Provisional University Bulletin (2026-2027)

• Minor
• Major (BA)
• Master of Arts
• Doctor of Philosophy

Undergraduate Major

The undergraduate curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in governmental and nongovernmental service, policy analysis, journalism, law, and business, as well as for postgraduate work in political science. We are a department of "politics," and encourage students to engage issues that are important in contemporary “real world” politics.

The Politics major explores how societies manage conflict and cooperation, organize the competition of differing ideologies and philosophies, and create and implement public policy.

Our goal is to deepen understanding of democracy and democratic systems, and the international and global contexts in which they operate. Politics courses enable students to broaden their perspective by familiarizing them with the ways others have engaged important political issues, from the classical philosophers whose works shape the Western tradition, to the modern theorists and practitioners who shape the discourse, policies, and practices of contemporary national and international political life.

Politics courses address the implications of difference, and particularly inequality, for democracy; the politics of ethnicity, race, religion and gender in the United States and abroad; the meaning and consequences of nationalism as a political force; the role of Islamic organizations and social movements in democratic political systems; the challenge of policing a diverse society; the global political economy of trade, money, investment and cultural exchange; and the strategic and economic dimensions of U.S. foreign policy and international relations. Courses in the department address the cultures and politics of Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Graduate Program in Politics

The graduate program in politics offers two degree programs leading to the Master of Arts in politics and Doctor of Philosophy in politics. The graduate program  is distinguished by methodological emphasis on analytical case study, including comparative case study and other qualitative methods, in addition to “large-n” statistical analysis. Substantive emphasis is on the politics of democratic and democratizing regimes and on the causes and consequences of political difference and conflict. The graduate curriculum emphasizes linkages among the patterns of American, Western European and Middle Eastern political development; the international political, economic, and military-security relations among these states; and political theories of nationalism, democracy, and constitution- making. 

PhD students receive training in each of the major subfields of political science, including qualitative research methods, through core graduate field seminars. MA students specialize in a primary and a secondary subfield area. The department’s graduate proseminar convenes graduate students at all levels and department faculty for the presentation and discussion of in-progress research; exposure to social science research, methodologies, and resources; the enhancement of professional development; and community building within the department.

Undergraduate Major

The Politics curriculum is divided into the four major subfields of political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. Introductory courses in each of the subfields provide foundational work in concepts and analytical approaches. The curriculum introduces students to the basic concepts and methods of political science, and emphasizes certain core skills, knowledge of critical institutions and processes, and the ability to engage issues of social justice.

Completing the Politics major enables students to develop the following Core Skills:

1. Thinking critically about arguments, based on the evaluation of evidence.
2. Articulating reasoned arguments clearly, both orally and in written form.
3. Familiarity with a variety of research methods for understanding politics, including comparative case study, area studies, textual interpretation and statistical analysis.
4. Ability to use the concepts and methods of political science to conduct research and analysis.

Courses in the Politics curriculum impart Knowledge about:

1. The functioning and distinctive features of the American political system.
2. The diversity of other political systems and the significance of these differences.
3. How states, societies and transnational actors cause and resolve conflict.
4. Foundational political ideas and thinkers.
5. The origins and nature of democracy and democratic systems.

The curriculum addresses the multiple understandings of individual and social justice, and how these understandings motivate conflict and cooperation around patterns of difference, particularly inequalities in wealth, status, and power.

The Politics curriculum prepares students for participation as engaged, active citizens. Upon graduating, Politics majors pursue careers in governmental and nongovernmental public service, policy analysis and advocacy, public relations, political campaign management, teaching, journalism and business, as well as post-graduate work in law, business, political science and other social sciences.

Graduate Program in Politics

MA Program

The MA program in Politics imparts knowledge about:

1. The fundamentals of at least two major subfields of political science.
2. The scholarly literature and existing research on a specialized problem in a political science subfield.
3. The variety of methodologies applied in professional political science research.

The MA program in Politics enables students to develop the following core skills:

1. The ability to independently design, plan, execute, and write up an original scholarly investigation in political science.
2. Familiarity with the scholarly conventions and professional standards of the field of political science.
3. Educational preparation and professionalization necessary to undertake PhD work in a political science doctoral program.
4. Core research, analysis, and writing capabilities as well as oral presentation skills essential for any career path involving governmental and nongovernmental public service, policy analysis and advocacy, and related work in the public, private, and educational sectors.

The MA program in Politics emphasizes the following learning outcomes:

1. A minimum level of competence in at least two major subfields of political science.
2. In-depth knowledge of a specialized area of a political science subfield.
3. The ability to design and plan an original research paper in political science.
4. Knowledge and professionalization necessary to gain admission into a PhD program in political science or a related field.
5. Qualifications necessary to find professional employment in an area related to the student's MA education.

PhD Program

The PhD program in Politics imparts knowledge about:

1. The fundamentals of five major subfields of political science, including qualitative research methods.
2. The major theoretical and analytical approaches of a primary and secondary area of specialization in a political science subfield.
3. The variety of methodologies applied in professional political science research.

The PhD program in Politics enables students to develop the following core skills:

1. Mastery of a primary and secondary area of specialization in a political science subfield sufficient to effectively teach introductory, advanced, and graduate courses and seminars at the college and university level.
2. Proficiency sufficient to effectively teach an introductory undergraduate course in each of five major subfields of political science.
3. The ability to independently design, propose, plan, execute, write up, and defend a substantial piece of original scholarship in political science.
4. The ability to contribute to the development of knowledge in political science through research, publication, presentation at conferences, and other forms of participation in the professional academic community in the field.
5. Core research, analysis, and writing capabilities as well as oral presentation skills essential for any career path involving governmental and nongovernmental public service, policy analysis and advocacy, and related work in the public, private, and educational sectors.

The PhD program in Politics emphasizes the following learning outcomes:

1. Proficiency in each of five major subfields of political science.
2. Expertise in a primary and secondary area of specialization in a political science subfield.
3. Preparation to design and teach courses at the college and university level.
4. Reading knowledge of a foreign language sufficient to conduct advanced research, or basic literacy in statistics and quantitative analysis as it is applied in the study of politics.
5. The ability to design and plan a major political science research project.
6. Completion of a substantial piece of original scholarship that contributes to the development of knowledge in the field.
7. The ability to produce research for a wider scholarly community.
8. Qualifications necessary to secure employment in professional political science, or in an area related to the student’s doctoral education.

Declaration of the major normally is completed during the second semester of the second year, in consultation with the departmental undergraduate advising head. Students are strongly encouraged to take at least two or three politics courses during their first two years at Brandeis. These courses, which will count toward the nine-course major requirement, are normally selected from among the introductory courses, but may include more advanced courses or seminars, after consultation with the departmental undergraduate advising head and the course instructor.

The general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, given in an earlier section of this Bulletin, apply to candidates for admission to this area of study. Normally, the applicant’s undergraduate training should be in a field of social science for admission to this program. For application requirements and to apply, please visit Graduate Programs in Politics.

Zachary Albert
American politics. Political institutions. Public policy.

Eva Bellin
Comparative politics, Middle East politics.

Kerry Chase
International relations. International organizations. U.S. foreign policy.

Shai Feldman
International relations. Middle East politics.

Jill Greenlee, Chair
American politics. Gender and politics. Political behavior.

Jytte Klausen
Comparative politics. Western Europe. Global terrorism.

Daniel Kryder
American political development.

Jeffrey Lenowitz
Political theory. Law and politics.

Gary Samore
International security. U.S. foreign policy.

Ayumi Teraoka
International relations, Alliance politics, and Japanese foreign policy.

Alejandro Trelles
Comparative study of public institutions, elections and electoral boundary delimitation in
Latin America and the Caribbean

Steven Wilson
Comparative politics. Russia and post-communist countries. Digital politics.

Bernard Yack
Political theory. History of political thought. Nationalism. Cultural pluralism.

Affiliated Faculty

(contributing to the curriculum, advising and administration of the department or program)

Richard Gaskins
(American Studies)

Lucy Goodhart
(International and Global Studies)

Wellington Nyangoni
(African and Afro-American Studies)

Marion Smiley
(Philosophy)

Amber Spry
(African and Afro-American Studies)

Michael Willrich
(History)

Students considering a minor in politics are strongly encouraged to take at least two politics courses during their first two years at Brandeis. At least one of these should be an introductory course.

1. Five courses are required: All Politics minors must complete at least five semester courses from among politics and cross-listed courses. A minimum of four of these must be taught by faculty of the Department of Politics including courses taught within the department by visiting professors, adjunct faculty members, or graduate students.
2. Subfield requirement: Among the five courses, minors must complete one course in at least two of the four sub-fields: political theory, American politics, comparative politics, and international politics.
3. Seminar requirement: Minors must take at least one departmental seminar course.
4. No course grade below C will be given credit toward the minor. No course taken pass/fail may be counted toward the minor. Not more than two introductory politics courses (POL 10a, 11b, 14b, or 15a) may be counted toward the minor. Politics minors are not eligible for the departmental honors program, or for enrollment in politics graduate courses.

1. Nine courses are required: Majors must complete at least nine courses from Politics and cross-listed courses. The department strongly recommends that majors complete introductory courses in at least three of the subfields by the end of the sophomore year. Introductory courses include POL 10a (Introduction to Political Theory), POL 11b (Introduction to Comparative Government: Europe), POL 14b (Introduction to American Government), and POL 15a (Introduction to International Relations). Majors should consult with their Politics faculty advisor when selecting courses.
2. POL residency requirement: A minimum of six courses counted toward major must be taught by Politics Department faculty, including visiting professors, adjunct faculty members, or graduate students. 
3. Subfield requirement: Among the nine courses, majors must complete one course in each of the four subfields: political theory, American politics; comparative politics; and international politics. Cross-listed electives cannot fulfill the subfield distribution requirement, except when taught by a faculty member in the Politics Department. 
4. Seminar Requirement: All Politics majors are required to complete one departmental seminar, usually during the junior or senior years, and are strongly urged to complete at least two.
5. Foundational Literacies: As part of completing the Politics major, students must:
   • Fulfill the writing intensive requirement by successfully completing any WI-designated course approved for the major.
   • Fulfill the oral communication requirement by successfully completing any OC-designated course approved for the major. 
   • Fulfill the digital literacy requirement by successfully completing any DL-designated course approved for the major.  No single course may satisfy all three foundational literacies.
6. Honors: Admission to the departmental honors program requires completion of at least five courses in politics, including one departmental seminar, and a cumulative GPA in politics of at least 3.50 by the end of the junior year. Candidates for departmental honors are required to (1) enroll in POL 99d (or POL 99a in the fall and POL 99b in the spring) under the direction of their thesis adviser; (2) participate in the honors colloquium under the direction of the head of the Politics honors program; (3) complete the Politics major; and (4) complete a senior thesis that meets credentials for honors work (consult the department Web site for the full listing of criteria). Students enrolled in POL 99a and 99b or 99d can receive up to two course credits for their completed work, and this will count toward the nine-course requirement.
7. Undergraduates Enrolling in Graduate Courses: With the permission of the instructor, third- and fourth-year Politics majors may enroll in Politics graduate-level courses for credit toward the major.
8. Transfer Credit: With the approval of the departmental undergraduate advising head, transfer students and those taking a year's study abroad may apply up to three semester courses taught elsewhere toward the major. Students who study abroad for one semester may apply to the Study Abroad advisor for credit up to two semester courses. The requirement of six courses taught by department faculty remains in effect in such cases.
9. No course grade below C will be given credit toward meeting the requirement of nine courses for the major. No course taken pass/fail may count toward requirements for the major.

The Department of Politics offers a Master of Arts program for part-time or full-time students. The minimum in-person residence requirement is one academic year of full-time study. Full-time students are expected to complete the required course work in one academic year, and may take no more than an additional two semesters to complete the master's project as an Extended Master's student. Part-time students, with the approval of the department, may take up to four academic years to complete the required course work and the master's project. Students who wish to continue their studies toward the PhD must apply for admission to that program.

Course Requirements

1. Two of the five core graduate field seminars: 
   
   • POL 211a (Political Theory)
   • POL 212a (Research Methods and Methodology)
   • POL 213a (Comparative Politics)
   • POL 214a (International Relations)
   • POL 215a (American Politics)
2. Twelve credits from more specialized offerings:
   • This category includes graduate-level courses in Politics or other departments (special topics courses or field seminars, as appropriate) and upper-level undergraduate courses (seminars and advanced lecture classes) that offer additional work for graduate credit. Statistics courses may be counted toward this requirement. Language courses may not be counted toward this requirement. 
3. POL 301a Directed Readings - a 2 credit course taken in the Fall term in preparation for the master's project.
4. One directed study course taken in the Spring term culminating in a completed master's project:
   • The Master’s project can be an original research paper, a comprehensive literature review (a critique of a subfield of political science), or another type of undertaking that is appropriate for the student's course of study. No presentation or defense of the project is required, and the paper is not a thesis for deposit at ProQuest ETD. 
5. A two-semester sequence of the Departmental Proseminar:
   • The Departmental Proseminar is a credit/no credit course for all graduate students. The Proseminar generally meets biweekly.

Degree of Master of Arts

If the core graduate field seminar in the student's area of specialization is not offered during the academic year of residence, the Director of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the student and their advisor, will designate an alternative course to provide the student an overview of that field.

All courses applied toward the MA requirements in the specialized offerings category must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. Courses taken at other universities may not be transferred for credit toward the MA requirements.

Program of Study

The following degree requirements must be met to successfully complete the PhD:

Residency Requirement

PhD students are required to complete a minimum of three years in residence, in-person.

Course Requirements

PhD students are required to complete a minimum of 48 credits (12 term courses), which consists of core curriculum courses and electives, with grades of B or higher.

