Gender and International Relations Many issues facing international society affect, and are affected by, gender.  Global poverty, for example, is gendered, since 70% of the world's population living below $1.25 per day is female. Women are far more vulnerable to rape in war and water scarcity, and they are moreover globally politically underrepresented.  In this course we will use theories of international relations, including realism, neoliberalism, and feminism, to study how international society addresses (or fails to address) these challenges through bodies such as the UN and treaties such as the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

International Environmental Politics What happens when the global economy outgrows the earth's ecosystem? This course surveys the consequences of the collision between the expanding world economy and the earth's natural limits: shrinking forests, falling water tables, eroding soils, collapsing fisheries, rising temperatures, and disappearing species. We will examine how countries with different circumstances and priorities attempt to work together to stop global environmental pollution and resource depletion.

Pan-African Political Philosophy In the late 1890s and early 1900s, a network of intellectuals from the Black Diaspora, horrified by the continued expansion of European colonialism into Africa, emerged to explain major developments in world politics. As they argued, colonialism replaced indigenous systems with European-style states, structured the international political economy, and shaped the emergence of contemporary racial divisions. We will read philosopher Charles Mills’s The Racial Contract, The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey among others to ask: How did racism shape capitalism? What are the metaphysics of racial identity? Can Black people find liberation in post-colonial states? We will see how pan-African philosophy adapted to international events, such as the end of WWI, WWII, the UN, and eventual independence from colonialism.

Pan-African Political Philosophy In the late 1890s and early 1900s, a network of intellectuals from the Black Diaspora, horrified by the continued expansion of European colonialism into Africa, emerged to explain major developments in world politics. As they argued, colonialism replaced indigenous systems with European-style states, structured the international political economy, and shaped the emergence of contemporary racial divisions. We will read philosopher Charles Mills’s The Racial Contract, The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey among others to ask: How did racism shape capitalism? What are the metaphysics of racial identity? Can Black people find liberation in post-colonial states? We will see how pan-African philosophy adapted to international events, such as the end of WWI, WWII, the UN, and eventual independence from colonialism. (Not open to students who have taken FYSE 1308.) Political Theory

Protest Music in Comparative Perspective In this course we will examine how marginalized populations around the world use music to interpret, explain, and respond to political, racial, socioeconomic, and gendered inequities.  Because music is produced for a wide audience, it is important for the construction of group identity and a useful means of protest. We will discuss the domestic politics of countries such as Nigeria, Jamaica, the U.S., and Brazil by reading the literature of comparative politics, sociology, and critical race and gender theory.  Our discussion of these topics will help us better understand how power in various forms is used to repress, and how music challenges existing hegemonies.

Ecocriticism and Global Environmental Justice Many global environmental problems—climate change, biodiversity, deforestation, clean water, and transboundary waste movement—are ineffectively managed.  In this course we will take a critical look at these failures and ask: do existing norms and attitudes make effective, sustainable environmental management more difficult?  In doing so, we will examine institutions and phenomena such as the sovereign nation-state, free market capitalism, and the authority of scientific knowledge. We will ask whether sustainable management is compatible with these institutions and phenomena, or whether they contribute to environmental injustice, racism, political marginalization, and gender and class inequity by studying contemporary and historic examples.

International Politics What causes conflict or cooperation among states? What can states and other international entities do to preserve global peace? These are among the issues addressed by the study of international politics. This course examines the forces that shape relations among states, and between states and international regimes. Key concepts include: the international system, power and the balance of power, international institutions, foreign policy, diplomacy, deterrence, war, and global economic issues. Both the fall and spring sections of this course emphasize rigorous analysis and set theoretical concepts against historical and contemporary case studies.

Political Theory of the Black Diaspora In the 1900s, horrified by the expansion of European colonialism into Africa, a global network of Black intellectuals emerged to explain major developments in world politics. As they argued, the racial project of colonialism, which included replacing indigenous systems with European-style states, shaped the international political economy. We will read works by scholars including DuBois, Amilcar Cabral, and Walter Rodney, to address the following: How did racism shape capitalism? Can Black people find emancipation in imperial states? We will see how pan-African philosophy adapted to international events, such as the end of WWI, the establishment of the UN, and eventual independence from colonialism.

Introduction to International and Global Studies This is the core course of the International and Global Studies major. It is an introduction to key international issues and problems that will likely feature prominently in their courses at Middlebury and study abroad. Issues covered will differ from year to year, but they may include war, globalization, immigration, racism, imperialism, nationalism, world organizations, non-governmental organizations, the European Union, the rise of East Asia, politics and society in Latin America, and anti-Americanism.

Kemi Fuentes-George

Reviews and ratings for Kemi Fuentes-George at Middlebury College.Kemi Fuentes-George teaches Gender and Int'l Relations, Intl Environmental Politics, Pan-African Philosophy and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Kemi Fuentes-George good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Professor George is very enthusiastic about the content of his class and you can tell. He loves to discuss more than just lecture which makes his classes more engaging, but be prepared to be called on!

Professor Fuentes-George is incredible and kind. He teaches you to think outside the box and to trust yourself and your opinions. The actual course material was so fascinating, and for a J-term course, he recognizes he can't teach you everything and values your free time. The assignments I felt really helped me learn the material better, and I feel like I learned a lot from this class.

Pan-African Philosophy was one of the most interesting and engaging courses I have taken at Middlebury. The assigned readings and discussions facilitated during this course really challenged previous understandings of certain philosophers and topics covered in other political science courses. Professor Kemi was also very passionate about the material covered and was great at incorporating relevant modern day topics related to the course readings. Would definitely recommend taking this course to fulfill one's political science philosophy requirement!  