POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY

History of Political and Social Thought
POL-GA 1100 Core course. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Major political thinkers of past and present. Special reference to enduring problems in political theory.

Methods of Political and Social Analysis
POL-GA 2106 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Nature and functions of theory, particularly Marxist dialectic, that attempt to analyze political phenomena systematically; historical, sociological, psychological, and phenomenological research; classical and current works.

Communism
POL-GA 2140 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Fundamentals of modern communist thought; writings of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and their major critics. Emphasis is on communism as the unrealized potential of capitalism and therefore more on what in capitalism suggests this potential and less on the precapitalist societies that called themselves “communist.”

Seminar in Political Theory
POL-GA 3100, 3101 Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in political theory. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
General seminar in political philosophy. The specific topic of the seminar varies, but this is an advanced seminar that assumes extensive background.

POLITICAL METHODOLOGY

Mathematics for Political Scientists
POL-GA 1110 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Covers basic topics of mathematics—calculus, linear algebra, optimization, real analysis—with wide application in political science, and introduces the student to the rigorous and formal mathematical language used in Game Theory I, Game Theory II, Political Economy Core, and more advanced courses.

Introduction to Quantitative Political Analysis I
POL-GA 1120 For M.A. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Introduces elementary statistical analysis and prepares the student for POL-GA 2127. Topics include probability theory, distribution theory, estimation of simple statistical models, and hypothesis testing.

Introduction to Quantitative Political Analysis I
POL-GA 1250 For Ph.D. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Introduces elementary statistical analysis and prepares the student for POL-GA 1251. Topics include probability theory, distribution theory, estimation of simple statistical models, and hypothesis testing.

Introduction to Quantitative Political Analysis II
POL-GA 1251 For Ph.D. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Builds on POL-GA 2151. Provides working knowledge of some of the quantitative methods used in political science research. Emphasis is on using and critiquing the general linear model. Introduction to categorical data analysis and research methodology.

Game Theory I
POL-GA 1260 For Ph.D. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Survey of the main concepts and findings of game theory that are relevant to the study of politics.

Formal Modeling in Political Science
POL-GA 2105 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Introduction to formal modeling and deductive theorizing. Main tools of analysis used are decision theory, game theory, and social choice theory.

Game Theory and Politics
POL-GA 2108 For M.A. students only. Prerequisite: one course in statistics or formal modeling. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Survey of the main concepts and findings of game theory that are relevant to the study of politics.

Introduction to Quantitative Political Analysis II
POL-GA 2127 For M.A. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Builds on POL-GA 1120. Provides working knowledge of some of the quantitative methods used in political science research. Emphasis is on using and critiquing the general linear model. Introduction to categorical data analysis and research methodology.

Math and Democracy: Designing Better Voting and Fair-Division Procedures
POL-GA 2170 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Analysis of democratic procedures, or rules of play, that (1) reflect the interests of the citizens in elections and (2) respect due process and rule of law in the fair division of public and private goods. By making precise the properties of these procedures and clarifying trade-offs among them, mathematics strengthens the intellectual foundations of democratic institutions. While mathematical training is helpful in understanding some topics in the course, more important is the ability to think carefully and rigorously about the nature of democracy and its institutions.

Quantitative Methods in Political Science III
POL-GA 2251 For Ph.D. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Builds on POL-GA 1250 and 1251. Concentrates more specifically on political science research methods. Emphasis is on problems of research design, data collection, statistical solutions, data analysis, and statistical theory.

Game Theory II
POL-GA 2260 For Ph.D students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Builds on POL-GA 1260 and POL-GA 1110. Advanced analysis of the concepts and findings of game theory as relevant to the study of politics.

Seminar in Political Methodology
POL-GA 3200 Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in political methodology. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
The specific topic of the seminar varies, but this is an advanced seminar requiring extensive background.

AMERICAN POLITICS

American Politics—The Domestic Politics of the United States I
POL-GA 1350 Core course. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Broad overview of important topics in the study of the domestic politics in the United States. Examines in depth the analysis and merits of a selection of contemporary research on political participation, mass opinion, elections, legislative politics, interbranch relations, bureaucratic politics, judicial politics, federalism, inequality, and the role of money in politics. Course goals are to (1) introduce students to important controversies in the study of American domestic politics and (2) encourage students to think rigorously about the process of conducting political research.

