JSIS CORE AND GATEWAY COURSES (JSIS)

JSIS 501 Comparative International Studies (5 cr)
SLN 16758
Focuses on comparison across geographical areas including comparative political economy, comparative cultures, and comparative institutions. Provides familiarity with the comparative method of inquiry, an understanding of the interplay between area studies and cross-regional theories, and skills in conducting comparative research and writing

JSIS 546 Modernity after Empire: View from the Global South (5 cr)
SLN 22823
Interrogates the making of the modern world from the perspective of the global South. Thinking about global post-imperialism political and economic and economic projects in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East, provides a critical introduction to debates over nation, development, and globalization.

JSIS AREA STUDIES (JSIS A)

JSIS A  408 Government and Politics of China (5 cr)
SLN 16777
Post-1949 government and politics, with emphasis on problems of political change in modern China

JSIS A 414 Arts and Culture of Contemporary Taiwan: Made in Taiwan (5 cr)
SLN 16778
Arts and culture of contemporary Taiwan through curated audio/visual works embodying multi-faceted narratives of “Made in Taiwan.” Surveys contested issues (re)framing the complex identities of Taiwan. Includes guest-speaker series and collaborative research projects.

JSIS A 423 Origins of Modern Japan (5 cr)
SLN 16779
Course surveys Japan’s early modern age, from the end of the warring-states period in the late 1500s through the Meiji revolution and creation of a modern state in the late 1800s. Japan’s history since the early 20th century is continued in a second class, JSIS A 424/HSTAS 424

JSIS A 428 Chinese History from 1276-1895 (5 cr)
SLN 16780
Political, social, economic, and intellectual history from the time of the Mongol conquest of China to the Sino-Japanese war. Focus on the evolution of the late imperial Chinese state and the “early modern” era in China.

JSIS A 449 Anthropology of Modern Japan(5 cr)
SLN 16784
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 504 Survey of Eurasia (5 cr)
SLN 16786
Provides a basic intellectual foundation for interdisciplinary graduate-level study of Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, taught by rotating faculty from the major scholarly disciplines. Students read important texts and are introduced to major debates on the history, politics, and culture of the region.

JSIS A 508 Film and Cultural Studies in Latin America and the Caribbean (5 cr)
SLN 16787
Examines key themes and debates about the development of South Asian cultural and political formations. Examines how different scholarly disciplines, particularly those in the humanities, have approved and analyzed the past in South Asia.

JSIS A 512 Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies Certificate Capstone (1 cr)
SLN 16788
Includes the preparation and presentation of the student portfolio required for the Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian Studies certificate.

JSIS A 521 Seminar: Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Study of China (5 cr)
SLN 16789

JSIS A 544 Reading Seminar on Middle East Studies (2 cr)
SLN 16790
Middle Eastern historiography, Islamic law, Islamic theology, relations between the Middle East and the world economy, political structures, social movements in the Middle East. 

JSIS A 550 Proseminar in East Asian Studies (5 cr)
SLN 16791
Explores the East Asia region and the distinct societies of China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Students examine both shared and unique aspects of these societies, analyzing their politics, history, political economy, social structures, and foreign relations. Fosters a deeper understanding of East Asia’s complexities and interconnections through critical inquiry and comparative perspectives.

JSIS A 555 Introduction to Japanese Studies (5 cr)
SLN 16792
Interdisciplinary introduction to the study of Japan, with emphasis on historical development.

JSIS A 580 Field Course in Southeast Asian History and Culture (5 cr)
SLN 16793
Examines the field of Southeast Asian studies through a theoretical and historiographical introduction to modern Southeast Asian history and culture. Surveys nationalism, colonialism, modernity, and cultural memory through recent scholarship on Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos, and Vietnam. Explores how scholars rethink area studies and expand the boundaries of Southeast Asian studies.

JSIS A 584 Survey of Korean Society (5 cr)
SLN 16794
Introduction to the social and political institutions of North and South Korea with an opportunity to master the most important literature on modern Korea. Focuses on the twentieth century with the major emphasis on the post-1945 period.

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JSIS GLOBAL AND THEMATIC COURSES (JSIS B)

JSIS B 416 Putting the World on the Couch: Psychoanalysis and International Studies (5 cr) 
SLN 16825
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.

JSIS B 421 The Practice of Diplomacy (5 cr) 
SLN 16826
Immerses students in the practical realities of diplomacy, combining in-depth readings with hands-on diplomatic simulations. Designed for students considering diplomacy and foreign affairs careers, bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world practice. Engages in interactive exercises to mirror diplomats’ challenges, developing the skills and insights to navigate diplomatic scenarios.

JSIS B 431 International Negotiation Simulation (5 cr)
SLN 16827
Guides students in applying knowledge to realistic analyses of current problems in international studies through an intensive simulation experience that emphasizes leadership, negotiation, and real-life crisis management and decision-making.

JSIS B 433 Environmental Degradation in the Tropics (5 cr)
SLN 22599
Considers theories and controversies of environmental degradation in the tropics, ecological and social case studies of Central American rain forests and Southeast Asian coral reefs, and implications of environmental management techniques.

