This course examines the politics and policies that shape the production and consumption of food. Topics include food security, obesity, crop and animal production, and the impacts of agriculture on climate change. We will also consider the vulnerabilities of our food system to challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as efforts to transform food and agriculture through new food technologies and grass-roots movements to create a more democratic food system.
×
Understanding the Food System AS.190.223 (21)
This course examines the politics and policies that shape the production and consumption of food. Topics include food security, obesity, crop and animal production, and the impacts of agriculture on climate change. We will also consider the vulnerabilities of our food system to challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as efforts to transform food and agriculture through new food technologies and grass-roots movements to create a more democratic food system.
Days/Times: MWTh 1:00PM - 3:30PM
Instructor: Sheingate, Adam
Room: Mergenthaler 366
Status: Open
Seats Available: 11/16
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.224 (85)
The Politics and Society of E. Asia
MTWThF 10:30AM - 12:00PM
Yasuda, John Kojiro
Summer 2025
This introductory course seeks to examine the politics of China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan as part of a distinct region. We will seek to understand how individual polities responded to regional developments and trends, such as the tide of colonialism, socialism, regional economic developments, and democracy. The course will introduce students to the most pressing questions concerning the rise of China, the future of the innovation economy, and intra-regional tensions.
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The Politics and Society of E. Asia AS.190.224 (85)
This introductory course seeks to examine the politics of China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan as part of a distinct region. We will seek to understand how individual polities responded to regional developments and trends, such as the tide of colonialism, socialism, regional economic developments, and democracy. The course will introduce students to the most pressing questions concerning the rise of China, the future of the innovation economy, and intra-regional tensions.
Days/Times: MTWThF 10:30AM - 12:00PM
Instructor: Yasuda, John Kojiro
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 21/25
PosTag(s): POLI-CP, INST-CP
AS.001.184 (01)
FYS: The Mathematics of Politics, Democracy, and Social Choice
TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Cutrone, Joseph W
Gilman 134
Fall 2025
This First-Year Seminar is designed for students of all backgrounds to provide a mathematical introduction to social choice theory, weighted voting systems, apportionment methods, and gerrymandering. In the search for ideal ways to make certain kinds of political decisions, a lot of wasted effort could be averted if mathematics could determine that finding such an ideal were actually possible in the first place. The seminar will analyze data from recent US elections as well as provide historical context to modern discussions in politics, culminating in a mathematical analysis of the US Electoral College. Case studies, future implications, and comparisons to other governing bodies outside the US will be used to apply the theory of the course. Students will use Microsoft Excel to analyze data sets. There are no mathematical prerequisites for this course.
×
FYS: The Mathematics of Politics, Democracy, and Social Choice AS.001.184 (01)
This First-Year Seminar is designed for students of all backgrounds to provide a mathematical introduction to social choice theory, weighted voting systems, apportionment methods, and gerrymandering. In the search for ideal ways to make certain kinds of political decisions, a lot of wasted effort could be averted if mathematics could determine that finding such an ideal were actually possible in the first place. The seminar will analyze data from recent US elections as well as provide historical context to modern discussions in politics, culminating in a mathematical analysis of the US Electoral College. Case studies, future implications, and comparisons to other governing bodies outside the US will be used to apply the theory of the course. Students will use Microsoft Excel to analyze data sets. There are no mathematical prerequisites for this course.
Days/Times: TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Instructor: Cutrone, Joseph W
Room: Gilman 134
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/12
PosTag(s): AGRI-ELECT
AS.001.210 (01)
FYS: Democratic Erosion
M 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Warren, Scott L
SNF Agora 107
Fall 2025
In a moment in time in which our very democracy is at risk, this First-Year Seminar will investigate why democratic erosion is occurring, its ramifications, and how to address it. It is often assumed that once a country achieves a certain level of economic and political development, democratic consolidation is permanent. Recent trends in American and European politics have led some to question this assumption. Simultaneously, citizens are becoming increasingly doubtful that their government looks out for them, and actually has the ability to solve public problems. This doubt has emerged even more to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6th insurrection, growing inequality, and the US government’s subsequent response. Put more starkly, citizens have begun to question democracy as a governance practice in general. Can the system hold? Has it ever actually worked? Our course will be discussion based, relate to current events, and will explore the dynamics and interplay between the realities of democracy in the US and around the world, social entrepreneurship, social change, and policy.
×
FYS: Democratic Erosion AS.001.210 (01)
In a moment in time in which our very democracy is at risk, this First-Year Seminar will investigate why democratic erosion is occurring, its ramifications, and how to address it. It is often assumed that once a country achieves a certain level of economic and political development, democratic consolidation is permanent. Recent trends in American and European politics have led some to question this assumption. Simultaneously, citizens are becoming increasingly doubtful that their government looks out for them, and actually has the ability to solve public problems. This doubt has emerged even more to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6th insurrection, growing inequality, and the US government’s subsequent response. Put more starkly, citizens have begun to question democracy as a governance practice in general. Can the system hold? Has it ever actually worked? Our course will be discussion based, relate to current events, and will explore the dynamics and interplay between the realities of democracy in the US and around the world, social entrepreneurship, social change, and policy.
Days/Times: M 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Warren, Scott L
Room: SNF Agora 107
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/12
PosTag(s): AGRI-ELECT, CES-LSO
AS.001.281 (01)
FYS: The Political Economy of the Pinkertons
TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Luff, Jennifer D
Gilman 277
Fall 2025
This First-Year Seminar explores the history of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, the first American detective firm and a major force in American politics from the 1850s through the 1930s. We will follow the trail of the Pinkertons from Illinois railroads and Civil War battlefields to the bloody fights over the American West, as they chase train robbers, break strikes, and create a trail of enemies along the way. The Pinkertons’ exploits show us a changing America. We’ll consider transformations in the nature and structure of political authority and in technologies of surveillance and policing. In addition to introducing you to the history of the Pinkertons, this course has another goal: teaching you to analyze primary sources. Most weeks, we’ll examine original documents such as detective reports, memoirs, and Congressional investigations. These skills will help you hone your critical faculties, which will come in handy whatever your major. Field trips will include a visit to the B&O Railroad Museum. Students may also investigate representations of the Pinkertons in popular culture, including the video game Red Dead Redemption 2.
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FYS: The Political Economy of the Pinkertons AS.001.281 (01)
This First-Year Seminar explores the history of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, the first American detective firm and a major force in American politics from the 1850s through the 1930s. We will follow the trail of the Pinkertons from Illinois railroads and Civil War battlefields to the bloody fights over the American West, as they chase train robbers, break strikes, and create a trail of enemies along the way. The Pinkertons’ exploits show us a changing America. We’ll consider transformations in the nature and structure of political authority and in technologies of surveillance and policing. In addition to introducing you to the history of the Pinkertons, this course has another goal: teaching you to analyze primary sources. Most weeks, we’ll examine original documents such as detective reports, memoirs, and Congressional investigations. These skills will help you hone your critical faculties, which will come in handy whatever your major. Field trips will include a visit to the B&O Railroad Museum. Students may also investigate representations of the Pinkertons in popular culture, including the video game Red Dead Redemption 2.
Days/Times: TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Instructor: Luff, Jennifer D
Room: Gilman 277
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/12
PosTag(s): CES-ELECT
AS.100.445 (01)
Revolution, Anti-Slavery, and Empire 1773-1792: British and American Political Thought from Paine, Smith, and the Declaration of Independence to Cugoano, Wollstonecraft, and the Bill of Rights
MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Marshall, John W
Krieger 308
Fall 2025
This seminar-style course will focus on discussing British and American political thought from the "Age of Revolutions", a period also of many critiques of Empire and of many works of Antislavery. Readings include Paine's Common Sense and Rights of Man, the Declaration of Rights, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers; works by Smith, Burke, and Wollstonecraft; and antislavery works by Cugoano, Equiano, Rush, Wesley, and Wilberforce.
×
Revolution, Anti-Slavery, and Empire 1773-1792: British and American Political Thought from Paine, Smith, and the Declaration of Independence to Cugoano, Wollstonecraft, and the Bill of Rights AS.100.445 (01)
This seminar-style course will focus on discussing British and American political thought from the "Age of Revolutions", a period also of many critiques of Empire and of many works of Antislavery. Readings include Paine's Common Sense and Rights of Man, the Declaration of Rights, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers; works by Smith, Burke, and Wollstonecraft; and antislavery works by Cugoano, Equiano, Rush, Wesley, and Wilberforce.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Marshall, John W
Room: Krieger 308
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/19
PosTag(s): INST-GLOBAL, CES-LSO, CES-RI
AS.150.240 (01)
Introduction to Political Philosophy
MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Lebron, Christopher Joseph
Ames 218
Fall 2025
This course begins by reviewing canonical texts in modern political philosophy beginning with Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and ends by exploring classic questions in contemporary debates in race, gender, and identity.