American Politics—The Domestic Politics of the United States II
POL-GA 1351 Core course. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
A more focused exploration of important topics in the study of the domestic politics of the United States. Examines in depth the analysis and merits of a selection of contemporary research on political participation, mass opinion, elections, legislative politics, interbranch relations, bureaucratic politics, judicial politics, federalism, inequality, and the role of money in politics.

Campaigns and Elections
POL-GA 2324 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Analysis of U.S. election processes through theoretical and practical approaches to the study of voting, campaigns, and elections. Studies role of parties, pressure groups, media, polls, etc.

Public Policy
POL-GA 2371 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Advanced-level study of policymaking process in federal politics and research issues raised by it. Emphasis is on interaction of policy analysis and political institutions. Some prior knowledge of public policy is assumed.

Seminar in American Government and Politics
POL-GA 3300, 3301 Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in American politics. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
General seminar in American government. The specific topic of the seminar varies, but this is an advanced seminar requiring extensive background.

POLITICAL ECONOMY

Political Economy
POL-GA 1400 Core course. For M.A. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Overview of the emerging field of political economy. Surveys three broad intellectual traditions prominent in the political economy literature: (1) the application of microeconomic, game theoretic, and public choice theory to politics, (2) a focus on institutions and the behavior of their related politics, and (3) Marxian and neo-Marxian approaches. The course requires an understanding of basic microeconomics.

Political Economy
POL-GA 1450 Core course. For Ph.D. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Overview of fundamental contributions to the field of political economy. Covers topics in (1) social choice and collective aggregation of preferences; (2) electoral competition; the spatial model and theories of turnout; and (3) public choice, public economics, and comparative electoral systems. The course requires an understanding of mathematical background at the level of POL-GA 1110 or above.

Politics of Economic Growth
POL-GA 2424 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Introduction to growth economics, the impact of intracountry inequality on growth, the effects of voter preferences and government policies on economic growth. Knowledge of some economics (microeconomics with calculus), game-theory (perfect Bayesian equilibrium), and statistics (OLS) is assumed.

Seminar in Political Economy
POL-GA 3400 Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in political economy. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
General seminar in political economy. The specific topic of the seminar varies, but this is an advanced seminar that assumes extensive background.

COMPARATIVE POLITICS

Comparative Politics
POL-GA 1500 For M.A. students only. Core course. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Basic approaches to comparative political inquiry and the application of these approaches to specific problems of political analysis. Understanding of political phenomena in a comparative perspective.

Comparative Politics of Industrialized Democracies
POL-GA 1550 For Ph.D. students only. Core course. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Introduction to the comparative study of politics in different institutional and cultural settings. Themes covered include the role of institutional “veto players”; presidential and parliamentary government; bicameral and unicameral legislatures; the institutional structuring of legislative decision making; electoral systems; social capital/civic culture; social and political cleavages; dimensions of policy and ideology; voting; party competition; and the making and breaking of governments.

Comparative Politics of Developing Countries
POL-GA 1551 For Ph.D. students only. Core course. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Introduction to the methodology and to some of the main themes in comparative politics of developing countries. Prepares students to do comparative research through an in-depth coverage of current debate in comparative politics of developing countries and an introduction to the main methodological approaches.

The Political Economy of Development
POL-GA 2536 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Assesses the issues and debates in the current literature on the political economy of development; analyzes principal characteristics of the contemporary world economy, especially patterns of inequality and the varying explanations for their emergence.

Middle Eastern Government and Politics
POL-GA 2590 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Political analysis of the Middle East, covering such issues as class and state formation, political economy of oil, problems of development, rural and urban politics, regional conflict, politics of gender, and religious identity.

Seminar in Comparative Politics
POL-GA 3500, 3501 Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in comparative politics. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
General seminar in comparative politics. The specific topic of the seminar varies, but this is an advanced seminar requiring extensive background.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

International Politics: Concepts and Theories
POL-GA 1700 For M.A. students only. Core course. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Objectives and scope of studies of international politics, research problems, global models of political action and reaction.