1. In the core curriculum, PhD students must take all five core graduate field seminars:
   • POL 211a (Political Theory)
   • POL 212a (Research Methods and Methodology)
   • POL 213a (Comparative Politics)
   • POL 214a (International Relations)
   • POL 215a (American Politics)
2. In the electives category, PhD students must complete a minimum of 28 credits (7 term courses), chosen in consultation with their academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Electives include graduate-level courses in Politics, other departments, or within the Inter-University Consortium (special topics courses or field seminars, as appropriate), as well as upper-level undergraduate courses (seminars and advanced lecture classes) that offer additional work for graduate credit. Statistics courses may be counted toward the elective requirement. Language courses may not be counted toward the elective requirement.
3. PhD students in residence are also required to enroll in the Departmental Proseminar, a credit/no credit course that generally meets biweekly. The Proseminar is in addition to the 48-credit requirement.

PhD students must complete a minimum of 12 credits, plus the Proseminar, in each term of their first two years of study. Additional courses and audits are encouraged, where appropriate, and students are also encouraged to supplement their regular course work with independent reading and scholarship. Graduate-level courses taken at another university prior to matriculation at Brandeis may be credited toward the fulfillment of course requirements.

Teaching Requirement

All PhD students are required to participate in undergraduate teaching during the course of their studies. Every graduate teaching assistant (TA) is supervised by a member of the faculty, who serves as a mentor to improve the quality of the TA's teaching. Please see the GSAS section on Teaching Requirements and the program handbook for more details.

Qualifying Examinations

No later than the beginning of the fifth semester, PhD students must sit for a written and oral examination in their major field for candidacy for the PhD.

Dissertation Proposal

Students who pass the PhD qualifying examinations are expected to complete and present a draft dissertation prospectus at the departmental proseminar by the end of the fifth term in the program. Extension of this deadline requires approval by the department's Graduate Committee.

Research Tools Requirement

By the end of the sixth term in the program, PhD students are required to pass either a language examination (normally administered within the program) designed to test for a reading knowledge of a foreign language sufficient to conduct doctoral dissertation research, or a course approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in statistics, data analysis, or another quantitative method, with a grade of B+ or higher.

Dissertation and Defense

The dissertation will be completed under the supervision of an appropriate member of the department's faculty. The dissertation committee will include the supervisor, at least one other department faculty member, and one reader reader from outside the department (at or outside Brandeis), selected by the supervisor in consultation with the student and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. Dissertation writing is expected to take at least one year at minimum, and, barring exceptional circumstances, not more than three years. The student must successfully defend the dissertation at a formal defense conducted by the dissertation committee. If the student passes the defense, the dissertation must be officially deposited to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences through ProQuest ETD.

Every student, whether or not currently in residence, must register at the beginning of each term. PhD students must complete course work with an average grade of A- or higher in order to maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree. At the end of each academic year, the Graduate Committee will review the performance of each PhD student. The review will include evaluation of each student’s transcript as well as informal faculty assessments. When appropriate, the Director of Graduate Studies will provide a formal letter to the student describing the results of the end of year assessment and offering suggestions for improvement. In addition, the Graduate Committee may meet with the student and discuss that student’s performance and potential avenues for future success.

At the end of a student’s first year in the PhD program, there may be a consultation between the student and two faculty members in the program to evaluate the student’s academic progress and to help plan the student’s subsequent work toward the degree if continuation in the program is approved.

Course Subgroupings

• Introductory Courses (POL 10a through POL 15a)
• Modes of Analysis (POL 50b through 52a)
• American Politics (POL 14b, POL 53b, and POL 101a through POL 125a, AAAS 159a)
• Comparative Politics (POL 11b and POL 127b through POL 156b)
• International Politics (POL 15a and POL 160a through POL 179a)
• Political Theory (POL 10a and POL 182a through POL 192b)
• Seminars for Graduate Students (POL 211a through POL 215a)
• Supervised Study for Graduate Students (POL 302a and above)

POL 10a Introduction to Political Theory
[ ss ]

Open to first-year students.

Examination of classical political texts and modern writings for insights on central problems of political discourse, such as power and authority, human nature, freedom, obligation, justice, and the organization of the state. Usually offered every year.

POL 11b Introduction to Comparative Politics
[ ss ]

Open to first-year students.

Introduces key concepts and questions in comparative politics and seeks to provide students with a grounding in the basic tools of comparative analysis. It applies and evaluates competing theoretical approaches (cultural, institutional, social-structural, and leadership-centered) to explain several important phenomena such as (1) democracy and democratization; (2) revolution; and (3) ethnicity and ethnic conflict. It also explores recent debates about the importance of civil society and political institutions in shaping political outcomes. Cases will be drawn from Africa, Asia, Western Europe, the Americas, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Usually offered every year.

POL 14b Introduction to American Government
[ ss ]

Open to first-year students.

Analysis of American political institutions: Congress, the presidency, Supreme Court, bureaucracy, political parties, pressure groups, and problems of governmental decision making in relation to specific areas of public policy. Usually offered every year.

POL 15a Introduction to International Relations
[ ss ]

Open to first-year students.

General introduction to international politics, emphasizing the essential characteristics of the international system as a basis for understanding how states behave and interact. Analysis of causes of war, conditions of peace, international conflict and cooperation, the purposes and functions of international institutions, and pressing issues in international politics today.

POL 50b Political Science Methods: Research, Design, and Modes of Analysis
[ qr ss ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher. May not be taken for credit by students who took POL 100b in prior years.

An introduction to nonstatistical research methods for analyzing political processes. Moves from selecting problems to composing a focused research question, examining relevant theory, conceptualizing variables, generating hypotheses, research design, research operations, and analysis. Uses examples from comparative, international, and American politics. Usually offered every second year.

POL 51b Data and Politics
[ dl ss ]

Teaches students the basic of research design and covers advanced methodologies related to the intersection of data and politics. The class is a hands-on, workshop style class that directly teaches methodological skills and techniques used in political science. Each of the five modules will conclude with a tools workshop in which students use real data and a realistic policy scenario in order to demonstrate their mastery of the module. This class will help students develop the following core skills: thinking critically about arguments, based on evaluation of evidence; articulating reasoned arguments clearly, both orally and in written form; familiarity with a variety of research methods for understanding politics, including visualization tools, computer content analysis, network analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), and game theory; ability to use the concepts and methods of political science to conduct research and analysis. Usually offered every second year.

POL 52a Basic Statistics for Social and Political Analysis
[ dl qr ss ]

Provides a foundation in statistics focusing on descriptive statistics, inference, hypothesis testing and the basics of regression analysis. Becoming familiar with basic statistics will help you to prepare for a career as a social scientist. Usually offered every year.

POL 53b Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis
[ dl qr ss ]

Examines the most common empirical methods used by policy analysts in the study of public policy. Emphasis on descriptive statistics, regression analysis, research design and data collection, and the substantive components of policy analysis. Students will be introduced to and develop proficiency in the R statistical program/language. Usually offered every year.

POL 89a Political Science Internship
[ oc ]

Students with an internship in politics, policy, or government can register in their last year to earn course credit for the experience. Meets roughly every other week. Short presentations and writing assignments help students reflect on their experiences, plan for the future, and improve professional documents. Emphasis on networking with Brandeis alumni to learn about jobs in the field. Usually offered every semester.

POL 92a Internship and Analysis

POL 93a Research Internship in Political Science

Supervised research experience in a political science laboratory environment, culminating in a research proposal or report. Usually offered every year.

POL 98a Independent Study

Tutorial study on specialized topics, outside the regular curricular offerings of the departments, on interest to students and appropriate politics faculty person. Requires agreement between student and supervising faculty member on the specific topic and syllabus of readings and assignments for the tutorial, including written work required for the course (normally the equivalent of a term research paper). Students may count up to two such courses toward completion of the major. Usually offered every year.

POL 98b Independent Study

Yields half-course credit.

Tutorial study on specialized topics, outside the regular curricular offerings of the departments, on interest to students and appropriate politics faculty person. Requires agreement between student and supervising faculty member on the specific topic and syllabus of readings and assignments for the tutorial, including written work required for the course (normally the equivalent of a term research paper). Students may count up to two such courses toward completion of the major. Usually offered every year.

POL 99a Senior Research: Honors Thesis

Students will work with their thesis supervisor on an individualized and independent research project over the course of the year, and will participate in regular colloquia in the reserved timeslot. Usually offered every year.

POL 99b Senior Research: Honors Thesis

POL 99d Senior Research: Honors Thesis

Students will work with their thesis supervisor on an individualized and independent research project over the course of the year, and will participate in regular colloquia in the reserved timeslot. Usually offered every year.

PHIL/POL 129a Legal Theory and Philosophy

Examines central questions in the philosophy of law (jurisprudence). The first part of the course focuses on analytical jurisprudence, including the nature of law, its relationship to morality, and the role of judges. The second part examines normative jurisprudence, addressing questions about the proper scope of law, the justification of punishment, property rights, and the limits of state authority over private conduct. Usually offered every year.

POL 101a Political Parties and Interest Groups
[ ss ]

Examines the role and organization of political parties and interest groups in the American political system. Emphasis on developments with regard to the democracy-enhancing and democracy-subverting aspects of both organizations, particularly in a highly polarized environment. Usually offered every year.

POL 105a Elections in America
[ ss ]

Examines modern campaigns and elections to the United States presidency and Congress. Topics include the role of elections in democracy; electoral institutions and their impact on outcomes; recent presidential and congressional elections; voter participation and vote choice; the impact of money on campaigns; the role of the mass media; and reform proposals to address deficiencies in American electoral democracy. Usually offered every year.

POL 108a Seminar: The Police and Social Movements in American Politics
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Analyses American mass political movements, their interaction with police, and their influences on American politics. Topics include the relationship between social movements and various political institutions. Explore various theories with case studies of specific political movements. Usually offered every third year.

POL 109b Seminar: The Political Organization of White Supremacy in the U.S.: Causes, Forms, and Responses
[ deis-us ss ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above, or the permission of the instructor.

Political organizations representing white supremacy – conceptualized here as groups, movements, and institutions pursuing anti-Black racist political outcomes - have powerfully structured, and continue to influence, American political development. This course will survey the social science and historical literatures for crucial cases and useful theories which explain the causes and consequences of these organizations and broader institutions, e.g. the KKK, and the Jim Crow South more generally, but also very current examples like the Alt-Right and the Patriot Front. Usually offered every second year.

POL 111a The American Congress
[ oc ss ]

The structure and behavior of the Congress. Emphasis on the way member incentives for reelection, power on Capitol Hill, and good public policy shape Congress. Usually offered every second year.

POL 113b Seminar: The New Politics of Presidential Power
[ ss ]

The Trump administration has embarked on an ambitious initiative to significantly increase the formal and informal power of the American presidency. This course will examine the emerging literature on the ongoing reconstruction of this branch of government, with an emphasis on enforcement policies (e.g., criminal justice and immigration) and soft power techniques (e.g., persuasion and coercion through legal and cultural interventions), as well as Supreme Court rulings that affirm or constrain some of these practices. We will consider the theoretical, constitutional, and historical origins of this branch of government, and the more orthodox "modern" presidency of the 20th and 21st centuries to distinguish what are genuinely new and what are enhanced strategies and tactics. Usually offered every year.

POL 116b Civil Liberties and Constitutional Interpretation
[ deis-us ss ]

May not be taken for credit by students who successfully completed LGLS 116b previously.

The history, politics, and theory of civil liberties and civil rights in the United States, with emphasis on the role of constitutional interpretation. Focus on speech, religion, affirmative action, policing, and prisoner rights. Readings from Supreme Court cases and legal/political philosophers. Usually offered every year.

POL 119a Seminar: Red States, Blue States: Understanding Contemporary American Voters and Parties
[ dl ss ]

What are the root causes of contemporary partisan polarization and how do we explain the observed differentiation in partisan leanings across red and blue states?  In this seminar, students will pursue guided, independent research on voter and party behavior. Because of the focus on primary research, students are encouraged, although not required, to have taken POL 52A (or an equivalent) prior to enrolling in POL 119. Usually offered every year.

POL 120b Seminar: The Politics of Policymaking
[ ss ]

Examines the connection between politics and policymaking to identify the political determinants of public policy. Emphasis on the ways that American institutions, long-term political trends, and political actors interact to influence policy outcomes. Case studies across a wide range of policy areas (such as health care, tax policy, immigration, and abortion policy) used to illuminate key themes. Usually offered every year.

POL 123a Seminar: Political Psychology
[ dl ss wi ]

Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

Explores public opinion, political socialization, and political behavior through the lens of psychology. Applying psychological theory to traditional topics in political science is emphasized. Usually offered every year.

POL 128a The Politics of Revolution: State Violence and Popular Insurgency in the Third World
[ nw ss ]

Introduction to twentieth-century revolutionary movements in the Third World, focusing on the emergence of peasant-based resistance and revolution in the world beyond the West, and on the role of state violence in provoking popular involvement in protest, rebellion, and insurgency. Usually offered every year.

POL 129b Internet and Politics
[ dl ss ]

Prerequisite: POL 10a, POL 11b, POL 14b, or POL 15a.

Explores the effects of the Internet on politics and society. Covers issues of Internet governance and institutions, the rise of the global network economy, and the effects of the Internet on social identity. Contemporaneous events and issues such as the digital revolutions, the digital divide, fake news, and coordinated disinformation campaigns are also covered in detail. Usually offered every year.

POL 133a Contemporary Politics in the Middle East
[ nw ss ]

Introduces the politics of the region through the study of regimes in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, and Israel. Themes include the political legacy of colonialism, the challenge of ethnic pluralism, the rise of political Islam, the politics of gender, the role of the military in politics, the dynamics of regime survival, the persistence of authoritarianism and the prospects for democratization, and the implications of the Arab spring for the future of the region. Usually offered every third year.

