Money, Morals, and Madmen in Global Politics Non-state actors bring resources (money), new norms (morals), and revisionist aims (madmen) to global governance.  In this seminar we will look at how private actors, including corporations, non-governmental organizations, and terrorist groups, have shaped development and conflict around the world.  Throughout, we will reflect on how these groups represent societal interests and work to improve or undermine state sovereignty and global governance.

The Politics of International Humanitarian Action Humanitarian intervention has emerged as a new moral imperative that challenges traditional concepts and practices in international relations. In this course we will consider how a range of actors--international organizations, states, NGOs--understand the concept of humanitarian intervention and engage (or not) in humanitarian actions. We will examine a variety of policy choices, including aid and military intervention, through case studies, including Somalia, Kosovo, and Rwanda. The goal of the course is to enable students to assess critically the benefits and challenges of a humanitarian approach to global politics.

Conflict Transformation: An On The Ground Case Study in Northern Ireland (half-credit) In preparation for a spring break trip to Northern Ireland, we will learn how conflict transformation (CT) led to the Good Friday Agreement, to The Troubles in Northern Ireland, and how it continues to be used to maintain peace there. We will approach this with a CT lens while also learning and practicing CT skills and traveling to Northern Ireland to study the history of the conflict and its current status today. This course will look at many aspects of The Troubles including history, religion, colonialism, violence, peacemaking, and civil involvement through readings, lectures, using CT approaches to reflection and hearing from local experts and peace activists during our trip. The tour will be led by Mejdi Tours, a tour group which provides guides from different perspectives for a dual-narrative approach. Throughout the course and our travels we will ask how the CT approach in Northern Ireland may or may not be relevant to other global or local conflicts. This class will be team taught by Sarah Stroup, Mark Orten, Danielle Stillman and Zahra Moeini. We will meet weekly for classes over dinner before the trip, travel to Northern Ireland together over spring break, and gather for three more weeks of final presentations after the trip. Students must apply for this half credit course; the application deadline is October 15, 2024.

Conflict Transformation: Approaches and Skills This course will introduce to students to a variety of approaches to conflict transformation (CT), including intercultural competence, mediation, restorative practices, and structured dialogue. CT skills enrich classroom learning and prepare students to be effective citizens in a polarized public square. To transform conflict, we must first understand the nature of conflict and then develop tools to build healthy relationships and communities – locally, nationally, and globally. Students will learn about the drivers of conflict and then practice CT skills in the course. This course is part of a Middlebury-wide CT initiative, and this course foundational for students who wish to pursue practicum or research opportunities in other CT programs.

Conflict Transformation: Approaches and Skills (Half Credit) This course introduces students to a variety of approaches to conflict transformation (CT), including intercultural competence, mediation, restorative practices, and structured dialogue. CT skills enrich classroom learning and prepare students to be effective citizens in a polarized public square. To transform conflict, we must first understand the nature of conflict and then develop tools to build healthy relationships and communities – locally, nationally, and globally. Students will learn about the drivers of conflict and then practice CT skills in the course. This course is part of a Middlebury-wide CT initiative, and this course is foundational for students who wish to pursue practicum or research opportunities in other CT programs.  Students will meet once a week over the semester. (Half Credit)

International Political Economy This course examines the politics of global economic relations, focusing principally on the advanced industrial states. How do governments and firms deal with the forces of globalization and interdependence? And what are the causes and consequences of their actions for the international system in turn? The course exposes students to both classic and contemporary thinking on free trade and protectionism, exchange rates and monetary systems, foreign direct investment and capital movements, regional integration, and the role of international institutions like the WTO. Readings will be drawn mainly from political science, as well as law and economics.

Qualitative Methods in Political Science This seminar offers a broad introduction to qualitative methodology with a focus on comparative methods for the analysis of a relatively small number of cases (small-n). This course will enable students to create and critique qualitative research designs in political science. The course focuses on recent methodological writings and includes several substantive examples from various subfields. Topics covered include causal inference, case studies, cross-case comparison, typological theory, case selection, process tracing, counterfactual analysis, and set theory. We will also discuss approaches to multi-method research and the use of mixed methods in political science.

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.

Sarah Stroup

Reviews and ratings for Sarah Stroup at Middlebury College.Sarah Stroup teaches Money/Morals & Global Politics, Pols Intl Humanitarian Action, Conflict in Northern Ireland and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Sarah Stroup good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Money, Morals, and Global Politics is an interesting and engaging class with relevant discussions about global issues. The workload is manageable, with mostly reading and only a few essays throughout the semester.

The professor was really helpful, understanding and motivational. I would recommend this class as is really easy but it teaches a lot of interesting, dynamic and enriching ideas in conflict, war, and personal relationships

This was probably one of the best and most memorable classes that I've taken at Middlebury. The course mainly consisted of readings, a couple of reflections, and a final project, the fodder for which came from our spring break trip to Northern Ireland. We were given the opportunity to learn about The Troubles in depth, guided by the expert hands of our tour guides, one of whom was former British Army and the other former IRA. The course not only revealed the complexity of conflict resolution but imparted us with a deeper appreciation for building relationships, dialogue, and intellectual humility.