Jackson School has some excellent courses for you to consider this Winter! See list below for some featured courses!
To see ALL Winter Jackson School courses, visit the WINTER 2026 Courses website to view how they meet major requirements.
Daniel Hoffman
JSIS 478 B: Special Topics in International and Global Studies | Topic: Trump in the World (2 credits, CR/NC, SSc)
Join in a series of talks and discussions on the international impact of the second Trump presidency. Guest speaker and faculty presentations will examine how different regions and global issues are affected by the policies of the Trump administration.
- Course is different than the SPR 2024 iteration of this course – new speakers and topics!
Instructor: Danny Hoffman
Questions? Email djh13@uw.edu
Jonathan Warren
JSIS 110: Sports and Global Affairs | Topic: Winter Sports (5 credits, SSc)
Covers the connection between sports and global affairs, including wars, dictatorships, racism, and women and LGTBQIA communities’ discrimination, while also examining several socioeconomic, political, and historical issues at local, national, and global levels.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Jonathan Warren
Questions? Email redstick@uw.edu
David Bachman
JSIS 201: The Making of the Twenty-First Century (5 credits, SSc)
This course gives you a deep dive 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. Plus, you’ll build your skills in analyzing and writing about the causes and impacts of these global events, helping you tackle complex questions with a broader perspective.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; States and Markets; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: David Bachman
Questions? Email dbachman@uw.edu
Ron Krabill
JSIS B 200: Sports & Diplomacy (5 credits, SSc)
Sports have always played a big role in shaping political relationships around the world. From ping pong and Olympic hockey to soccer’s World Cup, international sports are tightly connected to global politics. This course looks at how sports influence diplomacy by introducing key ideas from diplomatic theory and real-world examples of sports diplomacy across different times, cultures, and political situations. We’ll explore how and why sports matter in the world of international relations.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Ron Krabill
Questions? Email rkrabill@uw.edu
Nadine Fabbi
ARCTIC 210: Inuit, the Arctic, and Global Change (5 credits, SSc, W-optional)
Dives into the Arctic’s role in global history and its significance today, examining how outsiders viewed the region for centuries. Highlights Inuit interactions during early contact with outsiders and their journey towards self-determination. Describes the unique effects of climate change on the Arctic and discusses the region’s future, emphasizing its growing importance in global affairs.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences and Writing
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; Environment and Health; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS Areas: Arctic; Asia; and Russia, Eastern Europe, and Asia
Instructor: Nadine Fabbi
Questions? Email nfabbi@uw.edu
Debamanyu Das
JSIS 223: Big Data and Social Change **NEW COURSE** (5 credits, SSc, RSN)
Covers how big data shapes today’s world and its role in tackling socio-economic challenges like education, health, and climate change. Reviews the basics of big data analysis, combining statistical theory with real-world applications. Explores topics like misinformation, media bias, data manipulation, and privacy. Uncovers how to analyze big data correctly and avoid misuse to create positive impacts on society and policy through case studies.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences and Reasoning
- SIS themes: Political Economy; States and Markets; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Debamanyu Das
Questions? Email ddas64@uw.edu
Nektaria Klapaki
JSIS A 239: Greece: From Ancient to Modern (5 credits, SSc or A&H)
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.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences or Arts & Humanities
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; and States and Markets
- SIS Areas: Europe
Instructor: Nektaria Klapaki
Questions? Email nklapaki@uw.edu
Noam Pianko
JEW ST 250: Introduction to Jewish Cultural History (5 credits, SSc)
Introductory orientation to the settings in which Jews have marked out for themselves distinctive identities as a people, a culture, and as a religious community. Examines Jewish cultural history as a production of Jewish identity that is always produced in conversation with others in the non-Jewish world.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion
- SIS Areas: Europe; Middle East; and Russia, Eastern Europe, and Asia
Instructor: Noam Pianko
Questions? Email npianko@uw.edu
Sasha Senderovich
JEW ST 359: Jewish American Literature and Culture (5credits, SSc, A&H, or DIV)
Examines literary and cultural production about the Jewish experience in America. Considers ways in which American Jews assimilate and resist assimilation while Jewish writers, filmmakers, comedians, and graphic novelists imitate and transform American life and literature—with particular emphasis on questions of immigration, identity, gender, sexuality, race, inter-generational trauma, and cultural memory.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities, or Diversity
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion
- SIS Areas: Americas
Instructor: Sasha Senderovich
Questions? Email senderov@uw.edu
Angelina Godoy
JSIS B 326: Migrant Justice: Contemporary Movements for Change **NEW COURSE** (5credits, SSc, DIV)
Explores migrant justice efforts, focusing on the contemporary United States in a global context. Analyzes challenges faced by migrants from around the world in the contemporary United States and the efforts made to address them. Investigates research and advocacy efforts in promoting migrant rights, utilizing recent developments, such as current border policies and their ongoing impacts, as case studies.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences and Diversity
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS Areas: Americas
Instructor: Angelina Godoy
Questions? Email agodoy@uw.edu
Debamanyu Das
JSIS B 330: International Political Economy (5 credits, SSc, W-optional)
You’ve probably heard about trade wars and the global debt crisis. But why do countries start trade wars when they could benefit from trading? How do they deal with debt? International Political Economy (IPE) explores these questions, looking at how politics and economics connect globally. IPE studies how political systems and leaders shape trade, finance, and development, and how economic trends affect global politics. Dive into how global economic decisions are made and their impact on countries in both the Global North and South.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences and Writing