JSIS B 455 International Environmental Policy (5 cr)
SLN 16829
Explores how global environmental policies are shaped by diverse perspectives across international, national, and local levels. Examines the gap between science and politics, focusing on its impact on climate solutions in the Global North and South. Topics include climate justice, energy transitions, and environmental negotiations, with case studies highlighting global diversity and power dynamics in the fight for sustainability.

JSIS B 530 Late Industrialization and Social Change (5 cr)
SLN  16831
Deals with distinct patterns of social change under late industrialization in nations such as Japan, South Korea, Germany and the Soviet Union. Analyzes the social and institutional implications of economic policies by looking at the interactions between the state, traditions, and economic actors.

JSIS B 544 Space Law, Business, and Policy (5 cr)
SLN 16832
Examines how law, business, and policy shape the space sector worldwide. Exposes students to international space law, national regulation, and the expanding role of private corporations in launch, satellites, and lunar and Mars activities. Uses country case studies, simulations, and table-top exercises to link corporate strategy, geopolitics, and security, and emerging governance challenges in the space domain.

JSIS B 555 Cybersecurity and International Studies (5 cr)
SLN 16833
Addresses the major international agreements, organizations, and infrastructures shaping cybersecurity. Covers basic technical terminology and legal frameworks related to cybersecurity.

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JSIS INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (JSIS D)

COMPARATIVE RELIGION (RELIG)

RELIG 501 Religion Theorized: Approaches to the Study of Religion (5 cr)
SLN 20633
Covers the major approaches to modern scholarship in the study of religion, which includes multiple approaches from history, phenomenology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, gender and sexuality studies, Marxism, and political theory. Class discusses which theories are most helpful in describing, understanding and explaining religion, enabling students to prepare their own research.

RELIG 534 Gender, Sex, and Religion (5 cr) 
SLN 20634
Delves more deeply into foundational texts of the Bible, Judaism, and Christianity, while paying closer attention to historiographic trends in the field of gender and feminist studies of religion

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JEWISH STUDIES (JEW ST)

JEW ST 466 Russian Jewish Experience (5 cr)
SLN 22701
Examines the experience of Russian Jews from the late 19th century to the present through fiction, films, memoirs, graphic novels set during the Bolshevik Revolution, Stalinism, the Holocaust, the Cold War, the post-Soviet era. Explores issues of identity, gender, class, place of Jews as individuals and as a minority within Russian & Soviet society, as well as Jewish-Russian emigration to USA, Israel and elsewhere at the turn of the 21st century

JEW ST 490 Advanced Topics in Jewish Studies (2 cr)
SLN 16734
Content varies.

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JSIS CORE AND GATEWAY COURSES (JSIS)

JSIS 578 Special Topics (5 cr)
Course Title: Disinformation, Propaganda, and Conspiracy Theories
SLN 21156
MW 1:30 pm – 3:20pm           SIG 225

JSIS AREA STUDIES (JSIS A)

JSIS A  409 History of Twentieth-Century India (5 cr)
SLN 15608
Analysis of the problems in the fields of social life, international and domestic politics, education, economics, and other areas that confront India today

JSIS A 428 Chinese History from 1276-1895 (5 cr)
SLN 15609
Political, social, economic, and intellectual history from the time of the Mongol conquest of China to the Sino-Japanese war. Focus on the evolution of the late imperial Chinese state and the “early modern” era in China.

JSIS A 432 History of the Japanese Empire (5 cr)
SLN 15610
The age of “new imperialism” during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as it profoundly shaped the historical trajectory of East Asia. Primary and secondary sources examine Japan’s rise as one of the only non-Western empires in the modern era, and its enduring impact on the East Asian region.

JSIS A 440 Japanese History in Ecological Perspective (5 cr)
SLN 21338
Survey of Japanese history in ecological perspective, from early times to the present. Topics include ancient Japanese lifeways; climate and history; agriculture, population, and resources; Buddhist and animist views of outer and inner nature; urbanization from ancient capitals to megacity Tokyo; industrialization and energy; and future visions. Readings include influential scholarly works and Japanese sources in English translation.

JSIS A 459 United States-China Relations (5 cr)
SLN 15612
Surveys the history of United States-China relations and examines the evolution of bilateral relations, particularly since 1949. Focus on the period since 1972 and the major issues as they have evolved since that time, including trade, human rights, security, and Taiwan.

JSISA 468 Russia in the International Security System (5 cr)
SLN 15613 
Introduces the history of the Russian Federation’s policy toward Europe, East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. Covers nuclear weapons, energy issues, and regional integration.

JSISA 486 Film and Cultural Studies in Latin America and the Caribbean (5 cr)
SLN 15618
Covers an interdisciplinary exploration of Latin American and Caribbean cultural productions including documentary, film, and photography. Examines their intersections with politics and social life during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

JSIS A 492 Latin American Studies Seminar (5 cr)
Course Title: Public Writing: Inter-American Relations with focus on Venezuela
SLN 15619

JSIS A 512 Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies Certificate Capstone (1 cr)
SLN 15621
Includes the preparation and presentation of the student portfolio required for the Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian Studies certificate.

