International and Area Studies (IAS)

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2014
This course is geared towards intended Political Economy and Development Studies majors. It consists of a series of guest lectures presenting different issues and perspectives of political economy and development. Topics will be divided into three general sections: 1) theories on political economy and development; 2) historical background on the causes and effects of politics and markets; and 3) case studies on both the international and domestic levels. Peer discussion groups are led by honors students.
Issues in Political Economy and Development: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Required prerequisite for all students intending to enroll in Development Studies H195, Latin American Studies H195, Political Economy of Industrial Societies H195, and Peace and Conflict Studies H195. Course provides an introduction to interdisciplinary research strategies for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data. Course integrates the study of the fundamental theories of social science with the practical techniques of social science research methods.
Scope and Methods of Research in International and Area Studies: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Summer 2018 First 6 Week Session, Spring 2018, Summer 2017 First 6 Week Session
This course is designed as a comprehensive overview of intermediate microeconomic theory. It covers a number of topics including consumer and demand theory, firm, production and cost theory, competitive market theory, imperfect competition, welfare economics, choice under uncertainty and information. All analysis conducted in the course relies on graphical and algebraic techniques. Outside readings and discussion sections will demonstrate the applicability of the models covered in class to topics with an international dimension, such as the setting of tariffs, cartel behavior, and international trade.
Intermediate Microeconomic Theory: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Summer 2024 8 Week Session
Formulation of a research hypothesis and definition of an empirical strategy. Regression analysis with cross-sectional and time-series data; econometric methods for the analysis of qualitative information; hypothesis testing. The techniques of statistical and econometric analysis are developed through applications to a set of case studies and real data in the fields of environmental, resource, and international development economics. Students learn the use of a statistical software for economic data analysis.
Introductory Applied Econometrics: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Fall 2019
Advanced multidisciplinary research in current issues and topics in international and area studies. Course will focus on specific issues or geographical areas with appropriate comparative material included. A major research project is required as well as class presentations. Topics change each semester.
Advanced Studies in International and Area Studies: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Advanced multidisciplinary research in current issues and topics in international and area studies. Course will focus on specific issues or geographical areas with appropriate comparative material included. A major research project is required as well as class presentations. Topics change each semester.
Advanced Studies in International and Area Studies: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course engages students at the intersection of environmental justice, social justice, and engineering to explore how problems that are commonly defined in technical terms are at their roots deeply socially embedded. Through partnerships with community-based organizations, students are trained to recognize the socio-political nature of technical problems so that they may approach solutions in ways that prioritize social justice. Topics covered include environmental engineering as it relates to air, water, and soil contamination; race, class, and privilege; expertise; ethics; and engaged citizenship. This course cannot be used to complete any engineering technical unit requirements.
Engineering, The Environment, and Society: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Summer 2010 10 Week Session, Summer 2010 3 Week Session, Summer 2009 3 Week Session
This course is designed to expose both precollege and college level students to the issues, challenges, and skills needed to negotiate the global economic, social, political, and physical environment. It is an innovative and integrated approach to global studies pedagogy and leadership development. Students will be exposed to and trained in the fundamental concepts of globalization, global inequality, and global change. In addition to the general education provided by the core module of the course, each year the course will tackle a different theme that amplifies key issues in global studies. The course will link theory and analysis to the transformative forms of practice. Students will work in teams on a real-world project related to the course theme, thus developing valuable leadership skills. The faculty coordinator will be joined by experts both from within and outside the institution to bring to students lectures, presentations, experiential opportunities, workshops, and group projects to explore the concept of leadership, issues of human poverty, human rights, social justice, urban planning for sustainable growth, and development.
Berkeley Summer Institute for the Global Generation: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
The course will start with a brief introduction and evaluation of the scientific aspects behind climate change. Economic models will be developed to analyze the impacts of climate change and provide and critique existing and proposed policy tools. Specific topics studied are impacts on water resources and agriculture, economic evaluation of impacts, optimal control of greenhouse gases, benefit cost analysis, international treaty formation, discounting, uncertainty, irreversibility, and extreme events.
