Courses
Spring 2015
AAS 247/POL 382The New Jim Crow: US Crime Policy from Constitutional Formation to Ferguson(SA)This course explores the political development of America's racially disparate punishment regime. We trace the history of US crime policy, moving through US constitutional formation, Reconstruction and lynch law, and Jim Crow punishment in the South and urban North. We focus on punishment in post-civil rights America, and we devote special attention to policing, the death penalty, and the interconnected wars on crime, drugs, immigration, and terror. Our overarching goal is to understand the political construction of crime, colorblindness, and legitimate state violence.Naomi Murakawa
CHV 472/POL 472Ethical Dilemmas in a Global Society(EM)This seminar introduces urgent moral questions in international affairs, with a particular focus on global poverty and inequality. Addressed questions will include: Why do inequalities between countries matter? What do affluent countries owe to poor countries? When should foreign aid begin and stop? Should there be equality of opportunity at the global level? In humanitarian emergencies, are we permitted to help our compatriots first? Do states have a right to exclude needy immigrants? Should developing countries be relieved of the burdens of mitigating climate change? Can NGOs legitimately represent the interests of the global poor?Chiara Cordelli
EAS 338/POL 354/AMS 356Asian Wars, American Politics, Hollywood Cinema(SA)American cinema has long been one of the world's most important sources of entertainment, and has been examined both at home and abroad for the political messages embedded in its films. This course investigates the presentation of American engagement in Asia over the past half-century, examining depictions of the United States and of Asian allies and opponents alike. Our focus will be on public representations of international relations -- particularly through war and economic conflict -- but we will also ask how changing images of the United States, as well as evolving practices in the film industry itself, shape how Asia appears on film.David Leheny
EPS 300/POL 384European Politics and Society in the 20th Century(SA)The course covers the critical political and social developments of twentieth-century Europe, in particular the consolidation of democracy. It will deal with the legacy of the two world wars, Nazism, Stalinism, the Cold War, decolonization, the development of the European Community, as well as the rise and fall of the welfare state. The course will also address present-day challenges to European countries and the EU: immigration, democratization of the EU, the rise of the far right, and the fate of the Euro. Students will acquire skills of historical analysis as well as research tools associated with political science.Jan-Werner MüllerUte Mehnert
HUM 470/POL 415Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities: Adventures in Ideas(LA)In this seminar, we will consider writings by influential ancient and modern thinkers who have reflected on the meaning of human existence and the terms of social and political life. We propose a fresh look at each work we engage, taking the text on its own merits and abstaining from the examination of secondary sources.Cornel R. WestRobert P. George
NES 265/POL 268Political and Economic Development of the Middle East(SA)The course introduces major issues in the study of contemporary Middle Eastern Politics and Economics, including state formation, the phenomenon of rentier economics, the role of the military and security sector, water and food security, the variance of authoritarianism and democracy, political parties and social movements, as well as the relationship between religion and state.Mirjam Künkler
NES 321/POL 369Iran Since the Revolution(SA)This course examines the formation and development of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the aftermath of the 1979 revolution. It considers, in particular, how the Iranian regime has adapted to changing domestic and international economic, social and political conditions and sustained itself enface grave social and economic challenges and international isolation. Topics of Discussion include: Social Movements and Political Reform, Clerical Opposition and Dissident Theology, Changing Interpretations of Religious Law, Missed Opportunities in US-Iran relations, Iran's role in the Middle East, the nuclear question.Mirjam Künkler
POL 210Political Theory(EM)This course explores ideas of individual ethics and political community, the ethics of political rule, freedom and slavery, popular sovereignty and revolution, and equality and inequality in political thought. Readings will be drawn from both canonical and contemporary authors, including Sophocles, Machiavelli, Locke, Rousseau, and Tocqueville. This is an introductory course, which emphasizes both thematic and historical approaches to political theory.Melissa S. LaneAnna B. StilzSimon R. Cotton
POL 220/WWS 310American Politics(SA)An introduction to the national institutions and political processes of American government and democratic representation. Topics include the Constitution, the American political tradition, public opinion, interest groups and social movements, political institutions, civil rights, civil liberties, and matters of public policy.Paul Frymer
