International Studies: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Global Issues

by Sheldon Anderson, Mark Allen Peterson, Jeanne A.K. Hey

No one social science can adequately provide explanations and solutions for problems that transcend national boundaries, such as international conflict, political and economic development, ethnic conflict, and terrorism. This core text is the first to provide a much-needed interdisciplinary approach to international studies.The authors include a geographer, a historian, a political scientist, and an anthropologist. Emphasizing their connectedness, each details the methodologies and subject matter of their respective disciplines to provide a fuller understanding of the world. The second part of the book applies these disciplines to regional chapters, providing students with an understanding of the issues facing these regions and their connection to the global community. Case studies at the end of the book give studies students a closer look at the geographic, historical, cultural, economic, and political elements of issues such as genocide and national identity. This disciplinary and regional combination provides professors with a cohesive framework to teach the broad spectrum of international affairs through a wholly unique interdisciplinary approach that is indispensable for students' understanding of global issues.

Genres: Nonfiction

472 pages, Paperback

First published December 24, 2007

Reviews

[Katie Durow · Rating 3 out of 5]

“To be human is to need to live in a world of meanings” (108).

A really interesting and nuanced approach to international studies, it's really been a foundational text for me as I pursue a degree in the field.

[Kawthar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great 101/102 humanities and social science text. Political science, history, geography, economics and anthropology are the five liberal arts disciplines featured at the core of international studies, and they form the first section of the book. The second section deals with regional views and perspectives of the world while the third presents students with the most critical global issues.

[Elias · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good textbook if one looks for a summary of a multitude of subjects through the overarching theme of internationalism. While it provides solid introductions, therefore fulfilling what it sets out to do, sometimes the US-capitalist-focus/bias holds the authors from objectively assessing and explaining the theories at hand.