Covering North Africa and states south of the Sahara, this concentration has four broad themes: state, society, economy, and international affairs. African states have grappled with the need for effective institutions, responsive political processes, and accountable leadership. The problems of autocracy and difficulties of democratic development are acute. The course offerings on the nature of African societies pose important questions, such as the context of governance, the roles of civil society, and ethnic and communal diversity.

• SIS 619 Peacebuilding in Africa
• SIS 676 Political Economy of Africa
• SIS 676 State and Society in Africa

The Americas includes the 35 independent states and other overseas territories in North America, South America, and the Caribbean. The course offerings on the historical and growing interconnectedness of the countries of the Americas explore the evolution of United States-Latin American relations and domestic politics in the region. More topical courses address issues such as the historical genesis of race relations and their impact today, the evolution of the Cold War and its impact on the region, the transnationalization of the War on Drugs, and the impact of neoliberal economic policies.

• SIS 619 Latin America Political Economy
• SIS 676 Contemporary Latin American Politics and Society
• SIS 676 Latin America: Development and Security in a Globalized Hemisphere

The Asia-Pacific region covers approximately 25 countries and all major sub-regions, including East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. By examining Asia as a broad geographic region centered around the Pacific and Indian Oceans, students engage with an array of issues including democratization, migration and trafficking, human rights, regional governance, international security, and power relations. The course offerings focus on the foreign policy of major actors within Asia-Pacific, including China, Japan, Korea, and the United States, as well as governance and security issues within Asia. 

• SIS 619 Empire: Past and Present
• SIS 676 North Korea and International Security
• SIS 676 Japan, China, the United States, and East Asia
• SIS 676 Contemporary Southeast Asia: Development, Governance, and Security

The Europe and Eurasia regional focus extends the traditional focus on Western Europe and the EU eastward by including the blend of European and Asian cultures that has shaped the development of Russia and Central Eurasia. This dynamic world region includes Turkey, Russia, and other post-Soviet countries that form the eastern borderlands of Europe. The course offerings in this region focus on the persistence of historical tensions between authoritarian and democratic political cultures, the diversity of ethnic and other identities in the region, and the interconnectedness of Europe and Eurasia in policy areas such as energy, security, and immigration. 

• SIS 619 Nationalism and Identity
• SIS 619 Democratic Decay and Authoritarianism
• SIS 676 Integration and Disintegration in Europe

Islamic Studies promotes understanding of Islam and the Muslim community in the United States and throughout the world. The concentration fosters an understanding of Islam through courses, events, invited speakers, and other education efforts that involve scholars, public officials, students, and religious leaders of all denominations. Our Islamic scholars have conducted groundbreaking field projects accompanied by American University students.

• SIS 619 Islam and Democracy
• SIS 676 Bridging the Great Divide
• SIS 676 Contemporary Islamist Movements

The Middle East focus covers a range of countries extending from Morocco to Iran and includes the sub-regions of North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and the Arabian Peninsula. This concentration highlights the complex relationships between religion, society, and the state in the region. Courses address processes of democratization and peace-building; the cultural, religious, and ethnic identities of the region; and intra-regional conflicts, including the involvement of the superpowers in these conflicts.

• SIS 619 US-Iran Conflict and Reconciliation
• SIS 676 Oil, Islam, and Politics in the Gulf
• SIS 676 Comparative Politics of the Middle East and North Africa