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Introduction to Political Philosophy AS.150.240 (01)
This course begins by reviewing canonical texts in modern political philosophy beginning with Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and ends by exploring classic questions in contemporary debates in race, gender, and identity.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
This course begins by reviewing canonical texts in modern political philosophy beginning with Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and ends by exploring classic questions in contemporary debates in race, gender, and identity.
×
Introduction to Political Philosophy AS.150.240 (02)
This course begins by reviewing canonical texts in modern political philosophy beginning with Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and ends by exploring classic questions in contemporary debates in race, gender, and identity.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 1:30PM - 2:20PM
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
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Introduction to American Politics AS.190.101 (01)
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Instructor: Lieberman, Robert C
Room: Hodson 110
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/20
PosTag(s): INST-AP, CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT
AS.190.101 (02)
Introduction to American Politics
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Lieberman, Robert C
Hodson 110
Fall 2025
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
×
Introduction to American Politics AS.190.101 (02)
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Instructor: Lieberman, Robert C
Room: Hodson 110
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/20
PosTag(s): INST-AP, CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT
AS.190.101 (03)
Introduction to American Politics
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Lieberman, Robert C
Hodson 110
Fall 2025
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
×
Introduction to American Politics AS.190.101 (03)
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Lieberman, Robert C
Room: Hodson 110
Status: Open
Seats Available: 13/20
PosTag(s): INST-AP, CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT
AS.190.101 (04)
Introduction to American Politics
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Lieberman, Robert C
Hodson 110
Fall 2025
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
×
Introduction to American Politics AS.190.101 (04)
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Lieberman, Robert C
Room: Hodson 110
Status: Open
Seats Available: 18/20
PosTag(s): INST-AP, CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT
AS.190.101 (05)
Introduction to American Politics
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Lieberman, Robert C
Hodson 110
Fall 2025
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
×
Introduction to American Politics AS.190.101 (05)
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Instructor: Lieberman, Robert C
Room: Hodson 110
Status: Open
Seats Available: 13/20
PosTag(s): INST-AP, CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT
AS.190.101 (06)
Introduction to American Politics
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Lieberman, Robert C
Hodson 110
Fall 2025
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
×
Introduction to American Politics AS.190.101 (06)
This course examines the ideals and operation of the American political system. It seeks to understand how our institutions and politics work, why they work as they do, and what the consequences are for representative government in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the federal government and its electoral, legislative, and executive structures and processes. As useful and appropriate, attention is also given to the federal courts and to the role of the states. The purpose of the course is to understand and confront the character and problems of modern government in the United States in a highly polarized and plebiscitary era.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Instructor: Lieberman, Robert C
Room: Hodson 110
Status: Open
Seats Available: 17/20
PosTag(s): INST-AP, CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT
AS.190.108 (01)
Contemporary International Politics
MW 1:30PM - 2:20PM, F 1:30PM - 2:20PM
David, Steven R
Mergenthaler 111
Fall 2025
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
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Contemporary International Politics AS.190.108 (01)
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
×
Contemporary International Politics AS.190.108 (02)
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
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Contemporary International Politics AS.190.108 (03)
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
Days/Times: MW 1:30PM - 2:20PM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
×
Contemporary International Politics AS.190.108 (04)
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
Days/Times: MW 1:30PM - 2:20PM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
×
Contemporary International Politics AS.190.108 (05)
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
Days/Times: MW 1:30PM - 2:20PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
×
Contemporary International Politics AS.190.108 (06)
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
Days/Times: MW 1:30PM - 2:20PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
×
Contemporary International Politics AS.190.108 (07)
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
×
Contemporary International Politics AS.190.108 (08)
An introduction to international politics. Emphasis will be on continuity and change in international politics and the causes of war and peace. The first half of the course will focus on events prior to the end of the Cold War, including the Peloponnesian War, the European balance of power, imperialism, the origins and consequences of WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. The second half will focus on international politics since 1990, including globalization, whether democracies produce peace, the impact of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and the prospects for peace in the 21st century. Theories of realism and liberalism will also be considered. This course was previously AS.190.209.
In the Republic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato posed three questions: what is justice? How would a just person live? How would a just society be governed? These three questions form the basic subject matter of of political theory. In this course we will survey the history of political theory, reading a series of political theorists who took up Plato’s questions in a wide range of contexts, from Renaissance Italy and early modern England to late colonial India and the Jim Crow US South. Throughout, we’ll consider whether there are better and worse answers to these questions, or simply different answers that appear better or worse depending on the perspective from which one considers them. We’ll look closely at how the circumstances in which political theorists lived influenced their thinking, and how those circumstances should influence our own evaluation of their thinking. And we’ll ask whether Plato’s questions were the right questions to ask in his time, whether they are still relevant in ours, and whether there are other questions that political theorists would do better to spend their time considering.
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Introduction to Political Theory AS.190.180 (01)
In the Republic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato posed three questions: what is justice? How would a just person live? How would a just society be governed? These three questions form the basic subject matter of of political theory. In this course we will survey the history of political theory, reading a series of political theorists who took up Plato’s questions in a wide range of contexts, from Renaissance Italy and early modern England to late colonial India and the Jim Crow US South. Throughout, we’ll consider whether there are better and worse answers to these questions, or simply different answers that appear better or worse depending on the perspective from which one considers them. We’ll look closely at how the circumstances in which political theorists lived influenced their thinking, and how those circumstances should influence our own evaluation of their thinking. And we’ll ask whether Plato’s questions were the right questions to ask in his time, whether they are still relevant in ours, and whether there are other questions that political theorists would do better to spend their time considering.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Simon, Josh David
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/20
PosTag(s): INST-PT, CES-ELECT, POLI-PT
AS.190.180 (02)
Introduction to Political Theory
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Simon, Josh David
Gilman 50
Fall 2025
In the Republic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato posed three questions: what is justice? How would a just person live? How would a just society be governed? These three questions form the basic subject matter of of political theory. In this course we will survey the history of political theory, reading a series of political theorists who took up Plato’s questions in a wide range of contexts, from Renaissance Italy and early modern England to late colonial India and the Jim Crow US South. Throughout, we’ll consider whether there are better and worse answers to these questions, or simply different answers that appear better or worse depending on the perspective from which one considers them. We’ll look closely at how the circumstances in which political theorists lived influenced their thinking, and how those circumstances should influence our own evaluation of their thinking. And we’ll ask whether Plato’s questions were the right questions to ask in his time, whether they are still relevant in ours, and whether there are other questions that political theorists would do better to spend their time considering.
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Introduction to Political Theory AS.190.180 (02)
In the Republic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato posed three questions: what is justice? How would a just person live? How would a just society be governed? These three questions form the basic subject matter of of political theory. In this course we will survey the history of political theory, reading a series of political theorists who took up Plato’s questions in a wide range of contexts, from Renaissance Italy and early modern England to late colonial India and the Jim Crow US South. Throughout, we’ll consider whether there are better and worse answers to these questions, or simply different answers that appear better or worse depending on the perspective from which one considers them. We’ll look closely at how the circumstances in which political theorists lived influenced their thinking, and how those circumstances should influence our own evaluation of their thinking. And we’ll ask whether Plato’s questions were the right questions to ask in his time, whether they are still relevant in ours, and whether there are other questions that political theorists would do better to spend their time considering.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Simon, Josh David
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 1/20
PosTag(s): INST-PT, CES-ELECT, POLI-PT
AS.190.180 (03)
Introduction to Political Theory
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 1:30PM - 2:20PM
Simon, Josh David
Gilman 50
Fall 2025
In the Republic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato posed three questions: what is justice? How would a just person live? How would a just society be governed? These three questions form the basic subject matter of of political theory. In this course we will survey the history of political theory, reading a series of political theorists who took up Plato’s questions in a wide range of contexts, from Renaissance Italy and early modern England to late colonial India and the Jim Crow US South. Throughout, we’ll consider whether there are better and worse answers to these questions, or simply different answers that appear better or worse depending on the perspective from which one considers them. We’ll look closely at how the circumstances in which political theorists lived influenced their thinking, and how those circumstances should influence our own evaluation of their thinking. And we’ll ask whether Plato’s questions were the right questions to ask in his time, whether they are still relevant in ours, and whether there are other questions that political theorists would do better to spend their time considering.
