Bachelor of Arts in Diplomatic Studies Degree Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Diplomatic Studies degree focuses on essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a career in politics or diplomacy. The program offers the student a core of required courses in the essential aspects of the field - such as diplomacy, international relations, politics, government, law, economics, international organizations, the UN, and the relationship of business and politics. The student then concentrates more deeply in several of these areas through his/her choice of elective courses. The program provides a unique approach to preparation for the current challenges of the 21st century – with the aim of global competence.
Required Major Courses: 20 courses (60 credit hours)
DIS 1311 Introduction to Politics & Diplomacy GBS 1311 Fundamentals of Business DIS 1313 History of Political Thought DIS 2311 International Relations DIS 2312 Comparative Government DIS 2313 Politics and the Party System GBS 2321 Macroeconomics GEO 2332 World Regional Geography SOC 2332 Cultural Anthropology and Cultural Identity DIS 3351 The European Union DIS 3352 Business and Politics DIS 3353 Science, Technology, and Politics DIS 3354 International Political Communication DIS 4363 International Organizations DIS 4364 International Law DIS 4338 Internship in Diplomatic Studies DIS 4361 International Human Rights DIS 4362 International Economics DIS 4365 International Management of Resources and Environmental Issues DIS 4390 Comparative World Politics
Elective Courses: Select 8 courses from below, foreign languages, or Business courses
DIS 4391 Decision Making and Analysis DIS 4392 Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution DIS 4393 Strategic Thought: Antiquity to the Present DIS 4394 Nationalism, Nationalities, Ethnicity and International Security DIS 4395 War to Peace Transition DIS 4396 Contemporary US Foreign Policy DIS 5398 Transnational Organized Crime
General Education/Liberal Arts: Typical of the American education system, in addition to Major Courses (20) and Elective Courses (8), the student takes 15 courses in General Education – including philosophy, history, literature, sociology, etc.
Course Descriptions: Required (Major) Courses
DIS 1311 Introduction to Politics and Diplomacy introduces the student to various aspects of political science and diplomacy. Elementary definitions of politics, different areas of political analysis, party systems, voting systems, international politics, the main political systems (democracy, authoritarian regimes, totalitarian systems, etc.), and other such topics form the core of this introductory course. A brief introduction to the history of diplomacy is also included. This course is a basic prerequisite for all other courses for students majoring in diplomatic students.
GBS 1311 Fundamentals of Business is a presentation of general business activities and the environment in which business occurs. This course is designed to familiarize the student with business terminology and functions.
DIS 1313 History of Political Thought studies the framework of major philosophical and political problems and concepts, reaching from ancient Greeks to contemporary concepts of thoughts of relevance for societal developments (e. g. religious movements and their impact on society).
DIS 2311 International Relations addresses the basic theoretical concepts in IR, such as liberalism, realism, neo-liberalism, neo-realism, institutionalism, constructivism, post-modernism etc. The course analyzes and discusses the major actors governmental and non-governmental, in the global arena and the decision-making process. It looks at issues of global welfare, including trade and monetary relations, the forces of globalization, human demographics, and their interplay between the human and natural environment. The course also examines national security, arms, warfare, and different theoretical approaches to peace. A research paper of 3,500 to 4,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisites: all 1000 level courses
DIS 2312 Comparative Government is a study of basic concepts used to compare political systems to understand political change, the nature of politics, power and authority, political order and participation in the international system. Such an analysis is based on the regional context in which the states under examination are situated as well as on their respective historical experiences. A research paper of 3,500 to 4,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisite: DIS 1311
DIS 2313 Politics and the Party System analyzes the role of political parties as a linkage between mass preferences and government policies. It is a general introduction into the emergence of political parties, thereby providing numerous practical examples and comparing the different cases. The course helps the student understand the work of political parties within a societal system. The course also covers the role and function of political parties within the decision-making process. A research paper of 3,500 to 4,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisites: DIS 1311; DIS 2312 recommended.
