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International Security & Conflict Resolution

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The international security and conflict resolution major is overseen by the Institute for International Security and Conflict Resolution (IISCOR) and administered by the International Security and Conflict Resolution (ISCOR) program committee. The major includes courses offered by faculty in the Colleges of Arts and Letters; Health and Human Services; Professional Studies and Fine Arts; and Sciences.

International security and conflict resolution are seen as involving more than international relations and the more traditional focus on military power and the threat or use of force. They extend into such areas as arms control, economic development, human rights and resources and the environment.

Faculty

ISCOR Program Director and Undergraduate Adviser: Johns (Political Science)

ISCOR Curriculum Committee: Cottrell (Sociology), Gupta (Public Administration and Urban Studies), Johns (Political Science), Sabbadini (Biology), Sweedler (Physics)

Offered by International Security and Conflict Resolution

Major in international security and conflict resolution with the B.A. degree in liberal arts and sciences.

The Major

International security and conflict resolution is an interdisciplinary program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts and sciences. The program requires and integrates coursework from natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and humanities.

In order to provide both breadth and depth for the courses of study, all students are required to complete a set of courses addressing the major themes of the development of global systems and the nature of conflict and conflict resolution. All students must select an integrated set of courses from different disciplines focused on an area of specialization related to international security and conflict resolution in global systems, in cooperation, conflict and conflict resolution, or in environment and security.

Those completing the major will be prepared for careers in business, government, international relations or nonprofit organizations at the local, state, national or international level as they relate to international security and conflict resolution. Alternatively, majors will be prepared to pursue graduate or professional studies in a particular discipline or area related to international security and conflict resolution.

Advising

Students are required to meet with the undergraduate adviser in order to declare the major. All students admitted to the University with a declared major in international security and conflict resolution are urged to meet with the undergraduate adviser during their first semester on campus.

International Security and Conflict Resolution Major

With the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
(Major Code: 22103)

All candidates for a degree in liberal arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on "Graduation Requirements."

A minor is not required with this major.

It is strongly recommended that international security and conflict resolution majors consider either a minor or a second major in a foreign language. In addition, international security and conflict resolution majors may wish to obtain language certification in a foreign language or to include a period of study abroad. Many career positions related to an international security and conflict resolution major will require demonstrated competency in a foreign language.

It is also recommended that international security and conflict resolution majors consider either a minor, even a second minor, if a minor in a foreign language is taken, in an area studies programs, e.g., African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, or Middle East Studies. Many career positions related to an international security and conflict resolution major will require a strong background in a particular region and/or culture, perhaps tied in with a specific foreign language.

Majors should also seriously consider overseas study, whether for an academic year, a semester or during the intersession or the summer. The CSU International Programs offers a wide selection of study locales and learning environments. In addition, SDSU has bilateral agreements with more than one hundred universities throughout the world which may provide for student exchange and overseas study. Courses taken under the auspices of these and other programs may be accepted as part of the ISCOR program. Students should consult with the Undergraduate Adviser before enrolling in overseas study in order to clarify transferability and comparability of courses.

Preparation for the Major. (24 units) Economics 101, 102; History 101; Political Science 103; Religious Studies 101; and three units from each of the following groups:

(a) Anthropology 102 or Geography 102;

(b) Comparative Literature 270B, History 100, or Philosophy 101;

(c) Economics 201, Political Science 201, Psychology 270 or Sociology 201, Statistics 119 or 250.

Recommended for General Education in the Natural Sciences: In the Life Sciences, Biology 100 or 101; in the Physical Sciences, Chemistry 100, Geography 101 or Physics 107.

Foreign Language Requirement. It is strongly recommended that international security and conflict resolution majors consider either a minor or a second major in a foreign language. In addition, international security and conflict resolution majors may wish to obtain language certification in a foreign language. A minimum competency (equivalent to that which is normally attained through three consecutive courses of college semesters or five college quarters) is required in one foreign language as part of the preparation for the major. Refer to section of catalog on "Graduation Requirements."