×
Introduction to Political Theory AS.190.180 (03)
In the Republic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato posed three questions: what is justice? How would a just person live? How would a just society be governed? These three questions form the basic subject matter of of political theory. In this course we will survey the history of political theory, reading a series of political theorists who took up Plato’s questions in a wide range of contexts, from Renaissance Italy and early modern England to late colonial India and the Jim Crow US South. Throughout, we’ll consider whether there are better and worse answers to these questions, or simply different answers that appear better or worse depending on the perspective from which one considers them. We’ll look closely at how the circumstances in which political theorists lived influenced their thinking, and how those circumstances should influence our own evaluation of their thinking. And we’ll ask whether Plato’s questions were the right questions to ask in his time, whether they are still relevant in ours, and whether there are other questions that political theorists would do better to spend their time considering.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 1:30PM - 2:20PM
Instructor: Simon, Josh David
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Open
Seats Available: 9/20
PosTag(s): INST-PT, CES-ELECT, POLI-PT
AS.190.180 (04)
Introduction to Political Theory
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 1:30PM - 2:20PM
Simon, Josh David
Gilman 50
Fall 2025
In the Republic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato posed three questions: what is justice? How would a just person live? How would a just society be governed? These three questions form the basic subject matter of of political theory. In this course we will survey the history of political theory, reading a series of political theorists who took up Plato’s questions in a wide range of contexts, from Renaissance Italy and early modern England to late colonial India and the Jim Crow US South. Throughout, we’ll consider whether there are better and worse answers to these questions, or simply different answers that appear better or worse depending on the perspective from which one considers them. We’ll look closely at how the circumstances in which political theorists lived influenced their thinking, and how those circumstances should influence our own evaluation of their thinking. And we’ll ask whether Plato’s questions were the right questions to ask in his time, whether they are still relevant in ours, and whether there are other questions that political theorists would do better to spend their time considering.
×
Introduction to Political Theory AS.190.180 (04)
In the Republic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato posed three questions: what is justice? How would a just person live? How would a just society be governed? These three questions form the basic subject matter of of political theory. In this course we will survey the history of political theory, reading a series of political theorists who took up Plato’s questions in a wide range of contexts, from Renaissance Italy and early modern England to late colonial India and the Jim Crow US South. Throughout, we’ll consider whether there are better and worse answers to these questions, or simply different answers that appear better or worse depending on the perspective from which one considers them. We’ll look closely at how the circumstances in which political theorists lived influenced their thinking, and how those circumstances should influence our own evaluation of their thinking. And we’ll ask whether Plato’s questions were the right questions to ask in his time, whether they are still relevant in ours, and whether there are other questions that political theorists would do better to spend their time considering.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 1:30PM - 2:20PM
Instructor: Simon, Josh David
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/20
PosTag(s): INST-PT, CES-ELECT, POLI-PT
AS.190.228 (01)
The American Presidency
M 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Ginsberg, Benjamin
Shriver Hall Board Room
Fall 2025
Over the past several decades, the power and importance of America’s presidency have greatly expanded . Of course, presidential history includes both ups and downs, some coinciding with the rise and fall of national party systems and others linked to specific problems, issues, and personalities. We should train our analytic eyes, however, to see beneath the surface of day-to-day and even decade-to-decade political turbulence. We should focus, instead, on the pronounced secular trend of more than two and a quarter centuries of American history. Two hundred years ago, presidents were weak and often bullied by Congress. Today, presidents are powerful and often thumb their noses at Congress and the courts. For better or worse, we have entered a presidentialist era.
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The American Presidency AS.190.228 (01)
Over the past several decades, the power and importance of America’s presidency have greatly expanded . Of course, presidential history includes both ups and downs, some coinciding with the rise and fall of national party systems and others linked to specific problems, issues, and personalities. We should train our analytic eyes, however, to see beneath the surface of day-to-day and even decade-to-decade political turbulence. We should focus, instead, on the pronounced secular trend of more than two and a quarter centuries of American history. Two hundred years ago, presidents were weak and often bullied by Congress. Today, presidents are powerful and often thumb their noses at Congress and the courts. For better or worse, we have entered a presidentialist era.
Days/Times: M 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Ginsberg, Benjamin
Room: Shriver Hall Board Room
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/15
PosTag(s): POLI-AP, INST-AP
AS.190.231 (01)
Politics of Income Inequality
M 3:00PM - 5:30PM
Rehm, Philipp
Latrobe 120
Fall 2025
This course is about the interplay of democracy and capitalism. A core principle of democracy is equality. A core principle of capitalism is inequality. In democracies, the resource-poor are vote-rich. In contrast, the resource-rich are vote-poor. This helps combining capitalist economic systems with democratic political systems (“democratic capitalism”). But the sharp increase in income inequality in recent decades raises questions about the viability of democratic capitalism. What are the patterns, causes, and consequences of (income) inequality? How does inequality influence how democracy and capitalism interact? Why are there large differences in terms of redistribution between countries? For concreteness, the course compares the U.S. case to other rich democracies.
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Politics of Income Inequality AS.190.231 (01)
This course is about the interplay of democracy and capitalism. A core principle of democracy is equality. A core principle of capitalism is inequality. In democracies, the resource-poor are vote-rich. In contrast, the resource-rich are vote-poor. This helps combining capitalist economic systems with democratic political systems (“democratic capitalism”). But the sharp increase in income inequality in recent decades raises questions about the viability of democratic capitalism. What are the patterns, causes, and consequences of (income) inequality? How does inequality influence how democracy and capitalism interact? Why are there large differences in terms of redistribution between countries? For concreteness, the course compares the U.S. case to other rich democracies.
Climate Solutions: The Global Politics and Technology of Decarbonization
TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Allan, Bentley
Gilman 50
Fall 2025
This course provides an introduction to climate solutions by reviewing the politics and technologies in all major sectors: electricity, transportation, biofuels, hydrogen, buildings, heavy industry, and agriculture. In each area, we will first understand the existing technologies and potential solutions. But to understand decarbonization, we also have to study the political economy of these technologies. What role do the technologies play in the broader economy? Who will win or lose from the transition? What firms and countries dominate and control current and emerging supply chains? What makes a climate solutions project bankable? How can states design policies, regulations, and programs to successfully manage the politics of technology change?
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Climate Solutions: The Global Politics and Technology of Decarbonization AS.190.246 (01)
This course provides an introduction to climate solutions by reviewing the politics and technologies in all major sectors: electricity, transportation, biofuels, hydrogen, buildings, heavy industry, and agriculture. In each area, we will first understand the existing technologies and potential solutions. But to understand decarbonization, we also have to study the political economy of these technologies. What role do the technologies play in the broader economy? Who will win or lose from the transition? What firms and countries dominate and control current and emerging supply chains? What makes a climate solutions project bankable? How can states design policies, regulations, and programs to successfully manage the politics of technology change?
This course examines Latinos and the American political landscape – taking seriously the political lives of Latinos to sharpen accounts of American political development. In Part I: Latinos and American Empire, we will examine how American state building, American racial capitalism, and American empire created a varied set of racialized citizenship regimes that shaped the legality and membership of Latinos – depending on the interplay between domestic racial hierarchies and international projects. In Part II: Latinos and the Administrative State, we will examine how the regulation of Latino immigrants and asylum seekers from Latin America and the Caribbean have been an engine for American political development – including the making of border bureaucracies, networked policing that harnesses the institution of federalism, and the development of ocean-spanning detention infrastructure. In Part III: Latinos as Targets, we will examine how Latinos became racialized as ‘illegals’ and became the prime targets of state action – and how state efforts have led to the suppressing of political agency, mobilization of collective action, and even integration of Latinos into the enforcement apparatus. In Part IV: Latinos, Hierarchies, and Power, we will examine the political power of those most marginalized among the Latino population – including Black, Trans, Queer, Immigrant, and Undocumented Latinos – to learn about how these groups contend with intragroup and intergroup hierarchies, their role in intersectional movements, and their organizing under repressive conditions. In Part V: Latinos and Placemaking, we conclude with Latino placemaking across the United States to examine how Latinos – in relation with and to, and in coalition with Black, Indigenous, and Asian organizing – are cultivating and asserting political and policy influence in the face of climate change, policing, detention, and gentrification.
