Political Science

Political Science is the study of justice and authority, peace and conflict, public policies and elections, government and law, democracy and autocracy, freedom and oppression. More than any other social science, Political Science uses a wide variety of approaches to explain political phenomena and to evaluate the actions of polities and leaders. The Political Science major develops reading, writing, and thinking skills necessary for a critical understanding of the political world. The major prepares students to go on to public policy or law schools as well as to graduate work in Political Science. Majors in the department have pursued careers worldwide in public service, journalism, advocacy, law, and education, to name a few.

Major Requirements

Students who wish to declare Political Science as a major should contact the Political Science Chair. The department will attempt to respect requests for a particular advisor, but, because of the need to distribute advisees evenly among the faculty, cannot guarantee particular requests.

All Haverford Political Science courses count toward the Bryn Mawr major (the same is generally true for courses at Swarthmore and Penn). Majors in the Bryn Mawr department must take at least four (for 2019-20: three) of their major courses here, in addition to 399.

The study of politics covers a wide ground, and the Political Science major is designed to give students an opportunity to focus their study while also attending to questions, issues, and problems that run through the study of politics more generally, and that connect the study of politics to other disciplines. We have organized the major along the lines of four general themes as well as according to traditional subfields

Identity and Difference
Policy Formation and Political Action
Interdependence and Conflict
Political and Legal Theory
American Politics
Comparative Politics
International Politics
Law and Policy

The Political Science major consists of a minimum of 10 courses:

Two introductory-level courses, which prospective majors should complete by the end of their sophomore year, from this list: 121, 123 (at HC), 131, 141, 143 (at HC), 151 (at HC), 228, 245 and 231. These courses may be taken in any order.
Two concentrations, at least one of which should be from either the general themes or the traditional subfields listed above. The second concentration is normally also chosen from those categories, but it can be based on a more substantive focus (e.g. gender, environmental politics, or the politics of a particular region), to be determined in consultation with the student's advisor. Each concentration consists of three courses, at least one of which must be at the 300 level and all of which must be either at the 200 or 300 level. The specific courses required to satisfy the concentration will be determined as part of a major work plan by the student and her advisor.
One course with explicit attention to research in Political Science. This course should treat different approaches to political research, staged writing and revision of a research project, and culminate with a research project (a research design or research essay). The following regularly offered courses at Bryn Mawr and Haverford can fulfill this requirement. Other courses can be designated as Research Attentive or approved by the department chair. POLS 233 (Intro to Research Design and Data Analysis), POLS H277 (Quantitative Methods), POLS 310 (Comparative Public Policy), POLS 339 (Bureaucracy & Democracy in America), POLS 391 (International Political Economy), POLS 367 (China and the World), POLS 371 (Topics in Political Philosophy), POLS 382 (Comparative Political Parties).
(The research attentive course requirement is only in effect for majors declaring in AY 2024-2025 and after. Students already declared need only take an additional 300-level course.)
Senior Essay (399), to be taken in the spring semester of the senior year.
At least four courses, in addition to POLS 399, must be taken in the Bryn Mawr Political Science Department.

Senior Capstone

The senior project in Political Science can take one of two forms. All students can choose to write Senior Field Essays. With faculty approval and a well-constructed project, students can instead choose to write a senior thesis. Students on both paths will have an oral “defense” at the end of the spring semester.

Senior Field Essays

The Senior Field Essays consist of two essays (approximately 12-15 pages each) on two topics or themes that the student has studied during their time at Bryn Mawr. These essays are an opportunity to reflect on topics/themes of the students’ own choosing, and are intended to draw on, and extend and/or integrate ideas from various courses that the student has taken. Generally, the topics of the essays should reflect their two concentrations and the courses taken within each; the precise topic of each essay will be determined by the student in consultation with a senior essay advisor. Each essay should discuss approximately 5-7 relevant works (books and/or articles), although a higher or lower number (or a specific balance between books and articles) may be determined in consultation with the faculty advisor. The precise number of works considered may vary depending on the topic and will be determined in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Students attend a fall meeting to discuss the general requirements for the essays, and submit a proposal for the topics of the two essays at about the 10th week of the fall semester. (The exact date is announced at the fall meeting). Students are assigned an advisor who meets with the student at the end of fall semester or beginning of spring semester. Students meet regularly with their advisors through the spring semester to discuss their work-in-progress. The first essay is submitted before spring break. The second essay is submitted by the last day of spring classes.

Senior Thesis

Students who are interested in the possibility of writing a thesis and who have a clearly defined thesis topic should discuss their prospective thesis with a member of the Political Science faculty during the fall semester prior to fall break. The faculty member and the student will discuss the appropriateness of doing a thesis in lieu of the Field Essays. With the approval of the faculty member, the student will submit a detailed thesis proposal in lieu of the Field Essay proposals, due around the 10th week of fall semester. Students writing a thesis are assigned a thesis advisor with whom the student meets regularly during the spring term.

Senior Orals

During finals weeks of the spring semester, senior Political Science majors will meet with their advisor and a second faculty reader to discuss their completed field essays or thesis. This is an opportunity for the student to answer questions about, and elaborate on, their senior projects.

Major Credit for Courses Outside the Political Science Department

Up to three courses from departments other than Political Science may be accepted for major credit, if in the judgment of the department these courses are an integral part of a student’s major plan. Decisions as to which outside courses count for Political Science major credit are made by the faculty on a case by case basis. When in doubt, students should consult their major advisor or the department chair. Ordinarily, 100-level courses taken in other departments may not be counted for major credit in Political Science.

We encourage students to spend a semester abroad during their junior year. We generally count one course taken abroad for credit toward the major. Courses taken abroad count at the 200 level only.

Praxis Courses for Major Credit

Praxis courses can count within the Political Science major at the 200-level, pending approval by a major’s Political Science advisor. In order to count, Praxis courses need to involve attention to or involvement with political phenomena and include some research component (formalized through a poster, written document, or other form).

Writing Intensive and Writing Attentive Courses

Students are required to take at least one writing intensive course or two writing attentive courses in their major. Political Science generally offers one writing intensive course annually. In addition, a number of 300-level courses that count as writing attentive will be offered annually.

Honors

Students who have done distinguished work in their courses in the major and who write outstanding senior capstones will be considered for departmental honors.

Minor Requirements

A minor in Political Science consists of six courses distributed across a minimum of two fields. At least four of these courses must be at the 200 level or higher, and at least two of them must be at the 300 level. At least three of the courses must be taken from the Bryn Mawr Department of Political Science course offerings.

The fields are:

Identity and Difference
Policy Formation and Political Action
Interdependence and Conflict
Political and Legal Theory
American Politics
Comparative Politics
International Politics
Law and Policy

Course Designations

Almost every course offered in the Political Science Departments at Bryn Mawr and Haverford will count for at least one of the fields of concentration, and some may count for more than one (no single course, however, may be counted as part of more than one field of concentration). Many courses offered at Swarthmore and Penn will also count toward these. Because new courses are often being created, the following is not an exhaustive list; students should consult their advisor for information on classifying any courses that do not appear on here.

