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Spotlight: Cool Courses Winter 2025

October 9, 2024

Students walking through The Quad in winter with light snow on the ground
The Quad in Winter

Jackson School has some excellent courses for you to consider this Winter!

Three NEW courses to highlight: see below! 


Scott Radnitz

Scott Radnitz

JSIS 201: The Making of the Twenty-First Century
MWF 2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m., KNE 110 – This course has a Quiz Section on Thursdays

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.

Instructor: Scott Radnitz
Questions? Email srad@uw.edu


RELIG 201: Introduction to World Religions: Western Traditions
MW 10:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m., SMI 102

This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the civilizations of Asia, with a focus on India, China, Japan, and Korea. We’ll explore their religion, philosophy, literature, art, and social and political thought from ancient times up to the 17th century, gaining a rich understanding of how these cultures have shaped history and continue to influence the world today.

Instructor: TBD
Questions? Email TBD


Headshot of Daniel Hoffman

Daniel Hoffman

**NEW COURSE: JSIS B 200: Sports & Diplomacy**
TTh 4:00-5:50 p.m., PCAR 391

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.

Instructor: Danny Hoffman
Questions? Email djh13@uw.edu

 


Sunila Kale

Sunila Kale

**NEW COURSE: JSIS B 329 (CHID 329/LABOR 329): Introduction to Capitalism**
MW 4:00-5:50 p.m., MEB 248

This course breaks down what capital is and how it’s different from capitalism. We’ll dive into how capitalism evolved into the global system we know today and how it shapes our world. We’ll explore the connections between capitalism, society, and politics, both in the past and now. The class covers key events from the late 1800s to today, using insights from history, economics, sociology, anthropology, and literature to get a full picture.

Instructor: Sunila Kale
Questions? Email kale@uw.edu


Andrea Arai

Andrea Arai

**NEW COURSE: JSIS B 438: International Conflict through Film and Art**
MW 9:30-11:20 am., CMU 226

This year, the course focuses on how conflicts in the Middle East are portrayed in film and art, examining them from local, national, and global perspectives. With current events in the region as a backdrop, we’ll explore how filmmakers, artists, and craftivists respond to these conflicts. We’ll also analyze how visual and oral media convey compassion, empathy, and complexity while fostering solidarity and community in the context of regional struggles.

Instructor: Andrea Arai
Questions? Email araia2@uw.edu


Deborah Porter

Deborah Porter

JSIS A 207: Asian Civilizations: Traditions
Asynchronous Online Course

This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the civilizations of Asia, with a focus on India, China, Japan, and Korea. We’ll explore their religion, philosophy, literature, art, and social and political thought from ancient times up to the 17th century, gaining a rich understanding of how these cultures have shaped history and continue to influence the world today.

Instructor: Deborah Porter
Questions? Email debzport@uw.edu


Sabine Lang

Sabine Lang

JSIS A 301: Conflict & Cooperation in Contemporary Europe
MW 10:00 – 11:20 a.m., MOR 230  – This course has a Quiz Section on Fridays

Explore the dynamic changes shaping Europe today! This course dives into the social, political, cultural, and economic shifts across the continent, spotlighting the European Union, Scandinavia, and post-Soviet Eastern Europe. We’ll unpack the big trends driving change, from government decisions to cultural movements, and how they affect life in modern Europe.

Instructor: Sabine Lang
Questions? Email salang@uw.edu


Mary Callahan

Mary Callahan

JSIS A 343 (POL S 343): Politics And Change in Southeast Asia
MW 3:30 – 5:20 p.m., GLD 435

Discover the politics of one of the world’s most exciting regions that rarely makes it into U.S. headlines. From Myanmar’s collapse to Thailand’s hidden tensions and Cambodia’s lingering past, this course dives deep into issues shaping Southeast Asia. We’ll read fascinating biographies, Zoom with major authors, and use AI tools to explore the region’s challenges. Laptops are a must for this interactive class!

Instructor: Mary Callahan
Questions? Email mpc@uw.edu


Mary Callahan

Mary Callahan

JSIS A 245 (HSTAS 245): Human Rights in Asia
MW 3:30 – 5:20 p.m., GLD 435

Dive into the dynamic world of human rights across South, Southeast, and East Asia. This course explores recent and ongoing struggles for justice, unpacking how these critical issues shape—and are shaped by—local politics. You’ll gain fresh insights into the historical events behind today’s debates and connect global themes to real-world examples.

Instructor: Mary Callahan
Questions? Email mpc@uw.edu


Debamanyu Das profile picture

Debamanyu Das

JSIS B 330: International Political Economy
TTh 2:30 – 4:40 p.m., EGL G01

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.

Instructor: Debamanyu Das
Questions? Email ddas64@uw.edu


Scott Montgomery

Scott Montgomery

JSIS B 357: Geopolitics of Energy
TTh 12:30 – 2:20 p.m., MEB 103

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.

Instructor: Scott Montgomery
Questions? Email scottlm@uw.edu


Jackson School Assistant Professor Daniel Bessner

Daniel Bessner

JSIS A 350:United States – Europe Relations
MW 1:30 – 3:20 p.m., ART 317

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.

Instructor: Daniel Bessner
Questions? Email dbessner@uw.edu


Megan McCloskey

Megan McCloskey

JSIS B 346:Disability in Global and Comparative Perspective
TTh 1:30 – 3:20 p.m., CMU 120

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.

Instructor: Megan McCloskey
Questions? Email meganmc@uw.edu


Debamanyu Das profile picture

Debamanyu Das

JSIS B 331: Political Economy of Development
MW 12:30 – 2:20 p.m., MUE 153

Think about the iPhones, tablets, and laptops we use every day. These devices depend on minerals like cobalt, lithium, and nickel, mostly mined in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Take cobalt—key for tech and electric vehicle batteries. Congo, a major cobalt producer, is also rich in copper, diamonds, and gold. Yet almost three-quarters of Congolese people lived on less than $2.15 a day in 2023. Why do resource-rich countries like Congo still face poverty? What roles do governments and organizations play in development? This course explores why some countries remain poor and how to address challenges in the Global South. Join us to dive into the political economy of development and its global effects!

Instructor: Debamanyu Das
Questions? Email ddas64@uw.edu


Justin Petelka

Justin Petelka (graphic courtesy of Justin Petelka)

JSIS B 370 (LSJ 370, POL S 370): Privacy
TTh 10:30 – 12:20 p.m., MLR 316

This course offers hands-on experience tackling real-world data privacy challenges. Explore essential topics, including U.S. and EU privacy laws, online tracking, advertising, credit reports, data breaches, and the identifiers in hardware, networks, and browsers that can impact privacy. We’ll dive into powerful strategies to protect personal data—such as ad blockers, phishing detection, password managers, credit freezes, and malware defenses—all while considering the ethical questions that arise. No prior experience is required; just bring your curiosity and readiness to make a difference in digital privacy!

Instructor: Justin Peltelka
Questions? Email jpetelka@uw.edu