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Latinos and the American Political Landscape AS.190.304 (01)
This course examines Latinos and the American political landscape – taking seriously the political lives of Latinos to sharpen accounts of American political development. In Part I: Latinos and American Empire, we will examine how American state building, American racial capitalism, and American empire created a varied set of racialized citizenship regimes that shaped the legality and membership of Latinos – depending on the interplay between domestic racial hierarchies and international projects. In Part II: Latinos and the Administrative State, we will examine how the regulation of Latino immigrants and asylum seekers from Latin America and the Caribbean have been an engine for American political development – including the making of border bureaucracies, networked policing that harnesses the institution of federalism, and the development of ocean-spanning detention infrastructure. In Part III: Latinos as Targets, we will examine how Latinos became racialized as ‘illegals’ and became the prime targets of state action – and how state efforts have led to the suppressing of political agency, mobilization of collective action, and even integration of Latinos into the enforcement apparatus. In Part IV: Latinos, Hierarchies, and Power, we will examine the political power of those most marginalized among the Latino population – including Black, Trans, Queer, Immigrant, and Undocumented Latinos – to learn about how these groups contend with intragroup and intergroup hierarchies, their role in intersectional movements, and their organizing under repressive conditions. In Part V: Latinos and Placemaking, we conclude with Latino placemaking across the United States to examine how Latinos – in relation with and to, and in coalition with Black, Indigenous, and Asian organizing – are cultivating and asserting political and policy influence in the face of climate change, policing, detention, and gentrification.
This undergraduate seminar will explore the mysteries of money. We will focus on a central and straightforward, but vexing question: what is money? Pursuing this question will take us from deep philosophical explorations of the nature of money, through the diverse history of money and theories of money, to today’s complex and dynamic financial instruments – from securities, to derivatives, to crypto.
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What is Money? AS.190.314 (01)
This undergraduate seminar will explore the mysteries of money. We will focus on a central and straightforward, but vexing question: what is money? Pursuing this question will take us from deep philosophical explorations of the nature of money, through the diverse history of money and theories of money, to today’s complex and dynamic financial instruments – from securities, to derivatives, to crypto.
Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Chambers, Samuel Allen
Room: Hodson 301
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/15
PosTag(s): POLI-PT, INST-PT, INST-ECON, CES-FT
AS.190.327 (01)
Politics of Information
TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Marlin-Bennett, Renee E
Krieger 308
Fall 2025
Considers global and comparative politics of information, information technologies, and the Internet. Examines governance of information (ownership of information, rights to information, privacy) and governance of information technologies (domain names, social media websites, etc.).
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Politics of Information AS.190.327 (01)
Considers global and comparative politics of information, information technologies, and the Internet. Examines governance of information (ownership of information, rights to information, privacy) and governance of information technologies (domain names, social media websites, etc.).
Days/Times: TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Instructor: Marlin-Bennett, Renee E
Room: Krieger 308
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/20
PosTag(s): INST-IR, POLI-IR, CES-LSO, CES-TI
AS.190.345 (01)
Public Opinion
MW 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Trump, Kris-Stella
Gilman 17
Fall 2025
This course provides an overview of public opinion in the United States. We will explore what affects people’s political opinions, how opinions change, and how opinions affect (and are affected by) politics. Some of the questions we will discuss are: What is public opinion? How much do Americans know about politics? How do the issue positions of leading politicians affect public opinion? How do race relations affect public opinion? What role does partisanship play in all this? When and how do people change their minds about politics? How can my voice be heard in politics? The class will read papers that include quantitative/statistical work; a prior knowledge of statistical methods would be helpful but it is not required for success in the course. The final paper will be based on an original research project, the successful completion of which does not require any statistical training.
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Public Opinion AS.190.345 (01)
This course provides an overview of public opinion in the United States. We will explore what affects people’s political opinions, how opinions change, and how opinions affect (and are affected by) politics. Some of the questions we will discuss are: What is public opinion? How much do Americans know about politics? How do the issue positions of leading politicians affect public opinion? How do race relations affect public opinion? What role does partisanship play in all this? When and how do people change their minds about politics? How can my voice be heard in politics? The class will read papers that include quantitative/statistical work; a prior knowledge of statistical methods would be helpful but it is not required for success in the course. The final paper will be based on an original research project, the successful completion of which does not require any statistical training.
Days/Times: MW 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Instructor: Trump, Kris-Stella
Room: Gilman 17
Status: Open
Seats Available: 7/30
PosTag(s): INST-AP, POLI-AP
AS.190.360 (01)
Data Science meets Political Science
Th 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Murray, Kenton W; Shilliam, Robbie
Fall 2025
How might data science help us to better understand political phenomena? This course allows students who might not be computer scientists to understand the various applications of data science in political science.
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Data Science meets Political Science AS.190.360 (01)
How might data science help us to better understand political phenomena? This course allows students who might not be computer scientists to understand the various applications of data science in political science.
Days/Times: Th 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Instructor: Murray, Kenton W; Shilliam, Robbie
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 13/15
PosTag(s): POLI-CP, POLI-IR, POLI-PT, POLI-AP
AS.190.365 (01)
Research and Inquiry in the Social Sciences
T 2:00PM - 4:30PM
Lawrence, Adria K
Mergenthaler 366
Fall 2025
How do we assess research in the social sciences? What makes one study more persuasive than another? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the main methods used in research in the social sciences? What are the elements that go into designing a research project? This course considers these questions, introducing students to the basic principles of research design.
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Research and Inquiry in the Social Sciences AS.190.365 (01)
How do we assess research in the social sciences? What makes one study more persuasive than another? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the main methods used in research in the social sciences? What are the elements that go into designing a research project? This course considers these questions, introducing students to the basic principles of research design.
Days/Times: T 2:00PM - 4:30PM
Instructor: Lawrence, Adria K
Room: Mergenthaler 366
Status: Open
Seats Available: 1/5
PosTag(s): POLI-CP
AS.190.370 (01)
The Politics of China
TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Yasuda, John Kojiro
Fall 2025
This course is designed to help students better understand the politics of China. Lectures will focus on the tools of governance that China has employed to navigate its transition from plan to market, provide public goods and services to its citizens, and to maintain social control over a rapidly changing society. The course will draw heavily from texts covering a range of subjects including China's political economy, social and cultural developments, regime dynamics, and historical legacies. Students interested in authoritarian resilience, governance, post-communist transition, and domestic will find this course particularly instructive.
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The Politics of China AS.190.370 (01)
This course is designed to help students better understand the politics of China. Lectures will focus on the tools of governance that China has employed to navigate its transition from plan to market, provide public goods and services to its citizens, and to maintain social control over a rapidly changing society. The course will draw heavily from texts covering a range of subjects including China's political economy, social and cultural developments, regime dynamics, and historical legacies. Students interested in authoritarian resilience, governance, post-communist transition, and domestic will find this course particularly instructive.
Days/Times: TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Instructor: Yasuda, John Kojiro
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 9/20
PosTag(s): INST-CP, CES-PD, POLI-CP
AS.190.379 (01)
Nationalism and the Politics of Identity
M 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Kocher, Matthew Adam
Latrobe 107
Fall 2025
Nationalism ties powerful organizations to political mobilization, territory, and individual loyalty. Yet nationalism is typically studied in isolation from other social formations that depend upon organizational – individual linkages. Alternative types of identity category sometimes depend similarly upon organizations that collect and deploy resources, mobilize individuals, erect boundaries, and promote strong emotional connections among individuals as well as between individuals and institutions. In this class, we study classic and contemporary works on nationalism, drawn from multiple disciplinary and analytic traditions, in the comparative context of alternative forms of identity. The focus of the class will be primarily theoretical, with no regional or temporal limitations.
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Nationalism and the Politics of Identity AS.190.379 (01)
Nationalism ties powerful organizations to political mobilization, territory, and individual loyalty. Yet nationalism is typically studied in isolation from other social formations that depend upon organizational – individual linkages. Alternative types of identity category sometimes depend similarly upon organizations that collect and deploy resources, mobilize individuals, erect boundaries, and promote strong emotional connections among individuals as well as between individuals and institutions. In this class, we study classic and contemporary works on nationalism, drawn from multiple disciplinary and analytic traditions, in the comparative context of alternative forms of identity. The focus of the class will be primarily theoretical, with no regional or temporal limitations.
Most wealthy countries are democracies, but not all democracies are wealthy—India, Costa Rica, and Mongolia are prominent examples. This course explores three fundamental questions: 1) What political institutions promote economic prosperity? 2) Under what conditions does democracy promote prosperity? 3) What are the mechanisms connecting political institutions and economic performance?
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Introduction to Economic Development AS.190.392 (01)
Most wealthy countries are democracies, but not all democracies are wealthy—India, Costa Rica, and Mongolia are prominent examples. This course explores three fundamental questions: 1) What political institutions promote economic prosperity? 2) Under what conditions does democracy promote prosperity? 3) What are the mechanisms connecting political institutions and economic performance?
