Discusses the main debates concerning the character and merits of modern liberalism, along with the contributions of some of its leading defenders and critics. Particular attention is given to: Kant, Mill, and Rawls; the meaning of political freedom; conservative, left-leaning, and communitarian criticisms of the liberal tradition and freedom of speech.

This course explores how artificial intelligence technologies are being developed and used in politics. Participants gain experiential learning opportunities to creatively address challenges AI technologies pose, such as manipulating voter behavior, exacerbating inequalities in political access and participation, and undermining public confidence in institutions and elections.

Examines politics surrounding claims that large-scale issues (e.g. terrorism, climate change) are emergencies and responses to those claims. Should laws accommodate emergencies or should emergency responses be "outside" the law? What happens if emergency action violates democratic and justice-based norms?  What is the difference between bottom-up and top-down emergency response? Readings draw primarily from political theory, sociology, and law.

A seminar introducing students to the study of political psychology. Topics include authoritarianism, tolerance, altruism, ethnocentrism, the role of affect and cognition in political choice, the role of racial stereotyping in political campaigns, and psychological challenges to rational choice models of political decision-making. Prerequisite: One course in PLAP or instructor permission.

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.

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

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.

This course examines both academic and policy debates about democracy and foreign policy. We begin by reviewing the theory and practice of democracy and the literature on democracy in international politics.