Identity and Difference

Course List
Code	Title	Units
POLS B131	Introduction to Comparative Politics	1
POLS B205	European Politics: Coming Together or Falling Apart?	1
POLS B206	Conflict & Conflict Management	1
POLS B220	Constitutional Law	1
POLS B221	Gender and Comparative Politics	1
POLS B228	Introduction to Political Philosophy: Ancient and Early Modern	1
POLS B229	Politics of Women's Empowerment	1
POLS B231	Introduction to Political Philosophy: Modern	1
POLS B242	Gender and International Organizations	1
POLS B243	African and Caribbean Perspectives in World Politics	1
POLS B245	Philosophy of Law	1
POLS B266	Virtue, Friendship, and Democratic Practice	1
POLS B283	Middle East Politics	1
POLS B304	Community and the Politics of Places	1
POLS H320	Democracy in America	1
POLS B345	Big Data, Big Impact, Big Responsibilities: Fundamentals and Ethics of Data Science	1
POLS B348	Culture and Ethnic Conflict Identity and Conflict	1
POLS B352	Peace Studies in International Politics	1
POLS B354	Comparative Social Movements
POLS B367	China and the World: Implications of China's Rise	1
POLS B375	Perspectives on Work, and Family in the U.S.	1
POLS H379	Feminist Political Theory	1
POLS B382	Political Parties, Polarization and Democracy	1
POLS B391	International Political Economy	1

Policy Formation and Political Action

Course List
Code	Title	Units
POLS B121	Introduction to U.S. Politics	1
POLS B131	Introduction to Comparative Politics	1
POLS B205	European Politics: Coming Together or Falling Apart?	1
POLS B222	Introduction to Environmental Issues: Policy Making in Comparative Perspective	1
POLS B224	Comparative Political Phil: China, Greece, and the "West"	1
POLS B227	Field Seminar in Comparative Politics	1
POLS B228	Introduction to Political Philosophy: Ancient and Early Modern	1
POLS H237	Latin American Politics	1
POLS B242	Gender and International Organizations	1
POLS B249	Politics of Economic Development	1
POLS B310	Comparative Public Policy	1
POLS H314	Strategic Advocacy: Lobbying & Interest Group Politics in Washington, D.C.	1
POLS H315	Public Policy Analysis	1
POLS H320	Democracy in America	1
POLS B321	Technology and Politics	1
POLS H32	Grassroots Politics in Philadelphia	1
POLS B333	Transformations in American Politics: late 20th-early 21st century	1
POLS H334	Politics of Violence	1
POLS B345	Big Data, Big Impact, Big Responsibilities: Fundamentals and Ethics of Data Science	1
POLS B352	Peace Studies in International Politics	1
POLS B354	Comparative Social Movements: Power, Protest, and Mobilization	1
POLS B375	Perspectives on Work and Family in the U.S.	1
POLS B378	Origins of American Constitutionalism	1
POLS B382	Political Parties, Polarization and Democracy	1
POLS B393	US Welfare Politics: Theory and Practice	1

Independence and Conflict

Course List
Code	Title	Units
POLS B205	European Politics: Coming Together or Falling Apart?	1
POLS B206	Conflict & Conflict Management	1
POLS B211	Politics of Humanitarianism	1
POLS B233	Intro to Research Design and Data Analysis for PoliSci	1
POLS B242	Gender and International Organizations	1
POLS B249	Politics of Economic Development	1
POLS B256	Global Politics of Climate Change	1
POLS H261	Global Civil Society	1
POLS B26	Politics of Commodities	1
POLS B278	Oil, Politics, Society, and Economy	1
POLS B283	Middle East Politics	1
POLS B287	Media and Politics: The Middle East Transformed	1
POLS B316	Ethnic Group Politics—Identity and Conflict	1
POLS B348	Culture and Ethnic Conflict Identity and Conflict	1
POLS H350	Topics in International Politics	1
POLS B352	Peace Studies in International Politics	1
POLS B357	International Relations Theory: Conflict and the Middle East	1
POLS B358	Freedom in the 21st Century	1
POLS B367	China and the World: Implications of China's Rise	1
POLS B361	On The Human Condition: The Political Thinking of Hannah Are	1
POLS B378	Origins of American Constitutionalism	1
POLS B379	The United Nations and World Order	1
POLS B382	Political Parties, Polarization and Democracy	1
POLS B391	International Political Economy	1
POLS B392	State in Theory and History	1

Political Theory

Course List
Code	Title	Units
POLS B228	Introduction to Political Philosophy: Ancient and Early Modern	1
POLS B231	Introduction to Political Philosophy: Modern	1
POLS B241	The Politics of International Law and Institutions	1
POLS B245	Philosophy of Law	1
POLS B266	Virtue, Friendship, and Democratic Practice	1
POLS B272	The Power of the People: Democratic Revolutions	1
POLS B277	Creating Queer Studies	1
POLS B304	Community and the Politics of Places	1
POLS B320	Greek Political Philosophy	1
POLS B327	Political Philosophy in the 20th Century	1
POLS B358	Freedom in the 21st Century	1
POLS B361	On The Human Condition: The Political Thinking of Hannah Are	1
POLS B371	Topics in Political Philosophy	1
POLS B378	Origins of American Constitutionalism	1
POLS H379	Feminist Political Theory	1
POLS B381	Nietzsche	1

POLS B121 Introduction to U.S. Politics (1 Unit)

As the American political system continues to face challenges from both the right and the left, it is more important than ever to understand its key features, institutions, personnel and policy-making processes. This course provides a broad overview of the structures, personnel and institutions that govern and shape elections and policymaking in the United States. This course provides an overview of these key features. Writing Attentive.

POLS B131 Introduction to Comparative Politics (1 Unit)

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the discipline of comparative politics. We will explore the primary approaches and concepts scholars employ in order to systematically analyze the political world. In doing so, we will also examine the political structures, institutions, and behaviors of a number of countries around the world. Questions we will engage with include: What is power and how is it exercised? What are the differences between democratic and authoritarian regimes? How do different countries develop their economies? What factors shape the relationships between states and their societies? By the end of this course, students will be equipped to answer these questions and prepared for further study in political science.

POLS B141 Introduction to International Politics (1 Unit)

This course offers an introduction to international politics to acquaint students with major trends and themes in international relations and global affairs. The course is divided into two units. The first unit explores the foundational concepts and theories and the history of international relations. The second unit focuses on key issues in international relations, such as the rise of populism & authoritarianism, international organizations, global peace & security initiatives, human rights, and forced migration. Throughout the semester, students will be asked to connect these theories and topics to issues that are playing out in the world today. This course is a pre-requisite for other International Politics courses within the Pol Sci department.

