Courses

GOV 94xy: Migration and Politics in the Globalization Era (New Course)

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2014

Course Description: International migrations constantly reshape politics, markets and societies. They generate challenges and opportunities for people, communities, businesses, civil society organizations, political parties, governments and international institutions. This course examines the political, social and economic consequences of migrations around the world, in both sending and receiving countries. We will study the impact of migration on citizenship, sovereignty, political regimes and platforms, economic development, inequality, human capital, as well as on political values and...

Read more about GOV 94xy: Migration and Politics in the Globalization Era (New Course)

GOV 94xp: CYBERPOLITICS (New Course)

Semester: 

Spring

Offered: 

2014

This seminar examines how the digital age has transformed politics around the world, in democratic and authoritarian contexts. Information and communication technologies change how people, states, and non-state actors interact. Social media (Facebook, Twitter) facilitate information-sharing and collective action. Technology creates new access points and new vulnerabilities. The course includes four modules: e-Democracy (civic engagement, elections, accountability); Online Revolutions (resistance, repression, mobilization); Security (cyberwar, terrorism, hacking); and Beyond State...

Read more about GOV 94xp: CYBERPOLITICS (New Course)

GOV 97: Tutorial - Sophomore Year - Democracy

Semester: 

Spring

Offered: 

2014

This one-semester course is designed to provide all Government Department concentrators with a unified and challenging intellectual experience in the study of politics. The course covers a selection of topics on the theme of "Democracy" and draws on materials ranging from classics in political theory to cutting edge research in the discipline today.

GOV 97: Sophomore Tutorial

Semester: 

Spring

Offered: 

2013

The Government Department’s sophomore tutorial, Government 97, aims to encourage a sense of intellectual community while opening up the richness and diversity of the study of politics. Our topic is democracy. We will consider both key theoretical problems and the most promising methods that political scientists use to address these problems. In choosing to focus on democracy, we are not suggesting that it is something whose virtues are obvious or whose triumph is inevitable. Quite the contrary. Nevertheless, we believe that democracy is at the center of political self-understanding in our modern world, not just in democratic societies (wherever we might draw the borderline for inclusion) but also in many other societies where the absence of democracy is a salient issue.

GOV 99: Senior Thesis Writers' Workshop

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2012

This course has four primary aims. First, and most importantly, through a series of deadlines the course aims to provide with you with a structure that will encourage early and frequent production of written material. Second, by introducing and reviewing central research design strategies, the course will better familiarize you with social science research methods. Third, the course provides you an opportunity to receive written and oral feedback on your work from your peers and seminar leader. Fourth, the seminar provides peer and departmental support as you navigate the personal ups-and-downs of the thesis writing process.

Capitalism and Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe

Semester: 

Spring

Offered: 

2011

General introduction to East European politics focusing on the countries outside the former Soviet Union. Examines critical periods and dynamics of political and economic changes in the region from the end of World War I to the recent enlargement of the European Union.

(Professor Grzegorz Ekiert)

Comparative Institutional Design

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2010

Institutional choices are vital for effective peace-building and for strengthening the quality of democratic governance. This course compares: (i) the principles and goals of constitutional design; (ii) the mechanisms of institutional design (electoral rules, parliamentary and presidential executives, decentralization, and minor reforms); (iii) political processes determining institutional choices; and (iv) the consequences (for political behavior, economic performance, regime stability, the quality of governance, democracy and democratization). Materials draw upon global comparisons and selected cases from long-standing and younger liberal democracies, as well as from countries emerging from conflict.

(Professor Pippa Norris - the Harvard Kennedy School of Government)

Capitalism and Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe

Semester: 

Spring

Offered: 

2009

General introduction to East European politics focusing on the countries outside the former Soviet Union. Examines critical periods and dynamics of political and economic changes in the region from the end of World War I to the recent enlargement of the European Union.

The Politics of the European Union

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2008

The European Union (EU) has evolved into a political community that deeply affects the daily lives of its citizens. How can we explain the process of European integration? What does the political structure of the EU look like? Who are the most important actors? The lecture class surveys the development of European integration and introduces students to the EU’s political system. We will also discuss theories of European integration and examine major challenges that the EU faces at the beginning of the 21st century. By the end of the semester you should have a basic knowledge of (1) the history of European integration, (2) the political institutions of the EU and its policy-making, (3) the major theories to explain the process of European integration and the functioning of the EU, (4) specific EU policy areas (especially economic, social, environmental policy, external relations, justice and home affairs) and (5) current issues and debates in European Union Politics.

(Professor Carina Sprungk)

Foundations of Comparative Politics

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2008

Provides an introduction to key concepts and theoretical approaches in comparative politics. Major themes include the causes of democratization, economic development, ethnic conflict, and social revolutions; as well as the role of the state, political institutions, and civil society. Examines and critically evaluates different theoretical approaches to politics including modernization, Marxist, cultural, institutionalist, and leadership-centered approaches. Compares cases from Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East and Latin America to provide students with grounding in the basic tools of comparative analysis.

(Professor Steve Levitsky)