Political
Philosophy and Theory
Advisers:
Brams, Hardin, Landa, Manin, Ollman.
|
History
of Political and Social Thought (G53.1100) Core course. Landa,
Manin, Ollman. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Hardin
S04] [Landa
S05] [Manin
F05]
[Shaw 05]
Major political thinkers of past and present. Special reference to
enduring problems in political theory.
|
Methods
of Political and Social Analysis (G53.2106)
Ollman. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Ollman
S06]
Nature and functions of theory, particularly Marxist dialectic, that
attempt to analyze political phenomena systematically; historical,
sociological, psychological, and phenomenological research; classical
and current works.
|
|
Math and Democracy: Designing Better Voting and Fair- Division Procedures
(G53.2107) 4 points.
Syllabi: [Brams S07]
This course analyzes democratic procedures, or rules of play, that (1)
reflect the interests of the citizens in elections and (2) respect due
process and rule of law in the fair division of public and private
goods. By making precise the properties of these procedures and
clarifying trade-offs among them, mathematics strengthens the
intellectual foundations of democratic institutions. While mathematical
training will be helpful in understanding some topics in the course,
more important is the ability to think carefully and rigorously about
the nature of democracy and its institutions.
|
Communism
(G53.2140), Ollman. 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
Syllabi: [Ollman
F04]
Fundamentals of modern communist thought; writings of Marx, Engels,
Lenin, and their major critics. Emphasis is on communism as the
unrealized potential of capitalism and therefore more on what in
capitalism suggests this potential and less on the precapitalist
societies that called themselves "communist."
|
Seminar
in Political Theory (G53.3100, 3101) 4 points.
Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in political theory.
Syllabi: [Manin
F06]
[Hardin S05]
[Pasquino
F04] [Manin
F03] [Holmes
S03] [Hardin
F02]
General seminar in political philosophy. The specific topic of the
seminar varies, but this is an advanced seminar that assumes extensive
background.
|
Political
Methodology
Advisers:
Beck, Brams, Cohen, Dickson, Downs, Gilligan, Gordon, Hafer, Landa,
Morton, Nagler, Przeworski, Smith, Wantchekon.
|
Approaches
to Political Inquiry (G53.1000) Core course.
Cohen. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Cohen
F02]
Comprehensive survey of modern research techniques. Reviews competing
approaches to political research. Evaluates strengths and weaknesses of
alternative methods of dealing with various problems of political
research.
|
Mathematics
for Political Scientists (G53.1110), Cohen,
Hafer. 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
(This course is normally open only to
Politics PhD students.)
Syllabi: [Dickson
F04] [Hafer
F03]
Covers basic topics of mathematics- calculus, analytic geometry, matrix
algebra, etc.-with wide application in political science.
|
Introduction
to Quantitative Political Analysis I (G53.1120), MA Only.
Cohen. 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
Syllabi: [Cohen
F02]
Introduces elementary statistical analysis and prepares the student for
G53.2127. Topics include probability theory, distribution theory,
estimation of simple statistical models, and hypothesis testing.
|
Quantitative
Research in Political Science I (G53.1150), Beck,
Hirano, Nagler. 4 points.
(This course is normally open only to
Politics PhD students.)
Syllabi: [Nagler
F05] |
Formal
Modeling in Political Science (G53.2105), Brams. 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
Syllabi: [Brams
F04]
Introduction to formal modeling and deductive theorizing. Main tools of
analysis used are decision theory, game theory, and social choice
theory.
|
Methods of
Political and Social Analysis (G53.2106) Last taught Spring
2004.
Syllabi: [Ollman
S03]
See description under Political Philosophy and Theory.
|
Game Theory and
Politics (G53.2108) Hafer, Smith. 4 points.
(This course is normally open only to
Politics PhD students.)
Prerequisite: one course in statistics or formal modeling.
Syllabi: [Hafer
S03] [Smith
S04] [Jones
S06 (M.A.)] [Dickson
S06 (Ph.D.)] [Smith
S07]
Survey of the main concepts and findings of game theory that are
relevant to the study of politics.
|
Quantitative
Research in Political Science II (G53.2125),
Beck,
Hirano, Nagler
4 points.
Prerequisite: G53.1150 or permission of instructor.
Syllabi:
[
Beck S06]
[Nagler S03]
|
Quantitative Research in Political Science III (G53.xxxx)
Prerequisite:
Syllabi: [Beck F07]
The course is continuation of Quantitative Research in Political Science II.
