(Spring 2024)
IDS 4930 | Public Service Management and Leadership
T R Period 4-5
Instructor: Marianne Vernetson | Syllabus
This is an upper-level interdisciplinary studies course that will serve as an introduction to managing and leading public service organizations. Organizations are how work gets organized, coordinated, and accomplished. Knowing how these entities work and how to work within them are two of the most powerful tools that students can have.
IDS 4911 | Civic/Gulf Scholars
T Period 8-9
Instructor: Dr. Teresa Cornacchione / Marianne Vernetson | Syllabus
The Civic/Gulf Scholars program offers UF undergrads an opportunity to engage in a semester of entry-level research to gain a better understanding of quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Participants also learn about critical issues impacting Florida through the lens of civic engagement, public opinion, and public policy. Spring 2024 scholars will pursue research on critical issues impacting Florida’s Gulf communities. Students may potentially present their research in an end-of-semester symposium organized in early April.
INS 4930 | Environment and Politics in the Middle East
MWF Period 6
Instructor: Dr. Onursal Erol | Syllabus
This course analyzes the Middle East through the lens of political ecology and politicizes the conflicts, conditions, and outcomes that pertain to environmental phenomena in the region. Students learn to question the place, representations, and socio-political functions of “nature,” its conservation, and its degradation in the Middle East. Situating the Middle East in the world of carbon/post-carbon politics, students will debate the potentials and limitations of environmental activism in the region. Students will develop sophisticated understandings of the various relationships of power embedded in environmental disasters, conflicts, and infrastructure projects. This course helps students establish cultural literacy and a critical outlook on multi-species experiences in the Middle East.
IDS 4930 | Women in Politics
MWF Period 3
Instructor: Dr. Teresa Cornacchione | Syllabus
Women represent approximately half of the world’s population, yet they are underrepresented in government institutions, such as legislature, party leadership, and national executives. What explains this phenomenon? In this course we will explore how descriptive representation translates to substantive representation, which electoral laws and systems favor the election of women, and how women behave once in elected office. We will also explore the changing role of women in the electorate, including women’s voting behavior and preferences. This course will take a comparative approach and we will investigate women and their relationship to politics cross-nationally, across all the regions of the globe. This course is cross-listed with the Department of Political Science.
IDS 4930 | Florida Legislative Politics
Asynchronous
Instructor: Dr. Teresa Cornacchione | Syllabus
Experiencing a session of the Florida legislature is a unique experience. Each session is full of drama, conflicting political priorities, differing visions of the future of the state and last minute strategies to get legislation passed. This course is designed to introduce students to the workings of the Florida Legislature and the landscape of current Florida politics. Florida represents a large state with an increasingly interesting and dynamic political environment. The state faces many challenges, in a variety of areas, including health, environmental, education, and criminal justice. Throughout this course, students will learn about the important people, processes, and systems that have and continue to shape Florida politics.
INS 3004 | Perspectives in International Studies
T R Period 7-8
Instructor: Dr. Tim Karis | Syllabus
This course provides majors in International Studies with a comprehensive introduction to the field. Readings and discussions will cover all regions of the world and engage with contemporary global problems through an interdisciplinary lens that draws from political science, anthropology, economics, sociology, environmental studies, and geography. Topics include globalization, political and economic change, poverty and development, migration and refugees, nationalism, human-environment interactions, human rights, and religion. The course will pinpoint connections between these themes and give students the analytical tools to understand and address the challenges facing human communities at the global and local levels. Our readings and lectures will cover all regions offered to International Studies majors as a specialization.
AMH 2020 | US History 1877 to Present
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Bird | Syllabus
AMH 2020 examines the major social, economic, and political developments that have shaped America from l877 to the present, with special attention on those front-line agents of change who led the struggle for freedom and democracy in the U.S. after the Civil War. AMH 2020 is an introductory course designed to expose students to important themes, interpretations, events, and primary sources in U.S. history. The course will involve lectures, engaging primary historical sources, and in-class & Canvas-based discussions. Generally, Tuesdays will involve instructor-led lectures and discussions of topics appearing in the main course text, The American Yawp. A portion of class on Thursdays will include discussions of the assigned readings, in The American Yawp Reader, and other historical sources including Emancipation Betrayed.
INS 4930 | Senior Research Seminar in International Studies
Instructor: Dr. Tim Karis | Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Alex Panayotov | Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Onursal Erol | Syllabus
This seminar offers advanced students in the International Studies major the opportunity to examine current debates and theoretical innovations in the field, conduct guided research on a topic and region of their choice, and write an original research paper.
(Fall 2023)
IDS 4930/POS 4931 | Contemporary Middle East
M, W, F Period 4 10:40-11:30 am
Instructor: Dr. Onursal Erol | Syllabus
The Middle East and North Africa is a vast region that spans across three continents, and can include countries from Morocco to Iran, from Turkey to Yemen, and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. This course examines the histories, politics, economics, and cultures of this expansive region, and analyzes the complexities and challenges of the area’s past, present, and future. Specifically, the course will explore a range of topics, including colonialism, the rise of nationalism, the formation of modern states, and the region’s integration into the global economy. In addition students will learn about political systems and structures of Middle East countries, such as authoritarianism, democracy, and hybrid regimes, and how those systems interact with other dynamic cultural and social issues such as religion, identity, the role of women and youth, and the growth of social media in shaping public discourse and activism.