Normative Issues in International Politics
POL-GA 1730 For M.A. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
What values guide us as we make choices about using force, ending conflict, protecting human rights, promoting social justice, preserving the environment, and participating in international organizations? This course is designed to provide analytical rigor to the perennial question: What role does ethics play in the conduct of foreign affairs? Principles of realism, liberalism, cosmopolitanism, communitarianism, and supranationalism are considered in light of specific case studies.

Topics in International Organization
POL-GA 1731-1735 For M.A. students only. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Introduction to the practice of policymaking in the United Nations system. Taught by practitioners from the United Nations, its affiliated agencies, and regional subgroups, and, in some cases, related nongovernmental organizations. Topics change depending on the expertise of the practitioner teaching the course. Examples include peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, regional integration, or economic development. Note: Ph.D. students may not take this course.

International Relations: Cooperation and Political Economy
POL-GA 1750 For Ph.D. students only. Core course. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Core course that covers two crucial areas in international relations: cooperation and political economy. Covers general theories of cooperation that are useful for understanding cooperation across issue areas including human rights, peacekeeping, and international trade and finance in international politics.

International Relations: Conflict
POL-GA 1751 For Ph.D. students only. Core course. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Survey of modern approaches to the study on international conflict. Emphasis is placed on rigorous scientific approaches that use models to derive testable implication as to conflict relations.

U.S. Foreign Policy
POL-GA 2750 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
American foreign policy and the major international problems facing the United States today.

The Political Economy of North-South Relations
POL-GA 2770 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Major issues involved in restructuring the international economic system. Analyzes initiatives of the Western, Socialist, and developing countries. Emphasis is on trade and monetary questions. Acquaintance with international politics and economics is necessary.

The Political Economy of the Pacific Basin
POL-GA 2774 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Evaluates recent trends in East Asian and Pacific economic and political developments. The character of economic growth, the nature of the political systems, and implications of recent dynamism. Overall trends are analyzed with discussion focused on three distinct regions: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

International Political Economy
POL-GA 2775 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
A general introduction to the field: evolution of the international political economy, international cooperation, international institutions, international trade and finance policy, macroeconomic policy coordination.

International Law
POL-GA 2900 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Rules that govern in the legal relationship and current development of law among nations, based on the study of cases. The use of the law for the regulation of international behavior and environment.

Seminar in International Politics
POL-GA 3700 Required of all Ph.D. candidates majoring in international relations. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
General seminar in international politics. The specific topic of the seminar varies, but this is an advanced course requiring extensive background.

INTERNSHIP SUPERVISION

Internship Seminar
POL-GA 3995 Prerequisite: approved internship position consistent with student’s academic and/or career trajectory. 2 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Required course for students in the M.A. and M.A. international affairs programs completing their internship requirement.

THESIS SUPERVISION

Master’s Thesis Seminar
POL-GA 4000 Prerequisites: completion of all course work, or on track to complete all course work, during the semester in which enrolled in course; approved master’s thesis proposal. 2 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Required capstone course for students in the M.A. and M.A in international affairs programs. Support for thesis-writing process.

READING AND RESEARCH

Dissertation Research
POL-GA 3951 Prerequisite: completion of comprehensive examination. 4 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Individual research related to the doctoral dissertation.

Reading and Research in Politics
POL-GA 3991, 3992, 3993 Prerequisite: written petition stating the need for the course and including a preliminary bibliography, approved by the professor supervising the course and by the director of graduate studies. No more than 12 points of reading and research may be taken during a student’s graduate program, of which no more than 8 points may be taken during work on the master’s degree. 1-4 points per term. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Tutorial for students whose individual needs are not met by formal courses. A substantial research paper or final examination is required.

Workshop in Political Science
POL-GA 3955 Prerequisite: Student must be engaged in research and must be ready to make a research presentation and receive comments on that research. 2 points. 2011-12, 2012-13.
Continues the student’s education in how to do political research and is seen as a key aspect in helping students to complete in a timely manner, and improve the quality of, their dissertation (and related) research.