Course Catalog

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INTERNATIONAL LAW (PO3061)

Covers the formal structure of the international legal order; sources, uses and dynamics of law in international relations; use of force, war crimes; the status and functions of states, governments, international organizations, companies, and individuals; law of the sea, environment, jurisdiction, aliens, human rights, the diplomatic process and its protection, and treaties. Discusses theory and future directions of international law. This course is crosslisted with International Law.

LONDON, PARIS, & MADRID 1500 TO PRESENT (PO3062)

The rise of the Atlantic world after 1500 generated cities of unrivaled cultural, economic and political power. Replacing the previously dominant form of the Mediterranean city-state, London, Paris and Madrid became the centers of an Atlantic world which formed the core of the first world system. This course will examine the rise of these cities from the perspective of state building, urban culture, urban revolt, the growth of the Atlantic economy and the responses to these processes through urban planning and city government.

BILLIONAIRESWATCH.ORG (PO3066)

“billionaireswatch.org” is combining a research seminar with watchdog activism, exploring the roles of billionaires in politics in order to develop a framework with which to scrutinize their influence. We study the role of private wealth in public policy-making and explore how a watchdog website may lead to greater transparency and accountability

DEMOCRACY & SOCIAL CHANGE (PO3069)

Democracy has been spreading around the globe - but not everywhere. When and why do stable democracies emerge? Taking a comparative perspective with an emphasis on Europe and the Americas, this course examines the links between Democracy and Social Change. It analyzes how democracy is related to socioeconomic development and shifting class structures, whether it is associated with cultural change, and how globalization affects the future of democracy.

POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST (PO3072)

Introduces the contemporary politics of the Middle East, from Turkey and Iran to the Atlantic Ocean, including all the Arab countries of West Asia and North Africa as well as Israel. Focuses on political trends (nationalism and religious fundamentalism), key historical experiences and traumatic events (wars and revolutions), and the interference of world powers that contributed to shaping this sensitive area.

KANT, HEGEL, AND BEYOND (PO3076)

Philosophical and political modernity concerns the development of rationality, freedom, and social responsibility from out of the tensions between ethics, religion, politics and the economy. With postmodernist epistemology, the so-called 'return' of religion, and economic globalization, this 'modernity' has been questioned. In this historical context the course re-elaborates the problematic of modernity through selective reading of Kant, Hegel, and Nietzsche.

WAR ON TERRORISM (PO3078)

Examines the role of force, including coercive diplomacy, in contemporary international relations. Considers definitions of national security, alliance systems, force structures, force deployments, and coercive diplomacy. Examines the entire spectrum of force from terrorism and counter-terrorism, insurgency and counter-insurgency, low-intensity conflict, to conventional and nuclear weapon systems.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP (PO3087)

Digital citizenship is a key concept of our digital age, expressing the hope that a humane use of digital technologies is possible. The course contrasts digital citizenship with political, environmental, and global conceptions citizenship, before studying the political, legal, and educational dimensions of digital citizenship. It also explores selected practices of digital citizenship, including clicktivism, digital commoning, and digital counter surveillance.

TOPICS IN POLITICS (PO3091)

Topics courses change every semester, offering advanced study in themes, theories and issues beyond the regular departmental course offerings. Taught by permanent or visiting faculty, recent Topics courses include: 'The French Elections', 'Refugee and Asylum Law', 'Turkey and the EU', or 'Law and Corruption'.

INTERNSHIP (PO3098)

Internships are commonly pursued in non-governmental organizations, international development networks or research institutes, but can also be completed in a variety of other institutions depending on students’ interests and initiative. The University cannot guarantee placement in an internship, but will provide assistance with the internship search. Junior standing is recommended as well as early contact with the Internship Office for registration purposes. Internships may be taken for 1 or 4 credits. Students may do more than one internship, but internship credit cannot cumulatively total more than 4 credits.