Fall 2022 Classes
Intro Courses
Political Theory I (POLS-UN1101), Prof. TBD
Political Theory, day and time TBD
NOTE: This course will be offered by Columbia.
This course considers key questions at the foundation of political thought. What is justice? How do we justify the coercive power of states? Do we have an obligation to obey the government? Who should make and enforce the law? What basic rights and liberties should governments protect? How should our economic system produce and divide wealth and material resources? What are the claims of excluded or marginalized groups and how can these claims be addressed? We explore these questions through the works of several classical and contemporary political thinkers. A major goal of the course is to practice the skills needed to understand a political thinker’s arguments and to construct one’s own.
Intro to American Politics (POLS-UN1201), Prof. Michael Miller
American Politics, MW 1:10pm-2:25pm
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the principles of American politics and governance. Upon completing the class, students should be more informed about the American political process and better able to explain contemporary American political phenomena, as well as being more likely to engage with politics and elections
International Politics (POLS-UN1601), Prof. TBD
International Politics, TTh 1:10pm-2:25pm
NOTE: This course will be offered by Columbia.
This introductory course surveys key topics in the study of international politics, including the causes of war and peace; the efficacy of international law and human rights; the origins of international development and underdevelopment; the politics of global environmental protection; and the future of US-China relations. Throughout the course, we will focus on the interests of the many actors of world politics, including states, politicians, firms, bureaucracies, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations; the interactions between them; and the institutions in which they operate. By the end of the semester, students will be better equipped to systematically study international relations and make informed contributions to critical policy debates
Colloquia
Colloquium on American Political Development (POLS-BC3019), Prof. Katherine Krimmel
American Politics, T 11:00am-12:50pm
In this survey of American political development, we will discuss how and why major institutions and policies emerged, why they took certain forms, when and why they have changed over time, and what kinds of factors limit change. We will also discuss how policies, in turn, shape citizens and institutions.
Colloquium on Human Rights in a Diverse World (POLS-BC3410), Prof. Ayten Gündoğdu
Political Theory, R 12:10pm-2:00pm
Examination of human rights within the context of international migration. The course covers topics such as citizenship, state sovereignty, border control, asylum-seekers, refugees, and undocumented immigrants. (Cross-listed by the Human Rights Program.)
Colloquium on Political Economy of Corruption and Its Control (POLS-BC3500), Prof. Xiaobo Lu
Comparative Politics, W 2:10pm-4:00pm
Comparative political economy course which addresses some important questions concerning corruption and its control: the concept, causes, patterns, consequences, and control of corruption. Introduces students to and engages them in several key social science debates on the causes and effects of political corruption.
Colloquium on Non-State Governance in Settings of Crime and War (POLS-BC3543), Prof. Eduardo Moncada
Comparative Politics, R 2:10pm-4:00pm
The conventional wisdom is that crime and civil war are linked to disorder. But these are far from disorderly and ungoverned spaces. Unpacking these settings reveals complex forms of non-state governance constructed by a range of actors, including rebels and guerillas, gangs, vigilantes, and protection rackets – sometimes facilitated by the state.
Colloquium on COVID-19 and International Relations (POLS-BC3816), Prof. Alexander Cooley
International Politics, M 11:00am-12:50pm
Welcome to “International Relations of COVID-19.” The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic has sent political shockwaves around the world, affecting almost every aspect of international political life. From how countries cooperate with one another to redefining what constitutes national security, to recasting pressures for globalization and de-globalization, the world as we knew it prior to February 2020 appears to be dramatically changing. At the same time, scholars and policymakers are increasingly divided about how to understand and respond to many of these challenges. Is the COVID era truly new or will it actually accelerate recent trends in international politics and global governance? What are the similarities between this pandemic and previous global health crises and what lessons should we draw for managing international order? What are the implications for US leadership, and broad perceptions about the erosion of the US-led liberal world order, and how have strategic competitors like China dealt with the crisis globally? Finally, what are the tools, resources and networks available to researchers and policy makers interested in making more evidence-based assessments about international public policy? What are the challenges? The intensive nature of this colloquium is reflected in two ways- preparation and focus. First, the course carries a substantial reading load designed to inform and prepare students for each course session. These assignments will mostly be academic readings, but may also include podcasts, news articles, and digital archival materials. New materials and resources dealing with the course topic are added daily and may be added to the syllabus, so please check the Courseworks syllabus before each meeting for the current assignments. Importantly, our class lectures, group activities and individual assignments will build upon, not review, the assigned materials for the session.
Colloquium on American Elections and Campaigns (POLS-BC3334), Prof. Michael Miller
American Politics, W 4:10pm-6:00pm
The purpose of this course is to examine how political science can inform the real-world campaign environment, improving our understanding of strategy and outcomes in American elections.
Electives
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (POLS-BC3521), Prof. Paula Franzese
American Politics, R 4:10pm-6:00pm
Explores seminal case law to inform contemporary civil rights and civil liberties jurisprudence and policy. Specifically, the readings examine historical and contemporary first amendment values, including freedom of speech and the press, economic liberties, takings law, discrimination based on race, gender, class and sexual preference, affirmative action, the right to privacy, reproductive freedom, the right to die, criminal procedure and adjudication, the rights of the criminally accused post-9/11 and the death penalty. (Cross-listed by the American Studies and Human Rights Programs.)
Politics of Urban Development in Latin America (POLS-UN3560), Prof. Eduardo Moncada
Comparative Politics, TR 10:10am-11:25am
What shapes the ways cities develop politically and socioeconomically? Why do some cities become seeming "models" of urban governance whereas others struggle with perpetual corruption, inequality, and crime and violence? How do formal and informal political and social institutions interact to shape patterns of urban development? How do relations between cities and other levels of the state, including regional and national governments, impact local democracy and development? Are impoverished urban peripheries fertile grounds for political revolution? These are some of the questions that we will tackle in this course through a focus on urban politics and development in Latin America. Perceptions among both scholars and policymakers regarding Latin America's urbanization are polarized. Some see the region's development including innovative forms of governance, like participatory budgeting, social urbanism through participatory planning, and community policing. Others view the swift and unprecedented pace of clientelism, and violence. Our task this semester is to mediate between these two perspectives as we explore and analyze urban politics and development in the region.
The Global Politics of Climate Change (POLSBC3605), Prof. Kimberly Marten
International Politics, MW 10:10am-11:25am
Climate change mitigation is the greatest global political challenge of our times. This course uses concepts drawn from the broader political science literature to analyze the recent history and possible future trajectories of interactions between international politics and climate change, including the international political economy of various relevant commercial sectors. It has no prerequisites, and no background knowledge is required.