Summer 2009 Courses

UN 717: The United Nations and Global Terrorism
M/W, 6:00-8:30 PM
16 May - 2 July
Professor Jacques Fomerand

What has been the role of the United Nations in combating terrorism? To what extent can it be said to be "more important than is usually recognized" and if this is so, what can realistically be expected from a state-based international organization in dealing with non-state actor threats?
This course explores these questions with particular attention to the novel features of the threat posed by terrorism to international peace and security, the effectiveness o applicability of traditional models and mechanisms for dealing with the security challenges posed by terrorism and addressing its root causes, and what can be done through the United Nations
to contain and suppress terrorism.
3 credits

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UN 695: Statistics for the Social Scientist
Tu/Th, 6:00-8:30 PM
15 May - 1 July
Manhattan and BrooklynProfessor
Rainer Braun

Statistics are everywhere around us. Decisions about virtually anything are guided to some extent by statistics: from the most mundane matters to life and death decisions about war and peace. Employers of all kinds, government agencies, corporations, and non-governmental organizations expect familiarity with basic statistical techniques.
This introductory course teaches students about basic statistics and their relevance for the social sciences. The goal is to familiarize students with statistical concepts such as central tendencies, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. The emphasis of the course is on exploring concepts and understanding the relevance of statistics for
research. The course includes an introduction to SPSS. No prior knowledge of statistics or advanced math is required.
3 credits

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UN 711: Research Seminar
Meeting dates to be a arranged. First class, Tuesday 16 May
UN 710 a prerequisite.
3 credits

Spring 2009 Courses

POL SCI 505: Political Theory (required for Pol Sci majors)
Monday, Professor Ehrenberg

A graduate-level survey of the threads of continuity and the sources of change in the development of political philosophy from Plato through Marx.
Three credits.


POL SCI 547: International Human Rights
Tuesday, Professor Braun

An examination of the impact of human rights on state policies, theories of human rights, cross-cultural perspectives of human rights, and the question of universality. Also considered are the five categories of rights recognized by the international community, negative and positive rights, the three generations of rights and the evolution of international human rights and the legal instruments and covenants designed to protect them. Case studies of major human rights abuses and the efforts by the international community to deal with them – the role of the United Nations, particular states, non-governmental organizations and individuals are reviewed.
Three credits.


SOC 553: World Social Development
Wednesday, Professor Wilson

A consideration of the world social situation, including such subjects as health, food and nutrition, housing and urban planning, education, employment, and social development in developing areas.
Three credits.


UN 708: Non-Governmental Organizations
Wednesday, Professor Lee

A study of the premises and functions of private voluntary organizations in the UN nongovernmental organizations (NGO) structure. Student-initiated research in the functions of selected groups of NGOs is conducted. Multidisciplinary and analytical discussions of research progress reports on NGO activities and interactions with international organizations are held. Three credits.


UN 710: Research Methods
Thursday, Professor Braun

An introduction to research techniques in the social sciences. Students are required to research a major function or principal concern within the UN system. Based on their research, students make formal presentations and defend policy proposals drawn from their research.
Three credits.


UN 714: The United Nations and International Security: Conflict Resolution, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Thursday, Professor Chew