POL 230/WWS 325Introduction to Comparative Politics(SA)This course surveys institutions of government and explores the role of government in economic and social affairs in developing as well as advanced industrial countries. The overarching theme is the relationship between capitalism, democracy, and economic development. The course also provides an introduction to the comparative method: using some major books in Comparative Politics as examples, we will explore how different scholars use cross-national comparison to gain insight into political dynamics.Grigore Pop-Eleches
POL 240/WWS 312International Relations(SA)This course is an introduction to the causes and nature of international conflict and cooperation. We critically examine various theories of international politics by drawing on examples drawn from international security, economic and legal affairs across different historical eras from 10,000 BC to the present. Topics include the causes of war, the pursuit of economic prosperity, the sources of international order and its breakdown, and the rise of challenges to national sovereignty, and such contemporary issues as international environmental politics, human rights promotion, global terrorism, and the future of US foreign policy.Andrew Moravcsik
POL 307/CHV 307The Just Society(EM)An introduction to theories of social justice and examination of their implications in areas of contemporary social and political controversy. The first half of the course introduces the problem of social justice and examines two classic positions, as articulated by John Locke (whose name is associated with liberalism, property, and capitalism) and Karl Marx (whose name is associated with the critique of capitalism). The second half of the course focuses on contemporary theories of justice. We will read authors such as John Rawls and Robert Nozick, and examine controversies over poverty, taxation, equal opportunity, and environmental justice.Simon R. CottonAlan W. Patten
POL 309/REL 309Politics and Religion(EM)Is there an affinity between particular religions and particular forms of politics? Is religion a necessary basis for any stable politics, as many canonical authors in the history of political thought asserted, or is it in fact a threat, as religion provokes strife and poses a danger to modern ideals of autonomy - including democracy? The course addresses such broad questions by engaging classic works as well as recent sociological writings, studies in comparative politics, and legal theories on politics and religion.Jan-Werner Müller
POL 314American Constitutional Development(SA)A survey of the development of American constitutionalism, considered historically as the product of legal, political and intellectual currents and crises. Coverage includes the Founding, the Marshall and Taney eras, the slavery crisis, the rise of corporate capitalism, the emergence of the modern state, the New Deal crisis, and new forms of rights and liberties. Topics include the growth of Supreme Court power, the Court's relation to the states and the other federal branches, and the influence on constitutional understandings of economic developments, reform movements, wars, party competition, and legal and political thought.Keith E. Whittington
POL 316Civil Liberties(EM)An inquiry into the value of liberty and of particular civil rights and liberties. The course considers competing theoretical justifications for rights and liberties generally, as well as particular problems concerning freedom of speech and the press, religion, sexuality, abortion, and discrimination. Supreme Court opinions regarding the constitutionality of legislation in each of these areas will be discussed and criticized.Mark B. O'BrienDavid R. OakleyGregory J. SullivanMatthew J. FranckRussell K. NieliJanet H. MadiganRobert P. George
POL 344/AAS 344Black Politics in the Post-Civil Rights Era(SA)This course focuses upon the evolution, nature, and role of black politics within the American Political System, in the post- civil rights era. The concern is with black people as actors and creators and initiators in the political process. Specifically, this course will examine various political controversies that surround the role of race in American society. These controversies or issues, affect public opinion, political institutions, political behavior, and salient public policy debates. Thus this course will assess and evaluate the contemporary influence of race in each of these domains while also exploring their historical antecedents.LaFleur N. Stephens
POL 346Applied Quantitative Analysis(QR)In a world awash in data, how can we identify signals amid the noise? This course focuses on developing an intuition for statistics and applying it through data analysis, regression models and a final project. We will wrestle with what makes a good research question, play with data to see how statistical methods can help us make sense of real world concerns, and work at communicating quantitative findings clearly to broad audiences. Particular attention will be paid to applying these techniques in Junior Papers and Senior Theses. Coursework involves using the R statistical platform.Omar Wasow
