HUMAN RIGHTS & IMMIGRATION

Examination of human rights within the context of international migration. The course covers topics such as citizenship, state sovereignty, border control, asylum-seekers, refugees, and undocumented immigrants.

• MW 11:40 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
• Instructor: Ayten Gundogdu
  CULPA: 20 h-index: 8 Info
• 4 points

GLOBAL POL CLIMATE CHNG - DISC

Discussion section for POLS BC3605

• T 8:40 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
• M 9 a.m.-9:50 a.m.
• R 2 p.m.-2:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Juan Corredor-Garcia
  Info
• Instructor: Esther Kardos
  Info
• Instructor: Ray Cai
  Info
• 0 points

AMERICAN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

Prerequisites: (POLS UN1201) In this survey of American political development, we will discuss how and why major institutions and policies emerged, why they took certain forms, when and why they have changed over time, and what kinds of factors limit change. We will also discuss how policies, in turn, shape citizens and institutions.

• M 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Katherine L Krimmel
  CULPA: 6 Info
• 4 points

HUMAN RTS & IMMIGRATN - DISC

Discussion section for POLS BC3002 - Human Rights and Immigration

• W 8:10 a.m.-9 a.m.
• W 9:10 a.m.-10 a.m.
• M 1:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
• M 2:10 p.m.-3 p.m.
• Instructor: Monica Salmon Gomez
  Info
• 0 points

AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES

Political parties have evoked widespread scorn in the U.S. since the founding era; and yet, they arose almost immediately and have endured for over two centuries. In this course, we will examine why parties formed despite the Founders’ disdain for them. (In 1789, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go at all.” In 1800, he won the presidency as a candidate of a major party.) We will dig into scholarly debates about what exactly parties are, what purpose they serve, and how and why they have changed over time as organizations, in the electorate, and in government. Topics will include the presidential nomination process from the founding through the much-discussed 2016 primary election season, the life cycle of third parties, and the relationship between political parties and interest groups. Students will learn what is and is not unique about the current historical moment, and how history might shape our expectations of parties moving forward. Throughout the course, we will pay particularly close attention to the roots of contemporary party polarization, and the implications of this phenomenon for representation and governance. In 1950, the American Political Science Association released a report criticizing the two major parties for excessive similarity; today, party polarization evokes widespread concern. Is there an ideal level of party difference? How much is too much? We will address these difficult questions, among others, in this broad survey of American political parties.

• MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
• Instructor: Katherine L Krimmel
  CULPA: 6 Info
• 3 points

Feminist Political Thought

FEMINIST POLITICAL THOUGH

Feminism is often recognized as a political movement. But is there a feminist way of thinking about politics? In this course, we’ll investigate the core premises, provocations, proposals, and tensions of feminism as they relate to specifically political problems, focusing particularly on feminist political thought as it developed in the twentieth century. Who is the subject of feminist politics? What is the meaning of “difference,” and how can—or should—feminists seek to organize across it? What are appropriate topics for politics, and what should remain private? Is the family a space for politics? The household? The body? How much of the personal can, and should, be made political? Are there feminist ways of
doing
politics? We will consider these questions with reference to texts from both feminist activists and feminist scholars.

• TR 11:40 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
• Instructor: Alyssa Battistoni
  Info
• 3 points

Colloquium on the Politics of the Arctic

COLL: POLITICS OF THE ARC

The Arctic region is warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, and greater portions of the Arctic Ocean are becoming ice-free much faster than anyone had expected even a few years ago. This is having a huge impact on the politics of the region, and is what social scientists call a “natural experiment” (even though it is the result of human activity) or an “exogenous shock” to the status quo. The fact of climate change has implications for virtually every realm of politics and policy: from local governance to cooperative international institutions, from commercial trade to military security, from environmental disasters to economic windfalls (including for indigenous communities). In this colloquium we will explore these changes and their implications, relating each of them to enduring concepts in political science. Each student will choose one case (or a set of related cases) to explore in depth, in an original, argumentative, independent research paper.

• T 10:10 a.m.-noon
• Instructor: Kimberly Marten
  CULPA: 71 Wikipedia h-index: 19 Info
• 4 points

The Politics of Nature

THE POLITICS OF NATURE

Nature and politics have often been counterposed in political thought: politics is understood to be a distinctly human activity, perhaps even the defining human activity, while nature describes the material world as it operates independently from human action; politics concerns the realm of decisions about how things will and ought to be, while nature names that which simply is and cannot be changed. What, then, does it mean to think about the politics of nature? We will begin by examining the ways that political thinkers have understood nature in general before moving into specifically ecological thought and ending with reflections on the central challenge of nature and politics today: climate change. Themes addressed include the role of science in politics, the challenges of politics on a global or planetary scale, the political and moral status of nonhuman nature, and the relationship between nature and economics.

