Introductory courses for the international studies major

Reşat Kasaba

JSIS 200: States and Capitalism: The Origins of the Modern Global System (5 credits – SSc, W optional)

MWF 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. | SMI 120 (with Quiz sections on TTh)

Unlocks the origins of the global system in JSIS 200! Trace the interaction of politics and economics from the 16th century to World War I and discover the events that shaped today’s world.

Instructor: Reşat Kasaba
Questions? Email kasaba@uw.edu 

Radhika GovindrajanTara Brown UW photography

RELIG 202: Introduction to World Religions: Eastern Traditions (SSc, W)

TTh 9:30 – 11:20 a.m. | NAN 181

History of religions, concentrating on religions that have developed in South Asia and East Asia. Primary attention to Hinduism and Buddhism; other important Asian religions are discussed in relation to them, with emphasis on basic conceptual and symbolic structures.

Instructor: Radhika Govindrajan
Questions? Email rgovind@uw.edu

Jessica Beyer

JSIS B 255: Technology and International Studies (SSc, W)

ONLINE Asynchronous

Technological advancements have profoundly shaped the international system throughout history. Covers major recent technological developments and their impact on the global system, including weapons of mass destruction, information and communication technology, cybersecurity, energy, and emerging technology such as artificial intelligence.

Instructor: Jessica Beyer
Questions? Email jlbeyer@uw.edu

Debamanyu Das

JSIS 222 A: Global Markets Local Economies (SSc)

TTh 12:30 – 2:20 p.m. | MUW 153

This course explores global economic interconnections and their impact on daily life. Designed for those with minimal economics background, it covers the complexities of globalization, supply chains, inequality, inflation, and more. Students will develop analytical skills to interpret economic news, analyze data, and evaluate economic arguments in real-world contexts.

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

James Wellman

RELIG 120 A: Jesus: A Global Biography (5 credits, SSc, A&H)  

MW 1:30 – 3:20 p.m. | SMI 304

Explores how Jesus became a global icon, shaping not just Western religions but influencing cultures and traditions worldwide. Goes beyond his role in Christianity and Judaism, diving into his presence as a prophet in Islam and his impact on Asian religions. Illustrates how his teachings and legacy have transcended religious boundaries, sparking conversation, adaptation, and influence across the globe.

Instructor: James Wellman
Questions? Email wellman@uw.edu

Anand Yang

JSIS A 206 A: Contemporary India & Pakistan (5 credits, SSc, W optional)  

TTh 1:30 – 3:20 p.m. | SMI 102

Dive into interdisciplinary South Asian Studies with JSIS A 206 A! Navigate the vibrant histories, religions, and cultures of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. 

Instructor: Anand Yang
Questions? Email aay@uw.edu 

Rebakah Daro Minarchek

JSIS B 212: Global Environmental Justice (5 credits, SSc, DIV)  

TTh 12:30 – 2:20 p.m. | MOR 230

Examines why environmental disasters (such as floods, fires, and oil spills) hit some countries harder than others. Explores global environmental justice, examining how political, economic, and social systems distribute environmental harm unevenly. Uses tools and frameworks to challenge these inequalities and explores recent events like heatwaves and wildfires through an environmental justice lens.

Instructor: Rebakah Daro Minarchek
Questions? Email daromin@uw.edu

Taso Lagos

JSIS 110: Sports and Global Affairs – Global Religion of Sports (5 credits, SSc) 

TTh 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. | WFS 201

Dissect how organized sports provide leisure, emotional expression, community, entertainment but also a growing sense of religious identification. Explore the cultural forces behind this modern phenomenon, its evolving ties to mainstream society and the lessons religion offers sports, and sports religion.

Instructor: Taso Lagos
Questions? Email taso@uw.edu

Mika Ahuvia

RELIG / JEW ST 145: Intro to Judaism (5 credits, SSc)

TTh 12:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. | MOR 221

Dive into the heart of Jewish tradition and its global impact with RELIG/JEW ST 145! Gain insights into multiculturalism, religion, and interconnectedness through the lens of Judaism.

