This second offering in a two-course sequence addresses the modern Middle East, and emphasizes the region's place in global politics and the world economy. Among the topics considered are European imperialism and local responses, nineteenth-century reform movements, the rise of the nation-state, the impact of Arab nationalism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Islamic political movements, gender relations in the region, the importance of oil, the Iraq conflict, terrorism and the peace process.
This seminar investigates how and why sexuality became the key to selfhood in modern Europe. Drawing on the tools of gender analysis and cultural history, students explore the ways in which political, socioeconomic and cultural tensions of particular historical moments were manifested in the sexuality of individuals. Students also examine a variety of primary sources from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries to consider how individuals defined themselves through sexuality and how definitions were imposed on them by a variety of institutions and authority figures.
Offering a broad view of Islam in contemporary politics, this course investigates the politicization of Islam and the "Islamization" of politics by Islamist groups (such as al-Queda and Hamas), governments (such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan), and non-state actors in the Muslim world. The class aims to demystify the so-called "Islamic turn" by considering how Islamic politics are shaped by wider debates about modern Islam, by Western actions in the regions, and by the emergence of powerful new technologies of propaganda and recruitment.
The impulse to combine land, labor, and capital in profitable ways has always existed; this course focuses on how British and American entrepreneurs have attempted this challenge over the past 500 years of history. The differing cultural, institutional, and technological developments faced by entrepreneurs in each country are considered.
An exploration of the conservation and wilderness preservation movements, and their impacts on peoples, landscapes, and animal populations, with a focus on North America and Africa. The class will examine the historiography of these interrelated phenomena, including their connections with colonialism, urban growth, anti-colonial resistance, local and indigenous agency, tourism, and landscape ecology. Case studies will might include the Kruger National Park in South Africa, and various U.S. national parks. Attention will also be given to recent work on private and public/private conservation. Students will develop research projects in an area of their interest.
The course introduces students to the concepts of “culture” and “globalization” with an emphasis on exploring how cultural practices are shaped by border-crossing and other forms of cross-cultural exchange. Specifically, the context of Africa allows the examination of shared characteristics of globalization through colonization and other historical developments. The majority of the course then explores the cultural hybridity and heterogeneity that result from this process and continue to inform cultural practice in the contemporary period. Africa as a geographic region provides insight into the complexity of “globalization” outcomes that depend upon the diverse economic, social, cultural, and historical contexts in which cross-cultural exchange occurs.
A course concerned with analyzing how international and global integration shape local development. After reflecting on this integration during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and its impact on nation-state formation and economic development, students analyze the construction of the post-World War II international system around the Bretton-Woods institutions. Attention is also given to how international norms pertaining to human rights and democracy apply to diverse countries during the current period of globalization, and to how transnational linkages shape economic and cultural transformations. The course concludes with discussion of living abroadincluding topics such as language acquisition and personal transformation. Required core course for IGS majors.
A course concerned with analyzing how international and global integration shape local development. After reflecting on this integration during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and its impact on nation-state formation and economic development, students analyze the construction of the post-World War II international system around the Bretton-Woods institutions. Attention is also given to how international norms pertaining to human rights and democracy apply to diverse countries during the current period of globalization, and to how transnational linkages shape economic and cultural transformations. The course concludes with discussion of living abroadincluding topics such as language acquisition and personal transformation. Required core course for IGS majors.
An examination of the ways in which global migrations are represented as crises and of the spatial significance of borders. Focusing on three representative spaces—the United States-Mexico border, the Mediterranean-European Union border, and the Balkans-European Union border—the course considers theories of and journalistic discourse on migration as well as aesthetic representations of migration in literature, art, and film.
A comparative study of the origins and patterns of political violence and nonviolent resistance in contemporary Europe. When and how do cultural traits, such as ethnicity, religion, or language, become politicized? Under what conditions is violence more likely to take place in some regions and during particular historical periods? Why are civilians targeted on the basis of their cultural identities? When is political violence gendered? How are peace and war officially and unofficially commemorated across the European states? How do states achieve both peace and justice in the aftermath of wars? These questions are addressed by critically assessing existing theories and explanations in political violence literature across social science and humanities disciplines. In addition to analyzing conditions conducive to political violence, students also examine processes and practices of violence prevention and conflict management. This course is only available through the European Studies Program. This course is only available through the European Studies Program.
This seminar course offers an advanced study of global processes as they play out in various parts of the world. Students will analyze, discuss, and conduct research on some of the political, economic, environmental, and/or cultural forces that shape the world today through the study of a particular region or regions. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs.
An introduction to the politics of the modern Middle East and North Africa that explores topics such as diversity of political regimes; state-society relations; religious, ethnic, and territorial conflict; political economy; the transition to nation-states; and regional social movements. The course utilizes a theoretical and comparative approach but also considers in detail the specific cases of Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, Israel-Palestine, and Iran.
An introduction to the politics of the modern Middle East and North Africa that explores topics such as diversity of political regimes; state-society relations; religious, ethnic, and territorial conflict; political economy; the transition to nation-states; and regional social movements. The course utilizes a theoretical and comparative approach but also considers in detail the specific cases of Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, Israel-Palestine, and Iran.
An applied course in the theoretical literature that underlies understandings of the natural environment, human interaction with the environment, and the rights both of humans and of elements of the natural order. Readings and discussion emphasize the theoretical underpinning of environmental justice, both domestic and international, as well as the intersection of environmental theory with international political economy.
A study of the major concepts, theories, methods, and issues involved in international security. The course considers competing contentions about how security should be understood and the impact of such debate on the evolving subfield of security studies. It covers traditional security topics like conventional weapons proliferation, militarized interstate disputes, nuclear deterrence, and international terrorism as well as emerging issues involving criminal, energy, environmental, and cyberspace security.
An intensive study of political life in selected countries in the region, including both domestic and foreign influences and policies. Substantial attention is given to United States relations with the region.
Recent U.N. studies document the continuing systematic inequality that exists between men and women around the world. Approaching the study of sex-based inequality from a cross-cultural perspective reflects the reality that it is a universal phenomenon, but with complex and varied roots. The course will include an analysis of the ways in which this inequality impacts political decision-making, political representation, and public policy relevant to women and families. The course will also include the study of how factors such as race, class, religion, sexual orientation, and ethnicity, and social forces such as global capitalism, militarism, and nationalism interact with gender and affect the economic and political status of women and men around the world.
Trade, migration, and widespread travel have transformed population health from a domestic to an international issue, one in which state cooperation is increasingly necessary. Investigating the role of international organizations, the media, advocacy groups, and individuals, this course questions how international cooperation can facilitate the promotion and protection of health. To do so, it considers a variety of theoretical approaches including the securitization of health and health as a human right. It also examines such issues as smallpox eradication, tobacco control, AIDS treatment, and bioterrorism agreements.
Students analyze the major theoretical issues and substantive developments surrounding the global spread of democracy. The central foci include the following topics: theories and case studies concerning "paths" of democratic transition including roles of specific class and state actors, historical patterns and cycles of democracy, theories and issues of "Democratic Peace," and issues and dilemmas concerning the "quality" of contemporary democracies. Not open for credit to students who have earned credit for POLS 420.
This course involves systematic consideration of the key concepts, theories, and methods that can be applied to the study of terrorism. It analyzes contesting theories -- and the empirical grounds of such theories -- for why actors employ terrorist instruments. Among the theories of terrorism considered are those linked to psychological, ideological, cultural, and structural explanations. Finally, the course discusses and evaluates the effectiveness of various counter-terror methods and operations.