POLS B205 European Politics: Coming Together or Falling Apart? (1 Unit)

The European Union is one of the most ambitious experiments in international cooperation ever attempted. Despite the EU’s many successes, sources of conflict between and within European countries have persisted. With the recent Greek financial crisis ("Grexit"), the Syrian refugee crisis, Britain's departure ("Brexit"), and the rise of far-right nationalist parties in many member countries, the union is starting to look frayed around the edges. In fact, each move toward European unity has dropped barriers for some while raising them for others. In this course, we will explore European politics from the edges, from the borders separating the included from the excluded. These borders may be geographical, political, socioeconomic, racial/ethnic, or cultural in nature. Our focus will be on political initiatives from the bottom up and the outside in. From this perspective, we will try to make sense of the interactions that produce cross-cutting pressures toward European unification on the one hand and toward dissolution of the European experiment on the other. We will cover issue areas such as migrant labor, housing and urban quality of life, immigration and refugee policy, climate, pandemic response, education and collective memory, defense and security, and information politics.

POLS B210 Authoritarian Regimes (1 Unit)

Despite optimistic predictions that the end of the Cold War would spell the end of non-democratic rule, authoritarian regimes remain widespread – indeed, even resurgent – today. This course examines authoritarian regimes around the world and throughout history, asking several key questions: What sets authoritarian systems apart from their democratic counterparts? What keeps authoritarian regimes in power, and under what circumstances do they fall? We will pay particular attention to how ordinary people experience authoritarian politics, and how their actions and choices produce political outcomes.

POLS B221 Gender and Comparative Politics (1 Unit)

This course explores the dynamic intersection of gender and politics within a comparative framework. Through a feminist and intersectional lens, students will engage in major debates in the field of comparative politics, including but not limited to the State, social movements, authoritarianism, populism, democracy, institutions, and backlash. The course maps the trajectory of feminist work across various areas of comparative research, using examples from different world regions and periods to analyze similarities and differences across global cases. This course fulfills a 200-level requirement for both Comparative Politics and American Politics for Political Science majors. Prerequisite: Students must have taken either Intro to International Politics, Intro to Comparative Politics, or Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies.

POLS B224 Comparative Political Phil: China, Greece, and the "West" (1 Unit)

An introduction to the dialogic construction of comparative political philosophy, using texts from several cultures or worlds of thought: ancient and modern China, ancient Greece, and the modern West. The course will have three parts. First, a consideration of the synchronous emergence of philosophy in ancient (Axial Age) China and Greece; second, the 19th century invention of the modern "West" and Chinese responses to this development; and third, the current discussions and debates about globalization, democracy, and human rights now going on in China and the West. Prerequisite: At least one course in either Philosophy, Political Theory, or East Asian Studies, or consent of the instructor.

POLS B227 Field Seminar in Comparative Politics (1 Unit)

This seminar introduces the intellectual history of comparative politics, and explore the primary approaches and concepts scholars employ in order to systematically analyze the political world. In doing so, we will also examine the political structures, institutions, and behaviors of a number of countries around the world. Key questions we will discuss include: What is power and how is it exercised? What are the differences between democratic and authoritarian regimes? How do different countries develop their economies? What factors affect the way that countries behave in the international arena? By the end of this course, students will be equipped to answer these questions, and prepared for further study in political science. Freshman may not take this course and can take POLS B131. Prerequisite: Sophomore or higher

POLS B228 Introduction to Political Philosophy: Ancient and Early Modern (1 Unit)

An introduction to the fundamental problems of political philosophy, especially the relationship between political life and the human good or goods.

POLS B229 Politics of Women's Empowerment (1 Unit)

The “empowerment of women” has become a key goal, whether real or rhetorical, of governments and politically involved non-governmental institutions across the globe. Whether through foreign aid programs targeted at women or reserved seats within domestic legislatures, it is not uncommon to see policies meant to “empower” women. But what does “empowerment” actually entail? Is it about assimilating women into existing political and economic structures? What types of power are being given to women, and how are they to use it? Which women are being “empowered”? How does the “empowerment” of women fit with other goals of those already in power? Is this a victory for feminism? We will take a cross-national approach to the issue, looking at how various polities are approaching women’s empowerment, both at home and abroad.

POLS B231 Introduction to Political Philosophy: Modern (1 Unit)

A continuation of POLS 228, although 228 is not a prerequisite. Particular attention is given to the various ways in which the concept of freedom is used in explaining political life. Readings from Locke, J.S. Mill, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche and others.

POLS B233 Intro to Research Design and Data Analysis for PoliSci (1 Unit)

This course offers students an introduction to the research design and methods used in political science. Topics are as follows (but are not limited to): (1) Positivism vs. interpretivism, (2) Causal vs. descriptive inference (3) Conceptualization, operationalization and measurement, (4) Experimental design, (5) Quasi-experimental design, (6) Survey research and sampling, (7) In-depth interviewing, (8) Quantitative data analysis and statistics, (9) Case selection, and (10) Multi-method research design. Students will have problem sets to finish every two weeks for which they will use the necessary software (usually R and R Studio). At the end of the semester, they will submit a research design which they can use as a basis for their senior thesis.

POLS B241 The Politics of International Law and Institutions (1 Unit)

An introduction to international law, which assumes a working knowledge of modern world history and politics since World War II. The origins of modern international legal norms in philosophy and political necessity are explored, showing the schools of thought to which the understandings of these origins give rise. Significant cases are used to illustrate various principles and problems. Prerequisite: POLS B141

POLS B242 Gender and International Organizations (1 Unit)

Employing a multi-disciplinary feminist lens, this class examines women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights within the United Nations system, with a primary focus on human rights and peace & security. This course seeks to expose students to the complex issues - social, political, economic, and legal - that characterize women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights around the globe. The theoretical foundations are in the area of gender mainstreaming, which is the practice of integrating a gender equality perspective across all governing systems including but not limited to policy development, political representation, institutional regulations, program building, and budgeting. Students will be asked to conduct research on women’s and/or LGBTQIA+ rights within a country of their choice. Students will present their findings to the class as well as write a final report. Prerequisite: Introductory Political Science Course or Instructor's permission.

POLS B243 African and Caribbean Perspectives in World Politics (1 Unit)

This course makes African and Caribbean voices audible as they create or adopt visions of the world that explain their positions and challenges in world politics. Students learn analytical tools useful in understanding other parts of the world. Prerequisite: POLS 141 or 1 course in African or Latin American history.

POLS B245 Philosophy of Law (1 Unit)

Introduces students to a variety of questions in the philosophy of law. Readings will be concerned with the nature of law, the character of law as a system, the ethical character of law, and the relationship of law to politics, power, authority, and society. Readings will include philosophical arguments about law, as well as judicial cases through which we examine these ideas within specific contexts, especially tort and contracts. Most or all of the specific issues discussed will be taken from Anglo-American law, although the general issues considered are not limited to those legal systems. Recommended Prerequisite: sophomore standing, freshman only with professor's consent.