Instructor: Mika Ahuvia
Questions? Email mahuvia@uw.edu

Courses perfect for unlocking discovery and igniting curiosity

Taso Lagos

JSIS 110: Sports and Global Affairs – Global Religion of Sports (5 credits, SSc) 

TTh 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. | WFS 201

Dissect how organized sports provide leisure, emotional expression, community, entertainment but also a growing sense of religious identification. Explore the cultural forces behind this modern phenomenon, its evolving ties to mainstream society and the lessons religion offers sports, and sports religion.

Instructor: Taso Lagos
Questions? Email taso@uw.edu

Mika Ahuvia

RELIG / JEW ST 145: Intro to Judaism (5 credits, SSc)

TTh 12:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. | MOR 221

Dive into the heart of Jewish tradition and its global impact with RELIG/JEW ST 145! Gain insights into multiculturalism, religion, and interconnectedness through the lens of Judaism.

Instructor: Mika Ahuvia
Questions? Email mahuvia@uw.edu

Vanessa Freije

JSIS A 354 A: Narcoculture: Propaganda and Publicity in the War on Drugs (5 credits, SSc)  

MW 12:30 – 2:20 p.m. | ART 003

Representation of so-called narcos in inter-American media and culture since the 1970s. Students critically analyze U.S. films, Colombian soap operas, Mexican ballads, and state propaganda dedicated to portraying traffickers’ exploits. Centering on the ethical question of how to portray drug-related violence, introduces students to debates about censorship, propaganda, the public sphere, and spectacle.

Instructor: Vanessa Freije
Questions? Email vfreije@uw.edu

Nektaria Klapaki

JSIS B/GWSS 312: Money, Love & Marriage in Europe and America (5 credits, SSc) 

MW 10:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | CMU 226

Unlock the complexities of marriage across cultures and say ‘I do’ to JSIS B 312! Learn how different cultures define and navigate the romantic and economic nuances of relationships.

Instructor: Nektaria Klapaki
Questions? Email nklapaki@uw.edu

Kathie Friedman

JSIS B 441: Forced Migrations (5 credits, SSc, DIV)  

TTh 2:30 – 4:20 p.m. | THO 135

Provides an interdisciplinary understanding of the causes, characteristics, and consequences of forced migration experiences across the global system. Explores how international policy makers, humanitarian workers, and scholars have constructed forced migration as a problem for analysis and action, including some of the ethical dilemmas involved.

Instructor: Kathie Friedman
Questions? Email friedman@uw.edu

Deborah Porter

JSIS B 416: Putting the World on a Couch: Psychoanalysis and International Studies (5 credits, SSc, A&H)

Asynchronous Online

Explores the relation of trauma to memory and cultural production, focusing on historical, literary, and filmic treatments of hysteria and repression, shell shock, and the effects of war, terrorism, and psychic trauma. Uses psychoanalytical theory to analyze the commentary on international issues that lies in texts, films, and other cultural phenomena.

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

Randa Tawil

JSIS 478 A: Special Topics in International and Global Studies (5 credits, SSc)  

MW 2:30 – 4:20 p.m. | MGH 287

Topic: Gender, Sexuality, and Globalization

How do we develop global forms of justice for women and sexual minorities, while acknowledging the many classed, geographic, and cultural differences they inhabit?  In this course, we will study the ways that the global circuits of capitalism, war, labor, and empire have affected women and sexual minorities in contrasting yet connected ways across the world. In doing so, we will discover what makes gender and sexuality meaningful in our globalized world, and new ways to envision forms of justice and equality across difference.

Instructor: Randa Tawil
Questions? Email jsiscourse@uw.edu

Excellent courses that are relevant today!

Daniel Bessner

JSIS B/HSTCMP 360 A: The United States in the World (5 credits, SSc)

MW 1:30 – 3:20 p.m. | SIG 225

Explores U.S. foreign policy history from colonial times to the mid-20th 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.

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

Liora Halperin

JSIS A/HSTAFM 314 A: The History of Modern Israel/Palestine (5 credits, SSc)

MW 10:30 – 12:20 p.m. | SAV 264

Cultural, social, and political histories of Palestine, the Land of Israel, and the State of Israel; Zionist and Palestinian nationalist movements, in their larger regional, transnational, and global contexts.

