Crossing Borders: International Studies for the 21st Century

by Harry I. Chernotsky, Heidi H. Hobbs, Brenda M. (Marie) Kauffman, Sasha Allgayer

Overview

Crossing Borders: International Studies for the 21st Century provides a framework to help readers understand world issues, built upon an understanding of the many borders that define the international system. In the Fifth Edition, renowned authors Harry I. Chernotsky and Heidi H. Hobbs are joined by new coauthors Brenda M. Kauffman and Sasha Allgayer to address many of the different fields that constitute international studies—geography, politics, economics, sociology, and anthropology—and give instructors a starting point from which they can pursue their own disciplinary interests.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071916285
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	06/17/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	392
File size:	39 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Harry I. Chernotsky is Professor in the Department of Global Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and served as the founding chair of the department from 2009-2016.  Previous positions included Director of International Studies and Interim Associate Dean of the College of Arts&Sciences.  He is the recipient of UNC Charlotte’s Bank of America Teaching Excellence Award and its International Education Faculty Award.  Chernotsky received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Rutgers University and specializes in international political economy and American foreign policy.  He is co-author (with Heidi Hobbs) of Crossing Borders: International Studies for the 21^st Century (about to enter its 4^th edition) and has published in a wide range of professional journals. He has also been a leader in international studies education. In addition to spearheading numerous initiatives at UNC Charlotte, including the development of the Model United Nations program and the interdisciplinary International Studies major, he was Director of the North Carolina Great Decisions public affairs series for many years.  He has served as President of the Southern region of the International Studies Association (ISA) and as Chair of ISA’s International Education section.  He lectures widely on international affairs and consults on international education issues and programming.  In recent years, he has been Scholar in Residence at Florida Atlantic University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and has worked closely with the University of Cantabria (Spain) on a global studies certificate project.
Heidi H. Hobbs is the director of the Master of International Studies program and an associate professor of political science in the School of Public and International Affairs at North Carolina State University. She has a PhD in international relations from the University of Southern California.

Table of Contents

List of Tables, Figures, and Maps
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1 • Getting Your Global Bearings: Navigating the World
Toward a Working Definition of International Studies
Different Ways of Looking at the World’s Borders
The Evolution of Globalization
Globalization: Winners and Losers
The Changing Definition of Citizenship in a Global Era
Conclusion: Where Do We Go from Here?
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 2 • Point of Departure: Planet Earth
Getting Our Heads around the Earth: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Where We Live
Population and Consumption
Food and Hunger
Energy
The Human Factor
The Global Response
Conclusion: What Can You Do?
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 3 • Jump-Starting the Trip: The Role of Technology
The Technological Frontier
The Virtual Frontier
The Role of Technology in Crossing Borders
Conclusion: A Final Thought on Technology
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 4 • Searching for Security: The Political World
Defining Political Borders: The Origins of the Modern State System
The Balance of Power System: Its Failures and the Outbreak of War
The Cold War
The Post–Cold War World
Conclusion: The Quest for Security
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 5 • Challenges to Security
Persistent Conflict: The Case of Israel and Palestine
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Terrorism
Conclusion: What Can Be Done?
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 6 • Seeking Prosperity: The Global Economy
Defining Economic Borders: A Very Short History
The Bretton Woods System
Beyond Bretton Woods: The Roots of Contemporary Globalization
Emerging Economic Centers
Divergent Interests and Perspectives
Conclusion: The Evolving World Economy
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 7 • Challenges to Prosperity
Global Wealth Inequality
Free Trade versus Protectionism
Transnational Investment: Blessing or Curse?
Finance and Aid: Promoting or Hindering Development?
Conclusion: What Can Be Done?
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 8 • Protecting Identity: The People of the World
Cultural and Social Borders: Understanding Identity
The Age of Enlightenment
Social Borders
The Study of Social and Cultural Borders
Globalization: Homogenization or Hybridization?
Music and Sport
Conclusion: Identity at the Crossroads
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 9 • Challenges to Identity
The Role of Religion
Ethnic Conflict
Fragile States
Understanding Cross-Border Conflict
Conclusion: What Can Be Done?
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 10 • Managing the World: Cooperation at the Global Level
Defining the Global Order: International Law and Organizations
The United Nations
Interdependence and Regional Intergovernmental Organizations
Nongovernmental Organizations
The Evolution of the United Nations and Civil Society
The Expansion of International Law and the International Criminal Court
Conclusion: Compliance and Enforcement
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 11 • Challenges to Cooperation
Global Governance
Poverty
Global Health and the Threat of Disease
Human Rights
Conclusion: What Can Be Done?
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Chapter 12 • Connecting to the World: Where Do You Go from Here?
Individual Action Towards Global Citizenship
International Studies beyond the Classroom
International Career Opportunities
Educational Options
Conclusion: Where Do You Go from Here?
Key Concepts
To Learn More
Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

This is an engaging text that helps students navigate different kinds of borders — political, geographical, economic, social, cultural — in the era of globalization.

Review - Ning Liao

I have used Crossing Borders in my International Studies class because it is an engaging and comprehensive textbook. I highly recommend this textbook.

Review - Shannon K. Orr

Crossing Borders is a very user-friendly text that is full of pressing global issues and current 21^st century events highlighting the discipline of International Studies and key issues and challenges in the global arena from multiple perspectives. It highlights the relationship of history to the modern, global political economy and international relations therein. Further, this textbook pushes students to engage with the material and understand their position within this world calling for their pursuit of becoming a global citizen.

Lesley Daspit

Crossing Borders provides students with a wide area of coverage on different contemporary global problems, promotes critical thinking, and offers various perspectives to consider. I would recommend to faculty in political science – especially the ones teaching global issues. Its strengths include the wide area of coverage, writing style, and engaging features for students.

Pajo Bora

Crossing Borders is the best textbook available for International Studies courses. It tackles complex global issues from a multidisciplinary perspective, doing so in a way that is both accessible and engaging for students. Most importantly, students come away with an understanding of how those issues impact their day-to-day lives, as well as how they can participate in the increasingly interconnected world around them as global citizens.

Michael Makara