructor: Sunila Kale
Questions? Email kale@uw.edu
Noam Pianko
JEW ST 210 – Funny Jews: Jewish Humor and American Identity (5 credits, A&H)
Jewish humor plays an important role in American popular culture. Investigates the modern history of Jewish humor through the writers, comedians, and actors who have shaped American comedy. Discusses the purpose of humor and the role that Jewish humor plays in shaping American and American Jewish identity.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Arts and Humanities
- Jewish Studies: Elective
- Comparative Religion: Social Contexts & Cultural Forms
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion
- SIS Areas: Americas
Instructor: Noam Pianko
Questions? Email npianko@uw.edu
Daniel Bessner
JSIS B 220: Diplomacy, Strategy, and United States Foreign Policy (5 credits, SSc)
Explores the history of U.S. foreign policy and military affairs. Covers diplomacy, strategy, and U.S. foreign relations, including military, political, economic, and cultural aspects. Includes how domestic, international, and transnational processes shape these topics and discusses their global impact. Provides a well-rounded understanding of U.S. foreign and military affairs.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; States and Markets; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS Areas: Americas
Instructor: Daniel Bessner
Questions? Email dbessner@uw.edu
Sasha Senderovich
JSIS B 303: Global Literature: Contemporary Novels Around the World (5 credits, DIV, A&H)
Approaches contemporary literary fiction as an essential requirement for understanding today’s world. Focuses on novels from authors of diverse backgrounds, countries, and languages that address pressing issues of our time: legacies of colonialism, refugee crises and global migration, environmental/climate catastrophe, and questions of gender, class, and racial identities. Readings in English.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Diversity; Arts & Humanities
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements
Instructor: Sasha Senderovich
Questions? Email senderov@uw.edu
Vanessa Freije
JSIS A/HSTLAC 323: Inter-American Relations (5 credits, DIV, SSc)
This course explores the Americas’ evolving political, economic, and social relationships since the 1900s, examining state policies of genocide, extraction, and colonial occupation, as well as transnational movements of resistance and solidarity. The class further looks at how race, gender, labor, and class have shaped inter-American dynamics, moving beyond U.S.-focused perspectives to highlight Latin America’s role in reshaping the region.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Diversity, Social Sciences
- Latin America & Caribbean Studies: Contemporary LACS, or Elective
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS Areas: Americas
Instructor: Vanessa Freije
Questions? Email vfreije@uw.edu
Clinton Westman
ARCTIC 401: Current Issues in the Arctic Region – Indigenous peoples and oil extraction (5 credits, SSc)
Addresses current challenges and opportunities in the circumpolar North, from the perspective of current cutting-edge research, fields of practice, and Arctic Indigenous peoples and communities. May include climate change, social well-being, education, governance, and more. This spring, the focus will be on Indigenous peoples and oil extraction.
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Environment & Health; Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS Areas: Arctic
- Arctic Minor: Integrative Experience
Instructor: Clinton Westman
Questions? Email cwestm@uw.edu
Nadine Fabbi
ARCTIC 410: Self-Determination in Canada and Beyond: Inuit Rising (5 credits, DIV, SSc, W)
Includes the history of contact and colonization between Inuit and the outside world, then focuses on Inuit self-determination and their impact on global and local issues. Offers a foundation in Arctic Indigenous internationalism, the significance of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and how Inuit shape the Arctic Council and Inuit-Crown relations, giving insight into Inuit leadership and global influence.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences, Diversity, Writing
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements
- SIS Areas: Arctic
- Arctic Minor: Integrative Experience & Elective
Instructor: Nadin Fabbi
Questions? Email nfabbi@uw.edu
Andrea Arai
JSIS B 438: International Conflict through Film and Arts (5 credits, SSc)
Explores the portrayal of conflicts in film and art from local, national, and international perspectives. Reflecting on current global events, students analyze the impact of filmmakers, art, artists, and “craftivists” in responding to international conflicts. Examines the significance of visual and oral media in conveying compassion, empathy, and nuance, as well as fostering solidarity and community.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS Areas: Middle East
Instructor: Andrea Gevurtz Arai
Questions? Email araia2@uw.edu
David Bachman
JSIS A 459/POL S 419 – United States-China Relations (5 credits, SSc)
This course is evenly split between the history of relations between the US and the People’s Republic of China and current issues in US-China relations. Topics to be covered include security issues, technological competition, Taiwan, human rights, and the trade war.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- Asian Studies: Elective
- SIS themes: Political Economy; States and Markets; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS Areas: Americas; Asia
Instructor: David Bachman
Questions? Email dbachman@uw.edu
Debamanyu Das
JSIS B 458: Energy & International Security (5 credits, SSc) – NEW COURSE
Explore the future of energy and its impact on global power. Dive into the world of critical minerals, clean tech, and the countries racing to control them. From energy inequality to the fate of oil states, you’ll analyze real cases from the Global South and North and learn how innovation, finance, and policy shape a rapidly changing energy landscape.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; States and Markets; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy; or Environment and Health
Instructor: Debamanyu Das
Questions? Email ddas64@uw.edu
JSIS A 480: Indigenous Taiwan and the Pacific (5 credits, SSc, A&H) – NEW COURSE
Margaret Yun-Pu 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?
- General Education: Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
- Asian Studies: Core, Elective
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion
Instructor: Margaret Yun-Pu Tu
Questions? Email ypt@uw.edu
Jessica Beyer
JSIS B/LSJ/POL S 369: Technology and Human Rights (5 credits, SSc) – NEW COURSE
Focusing on privacy, surveillance, and speech/expression, engages with international human rights and national-level laws, and their intersection with internet-connected technologies. Covers the ability of governments and companies to use technology, particularly internet-connected technology, to surveil and restrict human behavior.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Technology, Security, and Diplomacy; Rights and Movements
Instructor: Jessica Beyer
Questions? Email jlbeyer@uw.edu
Robert Pekkanen
JSIS B 431: International Negotiation Simulation (INSIM, 5 credits, SSc)
This is a hands-on course that puts you at the center of one of today’s most dangerous global challenges: the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. You’ll represent a major world power in a high-stakes, weekend-long negotiation simulation, gaining practical skills, professional mentoring from former ambassadors and senior practitioners, and eligibility for a Certificate in International Negotiation. Expect intensive teamwork, real diplomacy, and an experience you’ll talk about long after graduation. Repeatable for credit – every iteration is on a new region!
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Technology, Security, and Diplomacy; States and Markets; or Culture, Power, and Religion
- SIS Areas: Asia
Instructor: Robert Pekkanen
Questions? Email pekkanen@uw.edu