POL 133b Politics of Russia and the Post Communist World
[ ss wi ]

Overview of the politics of Russia and the former Soviet world. Topics include the fall and legacy of communism, trends of democracy and dictatorship, European integration, resurgent nationalism, social and economic patterns throughout the former Soviet Bloc, and Putin's rise and influence both within Russia and abroad. Usually offered every year.

POL 134b Seminar: The Global Migration Crisis
[ djw ss wi ]

Looks at immigration from the perspectives of policy-makers, migrants, and the groups affected by immigration in sender nations as well as destination countries. Introduces students to the history of migration policy, core concepts and facts about migration in the West, and to the theories and disagreements among immigrant scholars. Usually offered every second year.

POL 137b Seminar: Psychology of Political Violence
[ dl ss ]

Why do people become terrorists? Social scientists argue that organizations use terrorism because it is a rational means for obtaining their objectives. But why do individuals sacrifice themselves for a cause? Drawing on behavioral economics and criminal psychology in addition to political sociology, the course will review new approaches to the study of extreme political violence. Usually offered every year.

POL 139a Seminar: The Radical Right: From Ballots to Bullets
[ deis-us oc ss wi ]

Radical right and far-right are umbrella terms used to refer to political parties and militant subcultures that differentiate themselves from mainstream conservatism. Students will be introduced to case studies of far-right groups and parties in Western Europe and the United States. We will discuss their ideologies and tactics, the different subcultures and the legal restraints that countries have used to control extremist groups linked to violence. Students will also learn about political science theories about the causes of far-right extremism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 141a Seminar: Elections and Electoral Systems in Comparative Perspective
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Introduces students to the scientific study of elections and electoral systems from a comparative standpoint. Students will be exposed to social scientific literature on elections, analyze these processes from a comparative perspective, and learn how to use digital tools, such as ArcGIS and online mapping software (GIS) to analyze electoral processes. Usually offered every year.

POL 144a Latin American Politics
[ djw nw ss wi ]

Examines the development and deepening of democracy in Latin America, focusing on the role of political institutions, economic development, the military, and U.S.-Latin American relations. Usually offered every year.

POL 148b Seminar: Dynamics of Dictatorship: Authoritarian Politics in the 20th and 21st Centuries
[ oc ss ]

Prerequisite: POL 11b.

Despite the world-wide advance of democratization over the past half century, authoritarian regimes continue to govern the vast majority of humanity around the world. Dynamics of Dictatorship aims to provide an analytic grounding in the logic and dynamics of authoritarian politics. What are the different flavors of authoritarian rule? How do authoritarian regimes sustain their control over society? Why do most people obey? How and when do people resist? Has technological advance enhanced the power of authoritarian regimes? What role do international forces play in authoritarian regime survival? When do authoritarian regimes collapse? This course will explore leading theoretical research on authoritarian politics and it will ground that theory in historical and contemporary cases of authoritarian rule found in Russia, Germany, Venezuela, Chile, China, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Zaire, Zimbabwe, and beyond. Usually offered every second year.

POL 156b European Politics
[ ss ]

The comparative politics of Western Europe. Focuses on the development of political parties and social movements in Britain, France, and Germany--particularly since 1945--to determine how they affect policies and the citizenry's participation in modern democracies. Usually offered every third year.

POL 160a The War on Global Terrorism
[ dl ss ]

Intended for juniors and seniors, but open to all students.

Explores how the 9/11 attacks changed the lives of Americans. Surveys the build-up of Al Qaeda leading up to the 9/11 attacks, discusses why the attacks were not prevented, and outlines the reorganization of the American state in the wake of the passage of the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 and subsequent amendments. Students are additionally given an introduction to Jihadist doctrines and the tactics of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS), as well as various theories about the root causes of terrorism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 161b Good Neighbor or Imperial Power: The Contested Evolution of US-Latin American Relations
[ djw oc ss wi ]

Studies the ambivalent and complex relationship between the U.S. and Latin America, focusing on how the exploitative dimension of this relationship has shaped societies across the region, and on how Latin American development can be beneficial for the U.S. Usually offered every year.

POL 162a Seminar: The Gaza War: Its Causes and Consequences
[ ss ]

Addresses a uniquely important and timely topic: What caused and what were the consequences of the Gaza War that began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel? What characterized the attack and Israel’s response and its ramifications? The class will examine Israeli, Arab, and other experts’ writings about these topics. It will ascertain the historical background to these events, from the 1993 Oslo Accords to the rise of Hamas and the subsequent Israel-Hamas mini-wars of 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021. It will explore the international and regional environments that led to the October 7, 2023 attack as well as the regional dimensions of the subsequent Gaza War, such as the role of Iran, the Hezbollah-Israel violence, and the participation of other members of the “axis of resistance” such as Yemen’s Houthis and the pro-Iran militias in Iraq. The class will also ascertain the Israeli and Palestinian domestic scenes and their impact before and after the eruption of the war. Finally, the class will explore the possible long-term ramifications of the war, including the possibility that it would lead to new efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Usually offered every second year.

POL 163a Seminar: The United Nations and the United States
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

Investigates the United Nations organization and charter, with an emphasis on the integral role of the United States in its founding and operation. Using archival documents and other materials, explores topics such as UN enforcement actions, the Security Council veto, human rights, and the domestic politics of US commitments to the UN. Usually offered every year.

POL 164a Seminar: Arabs and Israelis: Conflict and Peacemaking
[ ss wi ]

Spans the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, from the origins of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism in the late 19th century to the Hamas-Israel war that began on October 7, 2023. Uniquely co-taught by two scholars, one Palestinian and one Israeli, the class exposes students to competing perspectives about the conflict and provides a toolbox for explaining its causes and consequences. As the class is conducted seminar-style, student participation is expected and encouraged. Usually offered every year.

POL 165a Seminar: Dilemmas of Security Cooperation
[ dl ss wi ]

States regularly cooperate in the security domain. They can choose to band together in alliances, rely on stronger states for defense, or improve weaker actors' capacity to fight or defend themselves by providing arms and training. Security cooperation is a major feature of international relations, with powerful actors like the United States spending billions each year on efforts to arm, equip, and train partner militaries around the world. But security cooperation contains many dilemmas where states face difficult choices between alternatives without clear answers. Efforts to increase security can lead to unintended consequences, both for states and for the people who live in them. This course explores different dilemmas across a range of topics, considering both the causes and consequences of security cooperation. Topics include alliances, proxy warfare, arms transfers and military aid, peacekeeping, and security outcomes ranging from combat effectiveness to political violence and human rights. Usually offered every third year.

POL 166a Japan's Grand Strategy
[ oc ss ]

An overview of modern and contemporary Japanese foreign policy and the strategy behind its engagement with the world. Surveys Japan’s foreign policies toward key countries and regions and covers topics such as security alliances, nationalism, economic interdependence, and international organizations. Usually offered every year.

POL 167b Russian Foreign Policy
[ oc ss wi ]

Surveys Russian foreign policy in the contemporary world, with particular attention paid to the deep historical context for its attitudes and goals in international relations. Topics include relations with the larger post-communist region, the Muslim world, its ongoing antagonistic relations with America and the West, the rise of disinformation warfare on the internet, in addition to the distinct Russian perspective on geopolitics. Usually offered every year.

POL 168b American Foreign Policy
[ ss ]

Overview of America's foreign policy since 1945. Topics include the Cold War era, the economic competitiveness of the United States, the role of the United States in selected world regions, the role of human rights in U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. participation in the United Nations, post-Cold War foreign policy, and the making and implementing of foreign policy. Usually offered every year.

POL 169b Seminar: Alliance Politics
[ oc ss wi ]

Explores the evolution, design, and operation of interstate security alliances—their history, institutional purposes, and strategic functions—while providing students with tools to analyze the gap between theory and practice in alliance behavior across different times and regions. Students will engage with major theories of alliance politics and apply these frameworks to evaluate contemporary security arrangements and partnerships. Case studies include both historical and present-day examples: World War I and World War II coalitions, the Sino-Soviet alliance, NATO, U.S. alliances in Asia, America’s “special relationships” with the United Kingdom and Israel, Indo-Pacific minilateral frameworks such as the Quad and AUKUS, and China’s growing network of “strategic partnerships.” In addition to guided discussion, students will conduct independent research on an alliance of their choice, sharpening their analytical skills and deepening their understanding of the policy dilemmas facing the United States, its allies and partners, and their strategic rivals. The course concludes with forward-looking debates on how alliances may evolve in the wake of the War in Ukraine and intensifying U.S.–China competition. Usually offered every year.

POL 170a Seminar: Nuclear Weapons and International Security
[ ss ]

Examines the role of nuclear weapons in international relations from World War II to the present.   We will cover the technology of nuclear weapons, the development of nuclear strategy and doctrine, arms control and nonproliferation efforts, and the spread of nuclear weapons beyond the Western powers (the U.S., Russia, United Kingdom and France) to the Middle East and Asia, including China, India, Israel, Pakistan, and North Korea.  Usually offered every year. 

POL 173a Seminar: U.S. Foreign Economic Policy
[ oc ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above.

Addresses the politics of  foreign economic policy in the United States, with special attention to the political institutions and domestic actors involved in formulating policies toward trade, the dollar, and foreign aid. Usually offered every second year.

POL 177b Seminar: National Security Strategy: The Case of Israel
[ ss ]

Examines key concepts in national security studies and illustrates their relevance and explanatory power by applying them to Israel's pursuit of national security. Evaluates the extent to which Israel's strategy is typical of small states attempting to withstand numerically superior neighbors. Usually offered every second year.

POL 184a Seminar: Global Justice
[ djw ss wi ]

Prerequisites: One course in Political Theory or Moral, Social and Political Philosophy.

Explores the development of the topic of global justice and its contents. Issues to be covered include international distributive justice, duties owed to the global poor, humanitarian intervention, the ethics of climate change, and immigration. Usually offered every second year.

POL 186b Classical Political Thought
[ hum ss ]

Major ancient political philosophers and the meaning and implications of their work for contemporary political issues. Usually offered every third year.

POL 187b Conservative Political Thought
[ ss ]

Focuses on American and European thinkers, with an emphasis on critics of equality and unlimited commercial and civil liberty. Readings include political philosophy and literature. Authors may include Burke, Oakeshott, Calhoun, Conrad, Hayek, Macintyre, and Strauss. Usually offered every second year.

POL 189a Marx, Nietzsche, and Twentieth-Century Radicalism
[ ss ]

Comparison of two powerful and influential critiques of modern politics and society. Explanation of Marx's work, both for its own insights and as a model for radical theorists; and of Nietzsche's work as an alternative conception of radical social criticism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 190b Seminar: Democratic Theory
[ ss ]

Explores in depth the nature, virtues, and limitations of democracy as a way of organizing political affairs. Brings together classic texts, for example, Rousseau's Social Contract, with more recent topical readings on topics like democracy and nationalism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 192b Seminar: Topics in Law and Political Theory
[ ss ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher. May be repeated for credit if different topic.

Interplay among law, morality, and political theory. Specific topics vary from year to year. Usually offered every year.

POL/WGS 125a Gender in American Politics
[ deis-us ss ]

May not be taken for credit by students who took POL 125a in prior years.

Provides an overview of the many ways that gender and sex shape American politics. While the primary focus of this course is on women's roles in the American political system as activists, citizens, candidates, and elected officials, we also think more expansively about how gender, gender identity, and gender-expression interact with politics, policy, and political behavior. Covers historical context and contemporary developments in women's political activity. Usually offered every second year.

POL 211a Graduate Seminar: Political Theory

Core course in political theory, required of all Politics Ph.D. students.

Explores a few themes, such as justice, freedom, and community, by means of careful reading of a selection of classical and contemporary texts. Usually offered every second year.

POL 212a Graduate Seminar: Research Methods and Methodology

Familiarizes students with the major research techniques of a qualitative nature for political science and addresses central issues in the logic of inquiry in social science. Issues and techniques include the case study method, the comparative method, counterfactual, and research design. Usually offered every second year.

POL 213a Graduate Seminar: Comparative Political Institutions and Public Policy

Studies the ideas and institutions of representative democracy from a comparative perspective. Topics include parties and party systems, variations in constitutional government from presidentialism to parliamentarianism, the process and prerequisites of democratization, and the comparative politics of the welfare state. Usually offered every second year.

POL 214a Graduate Seminar: International Relations

Examines the international relations of national political systems. Topics include the impact of evolving international institutions and norms on the course of world politics; the effects of security, economic, and environmental factors; and the interaction between domestic politics and foreign policy. Special attention is given to American foreign policy and the changing place of the United States in world politics. Usually offered every second year.

POL 215a Graduate Seminar in American Politics

Examines the creation and evolution of national institutions in the United States from an American Political Development scholarly lens, or focuses on understanding the political attitudes and action of individuals, groups, and publics from a Political Behavior lens. Usually offered every second year.

POL 298a Independent Study

POL 298b Independent Study

Full semester independent study. Yields half-course credit.  Usually offered every year.

POL 302a Readings in Politics

Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.

Offered every year.

POL 302b Readings in Politics

Usually offered every year.

POL 340d Proseminar

2-credit seminar required of all PhD and MA students.

Year-long course that meets biweekly. Focuses on professional development, including teaching competency. Offered every year.

POL 349a Directed Study

Usually offered every year.

POL 400d Dissertation Research

Independent research for the PhD degree. Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.

AAAS 112a Survey Design and Analysis
[ dl qr ss ]

In this skills-based “workshop” course, students will conduct original survey research through an investigation of race, public opinion, and politics. We will learn about survey design, explore different modes of interviewing and alternatives to surveys, and analyze questions on the Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey, one of the largest available datasets of public opinion across multiple racial, ethnic, religious, class, and gender groups. The class culminates in a symposium where students present their findings and write an op-ed based on their research. Usually offered every second year.