This course introduces students of politics to international law. We will explore historical roots and current problems, recognizing along the way persistent contestation over the participants, sources, purposes, and interests associated with international law. The course situates formal aspects of law—centered on international treaties, international organizations, the World Court (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court (ICC)—within a broader field of global governance consisting of treaty-based and customary law, states and transnational actors, centralized and decentralized forms of legal authority. We will place special emphasis on the significance of international law to colonialism, decolonization, and contemporary forms of imperialism, keeping in mind that the law has been experienced differently in the Global South and by actors not recognized as sovereign by states in positions of power. Students will be exposed to a range of approaches, including rational choice, various species of legalism, process-oriented theories, critical legal studies, and postcolonial critiques.
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The Politics of International Law AS.190.397 (01)
This course introduces students of politics to international law. We will explore historical roots and current problems, recognizing along the way persistent contestation over the participants, sources, purposes, and interests associated with international law. The course situates formal aspects of law—centered on international treaties, international organizations, the World Court (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court (ICC)—within a broader field of global governance consisting of treaty-based and customary law, states and transnational actors, centralized and decentralized forms of legal authority. We will place special emphasis on the significance of international law to colonialism, decolonization, and contemporary forms of imperialism, keeping in mind that the law has been experienced differently in the Global South and by actors not recognized as sovereign by states in positions of power. Students will be exposed to a range of approaches, including rational choice, various species of legalism, process-oriented theories, critical legal studies, and postcolonial critiques.
Days/Times: TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Instructor: Ross, Andrew
Room: Gilman 75
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/19
PosTag(s): POLI-IR, INST-IR, CES-LSO
AS.190.405 (01)
Food Politics
TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Sheingate, Adam
Croft Hall G02
Fall 2025
This course examines the politics of food at the local, national, and global level. Topics include the politics of agricultural subsidies, struggles over genetically modified foods, government efforts at improving food safety, and issues surrounding obesity and nutrition policy. Juniors, seniors, and graduate students only. Cross-listed with Public Health Studies. A student who takes AS.190.223 (Understanding the Food System) in Summer 2021 cannot also enroll in this course.
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Food Politics AS.190.405 (01)
This course examines the politics of food at the local, national, and global level. Topics include the politics of agricultural subsidies, struggles over genetically modified foods, government efforts at improving food safety, and issues surrounding obesity and nutrition policy. Juniors, seniors, and graduate students only. Cross-listed with Public Health Studies. A student who takes AS.190.223 (Understanding the Food System) in Summer 2021 cannot also enroll in this course.
Race has been and continues to be centrally important to American political life and development. In this course, we will engage with the major debates around racial politics in the United States, with a substantial focus on how policies and practices of citizenship, immigration law, social provision, and criminal justice policy shaped and continue to shape racial formation, group-based identities, and group position; debates around the content and meaning of political representation and the responsiveness of the political system to American minority groups; debates about how racial prejudice has shifted and its importance in understanding American political behavior; the prospects for contestation or coalitions among groups; the “struggle with difference” within groups as they deal with the interplay of race and class, citizenship status, and issues that disproportionately affect a subset of their members; and debates about how new groups and issues are reshaping the meaning and practice of race in the United States.
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Race and Ethnic Politics in the United States AS.190.437 (01)
Race has been and continues to be centrally important to American political life and development. In this course, we will engage with the major debates around racial politics in the United States, with a substantial focus on how policies and practices of citizenship, immigration law, social provision, and criminal justice policy shaped and continue to shape racial formation, group-based identities, and group position; debates around the content and meaning of political representation and the responsiveness of the political system to American minority groups; debates about how racial prejudice has shifted and its importance in understanding American political behavior; the prospects for contestation or coalitions among groups; the “struggle with difference” within groups as they deal with the interplay of race and class, citizenship status, and issues that disproportionately affect a subset of their members; and debates about how new groups and issues are reshaping the meaning and practice of race in the United States.
Days/Times: Th 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Weaver, Vesla Mae
Room: Bloomberg 168
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/25
PosTag(s): INST-AP, POLI-IR, CES-LSO, AGRI-ELECT
AS.190.438 (01)
Violence and Politics
W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Ginsberg, Benjamin
Latrobe 107
Fall 2025
This seminar will address the role of violence–both domestic and international–in political life. Though most claim to abhor violence, since the advent of recorded history, violence and politics have been intimately related. States practice violence against internal and external foes. Political dissidents engage in violence against states. Competing political forces inflict violence upon one another. Writing in 1924, Winston Churchill declared–and not without reason–that, "The story of the human race is war." Indeed, violence and the threat of violence are the most potent forces in political life. It is, to be sure, often averred that problems can never truly be solved by the use of force. Violence, the saying goes, is not the answer. This adage certainly appeals to our moral sensibilities. But whether or not violence is the answer presumably depends upon the question being asked. For better or worse, it is violence that usually provides the most definitive answers to three of the major questions of political life--statehood, territoriality and power. Violent struggle, in the form of war, revolution, civil war, terrorism and the like, more than any other immediate factor, determines what states will exist and their relative power, what territories they will occupy, and which groups will and will not exercise power within them. Course is open to juniors and seniors.
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Violence and Politics AS.190.438 (01)
This seminar will address the role of violence–both domestic and international–in political life. Though most claim to abhor violence, since the advent of recorded history, violence and politics have been intimately related. States practice violence against internal and external foes. Political dissidents engage in violence against states. Competing political forces inflict violence upon one another. Writing in 1924, Winston Churchill declared–and not without reason–that, "The story of the human race is war." Indeed, violence and the threat of violence are the most potent forces in political life. It is, to be sure, often averred that problems can never truly be solved by the use of force. Violence, the saying goes, is not the answer. This adage certainly appeals to our moral sensibilities. But whether or not violence is the answer presumably depends upon the question being asked. For better or worse, it is violence that usually provides the most definitive answers to three of the major questions of political life--statehood, territoriality and power. Violent struggle, in the form of war, revolution, civil war, terrorism and the like, more than any other immediate factor, determines what states will exist and their relative power, what territories they will occupy, and which groups will and will not exercise power within them. Course is open to juniors and seniors.
Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Ginsberg, Benjamin
Room: Latrobe 107
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/15
PosTag(s): INST-IR, CES-LSO, POLI-CP, POLI-AP
AS.190.443 (01)
Politics of Outer Space
M 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Deudney, Daniel Horace
Krieger 170
Fall 2025
Humans have long dreamed of leaving Earth and venturing into the vastness of cosmic outer space. During the 20th century space travel became a real possibility, stimulating an extraordinary outpouring of visionary space projects. Space Expansionists claim these projects are increasingly feasible and desirable. Advocates assert that human expansion into space will fundamentally improve the human situation by enabling perennial human goals (improved security from violence, expanded and protected habitat, and ultimately survival of the human species). In the first steps beyond the atmosphere, a variety of military, scientific, and utilitarian activities have been conducted. The history of space activities has been marked by sudden and unexpected spurts of activity, followed by periods of relative stagnation. Recent developments point to another period of rapid expansion: renewed military tensions, new space private sector initiatives, renewed interest in Luna, and growing efforts to divert and mine asteroids. A core part of the arguments for the desirability of space expansion are geopolitical in that they claim broadly political effects will result from humans interacting with extraterrestrial material environments composed of particular combinations geographies and human-built artifacts. Space expansionist arguments are advanced through analogies to Earth geographies (e.g. space is an ocean), as well as large-scale historical trends and patterns. Space expansion is advanced as the opening of a new frontier, reversing the contemporary global closure brought about by rising levels of interdependence. The goal of space expansionists is to make humanity a multi-world species, and it is anticipated that biological species radiation will occur. This course explores the causes and consequences of space activity; how space activities reflect and effect world political order; and whether human expansion into space is desirable, as its fervent advocates believe.
×
Politics of Outer Space AS.190.443 (01)
Humans have long dreamed of leaving Earth and venturing into the vastness of cosmic outer space. During the 20th century space travel became a real possibility, stimulating an extraordinary outpouring of visionary space projects. Space Expansionists claim these projects are increasingly feasible and desirable. Advocates assert that human expansion into space will fundamentally improve the human situation by enabling perennial human goals (improved security from violence, expanded and protected habitat, and ultimately survival of the human species). In the first steps beyond the atmosphere, a variety of military, scientific, and utilitarian activities have been conducted. The history of space activities has been marked by sudden and unexpected spurts of activity, followed by periods of relative stagnation. Recent developments point to another period of rapid expansion: renewed military tensions, new space private sector initiatives, renewed interest in Luna, and growing efforts to divert and mine asteroids. A core part of the arguments for the desirability of space expansion are geopolitical in that they claim broadly political effects will result from humans interacting with extraterrestrial material environments composed of particular combinations geographies and human-built artifacts. Space expansionist arguments are advanced through analogies to Earth geographies (e.g. space is an ocean), as well as large-scale historical trends and patterns. Space expansion is advanced as the opening of a new frontier, reversing the contemporary global closure brought about by rising levels of interdependence. The goal of space expansionists is to make humanity a multi-world species, and it is anticipated that biological species radiation will occur. This course explores the causes and consequences of space activity; how space activities reflect and effect world political order; and whether human expansion into space is desirable, as its fervent advocates believe.
