Border Resources
Border Courses
Students interested in border studies have access to numerous courses focused on the border, the U.S. Southwest, Mexico, and a variety of other border-related topics (such as immigration and the Latino community). Special study abroad programs, including the USD Guadalajara program in the School of Arts and Sciences, the Mexico Summer Law Program, and the Business School’s Ahlers Center Monterrey Program offer students unique opportunities to study in Mexico and along the border.
Here TBI lists several courses available to students by the school or program of study:
Economics
ECON 335 Economic Development of Latin America
An analysis of the determinants of economic development and growth in Third World countries in general and Latin America in particular, along with associated problems and policies. Topics include theories and policies concerning population, income distribution, education, capital formation, finance, agriculture, industry, trade, and economic planning. Prerequisite: ECON 102.
History
HIST 125D Race and Ethnicity in the American Experience
This course provides students with a basic understanding of how race and ethnicity have influenced American society from the colonial period to the present. Students will be exposed to a variety of topics and historical events that will help explain how and why Americans’ attitudes about racial and ethnic differences changed over time. They also will look at how these attitudes have affected the nation’s major immigrant and racial minority populations. Finally, the course will examine how ideas and attitudes about race affected major societal institutions and social policies in the United States.
HIST 361 Modern Latin America
Covers Latin America from the start of the independence movements in 1810 to the present. Includes discussion of independence and the struggle of new states to modernize; Church-state frictions; urbanization and the emergence of populist politics; industrialization; the Cuban Revolution and other revolutionary movements; military dictatorships; redemocratization in the 1980s and 1990s; and democratic consolidation and contemporary challenges in the 21st century.
HIST 362 Topics in Latin American History
A study of specific topics and themes in the history of Latin America, such as the role of religion and the Catholic Church, 20th-century revolutions and social upheaval, and the history of particular groups, including Amerindians, women, and rural and urban workers. Students may repeat the course for credit when the topic changes.
HIST 383 Chicano History
This class will examine the history of the Mexican and Mexican-origin people who inhabit what is now the American Southwest and northern Mexico. The class will begin by discussing the Mesoamerican civilizations of central Mexico, and move on to examine the Spanish conquest, the fight for Mexican independence, and the Mexican-American War. At that point, the class will shift its focus to the United States and discuss westward expansion, Anglo-Mexican conflict in states such as Texas, New Mexico, and California, and the formation of Mexican-American culture. The class will conclude by examining the origins of Chicano nationalism, the rise of the farm workers’ movement, and the cultural and economic impact of Mexican immigration. At appropriate points throughout the semester, the class will discuss gender relations, the role of religion, and the formation of popular culture to understand how Mexican culture developed in various parts of the United States.
HIST 384 History of Mexico
A history of Mexico from earliest times to the present. Includes a survey of indigenous civilizations; Spanish conquest and influences; the Mexican-American War of 1846; the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz; the era of the Mexican Revolution; political development since the 1920s; and U.S.-Mexico relations during the modern period.
HIST 387 History of Baja California
History of Lower California from the first Spanish maritime explorations, circa 1520, to modern times. Emphasis on the land, the sea, and the people; Spanish and Mexican institutions. Detailed studies particularly for the Mission period, the Mexican War, and the growth of cities.
HIST 389 History of California
Covers California’s past from its earliest settlements to modern times. The course begins with California’s geographical setting, aboriginal culture, and contact with the European world. A survey of Spanish backgrounds includes missions and missionaries, ranchos, pueblos, and foreign visitors. Changes under the government of Mexico led to California’s conquest by the United States.
During the second half, lectures cover generally the effects of the Gold Rush; problems of statehood; constitutional developments; land, labor, and Indian policies; transportation and immigration; agriculture and industry; California during wartime; water projects; political issues; cultural accomplishments; racial diversity; and recent trends. Meets the requirements of California history standards for various teaching credentials.
HIST 560 Topics in Latin American History
This seminar focuses on various topics in the history of Latin America, such as the role of religion and the Catholic Church; 20th-century revolutions and social upheaval; and the history of particular groups, including Amerindians, women, and rural and urban workers. Students may repeat the seminar for credit when the topic changes.
HIST 583 Chicano/a History
This class explores the history of the Mexican and Mexican origin people in the United States. The class begins with the European settlement of the Americas and ends with the immigration of Mexicans to the United States in the 20th and 21st century.
HIST 589 History of California
Covers California’s past from its earliest settlements to modern times. The course begins with California’s geographical setting, aboriginal culture, and contact with the European world. A survey of Spanish backgrounds includes missions and missionaries, ranchos, pueblos, and foreign visitors. Changes under the government of Mexico led to California’s conquest by the United States. During the second half, lectures cover generally the effects of the Gold Rush; problems of statehood; constitutional developments; land, labor, and Indian policies; transportation and immigration; agriculture and industry; California during wartime; water projects; political issues; cultural accomplishments; racial diversity; and recent trends. Meets the requirements of California history standards for various teaching credentials.
Political Science/International Relations
POLS 175 International Politics
This course examines major traditions in the discipline of international relations. Students are introduced to the study of the causes of war and the conditions of peace, international law and organizations, international political economy, great power politics, and foreign-policy decision making. The course also explores issues such as global poverty, immigration, refugees, human rights, and the environment as they affect international politics.
