First Year (Honours)
B.A (HONS) First Year ( IR Specialization ) SEMESTER I
Core Courses
IR 3201 – (4) Government and Politics of USA
IR 3202 – (4) Current Issues in International Relations
R 3203 – (4) Government and Politics of Myanmar
Eco 3001 – (4) Economic Development
Law 3202 – (4) International Law I
* Elective Courses
IR 3204 – (3) International Relations in Middle East I
IR 3205 – (3) International Relations in Latin America
Geog 3001 – (3) Elements of Political Geography I
*A student must choose any one elective course offered by the Department of International Relations and Geography.
IR 3201 Government and Politics of USA
Course Description
The objective of this course is to introduce key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, characteristics of the constitutional system, Supreme Court decisions, the relationships and interactions among political institutions, and political culture of the United States. The course aims to develop critical understanding of the strengths and weakness of the American political system as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens. This course aims to explore history, the formation of the American system and how it shapes public policy.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the semester, the student will be able
- to examine civil liberty and civil rights, civic participation in a representative democracy, policy-making decision process, and the Constitution
- to identify and explain the formation, function, players, organizations, and institutions that make up the government system of the United States system of government
- to analyze federalism, Separation of Powers and Check, and Balance system
Class Organization
This course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, three hours will be devoted to interactive lectures and two or one hours will be devoted to tutorials and discussions.
Grading
Class Room Activities 35 marks (Attendance, Tutorial, Assignment, Discussions and Presentation)
Final Exam Paper 65 marks
Final Exam
There will be final exam in Week 16. The final exam will be comprehensive (i.e it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65 marks of the overall course grade.
Tutorials, Mini-tests and Presentations
Tutorials will be a range of actives and will aim to increase student’s understanding of the weekly readings and key concepts. In addition, tutorials will build student’s practical skill.
IR 3202 Current Issues in International Relations
Course Description
The course aims to explain causes and effects of current political and economic issues in International Relations. The course will identify sources of social issues among states. The course will also explore major factors in international cooperation to settle the issues.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the semester, the students will be able
- define root causes of current issues in IR
- examine the effect of current issues and their impact among countries
- clarify the development of political, economic and social issues in IR
Class Organization
This course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, three hours will be devoted to interactive lectures.
Readings
There are articles and textbook chapters assigned each week which will be provided on handouts.
Grading
Attendance and Presentations 35 marks
Final Exam 65 marks
Final Exam
There will be final exam in Week 16. The Final exam will be comprehensive (i.e.., it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65% of the overall course grade.
Attendance and Presentations
Students will be assessed on their attendance in lectures and interactive discussion in group presentations. Term paper will be included in 35% of the students’ overall final grade.
IR 3203 Government and Politics of Myanmar
Course Description
This course covers the political processes of Myanmar from the colonial period at the beginning of 1900 to current political atmosphere in Myanmar. Since Myanmar regained its independence from Britain in 1948, many challenges continue to face Myanmar, including ethnic peace, economic progress and addressing humanitarian needs. The instructor will start with the political development of Myanmar based on the religion since the early 1900s. Main areas of this course include constitutional interpretation and its implications, ethnic minority rights, faction in parties and organizations as well as the role of military in Myanmar’s politics. The basic idea of this course is to identify themes that have shaped contemporary political landscape of Myanmar. This course also discusses such factors as ethnic politics and legacies of colonial rule that Myanmar government has faced today.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able
to evaluate contemporary Myanmar politics by learning political history of Myanmar
to assess nature of political institutions and political parties in Myanmar
Class organization
This course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, three hours lectures will be devoted to interactive learning.
Grading
Class participation (tutorial, assignments, presentation) 35 marks
Exam 65 marks
Final Exam
There will be final exam in Week 16. The Final exam will be comprehensive (i.e.., it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65% of the overall course grade.
Attendance and Presentations
Students will be assessed on their attendance in lectures and interactive discussion in group presentations. Term paper will be included in 35% of the students’ overall final grade.