Instructor: Liora Halpern
Questions? Email lhalper@uw.edu

Scott Montgomery

JSIS B / ARCTIC 391: Climate Change: An International Perspective: Science, Art, and Activism (5 credits, SSc, A&H) 

MW 12:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. | CDH 135

Explores climate change science in the context of geographic, social, and political constraints, considering the role of art, activism, and Arctic indigenous peoples in communicating impacts and mitigation. Students gain knowledge in key atmospheric and ocean science principles along with the role of science in society.

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

Kathie Friedman

JSIS B 441: Forced Migrations (5 credits, SSc, DIV)  

TTh 2:30 – 4:20 p.m. | THO 135

Provides an interdisciplinary understanding of the causes, characteristics, and consequences of forced migration experiences across the global system. Explores how international policy makers, humanitarian workers, and scholars have constructed forced migration as a problem for analysis and action, including some of the ethical dilemmas involved.

Instructor: Kathie Friedman
Questions? Email friedman@uw.edu

General Courses: Globalization, technology, and international studies

Scott Montgomery

JSIS B / ARCTIC 391: Climate Change: An International Perspective: Science, Art, and Activism (5 credits, SSc, A&H) 

MW 12:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. | CDH 135

Explores climate change science in the context of geographic, social, and political constraints, considering the role of art, activism, and Arctic indigenous peoples in communicating impacts and mitigation. Students gain knowledge in key atmospheric and ocean science principles along with the role of science in society.

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

Debamanyu Das

JSIS 222 A: Global Markets, Local Economies (SSc)

TTh 12:30 – 2:20 p.m. | MUW 153

This course explores global economic interconnections and their impact on daily life. Designed for those with minimal economics background, it covers the complexities of globalization, supply chains, inequality, inflation, and more. Students will develop analytical skills to interpret economic news, analyze data, and evaluate economic arguments in real-world contexts.

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

Jessica Beyer

JSIS B 255: Technology and International Studies (SSc, W)

ONLINE Asynchronous

Technological advancements have profoundly shaped the international system throughout history. Covers major recent technological developments and their impact on the global system, including weapons of mass destruction, information and communication technology, cybersecurity, energy, and emerging technology such as artificial intelligence.

Instructor: Jessica Beyer
Questions? Email jlbeyer@uw.edu

Jessica Beyer

JSIS B 355: Cybersecurity and International Studies (SSc, W)

TTh 2:30-4:20 p.m. | THO 101

Technological advancements have profoundly shaped the international system throughout history. Covers major recent technological developments and their impact on the global system, including weapons of mass destruction, information and communication technology, cybersecurity, energy, and emerging technology such as artificial intelligence.

Instructor: Jessica Beyer
Questions? Email jlbeyer@uw.edu

Kathie Friedman

JSIS B 441: Forced Migrations (5 credits, SSc, DIV)  

TTh 2:30 – 4:20 p.m. | THO 135

Provides an interdisciplinary understanding of the causes, characteristics, and consequences of forced migration experiences across the global system. Explores how international policy makers, humanitarian workers, and scholars have constructed forced migration as a problem for analysis and action, including some of the ethical dilemmas involved.

Instructor: Kathie Friedman
Questions? Email friedman@uw.edu

Randa Tawil

JSIS 478 A: Special Topics in International and Global Studies (5 credits, SSc)  

MW 2:30 – 4:20 p.m. | MGH 287

Topic: Gender, Sexuality, and Globalization

How do we develop global forms of justice for women and sexual minorities, while acknowledging the many classed, geographic, and cultural differences they inhabit?  In this course, we will study the ways that the global circuits of capitalism, war, labor, and empire have affected women and sexual minorities in contrasting yet connected ways across the world. In doing so, we will discover what makes gender and sexuality meaningful in our globalized world, and new ways to envision forms of justice and equality across difference.

Instructor: Randa Tawil
Questions? Email jsiscourse@uw.edu