JSIS A 532 The Chinese Political System (5 cr)
SLN 15622
Examination of key approaches, interpretations, and secondary literature in the study of contemporary Chinese politics

JSIS A 546 Reading Seminar on Middle East Studies (2 cr)
SLN 15623
Middle Eastern historiography, Islamic law, Islamic theology, relations between the Middle East and the world economy, political structures, social movements in the Middle East. 

JSIS A 568 Russia in the International Security System (5 cr)
SLN 15624
Introduces the history of the Russian Federation’s policy toward Europe, East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. Covers nuclear weapons, energy issues, and regional integration.

JSIS A 577 Readings on Political Economy of Japan and Northeast Asia (5 cr)
SLN 15625
Analysis of major issues in Japan and also in Korea and China, such as the state’s role in industrial development, trade and investment in Asia, trade and security relations with the U.S., and Asian models of capitalism.

JSIS A 579 Contemporary Central Asian Politics (5 cr)
SLN 15626
Examines the politics of contemporary post-Soviet Central Asia. Analyzes issues relevant to the region in comparative perspective, including democratization, religion, terrorism, civil society, economic reform, ethnic identity, and international influences. Uses theory to shed light on current policy debates.

JSIS A 581 Science, Technology, and Innovation in East Asia: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China (5 cr)
SLN 15627
Role of state and technological change in economic development. Analyzes state and corporate policies historically. Technology concepts, institutions, and policies in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China. Examines sources of Asia’s rise in world of technology and explores conditions for its successful continuation.

JSIS A 583 Modern Korean History (5 cr)
SLN 15628
Traces complex social, cultural, and political developments that transformed Korea during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Topics include late Choson reforms, changing gender norms, national identity, colonial state and society, territorial division, and democratization. Attention to diversity of Korean experiences, as well as the interplay of local dynamics and global forces in the peninsula.

JSIS A 589 Indigenous Taiwan and the Pacific (5 cr)
SLN 15629
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.

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JSIS GLOBAL AND THEMATIC COURSES (JSIS B)

JSIS B 408 Topics in the History of Capitalism (5 cr) 
SLN 15661
Selected topics in the history of capitalism in a global, multi-century perspective.

JSIS B 426 World Politics (5 cr) 
SLN 15663
The nation-state system and its alternatives, world distributions of preferences and power, structure of international authority, historical world societies and their politics.

JSIS B 433 Environmental Degradation in the Tropics (5 cr)
SLN 15665
Considers theories and controversies of environmental degradation in the tropics, ecological and social case studies of Central American rain forests and Southeast Asian coral reefs, and implications of environmental management techniques.

JSIS B 438 International Conflict through Film and Arts (5 cr)
SLN 15666
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 mediums in conveying compassion, empathy, and nuance, as well as fostering solidarity and community.

JSIS B 454 Advanced Cybersecurity Research (5 cr)
SLN 15668
Students brainstorm, propose, and pursue unique cybersecurity research topics of their choosing in a small seminar course focused on international cybersecurity issues. Students present their original research to each other and engage in active learning exercises intended to teach key cybersecurity concepts. Students engage in a drafting process, receiving mentorship in research and writing.

JSIS B 458 Energy and International Security (5 cr)
SLN  21435
Explores the future of energy and its impact on global power. Dives into the world of critical minerals, clean tech, and the countries racing to control them. From energy inequality to the fate of oil states, students analyze real cases from the Global South and North and learn how innovation, finance, and policy shape a rapidly changing energy landscape.

JSIS B 524 International Law and Arms Control (5 cr)
SLN 15670
Surveys the political, legal, and technological history of twentieth century arms control agreements with emphasis on the treaties which ended the Cold War. Examines current issues of law, politics, military strategy, and technology in regard to weapons of mass destruction and related topics in international security.

JSIS B 531 International Negotiation Simulation (5 cr)
SLN 15671
Guides students in applying knowledge to realistic analyses of current problems in international studies through an intensive simulation experience that emphasizes leadership, negotiation, and real-life crisis management and decision-making.

JSIS B 544 Space Law and Policy (5 cr)
SLN 15672
Law and policy foundations of outer space activities. Essential origins, sources, and role of space law, as well as key institutions, forums, and forces shaping the contemporary governance of space activities. Provides a thorough grounding in U.N. treaties, principles, resolutions, regulations, and private international and national space laws and policies.

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JSIS INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (JSIS D)

COMPARATIVE RELIGION (RELIG)

RELIG 490 Special Topics (5 cr) 
Course Title: Gulliver’s Travels Among Muslims and Jews
SLN 19382

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JEWISH STUDIES (JEW ST)

JEW ST 466 The Sephardic Diaspora: 1492-Present (5 cr)
SLN 15557
Examines the history and culture of Sephardic Jewry from the expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula in 1492 to the present. Explores the creation of Sephardic communities in the Dutch and Ottoman Empires, Western Europe, the Americas, and Africa, and the history of the conversos and “hidden Jews.”

JEW ST 490 Advanced Topics in Jewish Studies (2 cr)
SLN 15558
Content varies.

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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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JSIS INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (JSIS D)

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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