Days/Times: M 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Instructor: Deudney, Daniel Horace
Room: Krieger 170
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/40
PosTag(s): INST-IR, CES-TI, CES-LE, POLI-IR
AS.190.467 (01)
Theories of Justice
TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Culbert, Jennifer
Bloomberg 172
Fall 2025
This course will explore the classic question, “What is justice?” While we will entertain several different answers to the question, the course will focus on how these answers speak to and past one another, illuminating contemporary quandaries related to intergenerational justice, global justice, and the justice of resistance. Guided by Nietzsche, we will read texts by authors including, among others, Plato, Kant, Bentham, Marx, Rawls, Nozick, and West. Over the course of the semester, students will write three papers. There will also be a final exam.
×
Theories of Justice AS.190.467 (01)
This course will explore the classic question, “What is justice?” While we will entertain several different answers to the question, the course will focus on how these answers speak to and past one another, illuminating contemporary quandaries related to intergenerational justice, global justice, and the justice of resistance. Guided by Nietzsche, we will read texts by authors including, among others, Plato, Kant, Bentham, Marx, Rawls, Nozick, and West. Over the course of the semester, students will write three papers. There will also be a final exam.
Days/Times: TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Instructor: Culbert, Jennifer
Room: Bloomberg 172
Status: Open
Seats Available: 3/12
PosTag(s): POLI-PT, INST-PT
AS.190.468 (01)
Federalism, Sovereignty, and The State
W 12:00PM - 2:00PM
Jabko, Nicolas; Mazzuca, Sebastian L
Mergenthaler 366
Fall 2025
Federalism has become an increasingly widespread constitutional form in the world — in America, but also in Europe, the "cradle of the nation-state," and on other continents. While it typically resolves political problems, it also raises many questions about the nature of states and of sovereignty. This course will discuss scholarship that addresses federalism, sovereignty, and the state, both in contemporary politics and in historical perspective.
×
Federalism, Sovereignty, and The State AS.190.468 (01)
Federalism has become an increasingly widespread constitutional form in the world — in America, but also in Europe, the "cradle of the nation-state," and on other continents. While it typically resolves political problems, it also raises many questions about the nature of states and of sovereignty. This course will discuss scholarship that addresses federalism, sovereignty, and the state, both in contemporary politics and in historical perspective.
Days/Times: W 12:00PM - 2:00PM
Instructor: Jabko, Nicolas; Mazzuca, Sebastian L
Room: Mergenthaler 366
Status: Open
Seats Available: 2/5
PosTag(s): POLI-CP, INST-CP, CES-LSO
AS.190.475 (01)
America in Comparative and International Perspective
T 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Deudney, Daniel Horace
Krieger 300
Fall 2025
Over the last quarter millennium, the United States of America has been the most successful state in world politics. It has had the world’s largest economy since 1870, and was on the winning side of the three great world struggles of the 20th century. During these struggles, the fate of liberal capitalist democracy in the world has been closely connected with the rise and success of the USA. This course examines the rise and impacts of the USA in comparative and international perspective. What factors account for the success of the USA during the late modern era? How has the rise and influence of the USA shaped world politics? The course focuses on the causes, consequences and possible alternatives of three founding moments (1776-88, 1861-67 and 1933-36), the role of wars against illiberal adversaries in strengthening American liberal national identity, the ways in which the internal logics of the Philadelphian states-union (1787-1861) and the liberal international order among advanced industrial democracies (1945-) as alternatives to Westphalian state-systems, the role and consequences of the US as an anti-imperial power, and the internal dual between liberal America dedicated to the Founding principles and an ‘alt-America’ of slavery and white supremacy.
×
America in Comparative and International Perspective AS.190.475 (01)
Over the last quarter millennium, the United States of America has been the most successful state in world politics. It has had the world’s largest economy since 1870, and was on the winning side of the three great world struggles of the 20th century. During these struggles, the fate of liberal capitalist democracy in the world has been closely connected with the rise and success of the USA. This course examines the rise and impacts of the USA in comparative and international perspective. What factors account for the success of the USA during the late modern era? How has the rise and influence of the USA shaped world politics? The course focuses on the causes, consequences and possible alternatives of three founding moments (1776-88, 1861-67 and 1933-36), the role of wars against illiberal adversaries in strengthening American liberal national identity, the ways in which the internal logics of the Philadelphian states-union (1787-1861) and the liberal international order among advanced industrial democracies (1945-) as alternatives to Westphalian state-systems, the role and consequences of the US as an anti-imperial power, and the internal dual between liberal America dedicated to the Founding principles and an ‘alt-America’ of slavery and white supremacy.
Days/Times: T 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Instructor: Deudney, Daniel Horace
Room: Krieger 300
Status: Open
Seats Available: 3/15
PosTag(s): POLI-IR, INST-CP, INST-IR, CES-PD
AS.190.498 (01)
Thesis Colloquium
W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Sheingate, Adam
Fall 2025
Open to and required for Political Science majors writing a thesis. International Studies majors writing a senior thesis under the supervision of a Political Science Department faculty member may also enroll. Topics include: research design, literature review, evidence collection and approaches to analysis of evidence, and the writing process. The course lays the groundwork for completing the thesis in the second semester under the direction of the faculty thesis supervisor. Students are expected to have decided on a research topic and arranged for a faculty thesis supervisor prior to the start of the semester. Seniors. Under special circumstances, juniors will be allowed to enroll. Enrollment limit: 15.
×
Thesis Colloquium AS.190.498 (01)
Open to and required for Political Science majors writing a thesis. International Studies majors writing a senior thesis under the supervision of a Political Science Department faculty member may also enroll. Topics include: research design, literature review, evidence collection and approaches to analysis of evidence, and the writing process. The course lays the groundwork for completing the thesis in the second semester under the direction of the faculty thesis supervisor. Students are expected to have decided on a research topic and arranged for a faculty thesis supervisor prior to the start of the semester. Seniors. Under special circumstances, juniors will be allowed to enroll. Enrollment limit: 15.
Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Sheingate, Adam
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 11/15
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (01)
Senior Thesis
Brendese, PJ Joseph
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (01)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Brendese, PJ Joseph
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (02)
Senior Thesis
David, Steven R
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (02)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: David, Steven R
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (03)
Senior Thesis
Marlin-Bennett, Renee E
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (03)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Marlin-Bennett, Renee E
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (04)
Senior Thesis
Zackin, Emily
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (04)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Zackin, Emily
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (05)
Senior Thesis
Freedman, Robert
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (05)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Freedman, Robert
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (06)
Senior Thesis
Shilliam, Robbie
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (06)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Shilliam, Robbie
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (07)
Senior Thesis
Chung, Erin
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (07)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Chung, Erin
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (08)
Senior Thesis
Culbert, Jennifer
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (08)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Culbert, Jennifer
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (09)
Senior Thesis
Ginsberg, Benjamin
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (09)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Ginsberg, Benjamin
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (10)
Senior Thesis
Sheingate, Adam
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (10)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Sheingate, Adam
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (11)
Senior Thesis
Simon, Josh David
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (11)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Simon, Josh David
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (12)
Senior Thesis
Han, Hahrie
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (12)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Han, Hahrie
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (13)
Senior Thesis
Barkawi, Tarak Karim
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (13)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Barkawi, Tarak Karim
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (14)
Senior Thesis
Phillips, Chas.
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (14)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Phillips, Chas.