AAAS 138a Africa and the World: Recentering Africa in Global History and Politics
[ dl oc ss ]

A wide-ranging survey of transnational history to the present, linked throughout by the thread of African connections to the global. The course is a nuanced and specific interrogation of African presence, influence, agency, and impact on aspects of the past, present, and future of the world as we know it, from human origins to slavery, the World Wars, globalization, feminism, environmentalism, global popular cultures, Afropolitanism, and global social justice campaigns such as #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter. Usually offered every year.

ANTH 156a Power and Violence: The Anthropology of Political Systems
[ deis-us dl nw ss ]

Political orders are established and maintained by varying combinations of overt violence and the more subtle workings of ideas. The course examines the relationship of coercion and consensus, and forms of resistance, in historical and contemporary settings. Usually offered every second year.

POL 51b Data and Politics
[ dl ss ]

Teaches students the basic of research design and covers advanced methodologies related to the intersection of data and politics. The class is a hands-on, workshop style class that directly teaches methodological skills and techniques used in political science. Each of the five modules will conclude with a tools workshop in which students use real data and a realistic policy scenario in order to demonstrate their mastery of the module. This class will help students develop the following core skills: thinking critically about arguments, based on evaluation of evidence; articulating reasoned arguments clearly, both orally and in written form; familiarity with a variety of research methods for understanding politics, including visualization tools, computer content analysis, network analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), and game theory; ability to use the concepts and methods of political science to conduct research and analysis. Usually offered every second year.

POL 52a Basic Statistics for Social and Political Analysis
[ dl qr ss ]

Provides a foundation in statistics focusing on descriptive statistics, inference, hypothesis testing and the basics of regression analysis. Becoming familiar with basic statistics will help you to prepare for a career as a social scientist. Usually offered every year.

POL 53b Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis
[ dl qr ss ]

Examines the most common empirical methods used by policy analysts in the study of public policy. Emphasis on descriptive statistics, regression analysis, research design and data collection, and the substantive components of policy analysis. Students will be introduced to and develop proficiency in the R statistical program/language. Usually offered every year.

POL 119a Seminar: Red States, Blue States: Understanding Contemporary American Voters and Parties
[ dl ss ]

What are the root causes of contemporary partisan polarization and how do we explain the observed differentiation in partisan leanings across red and blue states?  In this seminar, students will pursue guided, independent research on voter and party behavior. Because of the focus on primary research, students are encouraged, although not required, to have taken POL 52A (or an equivalent) prior to enrolling in POL 119. Usually offered every year.

POL 123a Seminar: Political Psychology
[ dl ss wi ]

Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

Explores public opinion, political socialization, and political behavior through the lens of psychology. Applying psychological theory to traditional topics in political science is emphasized. Usually offered every year.

POL 129b Internet and Politics
[ dl ss ]

Prerequisite: POL 10a, POL 11b, POL 14b, or POL 15a.

Explores the effects of the Internet on politics and society. Covers issues of Internet governance and institutions, the rise of the global network economy, and the effects of the Internet on social identity. Contemporaneous events and issues such as the digital revolutions, the digital divide, fake news, and coordinated disinformation campaigns are also covered in detail. Usually offered every year.

POL 137b Seminar: Psychology of Political Violence
[ dl ss ]

Why do people become terrorists? Social scientists argue that organizations use terrorism because it is a rational means for obtaining their objectives. But why do individuals sacrifice themselves for a cause? Drawing on behavioral economics and criminal psychology in addition to political sociology, the course will review new approaches to the study of extreme political violence. Usually offered every year.

POL 141a Seminar: Elections and Electoral Systems in Comparative Perspective
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Introduces students to the scientific study of elections and electoral systems from a comparative standpoint. Students will be exposed to social scientific literature on elections, analyze these processes from a comparative perspective, and learn how to use digital tools, such as ArcGIS and online mapping software (GIS) to analyze electoral processes. Usually offered every year.

POL 160a The War on Global Terrorism
[ dl ss ]

Intended for juniors and seniors, but open to all students.

Explores how the 9/11 attacks changed the lives of Americans. Surveys the build-up of Al Qaeda leading up to the 9/11 attacks, discusses why the attacks were not prevented, and outlines the reorganization of the American state in the wake of the passage of the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 and subsequent amendments. Students are additionally given an introduction to Jihadist doctrines and the tactics of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS), as well as various theories about the root causes of terrorism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 163a Seminar: The United Nations and the United States
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

Investigates the United Nations organization and charter, with an emphasis on the integral role of the United States in its founding and operation. Using archival documents and other materials, explores topics such as UN enforcement actions, the Security Council veto, human rights, and the domestic politics of US commitments to the UN. Usually offered every year.

POL 165a Seminar: Dilemmas of Security Cooperation
[ dl ss wi ]

States regularly cooperate in the security domain. They can choose to band together in alliances, rely on stronger states for defense, or improve weaker actors' capacity to fight or defend themselves by providing arms and training. Security cooperation is a major feature of international relations, with powerful actors like the United States spending billions each year on efforts to arm, equip, and train partner militaries around the world. But security cooperation contains many dilemmas where states face difficult choices between alternatives without clear answers. Efforts to increase security can lead to unintended consequences, both for states and for the people who live in them. This course explores different dilemmas across a range of topics, considering both the causes and consequences of security cooperation. Topics include alliances, proxy warfare, arms transfers and military aid, peacekeeping, and security outcomes ranging from combat effectiveness to political violence and human rights. Usually offered every third year.

AAAS 138a Africa and the World: Recentering Africa in Global History and Politics
[ dl oc ss ]

A wide-ranging survey of transnational history to the present, linked throughout by the thread of African connections to the global. The course is a nuanced and specific interrogation of African presence, influence, agency, and impact on aspects of the past, present, and future of the world as we know it, from human origins to slavery, the World Wars, globalization, feminism, environmentalism, global popular cultures, Afropolitanism, and global social justice campaigns such as #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter. Usually offered every year.

AAAS/IGS 112a The United Nations and Global Peace and Security
[ djw oc ss ]

A comprehensive, critical, and inclusive analysis of the work of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. We analyze the global power structures that have made and unmade the United Nations and its peace efforts, redefine the “global” to account for states, movements, and people who are deemed less important, and explore critical perspectives on "peace" and "security." While engaging the timeless and contemporary debates on the functions, relevance, influence, and future of the UN, this course concurrently focuses learners on competing universalisms in the global order, critiques of hegemonic power, the tensions between humanism and sovereignty, mere government and global governance, and the interstices and intersections of politics, culture, economy, and social order. Topics cover UN history, intellectual contributions to conceptualizing peace and security, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, responsibility to protect, transitional justice, women, peace and security, regional partnerships, contemporary problems, and reform of the UN. Usually offered every year.

FREN 111a The Republic
[ fl hum oc ]

Prerequisite: FREN 105a or FREN 106b or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

The "Republic" analyzes how the republican ideal of the citizen devoid of religious, ethnic, or gender identity has fared in different Francophone political milieux. Course involves understanding how political institutions such as constitutions, parliaments, and court systems interact with reality of modern societies in which religious, ethnic, and gender identities play important roles. Usually offered every year.

HIST 126a Early Modern Europe (1500-1700)
[ oc ss ]

Survey of politics, ideas, and society in Western Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Focuses on the changing relationship between the emerging modern state and its subjects. Topics include the development of ideologies of resistance and conformity, regional loyalties and the problems of empire, changing technologies of war and repression, and the social foundations of order and disorder. Usually offered every third year.

HIST/JOUR 163a The Road to September 11th and Beyond: History and Media
[ djw oc ss ]

The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center ushered in two U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and drained the U.S. Treasury of at least $8 trillion. 9/11 radically changed the dynamics between the U.S. and the Middle East, along with those between the press and military and government officials. Co-taught by a historian of modern Middle East and a journalist who extensively covered these events, this course aims to give students a fresh lens for examining the history and the aftermath of this crucial event from both a Middle Eastern and American perspective. Usually offered every second year.

LGLS 161b Advocacy for Policy Change
[ oc ss wi ]

This hands-on course invites students to address concrete social problems through public policy reform. It provides background in theories, advocacy skills, networks, and key players that drive the legislative process. Focusing on policy change at the statehouse level, students engage with elected officials and community organizations to advance key legislation affecting social welfare, health, education, and economic justice. This course is supported by ENACT, the Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation. Usually offered every year.

POL 89a Political Science Internship
[ oc ]

Students with an internship in politics, policy, or government can register in their last year to earn course credit for the experience. Meets roughly every other week. Short presentations and writing assignments help students reflect on their experiences, plan for the future, and improve professional documents. Emphasis on networking with Brandeis alumni to learn about jobs in the field. Usually offered every semester.

POL 111a The American Congress
[ oc ss ]

The structure and behavior of the Congress. Emphasis on the way member incentives for reelection, power on Capitol Hill, and good public policy shape Congress. Usually offered every second year.

POL 139a Seminar: The Radical Right: From Ballots to Bullets
[ deis-us oc ss wi ]

Radical right and far-right are umbrella terms used to refer to political parties and militant subcultures that differentiate themselves from mainstream conservatism. Students will be introduced to case studies of far-right groups and parties in Western Europe and the United States. We will discuss their ideologies and tactics, the different subcultures and the legal restraints that countries have used to control extremist groups linked to violence. Students will also learn about political science theories about the causes of far-right extremism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 148b Seminar: Dynamics of Dictatorship: Authoritarian Politics in the 20th and 21st Centuries
[ oc ss ]

Prerequisite: POL 11b.

Despite the world-wide advance of democratization over the past half century, authoritarian regimes continue to govern the vast majority of humanity around the world. Dynamics of Dictatorship aims to provide an analytic grounding in the logic and dynamics of authoritarian politics. What are the different flavors of authoritarian rule? How do authoritarian regimes sustain their control over society? Why do most people obey? How and when do people resist? Has technological advance enhanced the power of authoritarian regimes? What role do international forces play in authoritarian regime survival? When do authoritarian regimes collapse? This course will explore leading theoretical research on authoritarian politics and it will ground that theory in historical and contemporary cases of authoritarian rule found in Russia, Germany, Venezuela, Chile, China, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Zaire, Zimbabwe, and beyond. Usually offered every second year.

POL 161b Good Neighbor or Imperial Power: The Contested Evolution of US-Latin American Relations
[ djw oc ss wi ]

Studies the ambivalent and complex relationship between the U.S. and Latin America, focusing on how the exploitative dimension of this relationship has shaped societies across the region, and on how Latin American development can be beneficial for the U.S. Usually offered every year.

POL 166a Japan's Grand Strategy
[ oc ss ]

An overview of modern and contemporary Japanese foreign policy and the strategy behind its engagement with the world. Surveys Japan’s foreign policies toward key countries and regions and covers topics such as security alliances, nationalism, economic interdependence, and international organizations. Usually offered every year.

POL 167b Russian Foreign Policy
[ oc ss wi ]

Surveys Russian foreign policy in the contemporary world, with particular attention paid to the deep historical context for its attitudes and goals in international relations. Topics include relations with the larger post-communist region, the Muslim world, its ongoing antagonistic relations with America and the West, the rise of disinformation warfare on the internet, in addition to the distinct Russian perspective on geopolitics. Usually offered every year.

POL 169b Seminar: Alliance Politics
[ oc ss wi ]

Explores the evolution, design, and operation of interstate security alliances—their history, institutional purposes, and strategic functions—while providing students with tools to analyze the gap between theory and practice in alliance behavior across different times and regions. Students will engage with major theories of alliance politics and apply these frameworks to evaluate contemporary security arrangements and partnerships. Case studies include both historical and present-day examples: World War I and World War II coalitions, the Sino-Soviet alliance, NATO, U.S. alliances in Asia, America’s “special relationships” with the United Kingdom and Israel, Indo-Pacific minilateral frameworks such as the Quad and AUKUS, and China’s growing network of “strategic partnerships.” In addition to guided discussion, students will conduct independent research on an alliance of their choice, sharpening their analytical skills and deepening their understanding of the policy dilemmas facing the United States, its allies and partners, and their strategic rivals. The course concludes with forward-looking debates on how alliances may evolve in the wake of the War in Ukraine and intensifying U.S.–China competition. Usually offered every year.

POL 173a Seminar: U.S. Foreign Economic Policy
[ oc ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above.

Addresses the politics of  foreign economic policy in the United States, with special attention to the political institutions and domestic actors involved in formulating policies toward trade, the dollar, and foreign aid. Usually offered every second year.

POL 190b Seminar: Democratic Theory
[ ss ]

Explores in depth the nature, virtues, and limitations of democracy as a way of organizing political affairs. Brings together classic texts, for example, Rousseau's Social Contract, with more recent topical readings on topics like democracy and nationalism. Usually offered every second year.

AAAS 157a African American Political Thought
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Examines the ideological and intellectual traditions that have influenced African American politics. Addresses the question of what are the best strategies for black Americans to pursue freedom and opportunity in the United States. Usually offered every second year.

AAAS 159a Identity Politics in the United States
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Examines the politics of identity in the United States. It brings together several disciplines: history, political science, sociology, psychology, and others. It spans several groups and social movements in order to equip students with the skills to understand identity group politics through historical contexts, theoretical underpinnings, and current manifestations. The course is organized around a central question: what is the relationship between democracy and identity politics in the United States? In addressing this question, the course will explore the complexities of intergroup relations across race, ethnicity, class, and gender, and examine when, why, and how policy and politics respond to group interests. Usually offered every year.

