A departmental version of the historical role-playing First-Year Seminar by the same name, featuring games on the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention. Course satisfies the department?s political theory requirement and is open to all levels of students. Enrollment limited to 26.

A study of the major liberal and radical political theories of the 19th century, with emphasis on the writings of Hegel, Marx, Tocqueville, Mill and Nietsche. Not open to first-year students.

Analysis of Japan's diplomacy and foreign policy since World War II. Emphasis on various approaches to the study of Japan's external relations, and on contending national identities debated in Japan, including pacifist, neo-mercantilist, civilian, normative and normal nation images. Case studies focus on relations with the U.S., Europe, East through Central Asia, and other non-Western regions.

This course begins with an examination of the broad theoretical paradigms in international political economy (IPE), including the liberal, economic nationalist, structuralist, and feminist perspectives. The course analyzes critical debates in the post-World War II period, including the role of the Bretton Woods institutions (World Bank group and IMF), international trade and development, the debt question, poverty and global inequality, and the broad question of "globalization." Prerequisite: 241 or permission of the instructor.

An introduction to the theoretical and empirical analysis of the interactions of states in the international system. Emphasis is given to the historical evolution of the international system, security politics, the role of international norms in shaping behavior, and the influence of the world economy on international relations. Not a course in current events. Enrollment limited to 70.

This course examines the most important issues facing the U.S./Mexico border: NAFTA, industrialization, and the emergence of the maquiladoras (twin plants); labor migration and immigration; the environment; drug trafficking; the militarization of the border; and border culture and identity. The course begins with a comparison of contending perspectives on globalization before proceeding to a short overview of the historical literature on the creation of the U.S./Mexico border. Though at the present time the border has become increasingly militarized, the boundary dividing the U.S.

This survey course examines the ever-changing political and economic landscape of the African continent. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the unique historical, economic and social variables that shape modern African politics, and will introduce students to various theoretical and analytical approaches to the study of Africa's political development.

After a brief discussion of the origins, evolution and collapse of the Soviet system, this course will focus on the politics of contemporary Russia. Issues to be addressed include constitutional change, electoral behavior, the role of civil society, and the course of economic reform.

This course introduces students to comparative political analysis and provides a foundation to better understand major political, economic and social forces in a diverse set of countries. We will first focus on key methods and concepts such as state and nation, asking where states come from and how are nations built. The course will then address questions including: why are some countries democratic and others authoritarian; how do states promote or stymie economic development; and what role do civil society and social groups play in political and economic transition?

An examination of the application of the First Amendment in historical context. Special attention to contemporary speech rights controversies. Enrollment limited to 20.