Programs : The Watson Institute for International Studies

Research Programs

Globalization and Inequality Initiative deals with the new realities of a world growing ever closer together through trade, finance, information, and transportation networks. The dynamics of global integration create new opportunities for some nations, businesses, and individuals, but not all. Emerging and persistent inequalities exclude many groups and even entire nations from the potential benefits of globalization. This, in turn, is generating new political, institutional, and security problems that require attention and action.	Global Environment addresses the challenge of global environmental change through scholarly, policy-relevant analysis drawing on the natural and social sciences.
Political Economy of Development advances the comparative study of global economic and political transformations.	Global Security integrates theory and policy to analyze the most pressing threats and significant vulnerabilities of global security. The prevention of violence, the mitigation of war, and the construction of peace constitute the program's major concerns. Critical security issues are investigated not only as conflicts among states but as effects of new global actors, transborder flows, and complex networks.
Politics, Culture, and Identity aims to bring cultural and historical analysis to bear on transnational and international issues.	Cross-cutting Initiatives analyzes issues found at the intersections between and among the Watson Institute's four chosen fields of research – development, environment, security, and issues of culture and identity.

Educational Programs

Instructional Programs
at the Institute comprise five concentrations including Development Studies, International Relations, Latin American Studies, Middle East Studies, and South Asian Studies.

Choices for the 21st Century Education Program
is a national education program designed to introduce substantive international content into secondary school curriculum. The Choices Program's mission is to empower young people with the skills, habits, and knowledge necessary to be engaged citizens who are capable of addressing international issues with thoughtful public discourse and informed decision making.