International Affairs (IA)

IA 101 -  Introduction to International Affairs  
Credits: 4  

An introduction to the field of international affairs. The course explores the relationships among the disciplines within international affairs. Examines key concepts that describe and explain international relationships and issues, explores the diversity of perceptions of international issues across national and cultural boundaries, and engages students in in-class global problem-solving exercises.

Note(s): Fulfills Cultural Diversity requirement; fulfills Global Cultural Perspectives requirement.  
IA 201 -  Research Methods  
Credits: 3-4  

Fundamental methodological concepts and practices in International Affairs. Students will analyze, design, and conduct interdisciplinary research on international affairs. Students will learn to be better "consumers" of scholarly research and skilled "producers" of knowledge based on original research.

Prerequisites: IA 101.   
Note(s): Primarily designed for sophomores and juniors majoring in International Affairs.  
IA 215 -  Excavating Culture  
Credits: 4  

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of anthropology through a deep dive into ethnographic writing on different regions of the world. Selected countries (including the U.S.) are discussed with respect to how culture influences their political, geographic, and economic characteristics. Several concepts and themes are explored, among them race and identity construction, violence and resistance, colonialism and inequality, gender and sexuality, as well as global interconnectedness. This course will also emphasize contemporary events as they relate to the fundamental themes of the course. Ultimately, students will leave this class with a nuanced understanding of how power, justice, and identity inform socio-political structures both within the United States and throughout our world.

Prerequisites: SSP 100.   
Note(s): Fulfills Cultural Diversity and Social Sciences requirements; fulfills Bridge Experience and Global Cultural Perspective requirements.  
IA 253 -  Foundational Topics in International Affairs: The Political World  
Credits: 3-4  

Topically organized courses focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in international affairs at the intermediate level. Topics vary depending upon specialization and research interests of visiting and/or Skidmore faculty.

Prerequisites: IA 101.   
Note(s): Fulfills IA Foundation Cluster I: The Political World. May be repeated with a different topic for credit.  
IA 254 -  Foundational Topics in International Affairs: The Economic World  
Credits: 3-4  

Topically organized courses focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in international affairs at the intermediate level. Topics vary depending upon specialization and research interests of visiting and/or Skidmore faculty. Fulfills IA Foundation Cluster II: The Economic World.

Prerequisites: IA 101.   
Note(s): Fulfills IA Foundation Cluster II: The Economic World. May be repeated with a different topic for credit.  
IA 255 -  Foundation Topics International Affairs: Cultural World  
Credits: 3-4  

Topically organized courses focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in international affairs at the intermediate level. Topics vary depending upon specialization and research interests of visiting and/or Skidmore faculty.

Note(s): May be repeated with a different topic for credit. Fulfills IA Foundation Cluster III: Cultural World. Fulfills Cultural Diversity requirement; fulfills Global Cultural Perspectives requirement.  
IA 256 -  Foundational Topics in International Affairs: The Physical World  
Credits: 3-4  

Topically organized courses focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in international affairs at the intermediate level. Topics vary depending upon specialization and research interests of visiting and/or Skidmore faculty.

Prerequisites: IA 101.   
Note(s): Fulfills IA Foundation Cluster IV: The Physical World. May be repeated with a different topic for credit.  
IA 257 -  Topics in International Affairs: The Political World  
Credits: 3-4  

Topically organized courses focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in international affairs at the intermediate level. Topics vary depending upon specialization and research interests of visiting and/or Skidmore faculty.

Prerequisites: IA 101.   
Note(s): Fulfills IA Knowledge Cluster I: The Political World. May be repeated with a different topic for credit.  
IA 258 -  Topics in International Affairs: The Economic World  
Credits: 3-4  

Topically organized courses focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in international affairs at the intermediate level. Topics vary depending upon specialization and research interests of visiting and/or Skidmore faculty.

Prerequisites: IA 101.   
Note(s): Fulfills IA Knowledge Cluster II: The Economic World. May be repeated with a different topic for credit.  
IA 259 -  Topics in International Affairs: The Cultural World  
Credits: 3-4  

Topically organized courses focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in international affairs at the intermediate level. Topics vary depending upon specialization and research interests of visiting and/or Skidmore faculty.

Prerequisites: IA 101.   
Note(s): Fulfills IA Knowledge Cluster III: The Cultural World. Fulfills Global Cultural Perspectives requirement. May be repeated with a different topic for credit.  
IA 260 -  Topics in International Affairs: The Physical World  
Credits: 3-4  

Topically organized courses focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in international affairs at the intermediate level. Topics vary depending upon specialization and research interests of visiting and/or Skidmore faculty.

Prerequisites: IA 101.   
Note(s): Fulfills IA Knowledge Cluster IV: The Physical World. May be repeated with a different topic for credit.  
IA 299 -  Professional Internship In International Affairs  
Credits: 1-4  

Internship or professional experience at an intermediate level for students with foundational academic experience in the major field. With faculty sponsorship and Program approval, students select an internship and produce a research paper or other appropriate work related to the area of the internship on a topic approved by the faculty sponsor and the on-site supervisor.

Note(s): Must be taken S/U. Not for liberal arts credit.  
IA 351 -  Advanced Topics in International Affairs  
Credits: 3-4  

Advanced and special topics in current international affairs. Topics will vary from semester to semester. 

Prerequisites: IA 101 and one semester of study abroad or in exceptional circumstances, an alternative experience approved by the Director.  
IA 371 -  Independent Study  
Credits: 1-4  

An opportunity for qualified majors to pursue independent study in International Affairs under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member. The written study proposal must be approved by the International Affairs Director, in consultation with the faculty member.

IA 375 -  Senior Seminar in IA  
Credits: 1  

A seminar required of all international affairs majors in the spring term, when they make final oral and written presentations of their senior capstone project to the International Affairs Committee. This course is designed to enhance students' research, written, and oral communication skills relating to international affairs, and to strengthen their awareness of international issues and professional opportunities. The course includes presentations and discussions by students and guest lecturers, instruction on library research, writing, and oral presentation skills. Students present their capstone project ideas at the preliminary meeting and are evaluated on their research process, participation, and oral presentation. The course culminates in the presentation of senior capstone projects to international affairs faculty, students, and the community.

Note(s): Letter grade only.  
IA 376 -  Senior Seminar in IA  
Credits: 4  

A research-oriented senior seminar required of all International Affairs (IA) majors that also functions as the Senior Experience Coda in IA. Students will design and execute original and in-depth independent capstone research papers, which they will also present publicly at the end of the semester to the faculty, students, and the Skidmore community. Class work (including presentations, guest lectures and discussions) will serve to discuss and critically reflect upon theories, methodologies, and historical and contemporary events and phenomena from an interdisciplinary perspective, in order to guide students in their independent research.

Prerequisites: IA 101, IA 201 C-D, and IA 351 C-D.   
Note(s): Offered only in the spring term. Fulfills Senior Experience Coda requirement.  
IA 399 -  Professional Internship In International Affairs  
Credits: 1-4  

Internship or professional experience at an advanced level for students with substantial academic experience in the major field. With faculty sponsorship and Program approval, students select an internship and produce a research paper or other appropriate work related to the area of the internship on a topic approved by the faculty sponsor and the on-site supervisor.

Note(s): IA 399 cannot be counted as one of the 300-level courses required of the International Affairs major/minor. Must be taken S/U. Not for liberal arts credit.