QUANTITATIVE POLITICL RESEARCH

PRINC OF QUANT POL RESEAR

This course examines the basic methods of data analysis and statistics, through multivariate regression analysis, that political scientists use in quantitative research that attempts to make causal inferences about how the political world works. The same methods apply to other kinds of problems about cause and effect relationships more generally. The course will provide students with extensive experience in analyzing data and in writing (and thus reading) research papers about testable theories and hypotheses.

• TR 8:40 a.m.-9:55 a.m.
• Instructor: Robert Y Shapiro
  CULPA: 4 Wikipedia Info
• 4 points

PRINC OF QUANT POL RESEARCH 1-DISC

PRINC OF QUANT POL RES 1-

This is the required discussion section for 
POLS GU4710.

• 0 points

PRINC OF QUANT POL RESEARCH 1-DISC

PRINC OF QUANT POL RES 1-

This is the required discussion section for 
POLS GU4710.

• 0 points

QUANT METH 1 APPL REG CAUS INF

Fitting and understanding linear regression and generalized linear models, simulation, causal inference, and the basics of design of quantitative studies. Computation in R. Textbook: Regression and Other Stories by Gelman, Hill, and Vehtari.

• MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
• Instructor: Andrew Gelman
  CULPA: 6 Wikipedia h-index: 112 Info
• 4 points

QUANTITATIVE METHODS 1 DISCUSSION

QUANT METH 1 DISCUSSION

This is the required discussion section for 
POLS GU4720.

• 0 points

QUANTITATIVE METHODS 1 DISCUSSION

QUANT METH 1 DISCUSSION

This is the required discussion section for 
POLS GU4720.

• 0 points

QUANT METH 3 EXPERIMENTAL METH

In this course, we will discuss the logic of experimentation, its strengths and weaknesses compared to other methodologies, and the ways in which experimentation has been — and could be — used to investigate social phenomena. Students will learn how to interpret, design, and execute experiments. Special attention will be devoted to field experiments, or randomized trials conducted in real-world settings.
 

Prerequisites: Students should have taken at least one or two semesters of statistics. Some understanding of probability, hypothesis testing, and regression are assumed. Familiarity with statistical software such as R is helpful. We will be working with data in class throughout the term. The examples used in the textbook and lectures are written in R, and R tutorials will be taught in special sessions early in the term.

• TR 5:40 p.m.-6:55 p.m.
• Instructor: Donald P Green
  CULPA: 2 h-index: 87 Info
• 4 points

QUANTITATIVE METHODS 3: DISCUSSION

QUANT METH 3-DISC

This is the required discussion section for 
POLS GU4724.

• 0 points

QUANTITATIVE METHODS 3: DISCUSSION

QUANT METH 3-DISC

This is the required discussion section for 
POLS GU4724.

• 0 points

Machine Learning & AI for the Social Sci

Machine Learning & AI Soc

In the first half of the course, students will learn a variety of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) models, ranging from regularized regression to random forest, deep learning, and foundation models. In the second half, students will learn how to use such ML and AI methods for the social sciences, e.g., how to use LLMs for text analyses, and how to use flexible ML models for causal inference. Students will collaborate to present discussion papers throughout the semester. The main goal of this course is to help students write a final paper that applies advanced ML and AI methods to social science questions. This course builds on the materials covered in POLS 4700, 4720, 4722, or their equivalent courses (i.e., probability, statistics, linear regression, logistic regression, causal inference with observational and experimental data, and knowledge of statistical computing environment R).

• TR 4:10 p.m.-5:25 p.m.
• Instructor: Naoki Egami
  h-index: 8 Info
• 4 points

Machine Learning & AI for Social Science

Mach Lrng & AI for Soc Sc

Discussion section for POLS GU4728

• 0 points

Machine Learning & AI for Social Science

Mach Lrng & AI for Soc Sc

Discussion section for POLS GU4728

• 0-1 points

RESEARCH TOPICS IN GAME THEORY

Prerequisites: POLS W4730 or the instructors permission. Advanced topics in game theory will cover the study of repeated games, games of incomplete information and principal-agent models with applications in the fields of voting, bargaining, lobbying and violent conflict. Results from the study of social choice theory, mechanism design and auction theory will also be treated. The course will concentrate on mathematical techniques for constructing and solving games. Students will be required to develop a topic relating political science and game theory and to write a formal research paper.

