Kevin Galambos
Courses Taught
Introduction to International Relations
A survey of contemporary international politics. Major topics covered in this course include international political geography, the evolution of the international system, the nation-state, modern diplomacy, international political economy, international law and organization, the East-West conflict, and North-South issues.
Research Design & Methods
This course examines various methods used in the study of international relations and comparative politics. The formulation and design of research projects is emphasized. Basic analytical concepts and techniques are introduced as students explore various approaches to the study of world politics.
Security Studies
An examination of how Security Studies have evolved over the years, covering both traditional and non-traditional areas of security. It examines a range of concepts from “hard security” to such ideas as energy security, economic security, cyber security and human security. The problem of preventive war, deterrence, mass suicide terrorism, nuclear proliferation unconventional war, and globalization are also considered.
American Foreign Policy
This writing intensive course examines the basic elements of American foreign policy (AFP) since World War II. This course explores the tension between two basic questions. First, the United States is the preponderant power on the world stage since the end of the Cold War. How can it use unipolarity to best serve its interests? Second, American power is waning as it defuses to other states and other types of actors. How can the United States best prepare for multipolarity? To explore this tension, this course explores relevant international relations theory and its application to major concerns in AFP – including war, international institutions and organizations, decision making, polarity and alliances, terrorism, and climate change. Students are expected to apply these concepts to a topic of their choosing under the umbrella of AFP and to write an intensively researched and thesis-driven term paper on the topic.