It includes an extended treatment of time series
and time-series-cross-sectional data, along with a treatment of
spatial data analysis. Attention then turns to modern Bayesian methods
and ideas. There is room at the end of the course for topics of
interest to the class to be covered.
The course assumes students have had the Politics Department basic
series of quantitative courses, that is, Quantitative Research in
Political Science I and II. |
Introduction
to Quantitative Political Analysis II (G53.2127), MA Only Cohen. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Cohen
F06]
Builds on G53.1120. Provides working knowledge of some of the
quantitative methods used in political science research. Emphasis is on
using and critiquing the general linear model. Introduction to
categorical data analysis and research methodology.
|
Statistical
Methods for Comparative Research (G53.2129), Przeworski. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Przeworski
S05] Last taught Spring 2005.
Covers statistical models of discrete and limited dependent variables
leading to the problem of nonrandom selection and appropriate ways of
handling it. Focuses on selection models, using probit, logit, and
tobit analysis and applying them to the origins of democracy and the
impact of political regimes and institutions.
|
Seminar
in Political Methodology (G53.3200, 3201) 4 points.
Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in political methodology.
Syllabi: [Dickson
F05] [Hafer
S03]
The specific topic of the seminar varies, but this is an advanced
seminar requiring extensive background.
|
American Politics
Advisers:
Beck, Gordon, Harrington, Harvey, Mead, Morton, Nagler, Randall.
|
American
Political Institutions and Processes (G53.1300) Core course. Gordon,
Harvey, Mead, Morton. 4 points.
[Morton
S06] [R.
Smith F05 (M.A.)] [Gordon
S05]
Overview of public policymaking process; political participation,
organization, and structure; governmental institutions.
|
|
The
Domestic Politics of the United States I (G53.1350) Core
course. 4 points.
Syllabi:
This course
provides graduate students with a broad overview of important topics in
the study of the domestic politics in the United States. The
course will examine in depth the analysis and merits of a selection of
contemporary research on political participation, mass opinion,
elections, legislative politics, inter-branch relations,bureaucratic
politics, judicial politics, federalism, inequality, and the role of
money in politics. The course goals are to first, introduce students to
important controversies in the study of American domestic politics; and
second, to encourage students to think rigorously about the process of
conducting political research.
|
American
Legislative System (G53.2302), Gordon. 4 points. Last
taught prior to Fall 2000.
Syllabi:
Theory of councils and representation, legislative structures and
behavior, reform of representative government.
|
American
Political Parties (G53.2320), Harvey. 4 points. Last taught
Spring 2001.
Syllabi: [Harvey
S00]
Major and minor American parties; varieties of state and local systems;
leadership patterns, structural characteristics, roles, functions, and
behavior of electorate.
|
Campaigns and
Elections (G53.2324), Harvey,
Nagler. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Weissburg
S06] [Pomper
S05] [Nagler
S01][Weissberg
S07]
Analysis of U.S. election processes through theoretical and practical
approaches to the study of voting, campaigns, and elections. Studies
role of parties, pressure groups, media, polls, etc.
|
|
Public
Policy (G53.2371), Mead. 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
Syllabi: [Mead
F04] [Mead
F03]
Advanced-level study of policymaking process in federal politics and
research issues raised by it. Emphasis is on interaction of policy
analysis and political institutions. Some prior knowledge of public
policy is assumed.
|
Seminar
in American Government and Politics (G53.3300, 3301) 4 points. Last taught
Fall 2004.
Required of all Ph.D.
candidates majoring in American politics.
Syllabi: [Gordon
S03]
General seminar in American government. The specific topic of the
seminar varies, but this is an advanced seminar requiring extensive
background.
|
Political
Economy
Advisers:
Brams, Denoon, Downs, Gilligan, Gordon, Hafer, McGillivary, Przeworski,
Smith, Wantchekon.
|
Political Economy
(G53.1400) Core course. Denoon,
Przeworksi. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Wantchekon
F04] [Kingsley
F04 (M.A.)] [Hafer
S06] [Hafer
S07]
Overview of the emerging field of political economy. Surveys three
broad intellectual traditions prominent in the political economy
literature: (1) the application of microeconomic, game theoretic, and
public choice theory to politics, (2) a focus on institutions and the
behavior of their related politics, and (3) Marxian and neo-Marxian
approaches. The course requires an understanding of basic
microeconomics.
|
Politics
of Economic Growth (G53.2424), Przeworski. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Przeworski
F05] [Schain
S03]
Introduction to growth economics, the impact of intracountry inequality
on growth, the effects of voter preferences and government policies on
economic growth. Knowledge of some economics (microeconomics with
calculus), game-theory (perfect Bayesian equilibrium), and statistics
(OLS) is assumed.
|
Seminar in
Political Economy (G53.3400, 3401) 4 points. Last taught
Spring 2006.
Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in political economy.
Syllabi: [Przeworski
F03] [Schain
S02] [Iskander
S06] [Wantchekon
S06]
General seminar in political economy. The specific topic of the seminar
varies, but this is an advanced seminar that assumes extensive
background.
|
|
Note: In addition to the
required core course and seminar, courses toward a major or minor
overlap with, and are drawn from, the remaining five fields. These
courses are listed below. For course descriptions, refer to entries by
number within the other field listings. Other courses may be included
with the approval of the director of graduate studies.
|
Formal
Modeling in Political Science (G53.2105), Brams. Last taught Fall
2004.
Syllabi: [Brams
F03]
|
Game Theory 1 (G53.xxxx)
Prerequisites: G53.1110 Mathematics for Political Scientists or
equivalent.
Syllabi: [Dickson F07]
This course is designed to provide a thorough and technically rigorous introduction
to non-cooperative game theory for political science PhD
students. The objective of the course is to cover the basic
concepts of non-cooperative game theory rigorously, as well as
applications in many different fields of political science. |
Game Theory 2 (G53.xxxx)
Prerequisites: G53.1110 Mathematics for Political Scientists and
Game Theory I, or equivalent.
Syllabi: [Hafer F07]
This course focuses on canonical games of incomplete information that are
used widely in all fields of political science and political economy, e.g.
signaling games, cheap-talk games, and wars of attrition. It will also
introduce PhD students to theoretical topics that play a prominent role in
recent contributions to the political science literature. The course is
suitable for students who, in the course of
their own research, wish to
evaluate, critique, or otherwise engage formal-theoretic work |
Social Choice and Political Economy (G53.xxxx).
Syllabi:
A formal theoretical analysis of social choice, aggregation of preferences,
collective decision making and the spatial model of politics, with
applications to the study of the electoral competition and the determination
of economic policies. |
Topics in Formal Models of Political Economy. (G53.xxxx)
Syllabi:
This class focuses on a particular substantive topic in political
economy
using formal models, which varies with the interest of
students and
instructors. |
Analytical
Introduction to Political Economy (G53.2502), Przeworski. Last taught prior
to Fall 2000.
Syllabi:
|
International
Governance (G53.2736), Hsiung.
Syllabi: [Hsiung
S06 ]
This
course approaches international governance both as (a) an emergent
focus of research in the international relations (IR) field, and (b) an
explication of the utility of international regimes and institutions in
achieving public goods – e.g., the orderly exchange of
values,
and maintenance of peace & stability -- through collective
action
in lieu of unilateral self-help.
|
The
Political Economy of North- South Relations (G53.2770), Denoon. Last taught Fall
2004.
Syllabi: [Denoon
F04]
|
The
Political Economy of the Pacific Basin (G53.2774), Denoon. Last taught Fall
2005.
Syllabi: [Denoon
F05]
|
International
Political Economy (G53.2775), Gilligan.
Last taught Spring 2006.
Syllabi: [Satyanath
S05] [Stasavage S06]
|
International
Organization (G53.2800), Downs,
Gilligan. Last taught Summer
2004.
Syllabi: [Gilligan
F02] [Downs
S00]
|
Comparative
Politics
Advisers:
Cohen, Denoon, Hsiung, Kazemi, McGillivary, C. Mitchell, T. Mitchell,
Przeworski, Schain, Wantchekon.
|
Comparative
Politics (G53.1500) Core course. Cohen,
T. Mitchell, Schain, . 4 points.
Syllabi: [Entelis
F05 (M.A.)] [Wantchekon
F05] [Laver S06]
[Entelis S06]
[Wantchekon
F06]
[Laver
S07]
Basic approaches to comparative political inquiry and the application
of these approaches to specific problems of political analysis.