ENVS 112b Governing the Environmental Commons
[ deis-us djw ss wi ]

Introduction to the environmental commons—the environmental resources shared among local communities or globally. Analyzes the motivations for citizen mobilization and collective action to reclaim the commons. Debates the policies and programs for sustainable management of the commons, including atmospheric commons at the center of climate action. Usually offered every year.

HIST 175b Resistance and Revolution in Latin America and the Caribbean
[ djw nw ss wi ]

Focuses on questions of race, gender and modernity in resistance movements and revolutions in Latin American and Caribbean history. The Haitian Revolution, Tupac Amaru Rebellion, and Vaccination Riots in Brazil are some topics that will be covered. Usually offered every second year.

IGS 138a China in the World
[ djw ss wi ]

This course examines China's role on the world stage. Looking at the history of China's interaction with the world, both at home and abroad, we will examine how China has affected, and been affected by, other societies and cultures. Usually offered every second year.

IGS 140a Styles of Globalization
[ ss wi ]

Why do some countries benefit from globalization while others lag behind? How do different nations balance issues such as free trade, foreign investment, and workers' rights? This course considers the real-world choices behind success and failure in the global economy. Usually offered every second year.

JOUR 107b Media and Public Policy
[ ss wi ]

Examines the intersection of the media and politics, the ways in which each influences the other, and the consequences of that intersection for a democracy. Through analytic texts, handouts, and contemporaneous newspaper and magazine articles, explores the relationship between policy decisions and public discourse. Usually offered every second year.

LGLS 118a Gender, Justice, and Legislation
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Gender equity can be defined as equal access to resources and opportunities for any and all genders. A society’s laws generally reflect the level of its active commitment to gender equity and justice. We will explore both legislation and the implementation of legislation that impacts historically and presently marginalized gender identities. The course utilizes an intersectional lens to explore the experiences of marginalized gender identities, as we know systems of oppression intertwine to inform the unique lived experiences of different individuals and groups. Emphasizing these themes specifically through an exploration of menstrual equity, we'll examine both the role of legislation itself as well as the advocacy and research that accompany policy.

Students will engage in on and off campus advocacy activities as well as experiences to cultivate their research skills (conducting interviews, focus groups, etc.). Students will have an opportunity to meet with legislators, coalition members, and community stakeholders, leveraging experiential learning to achieve the course learning objectives. This course is part of the ENACT network. Note: This course places consistent attention on women, gender. and/or sexuality throughout the class. There is also close attention paid to feminist theory throughout the class and intersectional ways of viewing gender are utilized as analytic frames. Usually offered every year.

LGLS 161b Advocacy for Policy Change
[ oc ss wi ]

This hands-on course invites students to address concrete social problems through public policy reform. It provides background in theories, advocacy skills, networks, and key players that drive the legislative process. Focusing on policy change at the statehouse level, students engage with elected officials and community organizations to advance key legislation affecting social welfare, health, education, and economic justice. This course is supported by ENACT, the Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation. Usually offered every year.

PHIL 112a Social Contract Theory and its Critics
[ hum wi ]

Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or political theory. 
 

Explores a variety of normative arguments for and against the legitimacy of the state that have been put forward by key figures in the history of western political philosophy; e.g. Hobbes, Kant, Rousseau, Hume, and Dewey. Usually offered every second year.

POL 99b Senior Research: Honors Thesis

POL 108a Seminar: The Police and Social Movements in American Politics
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Analyses American mass political movements, their interaction with police, and their influences on American politics. Topics include the relationship between social movements and various political institutions. Explore various theories with case studies of specific political movements. Usually offered every third year.

POL 123a Seminar: Political Psychology
[ dl ss wi ]

Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

Explores public opinion, political socialization, and political behavior through the lens of psychology. Applying psychological theory to traditional topics in political science is emphasized. Usually offered every year.

POL 133b Politics of Russia and the Post Communist World
[ ss wi ]

Overview of the politics of Russia and the former Soviet world. Topics include the fall and legacy of communism, trends of democracy and dictatorship, European integration, resurgent nationalism, social and economic patterns throughout the former Soviet Bloc, and Putin's rise and influence both within Russia and abroad. Usually offered every year.

POL 134b Seminar: The Global Migration Crisis
[ djw ss wi ]

Looks at immigration from the perspectives of policy-makers, migrants, and the groups affected by immigration in sender nations as well as destination countries. Introduces students to the history of migration policy, core concepts and facts about migration in the West, and to the theories and disagreements among immigrant scholars. Usually offered every second year.

POL 139a Seminar: The Radical Right: From Ballots to Bullets
[ deis-us oc ss wi ]

Radical right and far-right are umbrella terms used to refer to political parties and militant subcultures that differentiate themselves from mainstream conservatism. Students will be introduced to case studies of far-right groups and parties in Western Europe and the United States. We will discuss their ideologies and tactics, the different subcultures and the legal restraints that countries have used to control extremist groups linked to violence. Students will also learn about political science theories about the causes of far-right extremism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 141a Seminar: Elections and Electoral Systems in Comparative Perspective
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Introduces students to the scientific study of elections and electoral systems from a comparative standpoint. Students will be exposed to social scientific literature on elections, analyze these processes from a comparative perspective, and learn how to use digital tools, such as ArcGIS and online mapping software (GIS) to analyze electoral processes. Usually offered every year.

POL 144a Latin American Politics
[ djw nw ss wi ]

Examines the development and deepening of democracy in Latin America, focusing on the role of political institutions, economic development, the military, and U.S.-Latin American relations. Usually offered every year.

POL 161b Good Neighbor or Imperial Power: The Contested Evolution of US-Latin American Relations
[ djw oc ss wi ]

Studies the ambivalent and complex relationship between the U.S. and Latin America, focusing on how the exploitative dimension of this relationship has shaped societies across the region, and on how Latin American development can be beneficial for the U.S. Usually offered every year.

POL 163a Seminar: The United Nations and the United States
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

Investigates the United Nations organization and charter, with an emphasis on the integral role of the United States in its founding and operation. Using archival documents and other materials, explores topics such as UN enforcement actions, the Security Council veto, human rights, and the domestic politics of US commitments to the UN. Usually offered every year.

POL 164a Seminar: Arabs and Israelis: Conflict and Peacemaking
[ ss wi ]

Spans the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, from the origins of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism in the late 19th century to the Hamas-Israel war that began on October 7, 2023. Uniquely co-taught by two scholars, one Palestinian and one Israeli, the class exposes students to competing perspectives about the conflict and provides a toolbox for explaining its causes and consequences. As the class is conducted seminar-style, student participation is expected and encouraged. Usually offered every year.

POL 165a Seminar: Dilemmas of Security Cooperation
[ dl ss wi ]

States regularly cooperate in the security domain. They can choose to band together in alliances, rely on stronger states for defense, or improve weaker actors' capacity to fight or defend themselves by providing arms and training. Security cooperation is a major feature of international relations, with powerful actors like the United States spending billions each year on efforts to arm, equip, and train partner militaries around the world. But security cooperation contains many dilemmas where states face difficult choices between alternatives without clear answers. Efforts to increase security can lead to unintended consequences, both for states and for the people who live in them. This course explores different dilemmas across a range of topics, considering both the causes and consequences of security cooperation. Topics include alliances, proxy warfare, arms transfers and military aid, peacekeeping, and security outcomes ranging from combat effectiveness to political violence and human rights. Usually offered every third year.

POL 167b Russian Foreign Policy
[ oc ss wi ]

Surveys Russian foreign policy in the contemporary world, with particular attention paid to the deep historical context for its attitudes and goals in international relations. Topics include relations with the larger post-communist region, the Muslim world, its ongoing antagonistic relations with America and the West, the rise of disinformation warfare on the internet, in addition to the distinct Russian perspective on geopolitics. Usually offered every year.

POL 169b Seminar: Alliance Politics
[ oc ss wi ]

Explores the evolution, design, and operation of interstate security alliances—their history, institutional purposes, and strategic functions—while providing students with tools to analyze the gap between theory and practice in alliance behavior across different times and regions. Students will engage with major theories of alliance politics and apply these frameworks to evaluate contemporary security arrangements and partnerships. Case studies include both historical and present-day examples: World War I and World War II coalitions, the Sino-Soviet alliance, NATO, U.S. alliances in Asia, America’s “special relationships” with the United Kingdom and Israel, Indo-Pacific minilateral frameworks such as the Quad and AUKUS, and China’s growing network of “strategic partnerships.” In addition to guided discussion, students will conduct independent research on an alliance of their choice, sharpening their analytical skills and deepening their understanding of the policy dilemmas facing the United States, its allies and partners, and their strategic rivals. The course concludes with forward-looking debates on how alliances may evolve in the wake of the War in Ukraine and intensifying U.S.–China competition. Usually offered every year.

POL 173a Seminar: U.S. Foreign Economic Policy
[ oc ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above.

Addresses the politics of  foreign economic policy in the United States, with special attention to the political institutions and domestic actors involved in formulating policies toward trade, the dollar, and foreign aid. Usually offered every second year.

POL 184a Seminar: Global Justice
[ djw ss wi ]

Prerequisites: One course in Political Theory or Moral, Social and Political Philosophy.

Explores the development of the topic of global justice and its contents. Issues to be covered include international distributive justice, duties owed to the global poor, humanitarian intervention, the ethics of climate change, and immigration. Usually offered every second year.

PHIL/POL 129a Legal Theory and Philosophy

Examines central questions in the philosophy of law (jurisprudence). The first part of the course focuses on analytical jurisprudence, including the nature of law, its relationship to morality, and the role of judges. The second part examines normative jurisprudence, addressing questions about the proper scope of law, the justification of punishment, property rights, and the limits of state authority over private conduct. Usually offered every year.

POL 108a Seminar: The Police and Social Movements in American Politics
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Analyses American mass political movements, their interaction with police, and their influences on American politics. Topics include the relationship between social movements and various political institutions. Explore various theories with case studies of specific political movements. Usually offered every third year.

POL 109b Seminar: The Political Organization of White Supremacy in the U.S.: Causes, Forms, and Responses
[ deis-us ss ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above, or the permission of the instructor.

Political organizations representing white supremacy – conceptualized here as groups, movements, and institutions pursuing anti-Black racist political outcomes - have powerfully structured, and continue to influence, American political development. This course will survey the social science and historical literatures for crucial cases and useful theories which explain the causes and consequences of these organizations and broader institutions, e.g. the KKK, and the Jim Crow South more generally, but also very current examples like the Alt-Right and the Patriot Front. Usually offered every second year.

POL 113b Seminar: The New Politics of Presidential Power
[ ss ]

The Trump administration has embarked on an ambitious initiative to significantly increase the formal and informal power of the American presidency. This course will examine the emerging literature on the ongoing reconstruction of this branch of government, with an emphasis on enforcement policies (e.g., criminal justice and immigration) and soft power techniques (e.g., persuasion and coercion through legal and cultural interventions), as well as Supreme Court rulings that affirm or constrain some of these practices. We will consider the theoretical, constitutional, and historical origins of this branch of government, and the more orthodox "modern" presidency of the 20th and 21st centuries to distinguish what are genuinely new and what are enhanced strategies and tactics. Usually offered every year.

POL 119a Seminar: Red States, Blue States: Understanding Contemporary American Voters and Parties
[ dl ss ]

What are the root causes of contemporary partisan polarization and how do we explain the observed differentiation in partisan leanings across red and blue states?  In this seminar, students will pursue guided, independent research on voter and party behavior. Because of the focus on primary research, students are encouraged, although not required, to have taken POL 52A (or an equivalent) prior to enrolling in POL 119. Usually offered every year.

POL 120b Seminar: The Politics of Policymaking
[ ss ]

Examines the connection between politics and policymaking to identify the political determinants of public policy. Emphasis on the ways that American institutions, long-term political trends, and political actors interact to influence policy outcomes. Case studies across a wide range of policy areas (such as health care, tax policy, immigration, and abortion policy) used to illuminate key themes. Usually offered every year.

POL 123a Seminar: Political Psychology
[ dl ss wi ]

Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

Explores public opinion, political socialization, and political behavior through the lens of psychology. Applying psychological theory to traditional topics in political science is emphasized. Usually offered every year.

POL 134b Seminar: The Global Migration Crisis
[ djw ss wi ]

Looks at immigration from the perspectives of policy-makers, migrants, and the groups affected by immigration in sender nations as well as destination countries. Introduces students to the history of migration policy, core concepts and facts about migration in the West, and to the theories and disagreements among immigrant scholars. Usually offered every second year.

POL 137b Seminar: Psychology of Political Violence
[ dl ss ]

Why do people become terrorists? Social scientists argue that organizations use terrorism because it is a rational means for obtaining their objectives. But why do individuals sacrifice themselves for a cause? Drawing on behavioral economics and criminal psychology in addition to political sociology, the course will review new approaches to the study of extreme political violence. Usually offered every year.

POL 139a Seminar: The Radical Right: From Ballots to Bullets
[ deis-us oc ss wi ]

Radical right and far-right are umbrella terms used to refer to political parties and militant subcultures that differentiate themselves from mainstream conservatism. Students will be introduced to case studies of far-right groups and parties in Western Europe and the United States. We will discuss their ideologies and tactics, the different subcultures and the legal restraints that countries have used to control extremist groups linked to violence. Students will also learn about political science theories about the causes of far-right extremism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 141a Seminar: Elections and Electoral Systems in Comparative Perspective
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Introduces students to the scientific study of elections and electoral systems from a comparative standpoint. Students will be exposed to social scientific literature on elections, analyze these processes from a comparative perspective, and learn how to use digital tools, such as ArcGIS and online mapping software (GIS) to analyze electoral processes. Usually offered every year.

POL 148b Seminar: Dynamics of Dictatorship: Authoritarian Politics in the 20th and 21st Centuries
[ oc ss ]

Prerequisite: POL 11b.

