International Security and Conflict Resolution

OFFICE: Storm Hall 223B
TELEPHONE: 619-594-3768 / FAX: 619-594-7302
E-MAIL: iscor@sdsu.edu

Faculty

Program Director: Latha Varadarajan, Professor, Political Science (B.A., Ethiraj College; M.A., Jawaharlal Nehru University; M.Phil, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Ph.D., University of Minnesota)

Adviser: Jonathan Gruabart, Professor, Political Science (M.A., University of Pennsylvania; J.D., Berkeley Law, University of California, Berkeley; Ph.D. University of Wisconsin)

Mikhail Alexeev, Ph.D., Professor, Political Science

Cheryl O’Brien, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Political Science

G. Allen Greb, Lecturer, Political Science

Associated Faculty

Pierre Asselin, Ph.D., Professor, History

Trent Biggs, Ph.D., Professor, Geography

David Carruthers, Ph.D., Professor, Political Science

Grace Cheng, Ph.D., Director, Interdisciplinary Human Rights Initiative

Luca Dal Pubel, Lecturer, Political Science

Shawn Flanigan, Ph.D., Professor, School of Public Affairs

Hisham Foad, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Economics

Annika Freiberg, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, History

Hank Johnston, Ph.D. Professor, Sociology

Akshay Pottathil, Ph.D., Co-Director, Center for Information Convergence & Strategy (CICS)

Kate Swanson, Ph.D., Professor, Geography

The international security and conflict resolution (ISCOR) major at San Diego State University is an innovative interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with a sophisticated understanding of the political, moral, socioeconomic, and cultural dimensions to global conflict. Its interests extend well beyond conventional international security issues to encompass the broader analysis of global affairs. ISCOR exposes students to a multiplicity of ideological, regional, and cultural perspectives. Students will attain a comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of global affairs and the challenges to building a more peaceful, just, and ecologically sustainable global order. ISCOR students will develop a rich appreciation of both increased global interconnections (sometimes known as globalization) and enduring diversity in cultural practices, political systems, and economic systems. Students will also sharpen their skills in research and critical reasoning and develop expertise in specific global issues. Upon graduation, ISCOR students will be well positioned for advanced studies or for embarking upon careers in positions related to global affairs.

The ISCOR program features three specializations: cooperation, conflict, and conflict resolution; environment and security; and justice in the global system. All students are expected to study abroad and given the option of doing an internship or senior thesis.

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 integrates coursework from natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and humanities.

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

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.

Impacted Program

The international security and conflict resolution (ISCOR) major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the international security and conflict resolution (ISCOR) major, students must meet the following criteria:

Complete preparation for the major;
Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)