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (15)
Senior Thesis
Teles, Steven Michael
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (15)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Teles, Steven Michael
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (16)
Senior Thesis
Lieberman, Robert C
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (16)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Lieberman, Robert C
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (17)
Senior Thesis
Deluca, Stefanie
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (17)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Deluca, Stefanie
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (18)
Senior Thesis
Weaver, Vesla Mae
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (18)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Weaver, Vesla Mae
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (19)
Senior Thesis
Yasuda, John Kojiro
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (19)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Yasuda, John Kojiro
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.190.499 (20)
Senior Thesis
Barkawi, Tarak Karim
Fall 2025
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
×
Senior Thesis AS.190.499 (20)
Seniors also have the opportunity to write a senior research thesis. To be eligible to write this thesis, students must identify a faculty sponsor who will supervise the project.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Barkawi, Tarak Karim
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.191.251 (01)
From Ivory Tower to Situation Room: Academic Debates and U.S. National Security Policy
TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Lahiff, Colin Patrick
Hodson 315
Fall 2025
Just how well equipped is academia to answer the most challenging questions of US national security policy? From Henry Kissinger, to Zbigniew Brzezinski and Condoleezza Rice, it seems to be an American tradition to appoint well-trained academics to the highest ranks of U.S. national security decision-making. Academics have much to say about the questions that keep policymakers awake at night: How dangerous is the spread of nuclear weapons? Should the United States come to the defense of Taiwan in the event of an attack on that island? In this course we will take up a major topic related to U.S. national security policy each week, examining the existing arguments put forth by leading academics and policymakers alike.
×
From Ivory Tower to Situation Room: Academic Debates and U.S. National Security Policy AS.191.251 (01)
Just how well equipped is academia to answer the most challenging questions of US national security policy? From Henry Kissinger, to Zbigniew Brzezinski and Condoleezza Rice, it seems to be an American tradition to appoint well-trained academics to the highest ranks of U.S. national security decision-making. Academics have much to say about the questions that keep policymakers awake at night: How dangerous is the spread of nuclear weapons? Should the United States come to the defense of Taiwan in the event of an attack on that island? In this course we will take up a major topic related to U.S. national security policy each week, examining the existing arguments put forth by leading academics and policymakers alike.
Days/Times: TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Instructor: Lahiff, Colin Patrick
Room: Hodson 315
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/18
PosTag(s): POLI-IR
AS.191.335 (01)
Arab-Israeli Conflict (IR)
T 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Freedman, Robert
Bloomberg 168
Fall 2025
The course will focus on the origin and development of the Arab-Israeli conflict from its beginnings when Palestine was controlled by the Ottoman Empire, through World War I, The British Mandate over Palestine, and the first Arab-Israeli war (1947-1949). It will then examine the period of the Arab-Israeli wars of 1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982, the Palestinian Intifadas (1987-1993 and 2000-2005); and the development of the Arab-Israeli peace process from its beginnings with the Egyptian-Israeli treaty of 1979, the Oslo I and Oslo II agreements of 1993 and 1995, Israel's peace treaty with Jordan of 1994, the Road Map of 2003; and the periodic peace talks between Israel and Syria. The conflict will be analyzed against the background of great power intervention in the Middle East, the rise of political Islam and the dynamics of Intra-Arab politics, and will consider the impact of the Arab Spring.
×
Arab-Israeli Conflict (IR) AS.191.335 (01)
The course will focus on the origin and development of the Arab-Israeli conflict from its beginnings when Palestine was controlled by the Ottoman Empire, through World War I, The British Mandate over Palestine, and the first Arab-Israeli war (1947-1949). It will then examine the period of the Arab-Israeli wars of 1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982, the Palestinian Intifadas (1987-1993 and 2000-2005); and the development of the Arab-Israeli peace process from its beginnings with the Egyptian-Israeli treaty of 1979, the Oslo I and Oslo II agreements of 1993 and 1995, Israel's peace treaty with Jordan of 1994, the Road Map of 2003; and the periodic peace talks between Israel and Syria. The conflict will be analyzed against the background of great power intervention in the Middle East, the rise of political Islam and the dynamics of Intra-Arab politics, and will consider the impact of the Arab Spring.
Days/Times: T 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Freedman, Robert
Room: Bloomberg 168
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/20
PosTag(s): INST-IR, INST-CP, POLI-IR
AS.191.345 (01)
Russian Foreign Policy (IR)
W 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Freedman, Robert
Krieger 300
Fall 2025
This course will explore the evolution of Russian Foreign Policy from Czarist times to the present. The main theme will be the question of continuity and change, as the course will seek to determine to what degree current Russian Foreign Policy is rooted in the Czarist(1613-1917) and Soviet(1917-1991) periods, and to what degree it has operated since 1991 on a new basis. The main emphasis of the course will be on Russia's relations with the United States and Europe, China, the Middle East and the countries of the former Soviet Union--especially Ukraine, the Baltic States, Transcaucasia and Central Asia. The course will conclude with an analysis of the Russian reaction to the Arab Spring and its impact both on Russian domestic politics and on Russian foreign policy.
×
Russian Foreign Policy (IR) AS.191.345 (01)
This course will explore the evolution of Russian Foreign Policy from Czarist times to the present. The main theme will be the question of continuity and change, as the course will seek to determine to what degree current Russian Foreign Policy is rooted in the Czarist(1613-1917) and Soviet(1917-1991) periods, and to what degree it has operated since 1991 on a new basis. The main emphasis of the course will be on Russia's relations with the United States and Europe, China, the Middle East and the countries of the former Soviet Union--especially Ukraine, the Baltic States, Transcaucasia and Central Asia. The course will conclude with an analysis of the Russian reaction to the Arab Spring and its impact both on Russian domestic politics and on Russian foreign policy.
Days/Times: W 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Instructor: Freedman, Robert
Room: Krieger 300
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/20
PosTag(s): POLI-IR, INST-IR, INST-CP
AS.196.306 (01)
Democracy by the Numbers
TTh 4:30PM - 5:45PM
Corrigan, Bryce
SNF Agora 107
Fall 2025
How is democracy doing around the world? This course will help students to answer this question and ask their own questions about political systems by examining a variety of quantitative measures of facets of democracy in the U.S. and internationally. We consider general indices as well as those that focus on specific normatively-appealing aspects—the absence of fraud in and broader integrity of the electoral process itself, the guarantees of fundamental human rights to all, governments’ effectiveness and accountability to the public, the equity of both representation and policy outcomes for minority groups and those historically disadvantaged or excluded, and the possibility and extent of civic engagement in non-government institutions. Wherever possible, the course will present evidence about the kinds of institutions and policies that seem to bolster democracy. Students can expect to gain hands-on experience with publicly-available subnational and national indicators of electoral and democratic quality.
×
Democracy by the Numbers AS.196.306 (01)
How is democracy doing around the world? This course will help students to answer this question and ask their own questions about political systems by examining a variety of quantitative measures of facets of democracy in the U.S. and internationally. We consider general indices as well as those that focus on specific normatively-appealing aspects—the absence of fraud in and broader integrity of the electoral process itself, the guarantees of fundamental human rights to all, governments’ effectiveness and accountability to the public, the equity of both representation and policy outcomes for minority groups and those historically disadvantaged or excluded, and the possibility and extent of civic engagement in non-government institutions. Wherever possible, the course will present evidence about the kinds of institutions and policies that seem to bolster democracy. Students can expect to gain hands-on experience with publicly-available subnational and national indicators of electoral and democratic quality.
Days/Times: TTh 4:30PM - 5:45PM
Instructor: Corrigan, Bryce
Room: SNF Agora 107
Status: Open
Seats Available: 7/16
PosTag(s): AGRI-ELECT, POLI-AP
AS.211.171 (01)
Brazilian Culture & Civilization: Colonial Times to the Present
MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
De Azeredo Cerqueira, Flavia Christina
Hodson 305
Fall 2025
Did you know that Brazil is very similar to the United States? This course is intended as an introduction to the culture and civilization of Brazil. It is designed to provide students with basic information about Brazilian history, politics, economy, art, literature, popular culture, theater, cinema, and music. The course will focus on how Indigenous, Asian, African, and European cultural influences have interacted to create the new and unique civilization that is Brazil today. The course is taught in English.
No Prereq. THERE IS NO FINAL EXAM.
×
Brazilian Culture & Civilization: Colonial Times to the Present AS.211.171 (01)
Did you know that Brazil is very similar to the United States? This course is intended as an introduction to the culture and civilization of Brazil. It is designed to provide students with basic information about Brazilian history, politics, economy, art, literature, popular culture, theater, cinema, and music. The course will focus on how Indigenous, Asian, African, and European cultural influences have interacted to create the new and unique civilization that is Brazil today. The course is taught in English.