Despite the world-wide advance of democratization over the past half century, authoritarian regimes continue to govern the vast majority of humanity around the world. Dynamics of Dictatorship aims to provide an analytic grounding in the logic and dynamics of authoritarian politics. What are the different flavors of authoritarian rule? How do authoritarian regimes sustain their control over society? Why do most people obey? How and when do people resist? Has technological advance enhanced the power of authoritarian regimes? What role do international forces play in authoritarian regime survival? When do authoritarian regimes collapse? This course will explore leading theoretical research on authoritarian politics and it will ground that theory in historical and contemporary cases of authoritarian rule found in Russia, Germany, Venezuela, Chile, China, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Zaire, Zimbabwe, and beyond. Usually offered every second year.

POL 162a Seminar: The Gaza War: Its Causes and Consequences
[ ss ]

Addresses a uniquely important and timely topic: What caused and what were the consequences of the Gaza War that began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel? What characterized the attack and Israel’s response and its ramifications? The class will examine Israeli, Arab, and other experts’ writings about these topics. It will ascertain the historical background to these events, from the 1993 Oslo Accords to the rise of Hamas and the subsequent Israel-Hamas mini-wars of 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021. It will explore the international and regional environments that led to the October 7, 2023 attack as well as the regional dimensions of the subsequent Gaza War, such as the role of Iran, the Hezbollah-Israel violence, and the participation of other members of the “axis of resistance” such as Yemen’s Houthis and the pro-Iran militias in Iraq. The class will also ascertain the Israeli and Palestinian domestic scenes and their impact before and after the eruption of the war. Finally, the class will explore the possible long-term ramifications of the war, including the possibility that it would lead to new efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Usually offered every second year.

POL 163a Seminar: The United Nations and the United States
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

Investigates the United Nations organization and charter, with an emphasis on the integral role of the United States in its founding and operation. Using archival documents and other materials, explores topics such as UN enforcement actions, the Security Council veto, human rights, and the domestic politics of US commitments to the UN. Usually offered every year.

POL 164a Seminar: Arabs and Israelis: Conflict and Peacemaking
[ ss wi ]

Spans the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, from the origins of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism in the late 19th century to the Hamas-Israel war that began on October 7, 2023. Uniquely co-taught by two scholars, one Palestinian and one Israeli, the class exposes students to competing perspectives about the conflict and provides a toolbox for explaining its causes and consequences. As the class is conducted seminar-style, student participation is expected and encouraged. Usually offered every year.

POL 165a Seminar: Dilemmas of Security Cooperation
[ dl ss wi ]

States regularly cooperate in the security domain. They can choose to band together in alliances, rely on stronger states for defense, or improve weaker actors' capacity to fight or defend themselves by providing arms and training. Security cooperation is a major feature of international relations, with powerful actors like the United States spending billions each year on efforts to arm, equip, and train partner militaries around the world. But security cooperation contains many dilemmas where states face difficult choices between alternatives without clear answers. Efforts to increase security can lead to unintended consequences, both for states and for the people who live in them. This course explores different dilemmas across a range of topics, considering both the causes and consequences of security cooperation. Topics include alliances, proxy warfare, arms transfers and military aid, peacekeeping, and security outcomes ranging from combat effectiveness to political violence and human rights. Usually offered every third year.

POL 166a Japan's Grand Strategy
[ oc ss ]

An overview of modern and contemporary Japanese foreign policy and the strategy behind its engagement with the world. Surveys Japan’s foreign policies toward key countries and regions and covers topics such as security alliances, nationalism, economic interdependence, and international organizations. Usually offered every year.

POL 169b Seminar: Alliance Politics
[ oc ss wi ]

Explores the evolution, design, and operation of interstate security alliances—their history, institutional purposes, and strategic functions—while providing students with tools to analyze the gap between theory and practice in alliance behavior across different times and regions. Students will engage with major theories of alliance politics and apply these frameworks to evaluate contemporary security arrangements and partnerships. Case studies include both historical and present-day examples: World War I and World War II coalitions, the Sino-Soviet alliance, NATO, U.S. alliances in Asia, America’s “special relationships” with the United Kingdom and Israel, Indo-Pacific minilateral frameworks such as the Quad and AUKUS, and China’s growing network of “strategic partnerships.” In addition to guided discussion, students will conduct independent research on an alliance of their choice, sharpening their analytical skills and deepening their understanding of the policy dilemmas facing the United States, its allies and partners, and their strategic rivals. The course concludes with forward-looking debates on how alliances may evolve in the wake of the War in Ukraine and intensifying U.S.–China competition. Usually offered every year.

POL 170a Seminar: Nuclear Weapons and International Security
[ ss ]

Examines the role of nuclear weapons in international relations from World War II to the present.   We will cover the technology of nuclear weapons, the development of nuclear strategy and doctrine, arms control and nonproliferation efforts, and the spread of nuclear weapons beyond the Western powers (the U.S., Russia, United Kingdom and France) to the Middle East and Asia, including China, India, Israel, Pakistan, and North Korea.  Usually offered every year. 

POL 173a Seminar: U.S. Foreign Economic Policy
[ oc ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above.

Addresses the politics of  foreign economic policy in the United States, with special attention to the political institutions and domestic actors involved in formulating policies toward trade, the dollar, and foreign aid. Usually offered every second year.

POL 177b Seminar: National Security Strategy: The Case of Israel
[ ss ]

Examines key concepts in national security studies and illustrates their relevance and explanatory power by applying them to Israel's pursuit of national security. Evaluates the extent to which Israel's strategy is typical of small states attempting to withstand numerically superior neighbors. Usually offered every second year.

POL 184a Seminar: Global Justice
[ djw ss wi ]

Prerequisites: One course in Political Theory or Moral, Social and Political Philosophy.

Explores the development of the topic of global justice and its contents. Issues to be covered include international distributive justice, duties owed to the global poor, humanitarian intervention, the ethics of climate change, and immigration. Usually offered every second year.

POL 190b Seminar: Democratic Theory
[ ss ]

Explores in depth the nature, virtues, and limitations of democracy as a way of organizing political affairs. Brings together classic texts, for example, Rousseau's Social Contract, with more recent topical readings on topics like democracy and nationalism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 192b Seminar: Topics in Law and Political Theory
[ ss ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher. May be repeated for credit if different topic.

Interplay among law, morality, and political theory. Specific topics vary from year to year. Usually offered every year.

AAAS 159a Identity Politics in the United States
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Examines the politics of identity in the United States. It brings together several disciplines: history, political science, sociology, psychology, and others. It spans several groups and social movements in order to equip students with the skills to understand identity group politics through historical contexts, theoretical underpinnings, and current manifestations. The course is organized around a central question: what is the relationship between democracy and identity politics in the United States? In addressing this question, the course will explore the complexities of intergroup relations across race, ethnicity, class, and gender, and examine when, why, and how policy and politics respond to group interests. Usually offered every year.

POL 14b Introduction to American Government
[ ss ]

Open to first-year students.

Analysis of American political institutions: Congress, the presidency, Supreme Court, bureaucracy, political parties, pressure groups, and problems of governmental decision making in relation to specific areas of public policy. Usually offered every year.

POL 53b Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis
[ dl qr ss ]

Examines the most common empirical methods used by policy analysts in the study of public policy. Emphasis on descriptive statistics, regression analysis, research design and data collection, and the substantive components of policy analysis. Students will be introduced to and develop proficiency in the R statistical program/language. Usually offered every year.

POL 101a Political Parties and Interest Groups
[ ss ]

Examines the role and organization of political parties and interest groups in the American political system. Emphasis on developments with regard to the democracy-enhancing and democracy-subverting aspects of both organizations, particularly in a highly polarized environment. Usually offered every year.

POL 105a Elections in America
[ ss ]

Examines modern campaigns and elections to the United States presidency and Congress. Topics include the role of elections in democracy; electoral institutions and their impact on outcomes; recent presidential and congressional elections; voter participation and vote choice; the impact of money on campaigns; the role of the mass media; and reform proposals to address deficiencies in American electoral democracy. Usually offered every year.

POL 108a Seminar: The Police and Social Movements in American Politics
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Analyses American mass political movements, their interaction with police, and their influences on American politics. Topics include the relationship between social movements and various political institutions. Explore various theories with case studies of specific political movements. Usually offered every third year.

POL 109b Seminar: The Political Organization of White Supremacy in the U.S.: Causes, Forms, and Responses
[ deis-us ss ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above, or the permission of the instructor.

Political organizations representing white supremacy – conceptualized here as groups, movements, and institutions pursuing anti-Black racist political outcomes - have powerfully structured, and continue to influence, American political development. This course will survey the social science and historical literatures for crucial cases and useful theories which explain the causes and consequences of these organizations and broader institutions, e.g. the KKK, and the Jim Crow South more generally, but also very current examples like the Alt-Right and the Patriot Front. Usually offered every second year.

POL 111a The American Congress
[ oc ss ]

The structure and behavior of the Congress. Emphasis on the way member incentives for reelection, power on Capitol Hill, and good public policy shape Congress. Usually offered every second year.

POL 113b Seminar: The New Politics of Presidential Power
[ ss ]

The Trump administration has embarked on an ambitious initiative to significantly increase the formal and informal power of the American presidency. This course will examine the emerging literature on the ongoing reconstruction of this branch of government, with an emphasis on enforcement policies (e.g., criminal justice and immigration) and soft power techniques (e.g., persuasion and coercion through legal and cultural interventions), as well as Supreme Court rulings that affirm or constrain some of these practices. We will consider the theoretical, constitutional, and historical origins of this branch of government, and the more orthodox "modern" presidency of the 20th and 21st centuries to distinguish what are genuinely new and what are enhanced strategies and tactics. Usually offered every year.

POL 116b Civil Liberties and Constitutional Interpretation
[ deis-us ss ]

May not be taken for credit by students who successfully completed LGLS 116b previously.

The history, politics, and theory of civil liberties and civil rights in the United States, with emphasis on the role of constitutional interpretation. Focus on speech, religion, affirmative action, policing, and prisoner rights. Readings from Supreme Court cases and legal/political philosophers. Usually offered every year.

POL 119a Seminar: Red States, Blue States: Understanding Contemporary American Voters and Parties
[ dl ss ]

What are the root causes of contemporary partisan polarization and how do we explain the observed differentiation in partisan leanings across red and blue states?  In this seminar, students will pursue guided, independent research on voter and party behavior. Because of the focus on primary research, students are encouraged, although not required, to have taken POL 52A (or an equivalent) prior to enrolling in POL 119. Usually offered every year.

POL 120b Seminar: The Politics of Policymaking
[ ss ]

Examines the connection between politics and policymaking to identify the political determinants of public policy. Emphasis on the ways that American institutions, long-term political trends, and political actors interact to influence policy outcomes. Case studies across a wide range of policy areas (such as health care, tax policy, immigration, and abortion policy) used to illuminate key themes. Usually offered every year.

POL 123a Seminar: Political Psychology
[ dl ss wi ]

Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

Explores public opinion, political socialization, and political behavior through the lens of psychology. Applying psychological theory to traditional topics in political science is emphasized. Usually offered every year.

POL/WGS 125a Gender in American Politics
[ deis-us ss ]

May not be taken for credit by students who took POL 125a in prior years.

Provides an overview of the many ways that gender and sex shape American politics. While the primary focus of this course is on women's roles in the American political system as activists, citizens, candidates, and elected officials, we also think more expansively about how gender, gender identity, and gender-expression interact with politics, policy, and political behavior. Covers historical context and contemporary developments in women's political activity. Usually offered every second year.

POL 11b Introduction to Comparative Politics
[ ss ]

Open to first-year students.

Introduces key concepts and questions in comparative politics and seeks to provide students with a grounding in the basic tools of comparative analysis. It applies and evaluates competing theoretical approaches (cultural, institutional, social-structural, and leadership-centered) to explain several important phenomena such as (1) democracy and democratization; (2) revolution; and (3) ethnicity and ethnic conflict. It also explores recent debates about the importance of civil society and political institutions in shaping political outcomes. Cases will be drawn from Africa, Asia, Western Europe, the Americas, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Usually offered every year.

POL 128a The Politics of Revolution: State Violence and Popular Insurgency in the Third World
[ nw ss ]

Introduction to twentieth-century revolutionary movements in the Third World, focusing on the emergence of peasant-based resistance and revolution in the world beyond the West, and on the role of state violence in provoking popular involvement in protest, rebellion, and insurgency. Usually offered every year.

POL 133a Contemporary Politics in the Middle East
[ nw ss ]

Introduces the politics of the region through the study of regimes in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, and Israel. Themes include the political legacy of colonialism, the challenge of ethnic pluralism, the rise of political Islam, the politics of gender, the role of the military in politics, the dynamics of regime survival, the persistence of authoritarianism and the prospects for democratization, and the implications of the Arab spring for the future of the region. Usually offered every third year.

POL 133b Politics of Russia and the Post Communist World
[ ss wi ]

Overview of the politics of Russia and the former Soviet world. Topics include the fall and legacy of communism, trends of democracy and dictatorship, European integration, resurgent nationalism, social and economic patterns throughout the former Soviet Bloc, and Putin's rise and influence both within Russia and abroad. Usually offered every year.

POL 134b Seminar: The Global Migration Crisis
[ djw ss wi ]

Looks at immigration from the perspectives of policy-makers, migrants, and the groups affected by immigration in sender nations as well as destination countries. Introduces students to the history of migration policy, core concepts and facts about migration in the West, and to the theories and disagreements among immigrant scholars. Usually offered every second year.

POL 137b Seminar: Psychology of Political Violence
[ dl ss ]

Why do people become terrorists? Social scientists argue that organizations use terrorism because it is a rational means for obtaining their objectives. But why do individuals sacrifice themselves for a cause? Drawing on behavioral economics and criminal psychology in addition to political sociology, the course will review new approaches to the study of extreme political violence. Usually offered every year.

