Political Science (B.A.)

Introductory Courses

* PLSC 028a, American Constitutionalism: Power and its Limits  Gordon Silverstein

What happens when a modern superpower tries to govern itself under an 18th Century Constitution? Using original documents, contemporaneous books, and U.S. Supreme Court cases, this course explores the debates that have defined America's struggle to live up to its sometimes conflicting commitments to liberty, equality and the consent of the governed. Enrollment limited to first-year students. Preregistration required; see under First-Year Seminar Program.  SO
TTh 2:30pm-3:45pm

PLSC 111b / GLBL 268b, Introduction to International Relations  Nicholas Lotito

Survey of key debates and concepts in international relations. Exploration of historical and contemporary issues using Western and non-Western cases and evidence. Topics include the rise of states; causes, conduct, and outcomes of wars; the emergence of new actors and forms of conflict; and evolution of global economy.  SO
HTBA

PLSC 113a, Introduction to American Politics  Christina Kinane

Introduction to American national government. The Constitution, American political culture, civil rights, Congress, the executive, political parties, public opinion, interest groups, the media, social movements, and the policy-making process.  SO
TTh 10:30am-11:20am

PLSC 114a, Introduction to Political Philosophy  Hélène Landemore

Fundamental issues in contemporary politics investigated through reflection on classic texts in the history of political thought. Emphasis on topics linked to modern constitutional democracies, including executive power, representation, and political parties. Readings from Plato, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Madison and Hamilton, Lincoln, and Tocqueville, in addition to recent articles on contemporary issues.  SO
HTBA

PLSC 116a, Comparative Politics: States, Regimes, and Conflict  David Simon

Introduction to the study of politics and political life in the world outside the United States. State formation and nationalism, the causes and consequences of democracy, the functioning of authoritarian regimes, social movements and collective action, and violence.  SO
MW 10:30am-11:20am

PLSC 118b, The Moral Foundations of Politics  Ian Shapiro

An introduction to contemporary discussions about the foundations of political argument. Emphasis on the relations between political theory and policy debate (e.g., social welfare provision and affirmative action). Readings from Bentham, Mill, Marx, Burke, Rawls, Nozick, and others.  SO
HTBA

PLSC 121a / MMES 121a, International Relations of the Middle East  Nicholas Lotito

This course explores the multiple causes of insecurity in the Middle East and North Africa, a region of paramount geostrategic interest, whose populations have suffered from armed conflicts both within and across national borders. The first half of the course interrogates traditional security concepts like war, terrorism, and revolution, as well as the political, economic, and social contexts which give rise to these phenomena. The course then turns to foreign policy analysis in case studies of the region's major states. Previous coursework in international relations and/or Middle East politics or history recommended but not required.  SO
TTh 9am-10:15am

* PLSC 123a, Political Economy of Foreign Aid  Peter Aronow

Introduction to modern quantitative research methods in international political economy, with a focus on empirical evidence related to foreign aid. The state of knowledge regarding the effects of development assistance on democratization, governance, human rights, and conflict. The challenges of drawing causal inferences in the domain of international political economy.  SO
T 3:30pm-5:20pm

* PLSC 135b / AFST 135b, Media and Conflict  Graeme Wood

The theory and practice of reporting on international conflict and war, and its relation to political discourse in the United States and abroad. Materials include case studies of media coverage of war in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
HTBA

* PLSC 137a or b / GLBL 274a or b, Terrorism  Bonnie Weir

Theoretical and empirical literature used to examine a host of questions about terrorism. The definition(s) of terrorism, the application of the term to individuals and groups, the historical use and potential causes of terrorism, suicide and so-called religious terrorism, dynamics within groups that use terrorism, and counterterrorism strategies and tactics. Theoretical readings supplemented by case studies.  SO
HTBA

* PLSC 140b / GLBL 381b, Military Power  Nuno Monteiro

The foundations, applications, evolution, and limits of military power. Reading of Clausewitz's On War in conjunction with contemporary works. Issues include civil-military relations, military power and political influence, coercion, small wars, occupation and insurgency, and the revolution in military affairs.  WR, SO
HTBA

PLSC 149a / EVST 292a / GLBL 217a, Sustainability in the Twenty-First Century: Environment, Energy, and the Economy  Daniel Esty

Sustainability as a guiding concept for addressing twenty-first century tensions between economic, environmental, and social progress. Using a cross-disciplinary set of materials from the “sustainability canon,” students explore the interlocking challenges of providing abundant energy, reducing pollution, addressing climate change, conserving natural resources, and mitigating the other impacts of economic development.  SO
MW 1pm-2:15pm

