PSCI5400 - Borders and Boundaries in International and Comparative Perspective

Status
A
Activity
SEM
Section number integer
301
Title (text only)
Borders and Boundaries in International and Comparative Perspective
Term
2024C
Syllabus URL
Subject area
PSCI
Section number only
301
Section ID
PSCI5400301
Course number integer
5400
Meeting times
W 3:30 PM-6:29 PM
Meeting location
COHN 203
Level
graduate
Instructors
Beth Ann Simmons
Description
This research seminar is designed for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. It explores the meaning and consequences of borders and boundaries in international relations. How do borders, border regions, and border activities speak to national encounters with neighbors and the rest of the world? How do international borders influence war and peace between states? How do they affect international trade and development? When and how are international borders “securitized,” and how does this affect the flow of goods, people, and illicit activities around and across the border? How do states cooperate across international borders? While this course is designed primarily as a seminar in international relations, we will examine the meaning and function of boundary-making between states from multiple perspectives. Borders, border regions and border crossings have multiple significance as designations of state authority, security buffers, expressions of social meaning and opportunities for economic integration. As a seminar designed primarily to stimulate research ideas, this course will be concerned with historical and current problems relating to international borders around the world. We will concentrate on formulating interesting research questions, bringing data to bear on specific hypotheses, becoming familiar with data sources, and designing our own research. All assignments are related to developing research skills; there are no in-class exams.
Course number only
5400
Use local description
No