Academics

Students can earn 14 hours of graded UNC and transfer credit through the following five courses:

POLI/PWAD 252H │International Organizations & Global Issues (3 UNC Graded Credits)

Instructor: Robert Jenkins
Making Connections: Social Science (SS), Global Issues (GL)

This course explores the institutional makeup, political processes, and impact of international organizations on global politics. International organizations (IO’s) have become increasingly important in resolving a wide range of global problems and are key players in the current system of global governance. IO’s reflect state efforts to bring more order to the anarchic world in which they operate. This course offers a historical perspective and explores a number of approaches to understanding IO’s. The thread that ties the diverse themes together is the issue of state sovereignty and how international organizations and global issues such as terrorism, transnational crime, and global warming have challenged it.

Offers major credit for Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense, and fulfills Social and Behavioral Sciences (SS) and Global Issues (GI) general education requirements.

POLI/PWAD 459H │ Transatlantic Security (3 UNC Graded Credits)

Instructor: Robert Jenkins
Making Connections: Social Science (SS), Global Issues (GL)

This course explores the development of Euro-Atlantic security institutions and compares security policy in the United States and Europe. Initial focus begins with a discussion of the concept of security and a selected review of international relations theorizing on interstate alliances and security structures. The bulk of the course addresses concrete Trans-Atlantic institutions and policies, beginning with the development of NATO, as the institution bridging security policy in the United States and Europe from the post-World War II period through the Cold War and its aftermath, and continuing through NATO enlargement and its missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Libya. The growth of European Union security institutions, particularly the evolution of Common Security and Defense Policy, is another important focus, as are rifts in Trans-Atlantic relations during the 2000s. The triangular relationship between NATO, the EU, and Russia is also considered. These relations provide a context for interpreting the 2014 crisis in Ukraine. The course concludes with questions about the future of Trans- Atlantic security.

Offers major credit for Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense, and fulfills Social and Behavioral Sciences (SS) and Global Issues (GI) general education requirements.

POLI 190H │ Independent Study (2 UNC Graded Credits)

Instructor: Robert Jenkins
Making Connections: Social Science (SS)

This course is designed to give students an opportunity to reflect upon and practice writing skills. It is designed as a complement to written assignments in other program-related coursework. The course will center upon reading a select number of published works about developing writing skills, sharing several types of written works, and reading and commenting upon peers’ writings.

POLI 490H │ Risk Analysis & Strategic Foresight in the EU (3 UNC Graded Credits)

Instructor: Robert Jenkins

This course introduces students to the main conventions and debates in the field of global risk analysis, early warning, strategic foresight, and the management of major crises from a leadership perspective.

Students learn how to classify, and analyze and predict political risk, violent conflicts, and natural and man-made disasters. Students are introduced to the most modern IT tools for open-source intelligence an d to the main methods for early warning, strategic foresight, and monitoring global crises. Practical skills also include fundamental training on selection bias, on gathering data in crisis situations, and writing succinct and effective analyses. The final session provides an integrated training session and simulation during which participants will be required to apply their knowledge to the full early warning and information gathering cycle while under stress.

Elective of Your Choice (3 Transfer Credits)

Instructor: Brussels School of Governance

Students will take one elective of their choosing in addition to their other coursework through the Brussels School of Governance. Many students opt to take an internship course to gain real-world experience and skills during their time in Belgium.