POLS 352 Comparative Politics of Developing Countries
This course examines concepts and theories of development and assesses their utility in understanding political, economic and social change in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Particular emphasis is placed on issues such as: state building, the bureaucracy, civil-military relations, national identity, economic development, and democratization.
POLS 357 Politics in Latin America
This course examines the dynamics of political and economic change in 20th-century Latin America. There is particular emphasis on the causes and consequences of cyclical economic development and recurrent waves of democratization and authoritarianism.
POLS 366 Politics in Mexico
This course provides an overview of the contemporary Mexican political system. The primary focus is on the breakdown of the dominant party system in the late twentieth century and the subsequent recalibration of executive-legislative relations, decentralization of power and emergence of democratic political culture and competition.
POLS 371 American Foreign Policy
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing American foreign policy in the twenty-frst century. Students examine the historical legacy and internal and external constraints on foreign policy decision-making. Students also study theoretical approaches in the discipline of international relations and discuss their relevance to an empirical analysis of American foreign policy.
POLS 374 U.S.-Latin American Relations
The course explores the history of economic and political relations between the U.S. and Latin America to understand the basis of contemporary U.S. policy. Topics examined include military intervention, drug trafficking, immigration and trade policies, and relations with Cuba.
POLS 376 U.S. National Security
This course examines contemporary U.S. security policy, including military technology, nuclear strategy and arms control, recent U.S. military interventions, biological and chemical weapons, domestic security politics, the defense industry and budget, and terrorism.
POLS 377 Regional Security
This course examines security dynamics in three important regions of the world (Europe, East Asia, and Latin America.) We address issues ranging from military technologies to diplomatic relations, political economy, and transnational challenges like drug trafficking and terrorism.
POLS 380 Core Course: International Political Economy
This course offers a n introduction to the study of the history, issues, and dynamics of political/economic interactions in the international economy. The course covers both advanced industrial societies and less developed countries. Special topics such as international energy, the international debt crisis and international migration are considered. Economics 101 and 102 are recommended prerequisites.
POLS 430 Field Seminar in California Government
Students attend a three-day seminar on California government and politics in the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento. The seminar is offered only during the Spring semester at the end of February. Students attend seminar presentations featuring elected state legislators, legislative and executive staffers, journalists, lobbyists, and academic experts on current issues confronting California.
POLS 444 Special Topics in Political Science
Special topics courses offer an examination of a topical issue affecting politics in the United States. The course number may be repeated for credit provided the topics of the courses are different.
POLS 448 Internship in Political Science
This course involves participation in a governmental office at local, state, or national level. Students are required to complete a research paper under the supervision of the instructor. This course is open only to junior or senior Political Science or International Relations majors with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students may not enroll in more than six internship units, and only three may be used toward the major.
POLS 449 Independent Study in Political Science
This course involves advanced individual study in Public Policy, American Politics, Public Law, Political Behavior, or Political Theory. This course is open only to junior or senior Political Science or International Relations majors with a grade point average in Political Science courses of 3.3 or higher. Approval of instructor and department chair is required, and substantial prior course work in the area is expected.
POLS 494 Special Topics in International Relations
Special topics courses offer an examination of a topical issue affecting the domestic politics of foreign countries or the international political system. This course number may be repeated for credit provided the topics of the courses.
POLS 498 Internship in International Relations
This course involves participation in an internship related to international relations. Students are be required to complete a research paper under the supervision of the instructor. This course is open only to junior or senior Political Science or International Relations majors with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students may not enroll in more than six internship units, and only three may be used toward the major.
POLS 499 Independent Study in International Relations
This course involves advanced individual study in International Relations or Comparative Politics. This course is open only to junior or senior Political Science or International Relations majors with a grade point average in Political Science courses of 3.3 or higher. Approval of instructor and department chair is required, and substantial prior course work in the area is expected
POLS 557 Politics in Latin America
This course uses a variety of theories to examine the dynamics of political and economic change in Latin America. Particular emphasis is placed on the causes and consequences of cyclical economic development and recurrent waves of democratization and authoritarianism.
POLS 566 Politics of Mexico
This course examines the trajectory of political development in Mexico from the twentieth century to the present. We will examine the Mexican revolution, the origins of the dominant party system, the transition to democracy and current prospects for democratic and economic stability.
School of Peace Studies
P&J 565 Peace and Justice in World Politics: Theory and Practice
An analysis of the theoretical literature on the causes of war and conditions of peace and justice focusing on issues of sovereignty, global governance, military and non-military aspects of security, human rights, and positive and negative peace. Seminar format with extensive student-centered discussions of readings.
Sociology
SOCI 460 Immigrant America
This course provides an overview of sociological research in the field of international migration. This course focuses on topics including: migration flows into gateway cities such as San Diego, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami; transnationalism; immigration law and policy; immigrant families; activism, citizenship; and work. Counts towards: PIGP
SOCI 472 Law and Society
This course examines the relationship between formal law and other social institutions. It begins with an examination of legal theory and theories of law creation. It then explores the role of law in both fostering and remedying social inequality, law as a vehicle for social change, and the many other roles of law in modern U.S. society. The underlying premise is simple – law is a social construct. No matter how it is defined, law is not simply an objective system of dos and don’ts; rather, it is something that is shaped by history, social conditions, and particular groups in society. Counts towards: CJLS