Understanding of political phenomena in a comparative perspective.
|
|
Comparative
Politics of Industrialized Democracies (G53.1550) Core
course. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Laver
S07]
This course is designed as an introduction to the comparative study of
politics in different institutional and cultural settings. Themes
covered will include: the role of institutional "veto players";
presidential and parliamentary government; bicameral and unicameral
legislatures; the institutional structuring of legislative
decision-making; electoral systems; social capital/civic culture;
social and political cleavages; dimensions of policy and ideology;
voting; party competition; and the making and breaking of governments.
|
|
Comparative
Politics of Developing Countries (G53.1551) Core course.
4 points.
Syllabi:
This course introduces students to the methodology and to some of the
main themes in comparative politics of developing countries. The aim of
the course is to prepare students to do comparative research through an
in-depth coverage of current debate in comparative politics of
developing countries and an introduction to the main methodological
approaches.
|
French
Politics, Society, and Culture (G53.2524 Identical to G46.1710). 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
Syllabi: [Schain
S04]
Emphasis is on political institutions, beliefs, and behavior in their
social and cultural setting. Longevity of centralization, myth of the
public good, and the quest for accountable and stable government are
among the subjects examined.
|
Politics of
Caribbean Nations (G53.2532), C.
Mitchell. 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
Syllabi:
Political development in major Caribbean societies. Outside influences
(colonialism, trade, cultural forces, military intervention) are dealt
with as a means to understanding general political trends in the
region.
|
Collective
Action and Social Movements (G53.2533), . 4 points. Last
taught Spring 2001.
Syllabi: [Wood
S01]
The principal approaches (including rational choice, culturalist, and
structuralist approaches) to the explanation of collective action and
social movements. Drawing on literature in political science,
anthropology, economics, and sociology, the course readings include
theoretical works as well as case studies. Participants also discuss
the relationship between theory and method in each approach.
|
The
Political Economy of Development (G53.2536), . 4 points. Last
taught Spring 2005. [Kingsley
S05]
Syllabi:
Assesses the issues and debates in the current literature on the
political economy of development; analyzes principal characteristics of
the contemporary world economy, especially patterns of inequality and
the varying explanations for their emergence.
|
Government
and Politics of Northern Africa (G53.2540), T.
Mitchell. 4 points. Last
taught Spring 2001.
Syllabi:
Comparative analysis of selected aspects of state formation, political
identity, development, and political discourse in the countries of Arab
North Africa.
|
Middle
Eastern Government and Politics (G53.2590), Kazemi,
T. Mitchell. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Kazemi
F05] [T.
Mitchell F02]
Political analysis of the Middle East, covering such issues as class
and state formation, political economy of oil, problems of development,
rural and urban politics, regional conflict, politics of gender, and
religious identity.
|
Topics in
Latin American and Caribbean Politics (G53.2620), Cohen, C.
Mitchell. 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
Syllabi:
Specific subject matter varies from semester to semester. Topics may
include politics of the Andean region, urban politics in Latin America,
Brazilian politics, and redemocratization of Latin America.
|
Latin
American Government and Politics (G53.2621), Cohen, C.
Mitchell. 4 points. Last
taught Spring 2006.
Syllabi: [C.
Mitchell S06] [Navia
S03]
Major forces affecting political development of Latin America;
different approaches to comparative politics as applied to this area,
with focused case studies pursued in detail.
|
Seminar
in Comparative Politics (G53.3500, 3501) 4 points.
Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in comparative politics.
Syllabi: [Laver
F05] [Eggertsson
S04] [Wantchekon
F03] [Przeworski
S06] [Mitchell
S06] [Eggertsson
S07]
General seminar in comparative politics. The specific topic of the
seminar varies, but this is an advanced seminar requiring extensive
background.
|
International
Relations
Advisers:
Brams, Bueno de Mesquita, Denoon, Downs, Gilligan, Hsiung, Kazemi, C.
Mitchell, T. Mitchell, Schain, Smith.
|
International Politics:
Concepts and Theories (G53.1700) Core course. Gilligan,
Hsiung, Satyanath. 4 points. Last
taught Spring 2006.
Syllabi: [BDM S06]
[Rama S06 (M.A.) ]
[Anderson
S05 (M.A.)] [Flibbert
S04 (M.A.)] [Satyanath
F02]
Objectives and scope of studies of international politics, research
problems, global models of political action and reaction.
|
|
Normative
Issues in International Politics (G53.1730) 4 points.
For M.A. students only.
Syllabi: [Rosenthal
S06]
What values guide us as we make choices about using force, ending
conflict, protecting human rights, promoting social justice, preserving
the environment, and participating in international organizations? This
course is designed to provide analytical rigor to the perennial
question: What role does ethics play in the conduct of foreign affairs?