GBS 2321 Macroeconomics is an introduction to the basic principles of the macroeconomic system. It includes the study of national income, various economic policies and their effects on unemployment, inflation, and economic growth. Prerequisite: GBS 1311
GEO 2332 World Regional Geography surveys world regions, climate, resources and the impact of availability or shortages of essential resources like water and energy; it covers environmental issues, the impact of population growth, economic power, innovation and social issues; geographical features of major players; geopolitics and interpretations, political geography and other theories of global organization; presents writers and their impact on politics; geopolitics in history; geopolitics as guiding theory for macro-political and strategic planning and actions; geo-strategy; geo-economics (particular emphasis is on Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, Russia/Soviet Union and USA).
SOC 2332 Cultural Anthropology and Cultural Identity is a sociologically based study of the variations of cultural heritage that mark the states/nations of the world. Societal processes, structures, institutions, norms, customs, and ways of doing things are examined. Emphasis will be given to different roles of peoples of the world.
DIS 3352 Business and Politics covers the interconnectedness of business, economic and political effects in the contemporary, global international system. The course emphasis is on the understanding of networking effects between the different sectors and levels of analysis in the current international system. Different government policy making processes are investigated through the case histories, including issues analysis and position formulation. Specific issues covered include trade promotion and financing, export and import controls, taxation policies, inward and outward investment, intellectual property rights, and technology transfer. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the requirements of this course. Prerequisites: GBS 1311 and DIS 2311
DIS 3354 International Organizations investigates the emergence of international organizations (institutions) in the politico-historical context. Main emphasis is on the 20th century. Relevant governmental and non-governmental international organizations, their roles and functions and their impact on international and global policy are analyzed and assessed. Current case studies enhance the course. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisites: DIS 1311 and DIS 2311
DIS 3351 The European Union is an in-depth study of the European integrative attempts since World War II, including EU Expansion. The course describes the emergence of European institutions and their roles within Europe’s integration process. The numerous chronological steps leading to the European Union are treated in detail. Emphasis is given to the current enlargement efforts and the institutional reforms. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisites: HIS 2311; 2,000-level courses recommended.
DIS 3353 Science, Technology, and Politics studies the impact of scientific and technological developments on political systems. Public policies for support, use and control of science technology is discussed. Particular emphasis is given to the recent developments in the field of information technologies and their impact on political decision-making. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
DIS 3354 International Political Communication addresses the problems of effective communications among different actors in the international system, such as states (and their representatives), societal and political groups and factions. Emphasis is placed on the role of mass media and communication (‘the fourth estate’) in domestic affairs and IR. The course covers practical and current case studies. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
DIS 4361 International Human Rights refers to the historical and ideological backgrounds of contemporary concepts of human rights and of current norms recognized in international relations. The course covers procedures of protective measures and current cases. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
DIS 4362 International Economics refers to basic concepts in economics. Based on these finding, the course will continue with the study of contemporary issues in international trade and finance (e. g. money market, information market), the impact of the information society on supranational, international and national economic policies and related issues. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisites: GBS 2321 and 3,000-level courses.
DIS 4364 International Law examines the nature, sources and functions of international law and its relation to domestic law. It further discusses questions of jurisdiction, nationality, human rights, methods of settling disputes peacefully, as well as the law of the sea and regulation of the airspace, etc. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisites: DIS1311, DIS 2311
DIS 4365 International Management of Resources and Environmental Issues studies contemporary policies of how to deal with issues concerning natural resources on a global basis. Emphasis is on strategically relevant natural resources, and environmental questions. The course deals with specific cases that will demonstrate the different contemporary policies applied. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the course. Prerequisites: 3000-level courses.
DIS 4382 Internship in Diplomatic Studies is a course in which the student is placed in an international agency, NGO, or embassy setting for supervised study of the operations of the organization. Approximately 100 working hours of volunteer service in an organization as a learning experience is arranged jointly by the University and the agency. A summary paper of 4,500-6,500 words is required. This course should be completed in the final term year of study.
DIS 4390 Comparative World Politics focuses on major current themes in world politics and society. Various regions of the world with major political developments, such as in the Middle East, the Near East, the Far East, or Africa will be studied in comparison with European political positions. It reviews the structure and functioning of the governments and emphasizes research on civil society, the state, culture, values, mobilization, participation, political economy, democratization, and other emerging topics. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the requirements of this course.