POL 350Research Methods in Political Science(SA)This is the introductory undergraduate course in research methods for Politics majors, designed to help prepare students for junior papers and the senior thesis. The material is chosen to convey an understanding of research design, choice of methods, and analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be taught, including some statistics. However, this is not primarily a statistics course, and the material is different from what a statistics class or qualitative research class would teach. Rather, it is an introduction to a range of research methodologies as they are applied to political science topics.John Kastellec
POL 362/WWS 323/EAS 362Chinese Politics(SA)This course provides an overview of China's political system. We will begin with a brief historical overview of China's political development from 1949 to the present. The remainder of the course will examine the key challenges facing the current generation of CCP leadership, focusing on prospects for democratization and political reform. Among other topics, we will examine: factionalism and political purges; corruption; avenues for political participation; village elections; public opinion; protest movements and dissidents; co-optation of the business class; and media and internet control.Rory Truex
POL 377Rise of Asia: Political Economy of Development(SA)The economies of many Asian countries have grown rapidly over the last several decades. This course will study the political and economic pathways travelled by select Asian countries on their road to prosperity. The focus will be on three specific countries: South Korea, China and India. We will analyze comparatively the models of development pursued in these countries, especially the state's role in promoting growth and distribution.Atul Kohli
POL 420/GSS 421/AAS 420Seminar in American Politics: Interest Groups, Social Movements, and the Politics of Inequality(SA)Examines interest groups and social movements as agents of representation and political change in U.S. politics and policy. Uses primary and secondary sources to explore a broad range of organizations and movements, emphasizing ones representing marginalized groups such as women, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and low-income people. Considers issues including the impact of interest groups and social movements; the intersections among movements' agendas, identities, and participants; and the relationships between movements and more conventional forms of politics such as elections, parties, and institutions.Dara Z. Strolovitch
POL 432Seminar in Comparative Politics: Comparative Ethnic Conflict(SA)This seminar introduces students to the main concepts and fundamental questions related to the study of ethnic politics. What are the sources of ethnic identifications? What are the political consequences of ethnic divisions? How do political institutions influence ethnic relations? These are some of the main questions we will cover. We will read and discuss sample work, which analyze the relationships between ethnicity, voting, political party competition, democratic stability, and political violence. Theoretical readings will be supplemented with empirical studies from developed and developing countries across different time periods.Deniz Aksoy
WWS 313/POL 468Peacemaking(SA)This seminar will assess the history, objectives, and effectiveness of international peace operations including peacemaking, peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and peacebuilding efforts. Informed by current and recent operations in places such as the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East, the class will assess progress by the international community in its ability to respond effectively to the political, economic, and social transitions in post-conflict societies. The seminar will also study the development of U.S. policy toward peace operations.William L. Nash
WWS 315/POL 393Grand Strategy(SA)Grand strategy is the broad and encompassing policies and undertakings that political leaders pursue-financial, economic, military, diplomatic-to achieve their objectives inpeacetime and in war. This course will examine the theory and practice of grand strategy both to illuminate how relations among city-states, empires, kingdoms and nation states have evolved over the centuries and also to identify some common challenges that have confronted all who seek to make and execute grand strategy from Pericleses to Barack Obama.Aaron L. FriedbergG. John Ikenberry
WWS 324/POL 473Democratization and Human Rights in the Middle East(SA)This course explores the dynamic relationship between state, society and the economy in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It provides a review of the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of the democratization and human rights literature as it pertains to the Arab world and encourages students to examine how state institutions and civil societies (positively and negatively) shape a variety of political phenomena and outcomes in the Arab world, including reform policy and democratic transition.Amr N. Hamzawy
WWS 363/POL 463Public Leadership and Public Policy in the U.S.(SA)This course will review key Presidential decisions on domestic and foreign policy developments such as the passage of civil rights legislation and the intervention in Iraq, and will consider the ethical, legal, and operational frameworks for effective, responsible public leadership. Students will review relevant literature from history, psychology and politics, discuss the central policy issues in each case, and evaluate the decision-making process in view of these frameworks.Nathan B. Scovronick