Upper Division Writing Requirement. Passing the University Writing Examination or completing one of the approved writing courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Major. A minimum of 36 upper division units to include 18 units in International Security and Conflict Resolution 300, 301, 310, 320 and either 495 or 497; Political Science 375; and 18 units from one of the three specializations: Global Systems; Cooperation, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution; or Environment and Security.

This specialization focuses on the political, economic, and social characteristics of global systems, which include the study of international relations, comparative regional studies, and internationally mobile populations. An understanding of global systems will provide the context for analyzing issues of international security, cooperation and conflict.

Requirements for specialization. A minimum of 18 units to include Economics 360; six units selected from Economics 330; History 480; Political Science 577; six additional units from courses listed above or from Aerospace Studies 400B; Anthropology 350 ++; Asian Studies 560+++; Chicana and Chicano Studies 306 or Sociology 555++; Economics 336 or 365; Geography 312+, 554+; History 407B or 486 or 511B or 512A or 512B or 527; History 543++ or 544B; History 482B; Political Science 361 or 478 or 479 or 481++ or 555 or 560; Sociology 350++; Women's Studies 580+; and three units from Asian Studies 459; Chicana and Chicano Studies 355, 597+; History 421, 473B, 475B, 555, 564B, 565; Political Science 363, 364, 566.

This specialization is concerned with exploring the causes, nature, consequences, management, and resolution of conflict at the societal level. It will consider the psychology, sociology, economics, politics and history of cooperation, conflict and conflict resolution. It will address issues of war and peace, nationalism, civil war, terrorism and ethnic hostility as they impact international security.

Requirements for specialization. A minimum of 18 units to include nine units selected from Africana Studies 445+ or Psychology 340++ or Sociology 410++; Biology 339++; Communication 371++; Philosophy 512++; Political Science 302, 370; Political Science 531++ or Sociology 457++ or Women's Studies 530+; Religious Studies 354 or Sociology 338++; Social Work 350; Sociology 433++, 537++; and nine units selected from the following courses including at least three units selected from Africana Studies 321+, 448; American Indian Studies 400; Geography 337; History 486, 511B, 512A, 514A+, 533B, 556, 574; Political Science 363, 364, 566; Sociology 355++; Women's Studies 375, 536++; and at least three units selected from Africana Studies 325, 452+; Communication 408; Philosophy 329; Political Science 479; Public Administration 530+.

Issues related to the environment and the utilization of energy and natural resources are important aspects of international security and often are related to cooperation and conflict between nations and groups within states. The purpose of this specialization is to provide the student with the necessary background to better understand this aspect of international security and the management and resolution of conflict.

Requirements for specialization. A minimum of 18 units to include nine units selected from Biology 315++; Community Health Education 362; Economics 452; Geography 370+; Physics 301; Political Science 334; Sociology 350++; and nine units selected from the courses listed above or from Biology 324+, 339++, 354+, 359++; Community Health Education 350; Economics 453, 489; Geography 378+, 570+,571+, 574+; History 441; Natural Science 333; Philosophy 329, 332, 333; Psychology 347++.

+ Course requires prerequisites other than those listed above.
++ Additional prerequisites other than those listed above may be required depending upon lower division courses taken for preparation for major (and/or for General Education).
+++ Consent of instructor required.

Courses

Evolution and development of global systems, characteristics of contemporary and global systems and formulation of criteria for projecting the future of the systems. (Formerly numbered General Studies 300.)

Conflict resolution as an emerging field; theories of conflict; methods and implications of conflict management including group, institutional, and international level analysis. (Formerly numbered General Studies 301.)

Identifies resource and social crises toward which contemporary American values are leading, examines the nature of human action; contrasts other value systems with ours; considers origins of our values and the individual's potential for changing them. Interdisciplinary; team taught. (Formerly numbered General Studies 210 and 310.)

International security issues from historical, ethical, economic and sociopsychological perspectives, including the security environment after the Cold War and current sources of conflict. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons is discussed. (Formerly numbered General Studies 320.)

Supervised internship of 150 hours in government or nongovernmental agency, office or business in an area directly related to international security and conflict resolution.

An original and comprehensive written description and analysis of a problem or problem area in international security and conflict resolution.

Individual study. Maximum credit six units.

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