• TR 2:40 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
• Instructor: Carlo Prato
  h-index: 11 Info
• 4 points

TOPICS GAME THEORY - DISC

• 0 points

GLOBAL ENERGY: SECURITY/GEOPOL

The course focuses on the nexus between energy and security as it reveals in the policies and interaction of leading energy producers and consumers. Topics include: Hydrocarbons and search for stability and security in the Persian Gulf, Caspian basin, Eurasia, Africa and Latin America; Russia as a global energy player; Analysis of the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on energy markets, global security, and the future of the energy transition; Role of natural gas in the world energy balance and European energy security; Transformation of the global energy governance structure; Role and evolution of the OPEC; Introduction into energy economics; Dynamics and fundamentals of the global energy markets; IOCs vs NOCs; Resource nationalism, cartels, sanctions and embargoes; Asia's growing energy needs and its geo-economic and strategic implications; Nuclear energy and challenges to non-proliferation regime; Alternative and renewable sources of energy; Climate change as one of the central challenges of the 21st century; Analysis of the policies, technologies, financial systems and markets needed to achieve climate goals. Climate change and attempts of environmental regulation; Decarbonization trends, international carbon regimes and search for optimal models of sustainable development. Special focus on implications of the shale revolution and technological innovations on U.S. energy security.

• MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
• Instructor: Albert Bininachvili
  CULPA: 6 Info
• 3 points

INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY

This course explores key frameworks and issue areas within international political economy. It examines the history and key characteristics of (economic) globalization, the theories of international cooperation, as well as the nature and role of international organizations (such as the World Trade Organization) in fostering trade and international economic cooperation. Furthermore, the course discusses the pros and cons of globalization and its implications on domestic policies of nation-states, with a particular focus on the tensions globalization creates and the lines of cleavages between winners and losers from globalization. Finally, the course reflects on the future of globalization and international trade and the challenges faced by national and supranational policy makers.

• TR 2:40 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
• Instructor: Davit Sahakyan
  CULPA: 1 Info
• 4 points

M.A. PROSEMINAR

This course introduces students to the different subfields of the discipline by presenting various perspectives on one key topic in political science. Throughout the course, both theoretical and empirical debates surrounding the study of democracy are explored. Although the specific topic may change from year to year, the goal and structure of the course will remain the same: to contribute to the students understanding of an important topic in political science and discuss it through the lens of the different subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. By doing so, students will also learn the technical language, important concepts, and different methodological approaches of each subfield. Please note that this course is only for students in the Political Science Departments M.A. Program.

• F 10:10 a.m.-noon
• F 12:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
• Instructor: Chiara Superti
  CULPA: 3 Info
• 4 points

ISSUES IN POLITICAL THEORY

Prerequisites: the instructors permission prior to registration. A survey of selected issues and debates in political theory. Areas of the field discussed include normative political philosophy, history of political thought, and the design of political and social institutions.

• R 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Turkuler Isiksel
  CULPA: 3 h-index: 9 Info
• 4 points

THEORIES & DEBATES-AMER POL II

This is the second of two semester-long courses that provide graduate students with an overview of the scholarly study of American politics. G6210 and G6211 constitute the American politics field survey. The field survey is designed for political science doctoral students who intend to specialize in American politics, as well as for those students whose primary interests are comparative politics, international relations, or political theory, but who desire an intensive introduction to the American style of political science. In this course we will cover a range of topics related to American politics that, for the most part, are not covered in G6210. Our focus will be on public opinion and political behavior. The reading assignments are a mix of foundational contributions (i.e. the canons of American politics literature) and recent research. The first part of each seminar session will aim to clarify and probe enduring puzzles, theories, and debates highlighted in the foundational texts. The latter portion of the seminar session will focus on how recent studies contribute to ongoing debates and define the research agenda going forward.

• W 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Donald P Green
  CULPA: 2 h-index: 87 Info
• 4 points

COMPARATIVE POLITICS SURVEY I

This is the first course in the two-semester sequence surveying covering foundational research in comparative politics across the developed and developing world. The course is designed for Ph.D. students preparing for comprehensive exams and who intend to conduct research relating to comparative politics, and has two core objectives. The first objective is to expose students to a range of arguments organized around questions motivating major research agendas in comparative politics. The second objective is to expose students to processes of theorizing, hypothesis formation, and testing and to strengthen students’ analytical skills in evaluating and critiquing political science research. It should go without saying that these two classes cannot exhaustively cover the many important works, topics, and methodologies in the field.

