The course offers a critical knowledge foundation of various perspectives, issues, and controversies that comprise contemporary international relations and policy today. Students will engage relevant topics like the structure and actors of the international system; the theory and practice of conflict and cooperation; political economy and international trade; international organizations and human rights; global governance and development; and international security and terrorism. They will be strongly encouraged to reflect upon how each of these topics may be informed by, integrated with, or deviate from a biblically informed world view.

Offered: Online

Since WWII, global governance has been an increasing if contentious force in international politics. Whether political, military, legal, financial, commercial, or humanitarian in nature, global institutions like the UN, the World Bank, the IMF, the World Trade Organization, the World Court, the World Health Organization, and affiliated INGOs have all sought to integrate with, substitute for, or in some cases compete with state actors as providers of basic health, safety, and human rights enforcement. Critically assessing theories, practices, and aims of global governance, the course highlights fundamental tensions between international organizations (IOs), sovereign states, and non-state actors. Students are strongly encouraged to reflect upon how each of these topics may be informed by, integrated with, or deviate from a biblically informed world view.

Offered: Online

Students will collaborate with a faculty advisor to develop their thesis proposal. It is expected that the proposal for the thesis project will be relevant to the student's studies in their master's degree program and will direct their research to make an academic contribution to the body of knowledge in international relations. At the completion of this course, the student will be ready to begin data collection and research.

Registration Restrictions: Completion of 30 hours of coursework toward the degree program with a GPA of 3.0. No more than two grades of C may be applied to the program.

Offered: Online

Online Prerequisite: INTL 688

This course is designed to help students complete their master's thesis in international relations. It is expected that research for the thesis project will be relevant to the student's studies in the master's degree program and will make an academic contribution to the body of knowledge in international relations.

Offered: Online

Online Prerequisite: INTL 689

Intended to demonstrate a student's ability to carry out original research. Thesis may be designed to answer practical research questions, or address theoretical or ethical issues of interest to scholars and professionals in the field of international relations. Credit is not awarded until the thesis has been accepted.

Offered: Online