The Economics of Climate Change: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 Second 6 Week Session, Fall 2023
This course is a self-contained introduction to the economics of climate change. Climate change is caused by a large variety of economic activities, and many of its impacts will have economic consequences. Economists have studied climate change for more than two decades, and economic arguments are often powerful in policy decisions. The course will familiarize students with these arguments and equip them with the tools to participate in discussions of climate change policy through an economic lens.
Climate Change Economics: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Interdisciplinary research seminar for students in IAS majors. Intensive writing on research questions in social science and public policy best approached from an interdisciplinary perspective. Course assumes intermediate to advanced knowledge of central focus or topic of course. Weekly discussions and critiques of readings and assignments. Final paper or project required. Topic must be approved by instructor. Topics vary from term to term.
Senior Seminar in International and Area Studies: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Summer 2019 8 Week Session, Summer 2019 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2018 8 Week Session
Students to work in internship programs selected and approved in advance by the faculty advisory committee and for which volunteer agreements have been established between the sponsoring organization and the student. Students will be expected to produce two brief progress reports for their faculty advisor during the course of the interniship, as well as produce a final capstone piece for the course consisting of no fewer than 25 pages. The capstone paper will be graded A-F and judged on the same scholastic merits as a seminar or honors course. If taken on a P/NP basis, the established C+ standard will apply. The course is only available to students in the Global Poverty and Practice minor. Other International Area Studies majors may enroll if approved by their respective faculty chair.
Special Field Research: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2011, Fall 2010, Fall 2009
Supervised experience relevant to specific aspects of international and area studies in off-campus organizations. Regular individual meetings with faculty sponsor and written reports required.
Field Studies: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2019, Spring 2018, Summer 2016 10 Week Session
Student initiated course, the content of which is approved by faculty in charge.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Summer 2016 10 Week Session, Summer 2015 10 Week Session
Written proposal must be approved by a faculty adviser. Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
Supervised Independent Study and Research for Undergraduates: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
This course is designed as a comprehensive overview of intermediate microeconomic theory. It covers a number of topics including consumer and demand theory, firm, production, and cost theory, competitive market theory, imperfect competition, welfare economics, choice under uncertainity, and information. All analysis conducted in the course relies on graphical and algebraic techniques. Outside reading and discussion sections will demonstrate the applicability of the models covered in class to topics with an international dimension, such as the setting of tariffs, cartel behavior, and international trade.
Intermediate Microeconomic Theory: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
This course is designed as a comprehensive overview of intermediate macroeconomic theory focusing on economic growth and international economics. It covers a number of topics including history of economic growth, industrial revolution, post-industrial revolution divergence, flexible-price and sticky-price macroeconomics, and macroeconomic policy. Course is structured for majors in AIS and other non-economic social science majors.
Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2021, Spring 2007, Fall 2006
Graduate multidisciplinary research in current issues and topics of international and area studies. Seminars will focus on specific geographical areas with appropriate comparative material included. A major research project is required as well as class presentations. Topics change each semester.
Graduate Studies in International and Area Studies: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2011, Fall 2010, Spring 2010
Graduate seminar specifically focused on issues of peace, conflict resolution, human rights, and other topics relevant to the scope of study represented by the Rotary Peace Fellows. Seminars will include weekly meetings, readings, presentations, and discussions. Assignments will include both individual projects and group projects of appropriate scope and depth reflective of unit value of each offering.
Rotary Peace Fellows Seminar: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2010, Fall 2007, Spring 2006
This course is intended to provide supervision in preparation of a major research paper on international and area studies topics. The topic should be agreed upon in advance by both the student and faculty sponsor and generally will be topics not covered in other existing course work.
Directed Advanced Research: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019
Individual conferences intended to provide directed reading in subject matter not covered by available seminar offerings.
Directed Reading: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
This course is intended to prepare students from the various social science disciplines to be instructors in interdisciplinary/multi-departmental courses. It will serve as a forum to discuss problems and create innovative solutions to these problems. Focusing on course construction and operation, specialists from various disciplines will discuss strategies for moving outside of their areas of specialization and into broader areas of international and area studies. Graduate students will be provided training in building their own interdisciplinary courses from the ground up. Organizing syllabi, preparing lectures, devising written assignments, leading discussion sections, constructing evaluative mechanisms and grading them, will all be covered over the course of the semester.
Professional Training: Teaching in IAS: Read More [+]