Principles of realism, liberalism, cosmopolitanism, communitarianism,
and supranationalism are considered in light of specific case studies.
|
Topics
in International Organization (G53.1731-1735) 4 points.
For M.A. students only.
Syllabi: [Cheema
F05] [Aksoy
S05]
Introduction to the practice of policymaking in the United Nations
system. Taught by practitioners from the United Nations, its affiliated
agencies, and regional subgroups, and, in some cases, related
nongovernmental organizations. Topics change depending on the expertise
of the practitioner teaching the course. Examples include peacekeeping
operations, humanitarian assistance, regional integration, or economic
development. Note: Ph.D. students may not take this course.
|
|
International Relations: Conflict
(G53.1751) Core course. 4 points.
Syllabi:
This graduate course surveys modern approaches to the study on
international conflict. Emphasis is placed on rigorous scientific
approaches which use models to derive testable implication as to
conflict relations.
|
Strategy and
Defense Policy (G53.2701), Bueno de
Mesquita. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Bueno
de Mesquita S03] [Bueno
de Mesquita S07]
Introductory course that examines the historical roots of strategic
doctrine in the 20th century and contemporary nuclear and conventional
defense. Also covers arms control and disarmament problems.
|
Diplomacy
and Negotiation (G53.2704), Brams. 4 points. Last
taught prior to Fall 2000.
Syllabi:
Analysis of negotiation and diplomatic processes based on an
examination of different approaches (e.g., game-theoretic and
cultural); application to specific cases.
|
Foreign
Policy Decision Making (G53.2725) 4 points. Last
taught Summer 2004.
Syllabi:
Theory and practice of foreign policy decision making. Quantitative and
formal methodologies used for three levels of analysis: individual
choice and both intraorganizational and interorganizational (or
governmental) decision processes.
|
U.S.
Foreign Policy (G53.2750), Denoon. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Denoon
S06]
American foreign policy and the major international problems facing the
United States today.
|
Contemporary
Inter-American Relations (G53.2765 Identical to G10.1004), C.
Mitchell. 4 points.
Syllabi: [C.
Mitchell F04]
U.S. corporate and governmental policy toward Latin America; trends in
Latin American and Caribbean migration to the United States; strategies
of resource-rich Latin American nations toward technology-rich United
States.
|
|
The
Political Economy of North- South Relations (G53.2770 Identical to
G31.2610), Denoon. 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
Syllabi: [Denoon
F02]
Major issues involved in restructuring the international economic
system. Analyzes initiatives of the Western, Socialist, and developing
countries. Emphasis is on trade and monetary questions. Acquaintance
with international politics and economics is necessary.
|
The
Political Economy of the Pacific Basin (G53.2774 Identical to G31.2620), Denoon. 4 points. Last
taught Spring 2004.
Syllabi: [Denoon
F03]
Evaluates recent trends in East Asian and Pacific economic and
political developments. The character of economic growth, the nature of
the political systems, and implications of recent dynamism. Overall
trends are analyzed with discussion focused on three distinct regions:
Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
|
|
International
Political Economy (G53.2775), Gilligan. 4 points. Last
taught Fall 2004.
Syllabi: [Satyanath
S02]
A general introduction to the field: evolution of the international
political economy, international cooperation, international
institutions, international trade and finance policy, macroeconomic
policy coordination.
|
International
Organization (G53.2800), Downs,
Gilligan, Hsiung. 4 points. Last
taught Summer 2004.
Syllabi: [Gilligan
F02] [Downs
S01]
Functions, operation, structure, and accomplishments of the United
Nations and the specialized organizations. Emphasis is on international
organization as an approach to peace.
|
International
Law (G53.2900), Hsiung. 4 points.
Syllabi: [Hsiung
F06]
Rules that govern in the legal relationship and current development of
law among nations, based on the study of cases. The use of the law for
the regulation of international behavior and environment.
|
Seminar in
International Politics (G53.3700, 3701) 4 points. Last taught
Spring 2006.
Required of all Ph.D.
candidates majoring in international relations.
Syllabi: [Smith
F02] [Downs
S06]
General seminar in international politics. The specific topic of the
seminar varies, but this is an advanced course requiring extensive
background.
|
Courses listed with number G53.xxxx are listed pending formal approval.
List
of Older Courses
|
|
|