POLS B249 Politics of Economic Development (1 Unit)

How do we explain the variations of political and economic systems in the world? What is the relationship between the state and the market? To what extent does the timing of industrialization affect the viability of certain developmental strategies? This seminar introduces the intellectual history of comparative political economy and development studies with readings on both comparative political economy and international political economy. First, we will examine the debates on the dynamics of the state and the market in the development and globalization process. Second, we will explore specific case studies to discuss: 1) how the political and economic processes have changed in response to the interaction of the domestic and international arenas, 2) whether and how the late developers learned from the experiences of early developers, 3) how the international economy and international financial crisis shaped domestic development strategies. Lastly, we will analyze the developmental concerns at the sub-national level with financial liberalization. Prerequisite: Freshman can enroll after they have taken 100 level courses in social science and after getting instructor permission.

POLS B251 Democracy, Politics and the Media (1 Unit)

This course explores the politics of mass communication with an emphasis on the United States. Special attention will be paid to the relationships between the public, media, and government; the institutional structure of the news media and recent changes to the communication system; and factors shaping the construction of the news such as journalistic routines, media economics, and interactions with political actors. Students will critically engage with contemporary political discourse and journalism. Throughout, the course will highlight connections between empirical research and relevant concepts from political theory and philosophy.

POLS B256 Global Politics of Climate Change (1 Unit)

This course will introduce students to important political issues raised by climate change locally, nationally, and internationally, paying particular attention to the global implications of actions at the national and subnational levels. It will focus not only on specific problems, but also on solutions; students will learn about some of the technological and policy innovations that are being developed worldwide in response to the challenges of climate change. Only open to students in 360 program.

POLS B266 Virtue, Friendship, and Democratic Practice (1 Unit)

How are you a friend – to yourself and to others – and how does friendship shape identity, society, and politics? This course brings the everydayness of friendship to imaginative and critical inquiry, examining the meaning of friendship, what it demands of us, and what kind of politics might emerge through practices of friendship. It seeks to prove the value of friendship for philosophical and political thinking while also pursuing friendship at the level of pedagogy and discipline. Bringing together classical texts as well as religious / theological texts and contemporary political theory, this course will bridge the instructors’ two disciplines of Religious Studies and Political Science. Readings will include Aristotle and Aquinas; feminist theorists of friendship and accountability such as Sara Ahmed and Judith Butler; and contemporary political theorists of identity and race such as Danielle Allen and Leela Gandhi. Writing projects will pursue practices of friendship through collaboration, call and response, and affective encounters.

POLS B271 Authoritarianism (1 Unit)

Most political regimes across world history have been authoritarian. Modern democracies – and their Ancient precursors – are rare and often late exceptions to an authoritarian rule. Yet contemporary political science too often approaches representative democracies as the norm, consigning authoritarian regimes to a residual mash-up category and only paying attention to them when they look like they might democratize. This course draws upon twenty years of resurgent scholarly interest to take authoritarianism seriously on its own terms. This is not a course about regime collapse or democratization: it is a course about how authoritarianism works. Can we speak of a single authoritarian logic? How should we define and categorize non-democratic regimes? How do such regimes reproduce themselves? And what are their consequences for individuals and societies? Prerequisite: Any 100-level course in Political Science or permission of instructor.

POLS B272 The Power of the People: Democratic Revolutions (1 Unit)

We often invoke “democracy” as the very ground of political legitimacy, but there is very little agreement on what democracy means, why we might desire it, or how state institutions, law, and political culture might embody it. In this seminar we will grapple with some recent and influential accounts of democratic governance and democratic movements today. Our objective will be to develop a critical vocabulary for understanding what democracy might mean, what conditions it requires, and what “best practices” citizens committed to democracy might enlist to confront political challenges such as the structural divisions that persist among class, gender, and race; persistent inequality and influence of money and corporations; and the potential for democratic, grass-roots power as a vital ingredient to democratic flourishing. Writing Intensive.

POLS B275 Interpretive Research Design & Methods in Political Science (1 Unit)

This course introduces students to interpretive research in political science, an approach that centers meaning-making, context, and the lived experience of political life. Rather than focusing on hypothesis testing or causal inference, interpretive methods ask how political realities are made, experienced, and contested by individuals and communities. Prerequisites: Any Intro level course in Political Science.

POLS B277 Creating Queer Studies (1 Unit)

This class tackles the origins and development of queer theory in academia. We begin with an overview of late 1980s feminism before turning to the creation of queer theory. During class discussions, students will evaluate the ways that feminist, queer, and trans politics overlap and diverge. The purpose of the course is to enrich students’ understanding of critical knowledge production in academia. Throughout the semester we will ask about the implications of “origin stories” and the ways that such narratives shape future directions of queer scholarship.

POLS B279 City and Immigration (1 Unit)

This course explores how immigration has shaped the social, economic, and political development of American cities. We will examine urban governance, racial and ethnic politics, and the formation of immigrant communities through foundational theories and contemporary case studies. Students will engage with frameworks such as political machines (Erie, Banfield & Wilson), urban regime (Stone), urban growth regimes (Logan & Molotch), and political incorporation (Browning, Marshall, and Tabb), applying them to modern-day issues like sanctuary cities, gentrification, labor resistance, and coalition politics. Particular attention will be paid to Philadelphia—a city shaped by waves of migration, industrial transformation, and immigrant-led activism. American cities have always been built at the crossroads of aspiration and exclusion. From the German and Irish wards of 19th-century Philadelphia to Korean grocery stores in post-uprising Los Angeles, immigrant communities have created, contested, and redefined the urban experience. Yet these same communities have often been scapegoated, surveilled, or displaced by freeways, by finance, by reformers in the name of progress. This course invites students to trace these contradictions through the lens of gender, race, and class, from Chinese homecare workers in New York City to Puerto Rican migrants in Philadelphia to the immigrants resisting displacement today. We will read theory, walk the streets of Chinatown, and ask: who builds the city—and who is it for?

POLS B283 Middle East Politics (1 Unit)

This course offers an overview on the contemporary politics of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the relevant social (mostly political) science work on it. It brings together empirical knowledge on domestic and transnational politics in different countries of the region and how empirical political science around the big questions is conducted. Each module of the course revolves around a central question that has been keeping social and political scientists busy in the last decades: What triggers risky protest movements in authoritarian settings? Why has the MENA region remained authoritarian despite successive global waves of democratization? Under which conditions do transitions to democracies succeed? Do monarchies in the Middle East have an advantage in ensuring political stability, and if so, why? Is it impossible to ensure good governance and peace at the same time in divided societies? What motivates people to take up arms in the name of religion and sect? What are the reasons behind the economic underdevelopment of the MENA region? Students are also invited to think about these “big questions” and take MENA countries as their case studies, while at the same significantly enhancing their contextual knowledge about the region. No prerequisites, but either some prior familiarity with the Middle East or a prior political science course encouraged.