No Prereq. THERE IS NO FINAL EXAM.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: De Azeredo Cerqueira, Flavia Christina
Room: Hodson 305
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/20
PosTag(s): INST-GLOBAL
AS.211.171 (02)
Brazilian Culture & Civilization: Colonial Times to the Present
MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
De Azeredo Cerqueira, Flavia Christina
Hodson 305
Fall 2025
Did you know that Brazil is very similar to the United States? This course is intended as an introduction to the culture and civilization of Brazil. It is designed to provide students with basic information about Brazilian history, politics, economy, art, literature, popular culture, theater, cinema, and music. The course will focus on how Indigenous, Asian, African, and European cultural influences have interacted to create the new and unique civilization that is Brazil today. The course is taught in English.
No Prereq. THERE IS NO FINAL EXAM.
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Brazilian Culture & Civilization: Colonial Times to the Present AS.211.171 (02)
Did you know that Brazil is very similar to the United States? This course is intended as an introduction to the culture and civilization of Brazil. It is designed to provide students with basic information about Brazilian history, politics, economy, art, literature, popular culture, theater, cinema, and music. The course will focus on how Indigenous, Asian, African, and European cultural influences have interacted to create the new and unique civilization that is Brazil today. The course is taught in English.
No Prereq. THERE IS NO FINAL EXAM.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: De Azeredo Cerqueira, Flavia Christina
Room: Hodson 305
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/5
PosTag(s): INST-GLOBAL
AS.300.402 (01)
What is a Person? Humans, Corporations, Robots, Trees
MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Siraganian, Lisa
Gilman 208
Fall 2025
Knowing who or what counts as a person seems straightforward, until we consider the many kinds of creatures, objects, and artificial beings that have been granted—or demanded or denied—that status. This course explores recent debates on being a person in culture, law, and philosophy. Questions examined will include: Should trees have standing? Can corporations have religious beliefs? Could a robot sign a contract? Materials examined will be wide-ranging, including essays, philosophy, novels, science fiction, television, film. No special background is required.
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What is a Person? Humans, Corporations, Robots, Trees AS.300.402 (01)
Knowing who or what counts as a person seems straightforward, until we consider the many kinds of creatures, objects, and artificial beings that have been granted—or demanded or denied—that status. This course explores recent debates on being a person in culture, law, and philosophy. Questions examined will include: Should trees have standing? Can corporations have religious beliefs? Could a robot sign a contract? Materials examined will be wide-ranging, including essays, philosophy, novels, science fiction, television, film. No special background is required.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Siraganian, Lisa
Room: Gilman 208
Status: Open
Seats Available: 1/19
PosTag(s): CES-LSO, CES-ELECT, MSCH-HUM
AS.305.135 (01)
The Future of Work: AI, Labor, and Migration
TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Todarello, Josh
Maryland 309
Fall 2025
How is the so-called “AI Revolution” altering the landscape of work? This course takes up this question through the lens of underemployment, migratory labor, and diasporic communities. We will read a variety of key works on migration and imagined communities, precarity and alienation, labor, automation, and empire—as well as texts produced in the margins of globalization. In conversation with these texts, we will investigate the dynamics of diasporic communities, migration, and solidarity vis-a-vis the future of work in a global society increasingly automated by AI models such as DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and Qwen 2.5, and the entities that own them. Through a variety of writing assignments and presentations, students engage issues such as race, class, gender, the border, citizenship, and community as they exist for diasporic and migratory workers. This course explores themes relevant to students of Critical Diaspora Studies, as well as the history of science and technology, political science and political economy, international studies, literature, film, and sociology.
Readings may include works by Ruha Benjamin, Audre Lorde, Harry Braverman, Benedict Anderson, David Harvey, Edward Said, Mary L. Gray, Octavia Butler, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o.
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The Future of Work: AI, Labor, and Migration AS.305.135 (01)
How is the so-called “AI Revolution” altering the landscape of work? This course takes up this question through the lens of underemployment, migratory labor, and diasporic communities. We will read a variety of key works on migration and imagined communities, precarity and alienation, labor, automation, and empire—as well as texts produced in the margins of globalization. In conversation with these texts, we will investigate the dynamics of diasporic communities, migration, and solidarity vis-a-vis the future of work in a global society increasingly automated by AI models such as DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and Qwen 2.5, and the entities that own them. Through a variety of writing assignments and presentations, students engage issues such as race, class, gender, the border, citizenship, and community as they exist for diasporic and migratory workers. This course explores themes relevant to students of Critical Diaspora Studies, as well as the history of science and technology, political science and political economy, international studies, literature, film, and sociology.
Readings may include works by Ruha Benjamin, Audre Lorde, Harry Braverman, Benedict Anderson, David Harvey, Edward Said, Mary L. Gray, Octavia Butler, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o.
The global political and security landscape of the 21st century will be shaped by the rivalry between two superpowers -- China and the U.S. For the foreseeable future, the geographic focus of that contest will be Southeast Asia and the surrounding maritime space, particularly the South China Sea. Southeast Asia is a complex, highly differentiated region of ten-plus nations, each with its own unique history and relationship with China. This course will introduce Southeast Asia as a key region -- geographically, economically, and strategically -- often overlooked by policymakers and scholars. It will also focus on the craft of national security strategy as the best tool for understanding the multi-sided competition, already well underway involving China, the U.S., and the Southeast Asian states.
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China, Southeast Asia, and U.S. National Security AS.310.305 (01)
The global political and security landscape of the 21st century will be shaped by the rivalry between two superpowers -- China and the U.S. For the foreseeable future, the geographic focus of that contest will be Southeast Asia and the surrounding maritime space, particularly the South China Sea. Southeast Asia is a complex, highly differentiated region of ten-plus nations, each with its own unique history and relationship with China. This course will introduce Southeast Asia as a key region -- geographically, economically, and strategically -- often overlooked by policymakers and scholars. It will also focus on the craft of national security strategy as the best tool for understanding the multi-sided competition, already well underway involving China, the U.S., and the Southeast Asian states.
Days/Times: T 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Ott, marvin C
Room: Mergenthaler 266
Status: Open
Seats Available: 2/15
PosTag(s): INST-CP, INST-IR
AS.310.340 (01)
Development and Social Change in Rural China
F 2:00PM - 4:30PM
He, Gaochao
Mergenthaler 266
Fall 2025
This course will survey the major issues of development and social change in rural China since 1950s. These issues will be addressed in chronological order. They include land ownership and land grabbing, organization of rural economic, political, and social life, rural elections and village governance, development strategies, urban-rural relationship in resource allocation, rural modernization strategies in regard to irrigation, clean drinking water, electricity supply, hard paved road, education and rural medical service, women’s rights and family life, rural consumption, and etc. This course will prepare students, both empirically and analytically, to understand what happened in rural China from 1949 to the present, and how we can engage in policy and theoretical discussions based on what we learn.
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Development and Social Change in Rural China AS.310.340 (01)
This course will survey the major issues of development and social change in rural China since 1950s. These issues will be addressed in chronological order. They include land ownership and land grabbing, organization of rural economic, political, and social life, rural elections and village governance, development strategies, urban-rural relationship in resource allocation, rural modernization strategies in regard to irrigation, clean drinking water, electricity supply, hard paved road, education and rural medical service, women’s rights and family life, rural consumption, and etc. This course will prepare students, both empirically and analytically, to understand what happened in rural China from 1949 to the present, and how we can engage in policy and theoretical discussions based on what we learn.
Days/Times: F 2:00PM - 4:30PM
Instructor: He, Gaochao
Room: Mergenthaler 266
Status: Open
Seats Available: 13/15
PosTag(s): INST-GLOBAL, INST-CP
AS.360.461 (91)
Hopkins Semester DC Applied Practitioner Seminar
T 2:30PM - 5:00PM
Wright Rigueur, Leah M
Fall 2025
In this course, students learn from experts in the field as connected to the semester’s theme. The practitioners will present on their field of expertise thus providing students substantive engagement with a variety of perspectives relating to the central theme. Discussions with Hopkins Semester faculty will provide connection and framing for engagements with external stakeholders. Additional skills potential for development in this course include enacting policy in the world (networking, negotiations, public speaking, project management, (Political) Risk Analysis, Lobbying and Advocacy, Applying for Federal Jobs, Consulting), and others relevant to subsequent themes.
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Hopkins Semester DC Applied Practitioner Seminar AS.360.461 (91)
In this course, students learn from experts in the field as connected to the semester’s theme. The practitioners will present on their field of expertise thus providing students substantive engagement with a variety of perspectives relating to the central theme. Discussions with Hopkins Semester faculty will provide connection and framing for engagements with external stakeholders. Additional skills potential for development in this course include enacting policy in the world (networking, negotiations, public speaking, project management, (Political) Risk Analysis, Lobbying and Advocacy, Applying for Federal Jobs, Consulting), and others relevant to subsequent themes.