Political Studies

The goal of this course is to provide students with a framework to help make sense of the 21st century global community. Topics discussed include: the differences between democratic and authoritarian states; economic, cultural or institutional preconditions for democracy; ways various political systems manage internal dissension and conflict; and the difficult transition from autocratic systems of repression to democratic systems.

In this course students examine the political, social and economic institutions that make up the American political system. After discussing the theoretical foundations of the American experiment in democracy, students analyze how these theoretical foundations were translated into concrete political institutions. Through the analysis of history, current controversies, case studies and simulations students see how the institutions of the American regime come together to form a logical and rational political system.

This course explores an aspect of political life which is all around us, yet rarely studied closely: political ideologies. This course explores important philosophical questions that ideologies seek to answer, such as: What is a political community and what is its proper role in life? What is justice? How should individuals relate to the state? What is power and how should it be limited? When is change necessary, and how should that change come about?