IDS 2338 | Democratic Engagement and Public Leadership
Asynchronous Online
Instructor: Marianne Vernetson | Syllabus
Being a citizen implies a certain set of individual responsibilities that are essential to keep a democracy healthy and functioning. Fulfilling one’s role as a citizen requires engaged and informed participation. This course provides the tools and skills needed to be an effective citizen and offers opportunities for engagement and experiential learning. From the founding documents to the role of the press in politics, this course provides an understanding of how the past informs current political debate.
AMH 2020 | US History 1877 to Present
M, W, F Period 6 12:50 – 1:40 PM
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Bird | Syllabus
AMH 2020 1877-present examines the major social, economic, and political developments that have shaped America from l877 to the present. AMH 2020 is an introductory course designed to expose students of all majors to important themes, interpretations, events, and primary sources in U.S. History. As a part of the course, the instructor will include a special focus on how communities strove forward in the face of unyielding challenges to expand and secure our democracy, civil liberties, and basic human rights.
INS 3004 | Perspectives in International Studies
Th Period 5 11:45 am -12:35 pm
Instructor: Dr. Matt Jacobs | Syllabus
This is the required entry course for the major in International Studies. It will introduce you to the contemporary international system, the major regions of the world, and the academic disciplines that make up the field of International Studies, as well as to several major issues in world politics today.
IDS 4930 | Human Rights in Asia
Tues – Period 7 | Thurs Periods 7-8
Instructor: Dr. Tim Karis | Syllabus
Since the end of World War II, the framework of human rights has dominated international discourse about social justice. This class critically investigates and applies the framework of human rights with reference to Asian countries and cultures, analyzing the tensions related to the application of universalist ideals onto culturally diverse localities. We will begin with the origins of different national and global standards of human rights, including perspectives from relevant Asian belief systems. Next, we look to Asia’s 20th century history of political violence, identifying how basic rights can become eroded and how societies continue to memorialize past atrocities and seek justice and accountability. Finally, we will examine the contemporary experiences of ethnic minorities in Asia facing legal obstacles and persecution, both at home and as workers abroad. The class draws upon case studies from Cambodia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Jordan, and elsewhere.
IDS 4930 | Current Controversies in Public Policy
M, W, F Period 3 9:35-10:25 am
Instructor: Dr. Teresa Cornacchione | Syllabus
Certain issues transcend national boundaries. Countries across the globe struggle to provide services such as health care and education while balancing national needs for safety and economic security. How do policy makers across contexts determine the best approaches to meet the needs of their populations? What drives policy makers’ agendas? This course will use a comparative approach to explore how current controversial topics such as health, education, crime and justice, and environmental policies impact different areas of the world. The course will also examine and analyze how policy makers tackle common concerns across country contexts. This course is cross-listed with the UF Department of Political Science.
INS 4930 | Senior Research Seminar in International Studies
Wednesday 11:45 am-2:45 pm
Instructor: Dr. Tim Karis | Syllabus
Tuesday 1:55-4:55 pm
Instructor: Dr. Alex Panayotov | Syllabus
Monday 1:55-4pm
Instructor: Dr. Onur Erol | Syllabus
This seminar offers advanced students in the International Studies major the opportunity to examine current debates and theoretical innovations in the field, conduct guided research on a topic and region of their choice, and write an original research paper.
(Spring 2023)
IDS 4930 | Public Service Management and Leadership
Tues 10:40-11:30 am Thurs 10:40 am – 12:30 pm
Instructor: Marianne Vernetson | Syllabus
This is an upper-level interdisciplinary studies course that will serve as an introduction to managing and leading public service organizations. Organizations are how work gets organized, coordinated, and accomplished. Knowing how these entities work and how to work within them are two of the most powerful tools that students can have.
IDS 4911 | Civic Scholars
TBD
Instructor: Audrey Culver Smith | Syllabus
The Spring 2023 Civic Scholars students will gain an introductory understanding of quantitative and qualitative research by designing a research approach around the topics of civic engagement, public opinion and public policy. They will also generate a series of research reports to be disseminated on the Barometer Florida portal, a data visualization tool on the Bob Graham Center website that helps the public track progress on topical challenges facing our state.
IDS 4930 | Women in Politics
M, W, F, Period 3: 9:35- 10:25 am
Instructor: Dr. Teresa Cornacchione | Syllabus
Women represent approximately half of the world’s population, yet they are underrepresented in government institutions, such as legislature, party leadership, and national executives. What explains this phenomenon? In this course we will explore how descriptive representation translates to substantive representation, which electoral laws and systems favor the election of women, and how women behave once in elected office. We will also explore the changing role of women in the electorate, including women’s voting behavior and preferences. This course will take a comparative approach and we will investigate women and their relationship to politics cross-nationally, across all the regions of the globe. This course is cross-listed with the Department of Political Science.