* PLSC 152a / EP&E 245a, Global Firms and National Governments  Joseph LaPalombara

Interactions between large-scale firms that make international investments and policy makers and government officials in the “host” countries. National and subnational officials who work to attract investments (or not) and who set policies regulating global firms and their investments. Focus on less-developed countries. Theories as to why firms “globalize”; case studies of controversies created by overseas corporate investments; the changing economic landscape associated with investments by countries such as China, Brazil, and India.  SO
M 1:30pm-3:20pm

* PLSC 161a / GLBL 344a / HIST 483Ja, Studies in Grand Strategy II  Beverly Gage

The study of grand strategy, of how individuals and groups can accomplish large ends with limited means. During the fall term, students put into action the ideas studied in the spring term by applying concepts of grand strategy to present day issues. Admission is by application only; the cycle for the current year is closed. This course does not fulfill the history seminar requirement, but may count toward geographical distributional credit within the History major for any region studied, upon application to the director of undergraduate studies. Prerequisite: PLSC 321. Previous study courses in political science, history, global affairs, or subjects with broad interdisciplinary relevance encouraged.  SO
M 2:30pm-4:20pm

* PLSC 162b, Japan and the World  Frances Rosenbluth

The historical development of Japan's international relations since the late Tokugawa period; World War II and its legacy; domestic institutions and foreign policy; implications for the United States; and interactions between nationalism and regionalism.  SO
HTBA

PLSC 166b, The New Europe  David Cameron

European politics since World War II, with emphasis on postwar geopolitical settlement, the development of the European Community and Union, the demise of the Soviet Union and other communist regimes, and current challenges facing Europe.  SO
HTBA

* PLSC 167b / GLBL 284b, Mass Atrocities in Global Politics  David Simon

Examination of the impact of global politics and institutions on the commission, execution, prevention, and aftermath of mass atrocities.  SO
HTBA

PLSC 172a, Strategy, Technology, and War  Paul Bracken

This course deals with the strategic management of technology and innovation in the highly dynamic national security space. As more new technologies (cyberwar, ASAT, drones, AI, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, nuclear weapons) come into military postures a major technological arms race has come about. Strat Tech covers the new technologies; competitive strategies in Europe and Asia; and foreign investment in the US technology sector. Silicon Valley and the Pentagon, and global technology companies receive special focus.  SO
MW 11:35am-12:50pm

* PLSC 178a, U.S.–Mexico Relations  Emily Sellars

Introduction to U.S.–Mexico relations. Historical background on the bilateral relationship. Discussion of contemporary political issues, including trade, border security, the drug war, migration, agriculture, environmental issues, and energy policy.
W 9:25am-11:15am

PLSC 182b / GLBL 236b, The Politics of International Law and Cooperation  Tyler Pratt

This course focuses on the political processes and institutions that facilitate cooperation among states. Students examine the obstacles to cooperation in the international arena, the reasons for the creation of international laws and institutions, and the extent to which such institutions actually affect state policy. Students also explore the tension between international cooperation and concerns about power, state sovereignty, and institutional legitimacy. Course materials draw from a variety of substantive issues, including conflict prevention, trade, human rights, and environmental protection.  SO
HTBA

PLSC 191b / PHIL 180b, Ethics and International Affairs  Thomas Pogge

Moral reflection taken beyond state boundaries. Traditional questions about state conduct and international relations as well as more recent questions about intergovernmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the design of global institutional arrangements.  HU
TTh 9am-10:15am

PLSC 205a, Law, Leadership, and the Political Development of the American Presidency  Stephen Skowronek

Examination of the constitutional law, historical development, and current operations of the American presidency. Topics include formal powers, the organization and mobilization of popular support, the modern executive establishment, and the politics of presidential leadership.  SO
HTBA

* PLSC 209a / HIST 167Ja / PLSC 839, Congress in the Light of History  David Mayhew

This course begins by studying analytic themes, including congressional structure, incentives bearing on members and parties, conditions of party control, supermajority rules, and polarization, followed by narrative works of major political showdowns entailing Congress such as those in 1850, 1876-77, 1919 (defeat of the Versailles Treaty), 1937 (defeat of court-packing), 1954 (the McCarthy-Army hearings), 1964 (civil rights), 1973-74 (Watergate), and 1993-94 (defeat of health care). Students also examine a series of policy performances, for the better or the worse in today’s judgments, ranging from early state-building through reacting to the Great Depression, constructing a welfare state, and addressing climate change. This is a reading course and does not accommodate senior essays.  SO
W 1:30pm-3:20pm