POLS B289 Revolutions and Political Violence (1 Unit)

The course aims to understand why ethnic riots, civil conflict, and political protest occur and why participation in these events varies among individuals, groups, and states.

POLS B292 Russian Politics (1 Unit)

This course provides an overview of Russia's government and politics since the fall of the Soviet Union. It answers questions about why the Russian economy collapsed in the early 1990s, what explains Vladimir Putin's rise, and the reasons for Russian foreign aggression, including the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

POLS B304 Community and the Politics of Places (1 Unit)

This course investigates what community means, how communities organize themselves around place, and how these places are integral/included/participants in community, in particular as sources of energy and resources for extraction. We will take orientation from the argument developed by Daniel Kemmis, former minority leader in the Montana House of Representatives and Mayor of Missoula, who articulated a collective, cooperative model for place-based governance in the American West. We’ll then consider this model and some of its critics in three key areas where place has mattered, for better or for worse: Appalachia and coal; Athabasca and oil; and Alaska and nuclear power. Each case will offer an opportunity to think through the meaning and politics of community as well as to develop frameworks of power analysis that can illustrate how change might occur. Prerequisite: One Social Science course or permission of instructor

POLS B310 Comparative Public Policy (1 Unit)

A comparison of policy processes and outcomes across space and time. Focusing on particular issues such as health care, domestic security, water and land use, we identify institutional, historical, and cultural factors that shape policies. We also examine the growing importance of international-level policy making and the interplay between international and domestic pressures on policy makers. Writing attentive. Prerequisite: One course in Political Science or public policy.

POLS B318 United States and the Middle East (1 Unit)

American foreign policy is supposedly undergoing a reorientation away from the Middle East, sometimes described as a "pivot to Asia." To what extent is this pivot actually happening and why? What does it mean for the people and politics of the Middle East and for the future of US relations with allies and adversaries in the region? In this course we will study the history of US relations with state and non-state actors in the region to build historical perspective that will help us more effectively think about these contemporary questions. We will examine how debates over alternative futures are unfolding in Washington as well as how local actors in the Middle East are responding. Prerequisites: At least one of the following: POLS 283 Middle East Politics, Introduction to Comparative Politics or International Studies and at least one 200-level POLS course (i.e. two POLS courses), or permission of instructor.

POLS B321 Technology and Politics (1 Unit)

A multi-media analysis of the complex role of technology in political and social life. We focus on the relationship between technological change and democratic governance. We begin with historical and contemporary Luddism as well as pro-technology movements around the world. Substantive issue areas include security and surveillance, electoral politics, economic development and women's empowerment, civil rights, warfare, social media and information/disinformation politics, agriculture, climate change and energy politics, and pandemic response. This course is open to all students who have the prerequisites. It also counts as a thesis prep course for political science majors. Prerequisite: One course in Political Science, or ENVS 202, or permission of instructor. Writing attentive.

POLS B326 Comparative Environmental Politics in East and Southeast Asia (1 Unit)

East Asia (referring to both Northeast and Southeast Asia) is often discussed as one unit vis-à-vis other economic blocs yet this region is a home to the largest population in the world with various divergent cultures, colonial histories, religions, political system and state-society relations, as well as the level of economic development. With increasing focus on 3Es— Economic growth, Environment protection, and Energy security— as shared priorities at the regional level, such diversities serve not only as opportunities but challenges for East Asian states to cope with environmental issues. Geographic proximity makes countries in the region environmentally interdependent, and heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels make energy security as a matter of survival. Increasing public outcry over pollution and resultant health problems has also challenged political legitimacy and sustainable economic development. his course explores contemporary environmental issues in East Asia from comparative political economy perspective and sheds light on how environmental problems – and solutions – are often shaped by political context and interweaved into varying actors’ perceived interest. Main questions in the course include: What kind of environmental problems East Asia face and how diverse historical, political and economic conditions of each country shape the context in which countries deal with the problem either individually or collectively? What are the roles of various social, political and market actors in environmental politics? What sorts of approaches seem most likely to solve local, national and regional environmental issues such as air pollution, natural resource depletion, and climate change? What are the impacts of globalization and technological innovation in dealing with environmental issues? Prerequisite: Junior standing or higher, previous courses in social science, humanities, area studies or relevant experiences are required. This course meets writing intensive requirement.

POLS B327 Political Philosophy in the 20th Century (1 Unit)

A study of 20th- and 21st-century extensions of three traditions in Western political philosophy: the adherents of the German and English ideas of freedom and the founders of classical naturalism. Authors read include Hannah Arendt, Michel Foucault, Jurgen Habermas, and John Rawls. Topics include the relationship of individual rationality and political authority, cosmopolitanism, the “crisis of modernity,” and the debate concerning contemporary democratic citizenship. Prerequisite: Two courses in text-based political philosophy or political theory, or consent of the instructor.

POLS B330 Queer Rights and Politics (1 Unit)

This is an upper-level course designed to introduce students to the study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer (LGBTQ) politics and activism outside of the US. We will study the formations of LGBTQ identities, state regulation of sexuality and gender, public policy (partnership, healthcare, etc), religious attitudes, political participation by LGBTQ people, and migration and asylum practices. The goal of the course is to familiarize students with the current status of LGBTQ people around the world and help them to hone their independent research and writing skills. Suggested pre-requisite: a 100 or 200 level comparative politics course, political theory course, or gender & sexualities course.

POLS B331 Environmental Security (1 Unit)

The course explores the effects of environmental pressures on the outbreak of conflict and the rise of both internal and international migration. The course covers how pressures from decreased food and water, as well as natural disasters, floods, and droughts may lead to increases and decreases in conflict and migration as well as other political outcomes related to security.

POLS B345 Big Data, Big Impact, Big Responsibilities: Fundamentals and Ethics of Data Science (1 Unit)

The era of “big data” has dramatically altered the way people tackle political, social, and economic issues to analyze and generate solutions, as well as the way they conduct social science research. Data is powerful and beautiful, yet deceitful. As such, big data can create many impactful solutions across the world while carrying big risks that require bigger responsibilities. This course aims to help students also nurture an informed mindset of how to use data properly and to what end – from ethical, legal, and public policy perspectives. Prerequisite: One course in Data Science AND one course in Social Sciences or International Studies.

POLS B351 Women and American Politics (1 Unit)

This course examines the role of women in American politics the second wave of feminism to present. The course will focus on academic literature from political science and include topics such as partisanship, campaigning, and voter behavior. What has been the role of women in American politics? Are there differences at the federal v. state v. local level? What political changes have they achieved and what strategies were most effective? How do other categories of difference, such as race, ability, sexuality, and class, intersect with our gendered expectations? Prerequisite: One course in US Politics or permission of instructor.