POL 139a Seminar: The Radical Right: From Ballots to Bullets
[ deis-us oc ss wi ]

Radical right and far-right are umbrella terms used to refer to political parties and militant subcultures that differentiate themselves from mainstream conservatism. Students will be introduced to case studies of far-right groups and parties in Western Europe and the United States. We will discuss their ideologies and tactics, the different subcultures and the legal restraints that countries have used to control extremist groups linked to violence. Students will also learn about political science theories about the causes of far-right extremism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 141a Seminar: Elections and Electoral Systems in Comparative Perspective
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Introduces students to the scientific study of elections and electoral systems from a comparative standpoint. Students will be exposed to social scientific literature on elections, analyze these processes from a comparative perspective, and learn how to use digital tools, such as ArcGIS and online mapping software (GIS) to analyze electoral processes. Usually offered every year.

POL 144a Latin American Politics
[ djw nw ss wi ]

Examines the development and deepening of democracy in Latin America, focusing on the role of political institutions, economic development, the military, and U.S.-Latin American relations. Usually offered every year.

POL 148b Seminar: Dynamics of Dictatorship: Authoritarian Politics in the 20th and 21st Centuries
[ oc ss ]

Prerequisite: POL 11b.

Despite the world-wide advance of democratization over the past half century, authoritarian regimes continue to govern the vast majority of humanity around the world. Dynamics of Dictatorship aims to provide an analytic grounding in the logic and dynamics of authoritarian politics. What are the different flavors of authoritarian rule? How do authoritarian regimes sustain their control over society? Why do most people obey? How and when do people resist? Has technological advance enhanced the power of authoritarian regimes? What role do international forces play in authoritarian regime survival? When do authoritarian regimes collapse? This course will explore leading theoretical research on authoritarian politics and it will ground that theory in historical and contemporary cases of authoritarian rule found in Russia, Germany, Venezuela, Chile, China, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Zaire, Zimbabwe, and beyond. Usually offered every second year.

POL 156b European Politics
[ ss ]

The comparative politics of Western Europe. Focuses on the development of political parties and social movements in Britain, France, and Germany--particularly since 1945--to determine how they affect policies and the citizenry's participation in modern democracies. Usually offered every third year.

AAAS/IGS 112a The United Nations and Global Peace and Security
[ djw oc ss ]

A comprehensive, critical, and inclusive analysis of the work of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. We analyze the global power structures that have made and unmade the United Nations and its peace efforts, redefine the “global” to account for states, movements, and people who are deemed less important, and explore critical perspectives on "peace" and "security." While engaging the timeless and contemporary debates on the functions, relevance, influence, and future of the UN, this course concurrently focuses learners on competing universalisms in the global order, critiques of hegemonic power, the tensions between humanism and sovereignty, mere government and global governance, and the interstices and intersections of politics, culture, economy, and social order. Topics cover UN history, intellectual contributions to conceptualizing peace and security, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, responsibility to protect, transitional justice, women, peace and security, regional partnerships, contemporary problems, and reform of the UN. Usually offered every year.

POL 15a Introduction to International Relations
[ ss ]

Open to first-year students.

General introduction to international politics, emphasizing the essential characteristics of the international system as a basis for understanding how states behave and interact. Analysis of causes of war, conditions of peace, international conflict and cooperation, the purposes and functions of international institutions, and pressing issues in international politics today.

POL 160a The War on Global Terrorism
[ dl ss ]

Intended for juniors and seniors, but open to all students.

Explores how the 9/11 attacks changed the lives of Americans. Surveys the build-up of Al Qaeda leading up to the 9/11 attacks, discusses why the attacks were not prevented, and outlines the reorganization of the American state in the wake of the passage of the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 and subsequent amendments. Students are additionally given an introduction to Jihadist doctrines and the tactics of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS), as well as various theories about the root causes of terrorism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 161b Good Neighbor or Imperial Power: The Contested Evolution of US-Latin American Relations
[ djw oc ss wi ]

Studies the ambivalent and complex relationship between the U.S. and Latin America, focusing on how the exploitative dimension of this relationship has shaped societies across the region, and on how Latin American development can be beneficial for the U.S. Usually offered every year.

POL 163a Seminar: The United Nations and the United States
[ djw dl ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

Investigates the United Nations organization and charter, with an emphasis on the integral role of the United States in its founding and operation. Using archival documents and other materials, explores topics such as UN enforcement actions, the Security Council veto, human rights, and the domestic politics of US commitments to the UN. Usually offered every year.

POL 164a Seminar: Arabs and Israelis: Conflict and Peacemaking
[ ss wi ]

Spans the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, from the origins of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism in the late 19th century to the Hamas-Israel war that began on October 7, 2023. Uniquely co-taught by two scholars, one Palestinian and one Israeli, the class exposes students to competing perspectives about the conflict and provides a toolbox for explaining its causes and consequences. As the class is conducted seminar-style, student participation is expected and encouraged. Usually offered every year.

POL 165a Seminar: Dilemmas of Security Cooperation
[ dl ss wi ]

States regularly cooperate in the security domain. They can choose to band together in alliances, rely on stronger states for defense, or improve weaker actors' capacity to fight or defend themselves by providing arms and training. Security cooperation is a major feature of international relations, with powerful actors like the United States spending billions each year on efforts to arm, equip, and train partner militaries around the world. But security cooperation contains many dilemmas where states face difficult choices between alternatives without clear answers. Efforts to increase security can lead to unintended consequences, both for states and for the people who live in them. This course explores different dilemmas across a range of topics, considering both the causes and consequences of security cooperation. Topics include alliances, proxy warfare, arms transfers and military aid, peacekeeping, and security outcomes ranging from combat effectiveness to political violence and human rights. Usually offered every third year.

POL 166a Japan's Grand Strategy
[ oc ss ]

An overview of modern and contemporary Japanese foreign policy and the strategy behind its engagement with the world. Surveys Japan’s foreign policies toward key countries and regions and covers topics such as security alliances, nationalism, economic interdependence, and international organizations. Usually offered every year.

POL 167b Russian Foreign Policy
[ oc ss wi ]

Surveys Russian foreign policy in the contemporary world, with particular attention paid to the deep historical context for its attitudes and goals in international relations. Topics include relations with the larger post-communist region, the Muslim world, its ongoing antagonistic relations with America and the West, the rise of disinformation warfare on the internet, in addition to the distinct Russian perspective on geopolitics. Usually offered every year.

POL 168b American Foreign Policy
[ ss ]

Overview of America's foreign policy since 1945. Topics include the Cold War era, the economic competitiveness of the United States, the role of the United States in selected world regions, the role of human rights in U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. participation in the United Nations, post-Cold War foreign policy, and the making and implementing of foreign policy. Usually offered every year.

POL 169b Seminar: Alliance Politics
[ oc ss wi ]

Explores the evolution, design, and operation of interstate security alliances—their history, institutional purposes, and strategic functions—while providing students with tools to analyze the gap between theory and practice in alliance behavior across different times and regions. Students will engage with major theories of alliance politics and apply these frameworks to evaluate contemporary security arrangements and partnerships. Case studies include both historical and present-day examples: World War I and World War II coalitions, the Sino-Soviet alliance, NATO, U.S. alliances in Asia, America’s “special relationships” with the United Kingdom and Israel, Indo-Pacific minilateral frameworks such as the Quad and AUKUS, and China’s growing network of “strategic partnerships.” In addition to guided discussion, students will conduct independent research on an alliance of their choice, sharpening their analytical skills and deepening their understanding of the policy dilemmas facing the United States, its allies and partners, and their strategic rivals. The course concludes with forward-looking debates on how alliances may evolve in the wake of the War in Ukraine and intensifying U.S.–China competition. Usually offered every year.

POL 170a Seminar: Nuclear Weapons and International Security
[ ss ]

Examines the role of nuclear weapons in international relations from World War II to the present.   We will cover the technology of nuclear weapons, the development of nuclear strategy and doctrine, arms control and nonproliferation efforts, and the spread of nuclear weapons beyond the Western powers (the U.S., Russia, United Kingdom and France) to the Middle East and Asia, including China, India, Israel, Pakistan, and North Korea.  Usually offered every year. 

POL 173a Seminar: U.S. Foreign Economic Policy
[ oc ss wi ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above.

Addresses the politics of  foreign economic policy in the United States, with special attention to the political institutions and domestic actors involved in formulating policies toward trade, the dollar, and foreign aid. Usually offered every second year.

POL 177b Seminar: National Security Strategy: The Case of Israel
[ ss ]

Examines key concepts in national security studies and illustrates their relevance and explanatory power by applying them to Israel's pursuit of national security. Evaluates the extent to which Israel's strategy is typical of small states attempting to withstand numerically superior neighbors. Usually offered every second year.

AAAS 157a African American Political Thought
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Examines the ideological and intellectual traditions that have influenced African American politics. Addresses the question of what are the best strategies for black Americans to pursue freedom and opportunity in the United States. Usually offered every second year.

PHIL/POL 129a Legal Theory and Philosophy

Examines central questions in the philosophy of law (jurisprudence). The first part of the course focuses on analytical jurisprudence, including the nature of law, its relationship to morality, and the role of judges. The second part examines normative jurisprudence, addressing questions about the proper scope of law, the justification of punishment, property rights, and the limits of state authority over private conduct. Usually offered every year.

POL 10a Introduction to Political Theory
[ ss ]

Open to first-year students.

Examination of classical political texts and modern writings for insights on central problems of political discourse, such as power and authority, human nature, freedom, obligation, justice, and the organization of the state. Usually offered every year.

POL 184a Seminar: Global Justice
[ djw ss wi ]

Prerequisites: One course in Political Theory or Moral, Social and Political Philosophy.

Explores the development of the topic of global justice and its contents. Issues to be covered include international distributive justice, duties owed to the global poor, humanitarian intervention, the ethics of climate change, and immigration. Usually offered every second year.

POL 186b Classical Political Thought
[ hum ss ]

Major ancient political philosophers and the meaning and implications of their work for contemporary political issues. Usually offered every third year.

POL 187b Conservative Political Thought
[ ss ]

Focuses on American and European thinkers, with an emphasis on critics of equality and unlimited commercial and civil liberty. Readings include political philosophy and literature. Authors may include Burke, Oakeshott, Calhoun, Conrad, Hayek, Macintyre, and Strauss. Usually offered every second year.

POL 189a Marx, Nietzsche, and Twentieth-Century Radicalism
[ ss ]

Comparison of two powerful and influential critiques of modern politics and society. Explanation of Marx's work, both for its own insights and as a model for radical theorists; and of Nietzsche's work as an alternative conception of radical social criticism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 190b Seminar: Democratic Theory
[ ss ]

Explores in depth the nature, virtues, and limitations of democracy as a way of organizing political affairs. Brings together classic texts, for example, Rousseau's Social Contract, with more recent topical readings on topics like democracy and nationalism. Usually offered every second year.

POL 192b Seminar: Topics in Law and Political Theory
[ ss ]

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher. May be repeated for credit if different topic.

Interplay among law, morality, and political theory. Specific topics vary from year to year. Usually offered every year.

AAAS 112a Survey Design and Analysis
[ dl qr ss ]

In this skills-based “workshop” course, students will conduct original survey research through an investigation of race, public opinion, and politics. We will learn about survey design, explore different modes of interviewing and alternatives to surveys, and analyze questions on the Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey, one of the largest available datasets of public opinion across multiple racial, ethnic, religious, class, and gender groups. The class culminates in a symposium where students present their findings and write an op-ed based on their research. Usually offered every second year.

AAAS 127a African Refugees
[ djw ss ]

An in-depth study of African refugees in dynamic contexts, and their centrality to the understanding and analysis of key issues in the politics, history, and international relations of African States. Usually offered every year.

AAAS 136b Black Politics in the United States: Visions, Values, and Voice
[ deis-us ss ]

AAAS 138a Africa and the World: Recentering Africa in Global History and Politics
[ dl oc ss ]

A wide-ranging survey of transnational history to the present, linked throughout by the thread of African connections to the global. The course is a nuanced and specific interrogation of African presence, influence, agency, and impact on aspects of the past, present, and future of the world as we know it, from human origins to slavery, the World Wars, globalization, feminism, environmentalism, global popular cultures, Afropolitanism, and global social justice campaigns such as #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter. Usually offered every year.

AAAS 157a African American Political Thought
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Examines the ideological and intellectual traditions that have influenced African American politics. Addresses the question of what are the best strategies for black Americans to pursue freedom and opportunity in the United States. Usually offered every second year.

AAAS 159a Identity Politics in the United States
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Examines the politics of identity in the United States. It brings together several disciplines: history, political science, sociology, psychology, and others. It spans several groups and social movements in order to equip students with the skills to understand identity group politics through historical contexts, theoretical underpinnings, and current manifestations. The course is organized around a central question: what is the relationship between democracy and identity politics in the United States? In addressing this question, the course will explore the complexities of intergroup relations across race, ethnicity, class, and gender, and examine when, why, and how policy and politics respond to group interests. Usually offered every year.

AMST/LGLS 188b Louis Brandeis: Law, Business and Politics
[ ss ]

Brandeis's legal career serves as model and guide for exploring the ideals and anxieties of American legal culture throughout the twentieth century. Focuses on how legal values evolve in response to new technologies, corporate capitalism, and threats to personal liberty. Usually offered every second year.

ANTH 156a Power and Violence: The Anthropology of Political Systems
[ deis-us dl nw ss ]

Political orders are established and maintained by varying combinations of overt violence and the more subtle workings of ideas. The course examines the relationship of coercion and consensus, and forms of resistance, in historical and contemporary settings. Usually offered every second year.

