Global Governance and International Organizations
The theory and practice of global governance is a dynamic, complex and increasingly important dimension of world affairs. While there is no universally-accepted definition of global governance, for our purposes it describes institutionalized collective action among governments and other actors to manage their affairs beyond the level of the nation state. International organizations–broadly defined to encompass inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and multi-stakeholder arrangements that may include corporations and sub-state actors–are central to the field. Employing a multi-disciplinary lens, we look at the norms (both legal and non-legal), policies, procedures and standard practices of these institutions. In addition to courses on the organizations themselves, course offerings cover substantive areas in which international institutions play a significant role, such as conflict management, human rights, the environment, development, migration, and international trade. Students who specialize in the field acquire a) basic knowledge of the nature, functions and forms of global governance; b) an understanding of the role institutions play in the development and implementation of international law and policies; c) an understanding of the practices of international institutions, including how law and politics interact in them; and d) an ability to think critically about the significance of global governance arrangements to contemporary world affairs. Career opportunities include inter-governmental organizations, the diplomatic corps and other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and positions in private sector firms that engage with international organizations and related government offices.
Field Advisor
Research Centers
Center for International Law and Governance
Field Requirements
In addition to the required course, MALD and MIB students must take two courses from the list below.
In addition to the required course, MGA students must take five courses from the list below, at least one of which must address multi-stakeholder/transnational governance.
MALD and MIB: 3 courses in field of study
MGA: 6 courses in field of study
Total Credits Required
MALD and MIB: 9.0 credits
MGA: 18.0 credits plus Practicum
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ILO L220 International Organizations
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DHP D220 Processes of International Negotiations
DHP D225 Conflict Resolution Practice
DHP D227M Small States: Asymmetry and Influence
DHP D230 Humanitarian Action in Complex Emergencies
DHP D232 Gender, Conflict and Culture in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
DHP D234 Humanitarian Leadership: The Political and Policy Challenges of Being in Charge
DHP D238 Current Issues in Global Immigration Policy
DHP D239 Forced Migration
DHP D241 Climate and Migration
DHP D251 Leadership and Global Institutions: The UN and Beyond
DHP D253 Global One Health Diplomacy
DHP D262 Conflict Management in a Polycentric World Order
DHP D280 U.S.-EU Relations in the 21st Century: A multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs
DHP D282 Contemporary Russian Foreign Policy
DHP D283 US-EU Relations Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall
DHP D284 Europe in the Changing World Order
DHP D288 Leadership in the Public Sphere
DHP H250 Global Decolonization
DHP H275 South Asia and the World
DHP P202M Security Sector Reform: Conceptual and Contextual Issues in Peacebuilding
DHP P203 Analytic Frameworks for International Public Policy Decisions
DHP P222 Development Aid in Policy and Practice
DHP P225 Design, Monitoring and Evaluation of Peacebuilding and Development Programming
DHP P228M Advanced Evaluation and Learning in International Organizations
DHP P253 Sustainable Development Diplomacy
DHP P257 Corporate Management of Environmental Issues
DHP P259 Water Policy and Governance
DHP P264 Artificial Intelligence: Algorithms, Ethics and Policy
DHP P283 US-EU Relations Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall
DHP P292 The End of the World and What Comes Next
EIB B223 Informal and Underground Finance
EIB B230 Managing NGOs and Social Enterprises
EIB B242 Innovation Models for Building Inclusive Businesses
EIB B252 Corporate Social Responsibility in an Age of Globalization
EIB B254M Cross-Sector Partnerships
EIB B264 Strategic Marketing for Non-Profit Organizations
EIB B291 Leadership: Building Teams, Organizations and Shaping Your Path
ILO L200 International Legal Order
ILO L201 Public International Law
ILO L209M International Treaty Behavior
ILO L210 International Human Rights Law
ILO L213 International Criminal Justice
ILO L214M Transitional Justice
ILO L215 Ethics in the Practice of Foreign Affairs
ILO L221 Actors in Global Governance
ILO L222 Selected Issues in Law of the Sea
ILO L223 International Environmental Law
ILO L224 Peace Operations
ILO L240 Legal and Institutional Aspects of International Trade
ILO L250 Law and Development
ILO L253 Comparative Constitutional Law
ILO L264 Non-Proliferation Law and Institutions
ILO L270 International Law Practicum
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DHP D216M Networks, Analytics, and Organizations I
DHP P228M Advanced Evaluation and Learning in International Organizations
DHP P253 Sustainable Development Diplomacy
DHP P257 Corporate Management of Environmental Issues
EIB B223 Informal and Underground Finance
EIB B230 Managing NGOs and Social Enterprises
EIB B242 Innovation Models for Building Inclusive Businesses
EIB B252 Corporate Social Responsibility in an Age of Globalization
EIB B254 Cross-Sector Partnerships
EIB B264 Strategic Marketing for Non-Profit Organizations
EIB B291 Leadership: Building Teams, Organizations, and Shaping Your Path
ILO L221 Actors in Global Governance
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One skills course is required for the MGA. MALD and MIB students may not use these courses as a field elective unless otherwise indicated above. The following courses that teach skills that are valuable for careers in this field.
DHP D216M Networks, Analytics and Organizations I
DHP D220 Processes of International Negotiations
DHP D225 Conflict Resolution Practice
DHP D234 Humanitarian Leadership: The Political and Policy Challenges of Being in Charge
DHP P203 Analytic Frameworks for International Public Policy Decisions
DHP P225 Design, Monitoring and Evaluation
DHP P228M Advanced Evaluation and Learning in International Organizations
EIB B291 Leadership: Building Teams, Organizations, & Shaping Your Path
ILO L270 International Law Practicum
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In addition to the six-course requirement, MGA students must take either the International Law Practicum or an ad hoc practicum, which will vary from year to year.