POLS B352 Peace Studies in International Politics (1 Unit)

This course explores the role and processes of peacemaking in international politics. It examines key theoretical and empirical debates on peace mobilizations, peace negotiations, peace agreements, and transitional justice. This course also considers gendered aspects, perspectives, and debates in each of these substantive research areas. While the geographical scope of the course is global, there will be a large focus on the 1998 Northern Ireland and the 2016 Colombian peace processes. This writing-intensive course prepares seniors for their thesis. It will require writing and peer review assignments throughout the semester, culminating in a 25-30-page paper at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: One intro POLS course or permission from instructor

POLS B353 Politics and Fiction (1 Unit)

This course explores relations of politics and fiction from two directions and using two kinds of texts. The greater part of the course will be concerned with “political fiction” in a broad sense of that term: here we will explore some works of (mostly) contemporary literature and film that reflect on such themes as: authority, governance, bureaucracy, totalitarianism and pluralism, the relation of public and private, and the politics of truth and narrative. Secondly, drawing on non-fictional texts, we will take up some related questions of “fictional politics.” Here, our concerns will be with the role of political myth generally, but more specifically with the particular “fictionality” of contemporary politics. Authors may include Milan Kundera, Václav Havel, Franz Kafka, Kenzaburo Oe, Jorge Luis Borges, Jane Campion, Akira Kurosawa, Joan Didion, and Hannah Arendt. Prerequisite: One lower-division course in Political Theory, Philosophy, English, or Comparative Literature, or consent of instructor.

POLS B358 Freedom in the 21st Century (1 Unit)

This course investigates what freedom means, how political communities organize themselves around freedom, and how contestation about freedom is essential in twenty-first century political life. We will take orientation from the argument developed by David Graeber and David Wengrow in The Dawn of Everything, which suggests that freedom and not equality is the site of political struggle today. We’ll give some time to contextualizing Graber and Wengrow’s historical inquiry as a political project in response to interrelated crises of ecology and democracy of the present moment. Expanding from this point of origin (which will be linked to the other courses in the 360), we’ll then consider how theorists and practitioners around the world have considered freedom’s perils and possibilities: abolitionist organizing in the work of Mariame Kaba; democratic socialism in the theory of Axel Honneth; freedom as a mask for state-sactioned violence in the critical queer work of Chanan Reddy; escape and flight from such states realized through “freedom as marronage”; and freedom as an Indigenous political project in the the work of Taiaiake Alfred, Glen Coulthard, and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson. Each approach will offer an opportunity to think through the meaning and politics of freedom as well as to develop frameworks of political analysis that can illustrate how struggles for freedom shape and structure politics today. Prerequisite: One course in Political Theory or Philosophy or Permission of instructor.

POLS B359 Depth Psychology, Politics, and the Social Order (1 Unit)

In this course, we examine a variety of political and social issues (among them racism, the economic organization of society, and demagoguery) from the perspective of "depth psychology." By "depth psychology" we refer to the study of human activity in terms of individual and collective, conscious and unconscious psychic dynamics. Modern depth psychology grew up in the late 19th century; its two greatest theorists were Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud, the latter of whom founded what is now the broad and diverse field of psychoanalysis. We will draw on works by Nietzsche, by Freud, by later psychoanalysts, and by writers were deeply influenced by these, such as Richard Wright, Franz Fanon, and Herbert Marcuse. We will also draw on the insights of depth psychology to try to help understand the use and organization of hate within contemporary politics. Prerequisite: One course in theory OR consent of instructor.

POLS B360 Islam and Politics (1 Unit)

This course locates and explores the politics of Islam in the politics of interpretation, taking into account texts both literal and social. More broadly, this course will consider evolving approaches to culture, religion, and ideology in political science, exploring not just the effect of Islam on politics but also the ways in which politics have shaped the Islamic tradition over time. This course is open to all students who have the prerequisites. It also serves as a thesis prep course for political science senior majors. Prerequisite: POLS B283 or instructor consent.

POLS B361 On The Human Condition: The Political Thinking of Hannah Are (1 Unit)

Pursuing a close study of Hannah Arendt’s The Human Condition, one of the most influential works of political theory written in the twentieth century, this course will investigate Arendt’s magnum opus in its contexts: situated in the history of political thought, in the political debates of the 1950s, and as political thinking of urgent relevance today. While we study Arendt’s texts, focusing specifically on The Human Condition, we will also seek to understand and practice her unique form of political thinking by not only reading her texts in their historical contexts but also considering our own contexts as readers of Arendt in the twenty-first century. Our approach to Arendt will thus seek to develop her idea of “political thinking” while also creating our own exercises in political thinking over the course of the semester, drawing together issues in politics today, the concepts and arguments Arendt proposes, and the history of political thought her work engages.

POLS B366 From the Great Wall to the DMZ: Power, Politics, and Prosper (1 Unit)

This senior seminar is designed to examine the political, economic, and strategic transformations that have shaped modern East Asia, focusing on China, Japan, and the two Koreas. From ancient tributary systems to contemporary flashpoints, the course will explore the region’s historical foundations and current complexities, with a particular emphasis on how power, politics, and economics have intersected in the formation of East Asian states and their relationships with one another. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and in-class activities, students will engage with key themes that have shaped East Asia’s past and continue to influence its future trajectories. This course aims to equip students with the critical tools necessary to analyze the evolving dynamics of East Asia and their broader implications for global politics. Prerequisite: This course is a seminar open to juniors and seniors, featuring extensive readings, discussions, and writing assignments.

POLS B367 China and the World: Implications of China's Rise (1 Unit)

In the 20th Century, China’s rise has been one of the most distinctive political affairs changing the landscape of regional and world politics. Especially, China’s breathtaking growth has challenged the foundations and limits of the market economy and political liberalization theoretically and empirically. This course examines the Chinese economic and political development and its implications for other Asian countries and the world. This course has three aims: 1) to facilitate an in-depth understanding of the Chinese Economic development model in comparison to other development models, 2) to conduct a comprehensive analysis of political and socio-economic exchanges of China and its relations with other major countries in East Asia, and 3) to construct a thorough understanding of challenges and opportunities for China from its extraordinary economic growth. This is a senior seminar, and a previous course in comparative politics, international relations or East Asian studies is required. This course meet writing intensive requirement. Prerequisite: Junior standing or higher.

POLS B368 Comparative Racial Justice Movements, US and South Africa (1 Unit)

The movements against white supremacy in South Africa and the United States during their respective eras of apartheid and Jim Crow are known to have intersected with one another, and many of their participants understood them as part of the same global struggle. But how well do the South African anti-apartheid movement and the American civil rights movement compare with one another? Even if the contours of their enemy—state-sponsored, systemic racism—were remarkably similar and the movements had overlapping ideological foundations, they still faced different political opportunity structures that shaped their trajectories. In the first half of the course, we will compare these two movements—their ideologies, their strategies, their obstacles, their successes, and their failures—in order to better understand what it means, and what it takes, to mount a movement for racial justice in a white supremacist society. In the second half of the course, we will then look at contemporary movements in the two countries in order to understand the possibilities for racial justice movements when de jure apartheid and segregation have (largely) been defeated. It is now, with South Africa lacking any sort of real Black Lives Matter movement, that it seems that the two countries have finally parted ways. Our job will be to understand why and how that is the case, but also to consider whether there is as much divergence as it appears. Can we situate service delivery protests in the Black South African townships and BLM marches in the United States within the same struggle that anti-apartheid freedom fighters and civil rights activists knew they shared? Prerequisite: At least one previous class in Political Science or Africana Studies or permission from the professor.