ED 150b Purpose and Politics of Education
[ deis-us ss ]

Focuses on the United States and introduces students to foundational questions in the interdisciplinary field of Education Studies. We explore competing goals Americans have held for K-12 and post-secondary education and ask how these visions have (or have not) influenced school, society, and educational policy. We pay particular attention to educational stratification; localism; segregation; privatization; and the relationship between schooling and equality. Usually offered every year.

ENVS 112b Governing the Environmental Commons
[ deis-us djw ss wi ]

Introduction to the environmental commons—the environmental resources shared among local communities or globally. Analyzes the motivations for citizen mobilization and collective action to reclaim the commons. Debates the policies and programs for sustainable management of the commons, including atmospheric commons at the center of climate action. Usually offered every year.

FREN 111a The Republic
[ fl hum oc ]

Prerequisite: FREN 105a or FREN 106b or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

The "Republic" analyzes how the republican ideal of the citizen devoid of religious, ethnic, or gender identity has fared in different Francophone political milieux. Course involves understanding how political institutions such as constitutions, parliaments, and court systems interact with reality of modern societies in which religious, ethnic, and gender identities play important roles. Usually offered every year.

HIST 116b The History and Politics of Infrastructure in the United States
[ deis-us ss ]

Infrastructure is meant to recede into the background of civic life. But seemingly innocuous projects like roads, railways, electric grids, or even schools arose across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, they became crucial nodes of colonial power, sites of enslavement and racial segregation, and of the policing of gender. In the last quarter of the twentieth century, states started to cede infrastructure to capitalist firms, privatizing key utilities and, increasingly, demurring from the responsibility to regulate these firms. By digging up the hidden history of infrastructural development, this class will reframe how we conceptualize the role of government in laying out the foundations for social activity, and give us the tools to intervene in contemporary debates over who should build, control, and maintain our infrastructure. Usually offered every third year.

HIST 126a Early Modern Europe (1500-1700)
[ oc ss ]

Survey of politics, ideas, and society in Western Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Focuses on the changing relationship between the emerging modern state and its subjects. Topics include the development of ideologies of resistance and conformity, regional loyalties and the problems of empire, changing technologies of war and repression, and the social foundations of order and disorder. Usually offered every third year.

HIST 130b Crime and Punishment in U.S. History
[ deis-us ss ]

The United States incarcerates more of its people per capita than any other nation on the planet. How did this come to be? This course examines how Americans have defined, represented, and punished crime, from the birth of the penitentiary to the present day. We will discuss an eclectic mix of historical texts and genres ' criminal codes, trial records, true-crime journalism, historical studies, social theory, urban sociology, and films. Usually offered every second year.

HIST 160a American Legal History I
[ deis-us ss ]

Surveys American legal development from colonial settlement to the Civil War. Major issues include law as an instrument of revolution, capitalism and contract, invention of the police, family law, slavery law, and the Civil War as a constitutional crisis. Usually offered every third year.

HIST 160b American Legal History II
[ deis-us ss ]

Survey of American legal development from 1865 to the present. Major topics include constitutionalism and racial inequality, the legal response to industrialization, progressivism and the transformation of liberalism, the rise of the administrative state, and rights-based movements for social justice. Usually offered every year.

HIST 161b American Political History
[ deis-us ss ]

Development of American party politics, the legal system, and government. Special attention paid to the social and cultural determinants of party politics, and economic and social policymaking. Usually offered every second year.

HIST 168b America in the Progressive Era: 1890-1920
[ deis-us ss ]

Surveys social and political history during the pivotal decades when America became a "modern" society and nation-state. Topics include populism, racial segregation, social science and public policy, the Roosevelt and Wilson administrations, environmental conservation, and the domestic impact of World War I. Usually offered every fourth year.

HIST 175b Resistance and Revolution in Latin America and the Caribbean
[ djw nw ss wi ]

Focuses on questions of race, gender and modernity in resistance movements and revolutions in Latin American and Caribbean history. The Haitian Revolution, Tupac Amaru Rebellion, and Vaccination Riots in Brazil are some topics that will be covered. Usually offered every second year.

HIST 179b India and the Superpowers (USA, USSR, and China): 1947 and Beyond
[ nw ss ]

Examines the history of modern India through its relationships with the "superpowers," USA, USSR, and China. Covering the period between 1947-2018, the course analyses ideological, economic, foreign policy shifts and subcontinental conflict in a constantly changing geo-political scene. Usually offered every second year.

Avinash Singh

HIST 181b Red Flags/Black Flags: Marxism vs. Anarchism, 1845-1968
[ ss ]

From Marx's first major book in 1845 to the French upheavals of 1968, the history of left-wing politics and ideas. The struggles between Marxist orthodoxy and anarchist-inspired, left Marxist alternatives. Usually offered every third year.

HIST/JOUR 163a The Road to September 11th and Beyond: History and Media
[ djw oc ss ]

The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center ushered in two U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and drained the U.S. Treasury of at least $8 trillion. 9/11 radically changed the dynamics between the U.S. and the Middle East, along with those between the press and military and government officials. Co-taught by a historian of modern Middle East and a journalist who extensively covered these events, this course aims to give students a fresh lens for examining the history and the aftermath of this crucial event from both a Middle Eastern and American perspective. Usually offered every second year.

HS 104b American Health Care
[ ss ]

Examines and critically analyzes the United States healthcare system, emphasizing the major trends and issues that have led to the current sense of "crisis." In addition to providing a historical perspective, this course will establish a context for analyzing the current, varied approaches to health care reform. Usually offered every year.

HS 110a Labor, Work, and Inequality
[ ss ]

Examines what economic and social factors drive inequality in terms of conditions at work, from wages to discrimination to worker voice, and how these conditions are connected to business decisions, government policies, union and worker advocacy, and worker norms and beliefs. Usually offered every year.

HS 125a Contemporary Antisemitism: Policy Analysis and Research

Examines contemporary antisemitism and programs/policies designed to address anti-Jewish hatred. Course content is multidisciplinary, drawn from political science, social psychology, and sociology. Students will have an opportunity to collect/analyze their own data and develop a policy analysis. Usually offered every year.

HSSP 128a Disability Policy
[ ss ]

Focuses on exploring the principles and provisions of disability service programs in the United States and on developing an understanding of the complexities surrounding the financial, ethical, and legal issues related to current disability policies and the consequences of these policies. Usually offered every second year.

IGS 138a China in the World
[ djw ss wi ]

This course examines China's role on the world stage. Looking at the history of China's interaction with the world, both at home and abroad, we will examine how China has affected, and been affected by, other societies and cultures. Usually offered every second year.

IGS 140a Styles of Globalization
[ ss wi ]

Why do some countries benefit from globalization while others lag behind? How do different nations balance issues such as free trade, foreign investment, and workers' rights? This course considers the real-world choices behind success and failure in the global economy. Usually offered every second year.

IGS/LGLS 128b Networks of Global Justice
[ ss ]

Examines how global justice is actively shaped by dynamic institutions, contested ideas, and evolving cultures. Using liberal arts methods, the course explores prospects for advancing peace and justice in a complex world. It is organized around case studies of humanitarian crises, involving health, poverty, migration, and peace-building across nations. Usually offered every third year.

JOUR 104a Political Packaging in America
[ ss ]

Examines the history of political marketing, image making in presidential campaigns, the relationship between news and ads, and the growth of public-policy advertising by special-interest groups to influence legislation. Usually offered every fourth year.

JOUR 107b Media and Public Policy
[ ss wi ]

Examines the intersection of the media and politics, the ways in which each influences the other, and the consequences of that intersection for a democracy. Through analytic texts, handouts, and contemporaneous newspaper and magazine articles, explores the relationship between policy decisions and public discourse. Usually offered every second year.

LGLS 116b Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: Constitutional Debates
[ ss ]

May not be taken for credit by students who successfully completed POL 116b or LGLS/POL 116b previously.

The history and politics of civil liberties and civil rights in the United States, with emphasis on the period from World War I to the present. Emphasis on freedom of speech, religion, abortion, privacy, racial discrimination, and affirmative action. Readings from Supreme Court cases and influential works by historians and political philosophers. Usually offered every year.

LGLS 118a Gender, Justice, and Legislation
[ deis-us ss wi ]

Gender equity can be defined as equal access to resources and opportunities for any and all genders. A society’s laws generally reflect the level of its active commitment to gender equity and justice. We will explore both legislation and the implementation of legislation that impacts historically and presently marginalized gender identities. The course utilizes an intersectional lens to explore the experiences of marginalized gender identities, as we know systems of oppression intertwine to inform the unique lived experiences of different individuals and groups. Emphasizing these themes specifically through an exploration of menstrual equity, we'll examine both the role of legislation itself as well as the advocacy and research that accompany policy.

Students will engage in on and off campus advocacy activities as well as experiences to cultivate their research skills (conducting interviews, focus groups, etc.). Students will have an opportunity to meet with legislators, coalition members, and community stakeholders, leveraging experiential learning to achieve the course learning objectives. This course is part of the ENACT network. Note: This course places consistent attention on women, gender. and/or sexuality throughout the class. There is also close attention paid to feminist theory throughout the class and intersectional ways of viewing gender are utilized as analytic frames. Usually offered every year.

LGLS 123b Immigration, Law, and Human Rights Advocacy
[ deis-us ss ]

Examines U.S. immigration practices policy in the context of international human rights treaties, social movements, historical dynamics, political struggles, and global practices, with some attention to other states' immigration policies. This course focuses on the how the daily interactions of societal institutions and roles is continuously constructing immigration and human rights systems and ideas. As such, much of the class work in this course involves practical exercises in which students experience the decision making and roles of human rights lawyers, organizers and policy leaders in the context of current social and cultural controversies, ideologies, and events. So, students will be introduced to the generally applicable skills, concepts, values, and attitudes involved in human rights litigation, movement organizing, and policy making. This course explores tensions between social movements, domestic politics, and international law in guiding immigration reform, and challenges students to assess the sources of rights and the winners and losers (in terms of efficacy and accountability) of rights talk. Usually offered every spring.

LGLS 125b International Law and Organizations
[ ss ]

Introduction to international law, its nature, sources, and application, for example, its role in the management of international conflicts. Topics may include international agreements, international organizations including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, states and recognition, nationality and alien rights, territorial and maritime jurisdiction, international claims, and the laws of war and human rights. Usually offered every third year.

LGLS 161b Advocacy for Policy Change
[ oc ss wi ]

This hands-on course invites students to address concrete social problems through public policy reform. It provides background in theories, advocacy skills, networks, and key players that drive the legislative process. Focusing on policy change at the statehouse level, students engage with elected officials and community organizations to advance key legislation affecting social welfare, health, education, and economic justice. This course is supported by ENACT, the Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation. Usually offered every year.

NEJS 141b Human Rights: Law, Politics, Theology
[ hum ]

How did human rights work arise in recent decades, and why only then? Is it a new sort of religion? What critical thinking will help this vast work of advocacy, international law, democratization and humanitarianism alleviate human suffering? Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 150b Israeli Civil Society: Diversity, Democracy, and Justice
[ djw hum ]

Civil society sustains democracy. It is where alternative futures are imagined, social boundaries are forged and contested, and identities are negotiated. As societies are becoming increasingly diverse and divided, and less stable and safe – civil society is where people organize, dream, and act. The Israeli civil society offers a fascinating case study for understanding the links between identity, organizations, and society. Through the Israeli context, we explore how national, ethnic, gender, cultural,  differences are constructed and managed in diverse and divided societies; understand how civic engagement shapes the future of democracy; and learn about the complexity and diversity of Jewish identity, in Israel and the diaspora. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 189a The Arab-Israeli Conflict
[ hum ss ]

Consideration of Arab-Jewish relations, attitudes, and interactions from 1880 to the present. Emphasis on social factors and intellectual currents and their impact on politics. Examines the conflict within its international setting. Usually offered every third year.

NEJS 192b Power, Morality and Identity: Jewish Political Thought
[ hum ]

Though Jews were stateless for centuries, they had many political institutions and thought deeply about basic questions of politics, authority, ethics and power. In modernity, the age of emancipation, revolution, democracy, nationalism, Holocaust and Zionism, those ideas and institutions were put to new, shattering tests. All readings are in English with a HEBREW option for those who would like. Usually offered every second year.

PHIL 111a What Is Justice?
[ hum ]

This course is a survey of important claims, theories, and arguments about justice in the Western philosophical tradition. Questions we will discuss include: What is justice (and injustice)? What makes someone a just person? What makes for a just society, and a just government in particular? How does justice interact with other things we care about, like equality, liberty, and personal relationships? What does justice require of us in how we treat people from different social groups? We will address these questions through interrogating both classic and contemporary philosophical texts. Usually offered every second year.

PHIL 112a Social Contract Theory and its Critics
[ hum wi ]

Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or political theory. 
 

Explores a variety of normative arguments for and against the legitimacy of the state that have been put forward by key figures in the history of western political philosophy; e.g. Hobbes, Kant, Rousseau, Hume, and Dewey. Usually offered every second year.

PHIL 120b Radical Social and Political Philosophy
[ hum ]

Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or political theory.

Explores a variety of works in the field of radical social and political philosophy and concentrates in particular on the early works of Marx, Foucault's theory of power, and contemporary philosophical arguments about racism and gender oppression. Usually offered every second year.
Marion Smiley

PHIL 128b Philosophy of Race and Gender
[ deis-us hum ]

Explores the nature of racism and gender oppression, as well as various remedies to them, including reparations, affirmative action, and policies of group representation at the state level. Usually offered every second year.

SOC 55b Protest, Politics, and Change: Social Movements
[ deis-us ss ]

Introduces major sociological theories about leadership, political context, culture, and identities in social movements in transnational perspective. Examines historical and contemporary cases of social movements through the lenses of race, gender, class, and sexuality. Usually offered every year.