- SIS themes: Political Economy and States and Markets
Instructor: Debamanyu Das
Questions? Email ddas64@uw.edu
Jennifer Hunter
RELIG 334: Gender, Sex, and Religion (5 credits, SSc, DIV)
The Bible and its interpreters invented the gender categories and hierarchies that readers take for granted. Employs academic approaches that illuminate the construction of those categories and explores the debates within Judaism and Christianity as well as within academia today about gender, sex, sexuality, and religion.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences and Diversity
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; and Rights and Movements
- SIS Areas: Middle East
Instructor: Jennifer Hunter
Questions? Email jrh259@uw.edu
Stephen Meyers
JSIS B 346: Disability in Global and Comparative Perspective (5 credits, SSc, DIV)
This course looks at what disability means and how it’s experienced around the world and in local communities. You’ll explore the politics of disability to understand what experiences are shared and what’s unique in different cultures. The class covers human rights, inclusive development, and social movements that work to fight the marginalization of people with disabilities.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences and Diversity
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; and Rights and Movements
Instructor: Stephen Meyers
Questions? Email sjmeyers@uw.edu
Daniel Bessner
JSIS A 350: United States – Europe Relations (5 credits, SSc)
This course explores the rich history of relations between the United States and Europe, from the 1700s to today. We’ll delve into the political, economic, and cultural ties that have connected these regions and the foreign policies that have shaped their interactions from the beginning. By examining key events and developments over the centuries, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how this transatlantic relationship has influenced global affairs.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; States and Markets; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS Areas: Americas and Europe
Instructor: Daniel Bessner
Questions? Email dbessner@uw.edu
Scott Montgomery
JSIS B 357: Geopolitics of Energy (5 credits, SSc)
Get into the world of energy and its global impact! This course introduces you to energy studies with a focus on geopolitics. We’ll explore global energy resources, the latest trends and tech, how energy is supplied and consumed, economic challenges, OPEC’s changing role, and what sustainability and climate change mean for the future of energy.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; States and Markets; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Scott Montgomery
Questions? Email scottlm@uw.edu
Taso Lagos
JSIS B 359: Artificial Intelligence and Global Governance (5 credits, SSc)
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?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Taso Lagos
Questions? Email taso@uw.edu
Yasir Zaidan
JSIS A 362: The Political Economy of Africa (5 credits, SSc)
Focuses on the political economy of governance, development, and conflict in sub-Saharan African countries since independence. Explores the political and economic choices made by Africa’s colonial and post-colonial regimes and connects them to current events in sub-Saharan Africa.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy and States and Markets
- SIS Areas: Africa
Instructor: Yasir Zaidan
Questions? Email yasirz@uw.edu
Mark Metzler
JSIS A/HSTAS 424: Japan Since the Early 20th Century (5 credits, SSc)
Explore the transformation of Japan from the late 19th century to its rise as an industrial powerhouse! This course covers Japan’s journey through World War II, its dramatic surrender, and the American occupation that followed. You’ll examine how Japan rebuilt itself, emerging as a global economic leader. Gain a deep understanding of the key events that shaped modern Japan’s culture, politics, and economy!
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; and States and Markets
- SIS Areas: Asia
Instructor: Mark Metzler
Questions? Email mmetzler@uw.edu
Russ Goyachev
JSIS B 427: Weapons of Mass Destruction: Development, Deployment, and Detection (5 credits, SSc)
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?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; Culture, Power, and Religion; States and Markets; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Russ Goyachev
Questions? Email jsiscourse@uw.edu
Andrea Gevurtz Arai
JSIS A 449: Anthropology of Modern Japan (5 credits, SSc, W-optional)
Examines the problem of modernity in Japan since the late nineteenth century, with emphasis on contemporary Japan. Critically addresses previous anthropological work concerning patterns of Japanese “culture.” Particular focus on the influence of modern forms of power, media, and exchange in the construction of present-day Japan.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences and Writing (optional)
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion
- SIS Areas: Asia
Instructor: Andrea Gevurtz Arai
Questions? Email araia2@uw.edu
Kathie Friedman
JSIS 478: Special Topics in International and Global Studies | Topic: Critical Refugee Studies (5 credits, SSc)
Special topics in International Studies, the topic in the winter quarter is: Critical Refugee Studies
This seminar focuses on recent critiques and innovations in the study of refugees. Rather than depict the refugee primarily as a passive “victim” of a crisis to be managed or solved by global elites, a “grateful recipient” of Western generosity, or an “object” of scholarly study, this course centers the refugee as a subject of knowledge production. Using an interdisciplinary and international frame, we explore what refugee voices and lived experiences make visible about the world. How is our understanding of the world deepened with a focus on the actions, narratives, and images in refugee-centered works? What can we learn from a refugee-centered critique of refugee law and international humanitarianism? How do refugees highlight the limits of the international system to guarantee human rights? What can refugee narratives, images, and actions teach us about conflict, migration, resettlement, reconstruction, or return after violence? Who gets to be labeled and accepted as a refugee? When does the refugee label end?
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; Rights and Movements; and Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Kathie Friedman
Questions? Email friedman@uw.edu
