JSIS CORE AND GATEWAY COURSES (JSIS)

JSIS AREA STUDIES (JSIS A)

JSIS A 402 The Middle East in the Modern World (5 cr)
SLN 16166
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.

JSIS A 424 Japan Since the Early 20th Century (5 cr)
SLN 16168
The making of modern Japan; World War II and surrender; American occupation; postoccupation rebuilding; emergence as an industrial power.

JSIS A 449 Anthropology of Modern Japan (5 cr)
SLN 16170
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.

JSIS A 455 Baltic Politics and Society Today (5 cr)
SLN 16171
Intensive interdisciplinary survey of current social, political, and economic developments in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

JSIS A 463 Topics in Southeast Asian History and Society (5 cr)
SLN 16172
Introduces major issues within the history and culture of one country of Southeast Asia. Content varies. Topics may include religion, economics, colonialism, perspectives on gender, labor history, literatures, popular culture, and performing arts. Focuses on a different Southeast Asian country each time offered.

JSIS A 467 China’s Rise and Its Global Implications (5 cr) 
SLN 16174
Examines the consequences of China’s dramatic rise – three decades of very high rates of economic growth – on China and on the World. Fundamental concerns are how China’s rise is changing the institutions and practices of the world order, and whether China is increasingly socialized into global norms.

JSIS A 516 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (5 cr)
SLN 16175
Explores the history of NATO since 1949. Case studies include German unification; evolving security relationship between NATO, the USSR, and its successor states; process of NATO enlargement; emergence of human rights as a priority in NATO”s security interactions with non-member states; and NATO’s role in ethno-nationalist-religious conflicts in the Balkans.

JSIS A 522 Seminar: Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Study of China (5 cr)
SLN 16176

JSIS A 540 Japanese Law (4 cr)
SLN 16177
Basic institutions and processes of the Japanese legal system. Historical development and traditional role of law, reception of Western law, and cultural and structural factors that influence the function of law and legal institutions.

JSIS A 541 Chinese Law (4 cr) 
SLN 16178
Introduction to the institutions and processes of the Chinese legal system. Focuses on the contemporary system and its role in relation to political, economic, and social developments. Examines legal aspects governing foreign trade and investment in China.

JSIS A 566 Comparative Politics and Korea Studies (5 cr)
SLN 16179
Approaches Korean politics, political economy, and society from a comparative perspective. Examples of major comparative questions based on Korean case include democratization, strong state dynamics, civil society, and impact of globalization.

JSIS A 588 Making Modern Taiwan (5 cr)
SLN 16180
Explores modern Taiwanese history and contemporary Taiwanese society. Contextualizes Taiwan within larger historical trends and covers key issues of politics, society, and culture, identity, democracy, Taiwan’s colonial legacy, geography, and cross-Strait relations with the People’s Republic of China.

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JSIS GLOBAL AND THEMATIC COURSES (JSIS B)

JSIS B 406 Political Islam and Islamic Fundamentalism (5 cr)
SLN 16209
Study of resurgence, since mid-1970s, of political Islam and what has come to be called Islamic fundamentalism, especially in the Middle East. Topics include the nature and variety of political Islam today, causes and implications of the current resurgence, and comparison with previous resurgences.

JSIS B 427 Weapons of Mass Destruction: Development, Deployment, and Detection (5 cr)
SLN 16210
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.

JSIS B 436 Ethnic Politics and Nationalism in Multi-Ethnic Societies (5 cr)
SLN 16211
Provides a broad theoretical base, both descriptive and analytical, for the comparative study of ethnicity and nationalism. Examples drawn from ethnic movements in different societies. Some previous exposure either to introductory courses in political science or to courses in ethnicity in other departments is desirable.

JSIS B 537 Global Diasporas (5 cr)
SLN 16215
Explores dispersal of people from homelands to different world regions, the creation of communities, transnational relations, and identities based on the histories and consequences of their migration. Topics addressed include diasporas in world history; diaspora theories; literature, food, film of diasporas; role of diasporas in politics, conflict, war and reconciliation, in economic development and homeland tourism.

JSIS B 557 The Geopolitics of Energy (5 cr)
SLN 16216
Introduction to energy studies focusing on geopolitics. Topics include global energy resources, trends, and technologies; energy supply, demand, and consumption; economic issues; the changing role of OPEC; concepts of energy sustainability; energy and climate change.

JSIS B 572 Electoral Systems (5 cr)
SLN 16217
Explores a fundamental link between citizens and political representation: how electoral systems shape party systems, what kinds of people become candidates, how parties work, representation, and policy. Covers effects and mechanics of the various voting systems.

JSIS B 581 Fundamentals of Global Cybersecurity (5 cr)
SLN 16218
Area and international studies approach to investigating nation-state cybersecurity strategy and regional dynamics. Addresses the cybersecurity strategies of major international actors, regional dynamics, famous cyberattacks, and the state of international cybersecurity. Structured geographically. Involves instruction by guest experts.

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COMPARATIVE RELIGION (RELIG)

RELIG 456 Gender and the Hindu Goddess (5 cr)
SLN 20072
Explores implications of the perception of a feminine divine for gender issues in South Asia. Includes historical overview of goddess worship in South Asia, mythologies, philosophical systems, cults, and rituals associated with the major goddesses, the phenomena of suttee, goddess possession, and women’s goddess rituals at the village level.

RELIG 590 Special Topics (2-5 cr) 
Course Title: American Civil Religion: From Lincoln to Trump
SLN 20075

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JEWISH STUDIES (JEW ST)

JEW ST 462 Antisemitism: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives (5 cr)
SLN 16106
Analyzes antisemitism from ancient times to the present, exploring anti-Jewish attitudes, actions, and violence. Uses intersectional frameworks to examine connections with Islamophobia, white supremacy, anti-Black racism, and sexism. Evaluates relationships between antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and Christian Zionism, while mapping antisemitism’s role in American culture wars.

JEW ST 490 Advanced Topics in Jewish Studies (1 cr)
SLN 16107
Content varies.

JEW ST 559 History of Jewish-Muslim Relations (5 cr)
SLN 16108
Topics include Jews’ and Muslims’ linked encounters with empire, westernization, and nationalism; Jewish culture and identity in Islamic contexts migration and diasporic identities; the impact of Zionism, European Jewish settlement in Palestine, and the State of Israel on Jewish-Muslim relations in the Middle East and beyond; Islamophobia and antisemitism.

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