POLS B371 Topics in Political Philosophy (1 Unit)

An advanced seminar on a topic in political or legal philosophy/theory. Topics vary by year. Prerequisite: At least one course in political theory or philosophy or consent of instructor.

POLS B378 Origins of American Constitutionalism (1 Unit)

This course will explore some aspects of early American constitutional thought, particularly in the periods immediately preceding and following the American Revolution. The premise of the course is that many of the questions that arose during that period—concerning, for example, the nature of law, the idea of sovereignty, and the character of legitimate political authority—remain important questions for political, legal, and constitutional thought today, and that studying the debates of the revolutionary period can help sharpen our understanding of these issues. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and previous course work in American history, American government, political theory, or legal studies.

POLS B381 Nietzsche (1 Unit)

This course examines Nietzsche’s thought, with particular focus on such questions as the nature of the self, truth , irony, aggression, play, joy, love, and morality. The texts for the course are drawn mostly from Nietzsche’s own writing, but these are complemented by some contemporary work in moral philosophy and philosophy of mind that has a Nietzschean influence.

POLS B382 Political Parties, Polarization and Democracy (1 Unit)

Political parties are facing a crisis around the world. Trust in them as civic organizations plummets. Elite politicians do not invest in party organization-building and find other ways to build linkages with voters. Meanwhile, new forms of civic and political participation emerge, such as social media activism, boycotting and ‘buy’cotting, and occupation of urban spaces, the implications of which cannot be very well understood by parties. The Middle East and North Africa region, with its history of personalistic and/or militaristic authoritarian regimes, weak party organizations and divided societies, is experiencing an acute form of this crisis. While there is a heightened sense of political participation in the region, as indicated by the repetitive waves of protests since the early 2010s, people debate whether democracy and/or good governance are attainable without political parties.

POLS B391 International Political Economy (1 Unit)

This seminar examines the growing importance of economic issues in world politics and traces the development of the modern world economy from its origins in colonialism and the industrial revolution, through to the globalization of recent decades. Major paradigms in political economy are critically examined. Aspects of and issues in international economic relations such as development, finance, trade, migration, and foreign investment are examined in the light of selected approaches. This course is open to all students who have the prerequisites. Prerequisite: One course in International Politics or Economics is required. Preference is given to seniors although juniors are accepted.

POLS B399 Senior Essay (1 Unit)

POLS B403 Supervised Work (1 Unit)

POLS B420 Praxis Fieldwork Seminar (1 Unit)

This course supports students while they engage in Praxis fieldwork in organizations that focus on politics, elections and/or public policy. In addition to the 8-10 hours spent at their fieldwork placements, students will meet for one hour weekly in a Praxis seminar with the instructor and other Praxis students. These seminar meetings will provide students with an opportunity to reflect together about their experiences in the field and to help connect those experiences to political science theory and to academic readings about American politics, policy and elections. Note: Students are eligible to take up to two Praxis Fieldwork Seminars or Praxis Independent Studies during their time at Bryn Mawr.

POLS B425 Praxis III: Independent Study (1 Unit)

Praxis III courses are Independent Study courses and are developed by individual students, in collaboration with faculty and field supervisors. A Praxis courses is distinguished by genuine collaboration with fieldsite organizations and by a dynamic process of reflection that incorporates lessons learned in the field into the classroom setting and applies theoretical understanding gained through classroom study to work done in the broader community. Note: Students are eligible to take up to two Praxis Fieldwork Seminars or Praxis Independent Studies during their time at Bryn Mawr.

ARCH B244 Great Empires of the Ancient Near East (1 Unit)

A survey of the history, material culture, political and religious ideologies of, and interactions among, the five great empires of the ancient Near East of the second and first millennia B.C.E.: New Kingdom Egypt, the Hittite Empire in Anatolia, the Assyrian and Babylonian Empires in Mesopotamia, and the Persian Empire in Iran.

ENVS B202 Environment and Society (1 Unit)

An exploration of the ways in which different cultural, economic, and political settings have shaped issue emergence and policy making. We examine the politics of particular environmental issues in selected countries and regions, paying special attention to the impact of environmental movements. We also assess the prospects for international cooperation in addressing global environmental problems such as climate change.

ENVS B350 Advanced Topics in Environmental Studies (1 Unit)

This is a topics course. Course content varies.

FREN B333 Nature and Freedom (1 Unit)

When referring to Rousseau’s political theory, the conjectural state of nature first described in his Discourse on the Origin of Inequality (1755) has frequently been identified with native societies as observed in America since 1492. Many scholars have been opposing this primitivist interpretation of his second discourse and showed that Rousseau might instead be considered the father of all ‘social construct’ theories. But in spite of this scholarly consensus, Graeber and Wengrow still tend to assume Rousseau’s state of nature is mostly inspired by the encounter of Europeans with native people. Why is this confusion still informing the way we read Rousseau? How did considerations on the so-called ‘noble savage’ taint his political theory? How can we assess the role an ‘indigenous critique’ played in defining Rousseau’s state of nature? And incidentally: how ‘indigenous’ is this ‘indigenous critique’? Answering to Graeber and Wengrow’s (mis)reading of Rousseau will allow us to cast a new light not only on Rousseau’s ‘unnatural’ anthropology, but also on Graeber & Wengrow’s broader claims on human nature and political freedom. Our end goal is not to offer a scholarly take on either Rousseau’s discourse of Graeber and Wengrow’s book, but to answer this pressing question: should/could we discard the very notion of nature to regain political agency here and now? Authors include: Léry, Montaigne, Hobbes, Rousseau, Lévi-Strauss, Serres, Graeber and Wengrow.

HIST B250 Media and Medicine in Modern America: (1 Unit)

Have you ever turned to TikTok for health advice? Are you a fan of medical dramas like Grey's Anatomy? This course explores of the co-development and evolution of modern medicine and the media in the United States, from the late nineteenth century through the present day. Students will delve into a wide range of media formats, including advertising, newspapers, radio, film, television, and the Internet, to analyze the media's long-standing influence on perceptions and practices of medicine. Special attention will be paid to the shifting cultural authority of medicine, as well as the stakes of communicating health information and implications for public health.

HIST B274 topics in Modern US History (1 Unit)

This is a topics course in 20th century America social history. Topics vary by half semester

HIST B286 Topics in the British Empire (1 Unit)

This is a topics course covering various "topics" in the study of the British Empire. Course content varies.

