Archive of Approved Special Topics/Seminar Courses at Illinois

Every semester, a few courses are offered which focus on specific topics related to global security. Depending on course content, some will be eligible to be used toward the ACDIS Undergraduate Certificate in Global Security. They are often only available for one or two semesters. However, some will become regularly offered courses in the future. Every semester, the list of current courses for the certificate are posted on the current courses page, including both regular courses and special topics/seminar courses.

The following special topics/seminar courses are currently or have been previously approved for the certificate program.

• additional courses will be added to this list as updated information becomes available
• this list is meant as a guide for students -- please refer to the course information suite and the faculty who are teaching the course for the most reliable course information

GEOG/ ESE/ GLBL 199 (Undergraduate Open Seminar - Resource Conflicts) This is a new course that will eventually be listed in the course catalog at the 200 level. It provides an introduction to the twin topics of resource conflicts and environmental geopolitics. It explores the ways in which competition for resources is (and has been) one component of inter-state competition, and how specific resources (such as oil, timber, water, and diamonds) are implicated in these processes. The class will also look at the issue of global climate change to understand how the environment has been incorporated into the geopolitical actions (often militarized) of countries. Rather than just looking at examples of conflict, the class will explore how societies have used their stance towards resources and the environment to establish frameworks for peaceful co-existence. The class will allow ample opportunity for students to explore a topic of their own interest through individual and group projects. 3 hours. 

GLBL 296 (Global Studies Foundation Seminar - Nuclear Weapons Proliferation) This seminar introduces the history of nuclear weapons proliferation in order to understand contemporary policy and dilemmas; including the policies of North Korea, Iran, and the United States, and nuclear terrorism. A simple geographic framework called "geopolitical codes" will be introduced to interpret readings from international relations and history. Met 19-Oct-09 - 09-Dec-09.  Taught by Colin Flint. 

PS 199 (Undergraduate Open Seminar - Introduction to Environmental Security) This course provides an introduction to the relationship between human-induced environmental stress and security, with special focus on environmentally-related civil and international violence. The course helps students understand the ways in which various environmental changes have consequences for the likelihood of local political violence, civil wars, and international conflict. The impact of war on the environment is also addressed as are various mechanisms for conflict management. First Year Discovery Program Course. Registration restricted to freshmen. 3 hours.  Taught by Paul Diehl. 

PS 199 (Undergraduate Open Seminar - Approaches to Peace) Honors students only. 3 hours.  Taught by Paul Diehl. 

PS 300 (Special Topics - Terrorism) Terrorism, a violent tactic with a strikingly long history of use, has become a central security concern and political issue in the U.S. in recent years. This course relies on both theoretical and empirical literature to examine a host of questions about terrorism in an advanced, intensive, discussion-based seminar. In particular, we investigate the definition(s) of terrorism, its historical use and evolution, the motivations of various types of groups that employ or have employed this tactic, different forms of terrorism, variation in state responses to terrorism (or, where and when terrorism successfully results in concessions), and the effectiveness of a range of counterterrorism strategies and tactics. Open to students with sophomore or higher standing. 3 hours. 

PS 300 (Special Topics - Political Violence) This course surveys various forms of political violence and examines competing theories about why these types of violence occur and their implications. It is organized to analyze different "categories" of violence, all of which constitute pressing topics in international relations and comparative politics. These categories, which may overlap conceptually or empirically, include mass collective action in protests and rebellion; riots; repression; coups; civil war, insurgency and ethnic conflict; genocide and massacres; and terrorism. Restricted to Political Science major(s). Not intended for students with Freshman class standing. 3 hours. (This course is now regularly offered as PS 339 Political Violence). 

PS 300 (Special Topics - Human Rights) This course will be an exploration of the meaning, basis, historical roots, and practical significance of human rights, with special attention given to the questions of the universality of human rights. The course is divided into four parts: Part one sets up the context and the background within which the role of human rights in international relations must be understood. Part two examines and compares human rights in contemporary Global North and Global South with special focus on the relationship between poverty and democracy. Part three will deal with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The meaning of aggressive war and ethnic cleansing will be analyzed in depth and the importance of the International Criminal Court is examined. In part four the course will deal with rights of people under military occupation and the responsibilities of the occupying power under international law. Specific cases will be used to better understand the significance of these four areas of inquiry. These include South Africa, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, the Palestinian territories, Chile, Iran, EU, and the United States. Open to students with sophomore or higher standing. 3 hours. 

GLBL 499 (Special Topics in Global Studies - International Diplomacy and Negotiation) Examines the complexities of international diplomacy and negotiations among states and other actors. The course focuses on three main subject areas: negotiation theory, applied negotiation, and practical considerations that affect negotiations. We will utilize theoretic, case-based, and active-learning approaches during the semester as we explore the topic in detail. Issues and topics include security, public health, economic development, human rights, and the environment.  Students will participate in a number of in-class and multi-campus online negotiations simulations in this class.  The content and skills developed in this course will be beneficial for students interested in law school, diplomacy, negotiation, advocacy, or simply improving their odds of winning arguments.  This course can be counted as a Political Science course by Political Science majors. 3 hours. (This course is now regularly offered as GLBL 392 International Diplomacy and Negotiation). 

MCB 493 (Special Topics in Molecular and Cell Biology - Global Biosecurity) Seminar-based course designed to provide advanced students with broad coverage of key areas of legal, ethical, scientific and political aspects of biosecurity, emphasizing current problems and research in the areas of biodefense, emerging infectious diseases, synthetic biology and other topics. In combination with related reading andwriting assignments, the weekly special topics-based seminars will integrate knowledge of natural and man-made biological threats with the skills to develop and analyze public policies and strategies for enhancing global biosecurity. Prerequisite: MCB 150 or equivalent or consent of instructor. 1 hour.