*Elective Course (Major)
IR-3204 International Relations in Middle East I
Course Description
This class aims to know the students about the geopolitical locations of Middle East and the emergence of the State of Israel in 1948. After establishing the State of Israel, four major wars appeared among Arab and Israel. International organizations and super powers countries involved the affairs of Middle East but Middle East’s situations cannot settle yet. Different non-states actors evolve and the current circumstances are more complex.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the semester, the students will be able
-to understand the past and present conditions in Middle East,
-to analyze the various problems in Middle East and
-to use effective methods for settling Middle East’s affairs
Class Organization
The Course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, 3 hours will be devoted to interactive lectures and 2 hours will be classwork.
Grading
Class work (presentation, assignment, quiz) 35 marks
Final Exam paper 65 marks
Final Exam
There will be final exam in week 16. The final exam will be comprehensive ( i.e., it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65 marks of the overall course grade
.Attendance and Presentations
Students will be assessed on their attendance in lectures and tutorials and for their participation in tutorial, discussion, including group presentations in tutorial time. All tutorial activities and attendance will be worth 35% of the students overall final grade.
* Elective Course (Minor)
IR 3002 Current issues in International Relations (Law)
Course Description
This course will discuss political, security, economic and environmental issues of the world. Firstly, this course will cover political and security issues in the world such as the security cooperation among the US, Japan and India, Russia’s interest in the Arctic Region. Secondly, this module will examine the process of economic issues such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative, US-China trade conflict and economic tension between Japan and South Korea. Thirdly, this course will explore the environmental issues in current international relations such as global warming.
Learning Outcomes
The students will be able to analyze the situations of the international community, to identify the basic concept within and between states in the current issues of International Relations. The students will have the knowledge and skills to have a broad understanding of some of the most important ideas, issues and events in international relations.
Class organization
This course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, three hours will be devoted to interactive lectures.
Grading
Classwork (assignment, tutorial and presentation) 35 marks
Final Exam 65 marks
Final Exam
There will be a final exam in Week 16. The final exam will be comprehensive (i.e., it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65 of the overall course grade.
Attendance and Presentations
Students will be assessed on their attendance in lectures and tutorials and for their participation in tutorial discussions, including group presentations in tutorial time. All tutorial activities, attendance will be worth 35 of the student’s overall final grade.
B.A (HONS) First Year ( IR Specialization ) SEMESTER II
Core Courses
IR 3206 – (4) Contemporary US Foreign Policy
IR 3207 – (4) European Union
R 3208- (4) Myanmar Foreign Relations since 1948
Eco 3002 – (4) International Finance
Law 3205 – (4) International Law II
* Elective Courses
IR 3209 – (3) International Relations in Middle East II
IR 3210 – (3 ) Environmental Issues
Geog 3002 – (3) Elements of Political Geography II
*A student must choose any one elective course offered by the Department of International Relations and Geography
IR 3206 Contemporary US Foreign Policy
Course Description
The prominent role of the United States and a global leader makes examining and understanding the actions that the U.S. takes toward the rest of the world and how these decisions are made important for both American and citizens of other nations alike. This course will explain and examine the contemporary United States foreign policy. It also aims to analyze history, theory, and perspectives on foreign policy issues to provide the student with a foundation for understanding the study of foreign policy and perspectives. In general, the foreign policy of the United States includes policy decisions regarding international issues and relationships with foreign countries.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the semester, the student will be able
- to understand contemporary issues in the United States foreign policy
- to predict and prescribe for the future of the US (eg, What policies should the U.S. adopt toward current problems and crises?)
- to study how the United States’ relationship with the world has changed over time and how world events and U.S. foreign policy have mutually influenced one another.
Class Organization
This course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, three hours will be devoted to interactive lectures and two or one hours will be devoted to tutorials and discussions.
Grading
Class Room Activities 35 marks (Attendance, Tutorial, Assignment, Discussions and Presentation)
Final Exam Paper 65 marks
Tutorials, Mini-tests and Presentations
Tutorials will be a range of actives and will aim to increase student’s understanding of the weekly readings and key concepts. In addition, tutorials will build student’s practical skill.
Final Exam
There will be final exam in Week 16. The final exam will be comprehensive (i.e it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65 marks of the overall course grade.
IR 3207 European Union
Course Description
The course aims to explore the creation of new structure in Europe after the Second World War which involves in integration process of three broad areas: military, political and economic union. The course will explain major institutions of European Union and policy-making and law-making processes. The course will also review border management strategy in Europe and Beyond Brexit in the EU.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the semester, the students will be able
- To analyze the dominant role of European integration ideas around the world
- to examine the economic and political importance of European Union as a group
- to differentiate main functions of EU institutions
Class Organization
This course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, three hours will be devoted to interactive lectures.