IDS 4930 | Florida Legislative Politics
Asynchronous
Instructor: Dr. Teresa Cornacchione | Syllabus
Experiencing a session of the Florida legislature is a unique experience. Each session is full of drama, conflicting political priorities, differing visions of the future of the state and last minute strategies to get legislation passed. This course is designed to introduce students participating in the Graham Center’s Tallahassee Legislative Internship to the workings of the Florida Legislature and the landscape of current Florida Politics. Florida represents a large state with an increasingly interesting and dynamic political environment. The state faces many challenges, in a variety of areas, including health, environmental, education, and criminal justice. Throughout this course, students will learn about the important people, processes, and systems that have and continue to shape Florida politics.
INS 3004 | Perspectives in International Studies
Thursday 1:55-3:50 pm and Tuesday discussion sections
Instructor: Dr. Tim Karis | Syllabus
This course provides majors in International Studies with a comprehensive introduction to the field. Readings and discussions will cover all regions of the world and engage with contemporary global problems through an interdisciplinary lens that draws from political science, anthropology, economics, sociology, environmental studies, and geography. Topics include globalization, political and economic change, poverty and development, migration and refugees, nationalism, human-environment interactions, human rights, and religion. The course will pinpoint connections between these themes and give students the analytical tools to understand and address the challenges facing human communities at the global and local levels. Our readings and lectures will cover all regions offered to International Studies majors as a specialization.
AMH 2020 | US History 1877 to Present
T 8:30-10:25 am; Th 9:35-10:25am
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Bird | Syllabus
AMH 2020 examines the major social, economic, and political developments that have shaped America from l877 to the present, with special attention on those front-line agents of change who led the struggle for freedom and democracy in the U.S. after the Civil War. AMH 2020 is an introductory course designed to expose students to important themes, interpretations, events, and primary sources in U.S. history. The course will involve lectures, engaging primary historical sources, and in-class & Canvas-based discussions. Generally, Tuesdays will involve instructor-led lectures and discussions of topics appearing in the main course text, The American Yawp. A portion of class on Thursdays will include discussions of the assigned readings, in The American Yawp Reader, and other historical sources including Emancipation Betrayed.
INS 4930 | Senior Research Seminar in International Studies
Wednesday 1:55-4:55 pm
Instructor: Dr. Tim Karis | Syllabus
Wednesday 3-6 pm
Instructor: Dr. Alex Panayotov | Syllabus
Thursday 3-6 pm
Instructor: Dr. Matt Jacobs | Syllabus
This seminar offers advanced students in the International Studies major the opportunity to examine current debates and theoretical innovations in the field, conduct guided research on a topic and region of their choice, and write an original research paper.
(Fall 2022)
IDS 2338 | Democratic Engagement and Public Leadership
Asynchronous Online
Instructor: Dr. Teresa Cornacchione | Syllabus
Being a citizen implies a certain set of individual responsibilities that are essential to keep a democracy healthy and functioning. Fulfilling one’s role as a citizen requires engaged and informed participation. This course provides the tools and skills needed to be an effective citizen and offers opportunities for engagement and experiential learning. From the founding documents to the role of the press in politics, this course provides an understanding of how the past informs current political debate.
IDH 2930 | Democracy in Black and White
Tues – Period 5
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Bird | Syllabus
Using Emancipation Betrayed: The Hidden History of Black Organizing and White Violence in Florida from Reconstruction to the Bloody Election of 1920 by Dr. Paul Ortiz as the common reading text, students will explore the backstory to the Civil Rights Movement and Florida’s emergence as a battleground in national politics. The book offers a backstory to such developments as Florida’s role as a battleground in national politics, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. It’s also useful for understanding larger historical developments like societal progress and regression in American history. This seminar-style course will involve reading and responding to Emancipation Betrayed, as well as to complementary sources like old newspapers, oral histories and congressional archives. Students will complete weekly discussion posts and one 1,250-2,000 word capstone essay.
INS 3004 | Perspectives in International Studies
Tues/Thurs – Periods 5-6 (11:45 am – 1:40 pm)
Instructor: Dr. Matt Jacobs | Syllabus
This is the required entry course for the major in International Studies. It will introduce you to the contemporary international system, the major regions of the world, and the academic disciplines that make up the field of International Studies, as well as to several major issues in world politics today.
IDS 4930 | Culture and Politics of SE Asia
Tues – Periods 8-9 | Thurs Period 9
Instructor: Dr. Tim Karis | Syllabus
This course offers an introduction to the diverse nation-states, people, and governments of contemporary Southeast Asia, with a particular emphasis on the intersections between culture and politics in the region. The countries of Southeast Asia (Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, East Timor, and Brunei) emerged from the age of imperialism with newly minted borders, a variety of political systems, and tensions between different segments of the population over the definition and future of the nation. We will explore Southeast Asia’s economic growth and development through the topics of postcolonial nation-building, ethnic conflict, nationalism and cultural pluralism, indigenous rights, gender roles, religious practices, education and language.