Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, International Affairs (MA)

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The Natural Resources and Sustainable Development concentration is available only through the exchange program with United Nations-affiliated University for Peace, Costa Rica. Students study at and receive degrees from both American University and the University for Peace. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for managing eco-development issues in a global context and provides them with opportunities to establish ties that bridge the North-South divide. These qualities aid graduates to formulate policies to advance sustainable development at the local, regional, and global levels, to facilitate international cooperation in the design of sustainable development and environment policy, and to generate strategies for environmental conflict management.

Course Requirements (42 credit hours)

Core (29 credit hours)

Required

ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory (3)
or
ECON-579 Environmental Economics (3) or
SIS-616 International Economics (3) or
Approved economics course
SIS-660 Environment and Politics (3)

One of the following:

SIS-620 Studies in Global Environmental Politics (3)
Global Climate Change (3 credit hours required)

Political Ecology of Food and Agriculture (3 credit hours required)

Water Governance (3 credit hours required)
SIS-637 International Development (3)
SIS-649 Environment and Development (3)

AU-University for Peace Exchange

11 credit hours of SIS-602 AU-University for Peace Exchange topics courses

SIS or other American University Graduate Courses

9 credit hours of additional approved SIS or other American University graduate courses

Social Science Research Methodology (7 credit hours)

SIS-602 AU-University for Peace Exchange (1-6) (topics)

Research and Writing Requirement (6 credit hours)

Practice of International Relations

SIS-792 Practice of International Relations (3)

One of the following:

SIS-793 Practicum in International Affairs (3)
SIS-795 Master’s Research Requirement (1-3)
SIS-797 Master’s Thesis Supervision (1-6) (may include 3 elective credit hours)