Readings
There are articles and textbook chapters assigned each week which will be provided on handouts.
Grading
Attendance and Presentations 35 marks
Final Exam 65 marks
Final Exam
There will be final exam in Week 16. The Final exam will be comprehensive (i.e.., it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65% of the overall course grade.
Attendance and Presentations
Students will be assessed on their attendance in lectures and interactive discussion in group presentations. Term paper will be included in 35% of the students’ overall final grade.
IR 3208 Myanmar Foreign Relations since 1948
Course Description
Foreign policy is the actions of government officials designed to promote national interests beyond a country’s territorial boundaries. The study of foreign policy and relations is an ever-changing story of how states, institutions and people engage with one another within a dynamic international system. This class will explore the nature of foreign policy and analyze the factors which determine the formulation of the foreign policy. Then, the course illustrates Myanmar’s foreign relations in regional and global context and emphasize how Myanmar maintains friendly ties with all the countries of the world since 1948.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will able:
- to understand the factors which determine the formulation of the foreign policy
- to interpret political, economic and social cooperation may bring about more cordial and close relations between neighbors
- to analyze the pull and push factors may affect relations between Myanmar and its counterpart countries, the cools and even strained
Class organization
This course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, three hours will be devoted to interactive lectures.
Grading
Class Work (presentation, assignments, attendance) 35 marks
Final Exam 65 marks
Final Exam
There will be final exam in Week 16. The final exam will be comprehensive (i.e., it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65% of the overall course grade.
Attendance and Presentations
Students will be assessed on their attendance in lectures and tutorials and for their participation in tutorial discussions, including group presentations in tutorial time. All tutorial activities and attendance will be worth 35% of the students overall final grade.
*Elective Course (Major)
IR-3209 International Relations in Middle East II
Course Description
This lecture aims to understand the students about the past and present situations of Middle East and how to solve the various problem of the Middle East from the United Nations and other superpower countries. What are some conflicts in Middle East? Why did great powers want to influence in Middle East? Is the United Nations effective in keeping peace in Middle East?
Learning outcomes
After finishing the lectures, students will become
-to know the various organizations in Middle East,
-to analyze the previous issues in Middle East and
-to settle the current affairs in Middle East for future peace process.
Class Organization
The Course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, 3 hours will be devoted to interactive lectures and 2 hours will be classwork.
Grading
Class work (presentation, assignment, quiz) 35 marks
Final Exam paper 65 marks
Final Exam
There will be final exam in week 16. The final exam will be comprehensive ( i.e., it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65 marks of the overall course grade.
Attendance and Presentations
Students will be assessed on their attendance in lectures and tutorials and for their participation in tutorial, discussion, including group presentations in tutorial time. All tutorial activities and attendance will be worth 35% of the students overall final grade.
* Elective Course (Minor)
IR 3004 Current issues in International Relations (Law)
Course Description
This course will discuss political, security, economic and environmental issues of the world. Firstly, this course will cover political and security issues in the world such as the security cooperation among the US, Japan and India, Russia’s interest in the Arctic Region. Secondly, this module will examine the process of economic issues such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative, US-China trade conflict and economic tension between Japan and South Korea. Thirdly, this course will explore the environmental issues in current international relations such as global warming.
Learning Outcomes
The students will be able to analyze the situations of the international community, to identify the basic concept within and between states in the current issues of International Relations. The students will have the knowledge and skills to have a broad understanding of some of the most important ideas, issues and events in international relations.
Class organization
This course is divided into 16 weeks. In each week, three hours will be devoted to interactive lectures.
Grading
Classwork (assignment, tutorial and presentation) 35 marks
Final Exam 65 marks
Final Exam
There will be a final exam in Week 16. The final exam will be comprehensive (i.e., it will cover the entire semester) and be worth 65 of the overall course grade.
Attendance and Presentations
Students will be assessed on their attendance in lectures and tutorials and for their participation in tutorial discussions, including group presentations in tutorial time. All tutorial activities, attendance will be worth 35 of the student’s overall final grade.