Department of Political Science
Web: http://polisci.rutgers.edu
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Phone: 732-932-9283
89 George Street
Fax: 732-932-7170
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1411
MA Program in Political Science –
Concentration in United Nations and Global Policy Studies
SPRING 2015 COURSES
In-Class Courses: Marymount Manhattan College, 221 East 71st St., New York, NY
Dr. Roland Rich - Democracy in Crisis 16 790 686 Index # 20499
The third wave of democratization has not delivered on its initial promise. Many transitions to
democracy are stalled and cases of success are few. Authoritarianism has demonstrated a
stubborn resistance. Even the long established democracies are having difficulty making their
political systems deliver. Has democracy entered a period of crisis? Is democracy losing its soft
power? And if so, what policies can address the crisis? (Monday 6-8:40 pm)
Engy Abdelkader, Esq. - Advancing International Women's Human Rights 16:790 570
Index #16790
In this seminar, participants will explore the realm of gender rights globally and through the lens
of the United Nations. In addition to studying legal instruments and policy documents designed
to protect the rights of women and girls internationally, we will examine persistent human rights
abuses such as economic disempowerment, domestic violence, gender-based violence, human
trafficking, unequal education and lack of health care. Class discussions will also focus on
women in positions of power and decision-making, peace and security, gender representations in
international media, the role of religious and culturally informed narratives, poverty's impact on
women and gendered realities in times of violent conflict. Several guest lecturers will share their
professional insights and experiences (Sunday 12-3:40 pm)
Dr. Samuel Peleg - Theory and Method in the Study of Conflict Resolution 16 790 543
Index #20668
The course will cover advanced topics such as the meaning of conflict, intergroup conflict,
violence, intractable conflict and sustainable peace as they relate to theoretical and practical
issues of conflict management and resolution at the intra-psychic, interpersonal, intergroup,
organizational, and international levels. It will emphasize the links between theory, research, and
practice in conflict resolution. (Thursday 6-8:40 pm)
Dr. Mona Krook - Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment, and the United Nations
16 790 596 Index # 20496 This course examines the impact of global dimensions of
organizing and policy-making on gender equality, drawing on historical and contemporary
examples and focusing in particular on the role of the United Nations. The UN has long been a
key player in the spread of women’s rights around the world, from the founding UN Charter’s
inclusion of the “equal rights of men and women” among the organization’s goals in 1945
through the creation of the new United Nations’ Entity for Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Women in 2010. In addition to mapping UN policies in key areas, the course
explores the sources of change, examining the formation, activities, and strategies of
transnational women’s networks on issues ranging from
suffrage and equal rights to violence against women and gender mainstreaming.
(Wednesday 6-8:40 pm)
Dr. Jean-Marc Coicaud - Comparative International Legal Regimes 26 478 Index # 19034
Most law courses focus on one given legal regime, be it at the national level or at the
international level. This course will depart from this conventional approach. Rather than focusing
on one legal regime, it will compare a variety of legal regimes, and this at the international level.
It will mainly focus on human rights law, humanitarian law, environmental law, and international
trade law. On the basis of these international legal regimes, taken as examples, expressions and
tools of international law, contributing or not, to global governance
Tuesday 3:55 PM - 7:00 PM NWK
26:478:532 Index# 19034
Dr. T. Hamid Al-Bayati - Theories and Strategies of Counter-Terrorism
16 790 546
Index #20669
This course examines the theories and strategies of counter-terrorism with the objective of
developing a Comprehensive and Sustained Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We will discuss the
mistakes of counter-terrorism strategies and the lessons to be learned from the past, assessing
these strategies from military, political, economic, financial and social perspectives. The
comprehensive strategy will focus on ideological, media and internet campaigns designed to
strengthen counter-terrorism policies, and include fighting terrorism through tolerance, pluralism
and inter-religious dialogue. (Sunday 3-5:40 pm)
Dr. Ghaidaa Hetou - Introduction to the United Nations: Theory, Institutions, Processes
and Policy 16 790 575 Index #20671
This is one of two required courses designed to introduce students to the United Nations,
including the UN’s history, inner workings, and challenges associated with UN's role in the
world. Whether for career enhancement or personal enrichment, this course will provide the
necessary knowledge about UN’s institutions, theories, processes and policies as it informs
international norm settings in areas of: security, peacekeeping, human rights and development
(Sat., 12-2:40 pm)
On-Line Courses: http://onlinelearning.rutgers.edu/ecollege-student-faq
16 790 630- 90 Index #20672 Dr. Terence Teo – International Political Economy
This course examines the core classics and recent literature on international political economy
(IPE). The course addresses a vast array of questions: How do we conduct economic activity
across borders when political authority ends at national borders? How do domestic and
international political institutions explain conflict and cooperation in international economic
relations? What is the nature of power and authority - both public and private - in the governance
of the global political economy? We will focus on theory and evidence in equal measure; that is,
we will examine the arguments that explain a particular phenomenon of interest and assess
whether their claims are borne out by the evidence.