* PLSC 212a / EP&E 390a / EVST 212a, Democracy and Sustainability  Michael Fotos

Democracy, liberty, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Concepts include institutional analysis, democratic consent, property rights, market failure, and common pool resources. Topics of policy substance are related to human use of the environment and to U.S. and global political institutions.  WR, SO
Th 9:25am-11:15am

PLSC 214b, The Politics of American Public Policy  Jacob Hacker

Public policy in the United States and the methodological and theoretical tools used to study the forces that shape it. Economic and political science perspectives on the policy process and contemporary American governance. Domestic policy issues such as health care, economic inequality, job insecurity, the federal debt, environmental protection, criminal justice, financial regulation, and primary and higher education.  SO
HTBA

* PLSC 219b / EP&E 497b / EVST 247b, Politics of the Environment  Peter Swenson

Historical and contemporary politics aimed at regulating human behavior to limit damage to the environment. Goals, strategies, successes, and failures of movements, organizations, corporations, scientists, and politicians in conflicts over environmental policy. Focus on politics in the U.S., including the role of public opinion; attention to international regulatory efforts, especially with regard to climate change.  SO
HTBA

* PLSC 220a / PLSC S220 / WGSS 220a, Gender Politics  Andrea Aldrich

Exploration of theoretical and empirical work in political science to study the relationship between gender and politics in the United States and around the world. Topics include women's representative in legislative and executive branch politics in democratic regimes; the impact of gender stereotypes on elections and public opinion; conditions that impact the supply and demand of candidates across genders; and the underrepresentation of women in political institutions.  WR, SO
T 9:25am-11:15am

* PLSC 223a / EDST 223a, Learning Democracy: The Theory and Practice of Civic Education  Amir Fairdosi

This is a seminar on the theory and practice of civic education. We begin by investigating philosophies of civic education, asking such questions as: What is civic education and what is its purpose? What knowledge, skills, and values promote human flourishing and the cultivation of a democratic society? What roll can and should schools play in this cultivation? In the next part of the course we focus on civic education in practice, exploring various approaches to teaching civics and the empirical evidence in support of each method’s effectiveness. We also discuss variations in access to civic education opportunities across socioeconomic, demographic, and national contexts, and how societies might deal with these disparities.  SO
W 3:30pm-5:20pm

* PLSC 224b, Political Leadership  Stephen Skowronek

Examination of political leadership as both a concept and a practice. Survey of classic works by Machiavelli, Carlyle, Weber, Lenin, and Schumpeter. Consideration of the difference between transformational leadership and transactional leadership, and between executive leadership and reform leadership. Issues include the conundrum of "democratic leadership" and the role of narrative in leadership.  WR, SO
HTBA

* PLSC 228a / EP&E 306a, First Amendment and Ethics of Law  Karen Goodrow

This course addresses the First Amendment and freedom of speech, focusing on the ethical implications of restrictions on free speech, as well as the exercise of free speech. Course topics and discussions include the “fighting words” doctrine, hate speech, true threats, content regulated speech, freedom of speech and the internet, and the so-called “right to be forgotten.” By the end of the course, students recognize the role free speech plays in society, including its negative and positive impacts on various segments of society. Students also have an understanding of the competing interests arising from the First Amendment’s right to free speech, and can analyze how these competing interests are weighed and measured in the United States as compared with other countries.  SO
HTBA

PLSC 233a, Constitutional Law  Akhil Reed Amar

An introduction to the main themes of the American Constitution—popular sovereignty, separation of powers, federalism, and rights—and to basic techniques of constitutional interpretation. Special emphasis on the interplay of constitutional text, judicial doctrine, and constitutional decision making outside the judiciary.  SO
MW 11:35am-12:50pm

* PLSC 235a, Political Journalism and Public Policy  Derek Slap

The effects of political journalism on American public policy from 1960 to the present. Focus on changes in the media during the past few decades. The Dewey-Lippmann debate on the role journalism should play in politics, marketing in the 1968 presidential campaign, broadcast news and audience fragmentation in the 1970s, media dysfunction and the Clinton and Obama health care initiatives, the Internet, hyperpartisanship, media bias, and recent gun control initiatives.  SO
F 9:25am-11:15am

* PLSC 236b, Presidential Campaigns and the Media  Walter Shapiro

The intersection of two institutions in the midst of major transformations—the political campaign industry and the news business. Presidential campaign coverage during the last third of the twentieth century; the beleaguered economic structure of the news business in the twenty-first century; media coverage of the 2008 and 2012 presidential races, with emphasis on how campaigns adapted to the changed news landscape and to new ways of communicating with voters.  SO
HTBA

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