This course examines the politics of federal budgeting and its role in economic policy making. Students will learn about the creation of the presidential budget, the politics of the Congressional budget process, tax policy, defense spending, social spending, fiscal federalism-the connection between federal and state governments-and the relationship between fiscal policy and the Federal Reserve's making of monetary policy.

Comparative Budgeting and Economic Policy

This course focuses on marginalized groups and the production of injustice with a focus on the global South. It draws on multidisciplinary scholarship that is theoretically challenging, empirically rich, and politically provocative. Readings span the globe and address topics such as drugs, migration, and policing.

This seminar explores America's efforts to exert influence through nation-building. Drawing on theoretical literature and case studies spanning from Reconstruction in the American South, through post-WWII Germany and Japan, to contemporary efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the course investigates the factors contributing to nation-building success or failure.

This course examines the development of American political thought from the Puritans through the Civil War. The questions they posed and attempted to answer are the eternal questions of all political thought, such as, what is the best form of government; what are the rights and obligations of citizens; what is the proper relationship between the state and religion.

This seminar offers an overview of the rapidly-expanding literature on religion and international conflict

Reviews and analyzes the techniques and technologies of modern American election campaigns. Enrollment is limited. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Seminar focusing on politics of the international trade and monetary systems, emphasizing third world industrialization, trade conflicts between the U.S. and Japan, and the global debt crisis. Prerequisite: PLIR 2050 or instructor permission.

Examines the political economy of foreign direct investment (FDI) including the determinants of FDI and its economic and political consequences. Prerequisite: ECON 2010 and ECON 2020.

The seminar is on migration and displacement: why people born and rooted in one place move somewhere else.  The course explores why migrants chose different destinations, how host and home communities encourage/discourage mobility, and how those who move remain connected with those who remain.  Throughout, we will draw from a rich variety of sources while exploring displacement across countries, contexts, and histories.