The student completes 60 credit hours in Major Courses, 45 credit hours in General Education Courses and 24 credit hours in Elective Courses for a total of a minimum of 129 credit hours. 15 of the 24 elective hours must be taken from upper-level courses in DIS or cross-disciplinarily in BCS, GBS, MGT or MKT. Also, students are encouraged to study official UN languages.
Course Descriptions: Elective Courses
DIS 4391 Decision Making and Analysis is designed to investigate the research and theories on decision-making in disciplines as diverse as philosophy and statistics, economics and psychology, political science and mathematics. In a variety of ways -through policy simulation, decision “games,” and case studies, as well as reading and individual research - the course provides a broad background in a variety of decision approaches for students who anticipate working in any policy-analysis or policy-making field. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the requirements of this course.
DIS 4392 Strategic Thought Antiquity to the Present will examine what is called the “Grand Strategy.” While the course will focus primarily on recent, past, and future options, it will include historical review where it is interesting and offers broad insight for the present and future. Students will examine the thinking of the ancient, great Chinese strategist, Sun Tzu. They will also briefly examine the grand strategy and military strategies during the Cold War as a basis for probing the extent to which the U.S. strategic thought of the past five decades is likely to be pertinent to the 1990s and beyond. The course examines the moral issues associated with strategy - using the Just War Tradition as a point of departure. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the requirements of this course.
DIS 4393 Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution analyzes efforts to prevent and resolve violent conflicts, including both inter-state and intra-state conflicts and focuses on developments in the post-Cold War era. Students will consider a wide range of relevant actors (states, coalitions of states, regional and international organizations, non-governmental organizations) and policy instruments (humanitarian assistance, fact-finding, mediation, confidence-building measures, traditional and multifunctional peacekeeping, economic sanctions and assistance, military intervention, and international criminal tribunals). It will introduce students to the “intellectual map” of the peace-maker by exploring a wide range of literature and cases illustrating the varieties of third-party intervention. Students will assess international efforts to prevent and resolve violent conflicts and identify the conditions under which different kinds of international efforts are most likely to succeed or fail. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the requirements of this course.
DIS 4394 Nationalism, Nationalities, Ethnicity and International Security examines the various historical, theoretical, and argumentative interpretations of nationalism, nationalities and ethnicity and what effects they have on societies and international systems in the course of history. The course also analyzes the causes of ethnic conflict, focusing on roles played by political leaders in promoting ethnic accommodation, ethnic alienation, and ethnic confrontation and the international response to those problems. Students will be responsible for developing expertise in at least one contemporary case of nationalism or ethnic conflict. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the requirements of this course.
DIS 4395 War to Peace Transition begins with an examination of the underlying causes of conflict, reviewing the economic, political, and social context of war-torn societies. It will proceed to undertake a comparative analysis of the processes of peace-making, peace-building and post conflict reconstruction, drawing on lessons from several case countries/sub-regions. Major themes such as conflict management, human rights and governance, demilitarization, the social and economic reintegration of war-affected populations, reconstruction policies, and the design of conflict prevention/transformation strategies will be studied. Issues of food security, livelihoods, and grassroots empowerment in conflict, transitions and post conflict situations are also discussed. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the requirements of this course.
DIS 4396 Contemporary US Foreign Policy focuses on the most important issues in American foreign policy since the end of Second World War. Important issues like the Cold War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, the “decline” debate, and the American adaptation to the post-Cold War international environment will be taught. Students should be able to understand the domestic and international forces that shape American foreign relations. Further, a special emphasis will be placed on the issues in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. A research paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words forms part of the requirements of this course.
DIS 5398 Transnational Organized Crime begins with an introduction to criminology and the movement of small-group organized crime. International conventions and treaties addressing international organized crime are studied, as well as the victims of organized crime and its impact on nations. The course focuses on aspects of organized crime such as drug trafficking, illegal trade of women and children, illegal arms trading, intellectual property theft, and links between criminals and international terrorists. The future directions of transnational organized crime are considered, as well as the effectiveness of efforts to control such criminal activity. Students select particular subjects and write topical papers, which form a compendium of subjects for future use by participants.