The Fall semester of this sequence will primarily focus on citizen-level and politician-level behaviors, while the Spring semester will focus on more macro-level institutions and applications of the building blocks covered in this course. However, it is not necessary to take the classes in a particular order.

• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: John Marshall
  h-index: 20 Info
• 4 points

THEORIES OF INT'L RELATIONS

Prerequisites: the instructors permission prior to registration. Issues and problems in theory of international politics; systems theories and the current international system; the domestic sources of foreign policy and theories of decision making; transnational forces, the balance of power, and alliances.

• R 10:10 a.m.-noon
• Instructor: Elizabeth N Saunders
  Wikipedia Info
• 4 points

Theory of Democracy Revisited

This colloquium will study democracy in its most representative contemporary interpretations and its challenges in comparative theoretical perspective. Starting with democracy’s procedures and institutions (the “rules of the game”) the colloquium will examine their main interpretations and most recent variations; it will end with a discussion of plebiscitary leadership, populism and lottocracy. The aim of the colloquium is to give students of political theory and political science some basic theoretical tools for analyzing, understanding and evaluating contemporary mutations in democratic visions and practices in several western countries.

• T 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Nadia Urbinati
  CULPA: 29 Wikipedia Info
• 4 points

Political Theory of Democratization, De-

Democ, De-Democ, Regime C

Concern about the retreat of democracy, democratic recession and/or democratic backsliding are proliferating in the political theoretical and comparative politics literature. While domestic and external threats to democracy and reverse waves are not new, there is widespread agreement that today even long-consolidated, wealthy democracies are now at risk and that new dynamics of de-democratization are at play. This course will involve an in-depth study of the political theory and comparative politics literature on the relevant concepts and dynamics: transition, democratization, de-democratization, democratic backsliding, hybridization, “post-democracy” and the assumptions undergirding them. We will discuss the various concepts of democracy and regime used or presupposed in the relevant literature and assess how these have evolved. The purpose of the first part of the course is to rethink the basic concepts and theories regarding democracy breakdown, transitions to democracy, democratic consolidation, backsliding and hybridization of democratic regimes and to clarify the conceptual and political issues regarding thresholds, cycles, and the like. The last third of the course will focus on cycles of democratization, de-democratization and re-democratization in the case of the U.S.: the oldest representative constitutional democracy and the one most typically taken as the exemplar of a consolidated democratic regime.

• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Jean L Cohen
  CULPA: 7 Wikipedia h-index: 63 Info
• 4 points

Political Communication

POLS GR8228 is designed as a graduate-level introduction to the study of political communication. As an introduction to the field, it is structured to cover a wide range of topics and methodological approaches. No single course can provide comprehensive coverage of a fascinating subfield with as long and diverse a history as political communication. As such, this seminar will focus on relatively recent work. Students will leave this course with a strong grasp of major theories, trends, methods, findings and debates in this area of study, as well as the gaps in our knowledge and promising directions for future research.

• M 6:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Instructor: Eunji Kim
  Info
• 4 points

Historical Political Economy

Over the past thousand years, modern capitalism has expanded from its European starting point to the entire world. Modern economic activity started with a commercial revolution in the late Middle Ages, concentrated in European city states like Venice and Genoa. From the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries, European colonialism spread this commercial revolution around the globe. The Industrial Revolution in northwestern Europe led to unprecedented and sustained economic growth, which allowed European nations to dominate the rest of the world economically, politically, and militarily, with mixed results for the rest of the world. Over the past hundred years, global capitalism has continued to present countries, and the people in them, with enormous opportunities, crushing constraints, and major political dilemmas. 

The course is an introductory overview of the economics and politics of international economic activity in historical and theoretical perspective.

• T 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Caterina Chiopris
  Info
• 4 points

CIVIL & ETHNIC WARS

This course explores the causes, dynamics and outcomes of civil wars and insurgencies. It addresses when and why violence is employed in place of peaceful solutions to conflict and what accounts for individual and mass recruitment into armed organizations. It aims to understand variation in warring groups’ cohesion, repertoires of violence, and relations with civilians, state counterinsurgency methods, and the political economy of conflict. The course concludes by examining war duration and termination. Students will be pushed to grapple with research written in many traditions including philosophical, statistical, game theoretic, and qualitative materials.

• R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Sarah Daly
  Info
• 4 points