1. Define International Studies. What are the key elements of this field that differentiate it from other subjects?
2. What role does history play in the field of International Studies? What are some key challenges in studying history and how do scholars address those challenges?
3. How does technological change impact the development of other elements we study in this class such as culture, political forms, and economic development? Which of these elements, if any, are less susceptible to technological change?
4. What is the relationship between government and cultural identity? Consider different forms of government and how the answer to this question may differ in each case.
5. How do population statistics and demographics inform our study of different societies? For example, how might these data help us ask relevant questions as we identify key features or tensions within a given society?