HIST B325 Topics in Social History (1 Unit)

This a topics course that explores various themes in American social history. Course content varies. Course may be repeated.

HIST B341 Go Burbs: Local Histories of Modern America (1 Unit)

If "all politics is local," then so too is all history. This course takes a local approach to the history of the United States, focusing on the nearby Philadelphia suburbs as a microcosm of modern American society and culture. Paying particular attention to Delaware County, students will investigate local history and local cultural sites and integrate them into a broader historical context.

INST B210 Popular Uprisings in Global Perspective (1 Unit)

In recent years, popular uprisings and protest movements have mobilized hundreds and thousands of people in different parts of the world to demand a radical overhauling of existing systems and changes in political leadership. These uprisings have raised a series of questions that will be the focus of this class. What are the catalysts, underlying causes and demands of these protest movements? What can we learn from the grassroots organizing that allowed these movements to gain momentum? All too often popular uprisings in the Global South in particular, are seen as representing the failures and limits of revolutionary action and politics rather than their potential and promise. What then, do recent popular uprisings reveal about the limitations and relevance of various theoretical approaches to explaining revolutionary phenomena and action? How might local scholars and activists analyzing the popular uprisings taking place in their countries, allow us to develop new vocabularies and frameworks for understanding popular protests and revolutionary action elsewhere? Students will explore these questions through a series of case studies including Sudan, Hong Kong, Chile, Lebanon, France, Ethiopia and India.

INST B301 Politics of Aid and Humanitarianism (1 Unit)

This course explores the relationship between humanitarian aid, politics and the legacy of colonialism. Our goal will be to historicize and contextualize humanitarian policies and practices through specific case studies which can include, but will not be limited to: Haiti, Sudan, USA, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Palestine, Somalia, Brazil, Nicaragua and the Philippines. We will use these case studies to explore topics such as the militarization of aid and the politicization of emergency assistance. We will also be looking to non-traditional sources such as novels, films, NGO documents and congressional hearings to gain insight from the perspectives of those impacted by and/or shaping humanitarian policies and practices. Finally, we will examine the ways ‘non-Western’ actors and humanitarian organizations are reshaping the field of humanitarianism and relationships across the Global South more broadly.

MEST B205 Topics: Ethics and Islam (1 Unit)

This is a topics course. Course content varies. This course will provide a foundation in the study of Islam and introduce students to Islamic ethical thought

PHIL B225 Global Ethical Issues (1 Unit)

The need for a critical analysis of what justice is and requires has become urgent in a context of increasing globalization, the emergence of new forms of conflict and war, high rates of poverty within and across borders and the prospect of environmental devastation. This course examines prevailing theories and issues of justice as well as approaches and challenges by non-western, post-colonial, feminist, race, class, and disability theorists.

PHIL B238 Science, Technology and the Good Life (1 Unit)

"Science, Technology, and the Good Life" considers the relation of science and technology to each other and to everyday life, particularly with respect to questions of ethics and politics. In this course, we try to get clear about how we understand these domains and their interrelationships in our contemporary world. We try to clarify the issues relevant to these questions by looking at the contemporary debates about the role of automation and digital media and the problem of climate change. These debates raise many questions including: the appropriate model of scientific inquiry (is there a single model for science?, how is science both experimental and deductive?, is science merely trial and error?, is science objective?, is science value-free?), the ideological standing of science (has science become a kind of ideology?), the autonomy of technology (have the rapidly developing technologies escaped our power to direct them?), the politics of science (is science somehow essentially democratic?, and are "scientific" cultures more likely to foster democracy?, or is a scientific culture essentially elitist and autocratic?), the relation of science to the formation of public policy (experts rule?, are we in or moving toward a technocracy?), the role of technology and science in the process of modernization, Westernization, and globalization (what role has science played in industrialization and what role does it now play in a post-industrial world?). To find an appropriate way to consider these questions, we look at the pairing of science with democracy in the Enlightenment project and study contemporary work in the philosophy of science, political science, and ethics.

PHIL B240 Environmental Ethics (1 Unit)

This course surveys rights- and justice-based justifications for ethical positions on the environment. It examines approaches such as stewardship, intrinsic value, land ethic, deep ecology, ecofeminism, Asian and aboriginal. It explores issues such as obligations to future generations, to nonhumans and to the biosphere.

PHIL B252 Feminist Theory (1 Unit)

Beliefs that gender discrimination has been eliminated and women have achieved equality have become commonplace. We challenge these assumptions examining the concepts of patriarchy, sexism, and oppression. Exploring concepts central to feminist theory, we attend to the history of feminist theory and contemporary accounts of women’s place and status in different societies, varied experiences, and the impact of the phenomenon of globalization. We then explore the relevance of gender to philosophical questions about identity and agency with respect to moral, social and political theory. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy or permission of instructor.

SOCL B262 Public Opinion (1 Unit)

This course will assess public opinion in American politics: what it is, how it is measured, how it is shaped, how it relates to public policy, and how it changes over time. It includes both questions central to political scientists (what is the public, how do they exercise their voice, does the government listen and how do they respond?) and to sociologists (where do ideas come from, how do they gain societal influence, and how do they change over time?). It will pay close attention to the role of electoral politics throughout, both historically and in the current election. It is focused primarily on the United States, but seeks to place the US in global context. If this course is taken to fulfill an elective in the Data Science minor, students will conduct hands-on analyses with real data as a key component to both their Midterm and Final Essays.

SOCL B317 Comparative Social Policy: Cuba, China, US, Scandinavia (1 Unit)

This course will examine different countries' policy choices to address different societal challenges. Four societal types - socialist (Cuba), post-socialist (China), capitalist (US), and social-democratic (Scandinavia) - will be studies to help us understand how these different kinds of societies conceive of social problems and propose and implement attempted solutions. We will examine particular problems/solutions in four domains: health/sports; education; environment; technological development. As we explore these domains, we will attend to methodological issues involved in making historical and institutional comparisons

SOCL B323 Communes, Co-ops, and Collectives: Alternative Organizations (1 Unit)

From schools to hospitals to grocery stores, most of the organizations we encounter and participate in throughout our lives are based on a hierarchical, bureaucratic form of organization. How did this form of organization come to be so common in U.S. society? And what are the alternatives? In this course, we will begin by exploring the origins, form, and proliferation of what Max Weber famously referred to as the “iron cage” of bureaucracy. Then we will focus on alternative forms of organization, such as communes, cooperatives, and collectives. How do these types of collectivist-democratic organizations differ from the rational-bureaucratic organizations with which we are most familiar? How are these alternative organizations structured? What makes them work—or not? From the Burning Man (anti)organization to mutual aid societies, democratic schools, farmer cooperatives, and feminist collectives, we will explore the ways in which alternative organizations can enforce the status quo or serve as catalysts for social change. Prerequisite: At least one social science course or permission of instructor.

Academic Catalog