• W 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Alyssa Battistoni
  Info
• 4 points

COLL:PLTCS OF BAD BEHAVIOR

This course explores the politics of what happens when people, institutions, or states deviate from expected behavior. The course will span all subfields of political science, engaging issues such as lies, scandal, money laundering, corruption, campaign finance, election fraud, racism, and incarceration.

• W 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Michael Miller
  CULPA: 18 h-index: 14 Info
• 4 points

REFORMNG AMERICAN ELECTNS

Prerequisites: POLS 1201 or an equivalent intro-level course in American Politics. The purpose of this course is to examine problems in American democracy, and to critically evaluate proposals for reform. We will examine the manner in which political science has engaged real-world problems in election systems and administration, campaign finance, and fraud.

• MW 1:10 p.m.-2:25 p.m.
• Instructor: Michael Miller
  CULPA: 18 h-index: 14 Info
• 3 points

Colloquium: Transnational Kleptocracy

COLL: TRANSNTNL KLEPTOCRA

The term “kleptocracy” literally means “rule by thieves” and refers to the extensive grand corruption that elite rulers, allies and their family members engage in to privately enrich themselves at the expense of their populations. Traditionally, kleptocracy has been viewed as a scourge on developing countries, associated with greedy authoritarian rulers in conflict-prone, resource rich and/or aid dependent states. However, in recent years scholars and policymakers have increasingly become aware of the critical role played by international actors, institutions, legal structures and professional service providers that facilitate kleptocracy at a global level. Unlike other transnational illicit sectors such as narcotics trafficking or terrorism, many aspects of kleptocracy networks are publicly visible and perfectly legal. Overall, these networks function to enable the domestic plundering of these elites, the whitewashing of their reputations, and the exacerbation of vast inequality, both within the countries that kleptocrats systemically plunder and between the Global South and the West which receives and benefits from many of the proceeds of these corrupt activities. 

The first part of the course (Weeks 2-5) examines the transnational actors, service professionals and institutions that facilitate money laundering by kleptocrats. The second part (Weeks 6-7) concentrates on how kleptocrats launder their reputations, by presenting themselves as global philanthropists or business professionals and by acquiring residency in other jurisdictions through the growing market for citizenship.  The final part of the course (Weeks 8-10) examines recent developments in international policy efforts to counter kleptocracy, including incorporating such efforts into national security strategies, enacting extraterritorial legislation to punish corporate bribery, sanctioning individual kleptocrats and oligarchs, and amending libel laws in countries like the UK that are routinely used by kleptocrats to intimidate journalists and deter investigations into their dealings.  

Finally, throughout the course we will grapple with the methodological challenges posed by trying to study and detect illegal and secretive patterns of behavior. What are the tools, resources and research techniques available to researchers and policy makers interested in making more evidence-based assessments about kleptocracy and grand corruption?

• M 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
• Instructor: Alexander A Cooley
  CULPA: 22 h-index: 33 Info
• 4 points

DEMOCRACY & DICTATORSHIP IN EUROPE

DEMOCRACY& DICTATORSHIP EUR

This course will examine the development of democracies and dictatorships in Europe from the French Revolution to the present day. It will analyze the nature and dynamics of European political history and use the European experience as a foundation upon which to build a broader understanding of how different types of political regimes emerge, function and are sustained over time. Prior knowledge of European history and comparative politics is welcome, but not presumed.

• MW 11:40 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
• Instructor: Sheri Berman
  CULPA: 19 Wikipedia h-index: None Info
• 4 points

COLLOQUIUM ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN A DIVERSE

COLL:HUMAN RTS IN DIVERSE WRLD

Examination of human rights within the context of international migration. The course covers topics such as citizenship, state sovereignty, border control, asylum-seekers, refugees, and undocumented immigrants. (Cross-listed by the Human Rights Program.)

• T 12:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
• Instructor: Ayten Gundogdu
  CULPA: 20 h-index: 8 Info
• 4 points

DEMOCRACY & DICTATORSHIP EUR-DIS

DEMOCRACY&DICTATORSHIP EU

REQUIRED DISCUSSION SECTION FOR POLS UN3401

• R 7:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
• F 1:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
• R 4:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
• R 5:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• 0 points

COLL: BUILDING PEACE

How can we build peace in the aftermath of extensive violence? How can international actors help in this process? This colloquium focuses on international peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding efforts in recent conflicts. It covers general concepts, theories, and debates, as well as specific cases of peacebuilding successes and failures. Cross-listed with Human Rights.

• T 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Severine Autesserre
  CULPA: 19 Wikipedia h-index: 14 Info
• 4 points

COLL:POLIT ECON:CORRPTN/CONTRL

Prerequisites: POLS V1501 or the equivalent. Admission by application through the Barnard department only. Enrollment limited to 16 students. Barnard syllabus. Comparative political economy course which addresses some important questions concerning corruption and its control: the concept, causes, patterns, consequences, and control of corruption. Introduces students to and engages them in several key social science debates on the causes and effects of political corruption.

• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Xiaobo Lu
  CULPA: 4 Info
• 4 points

COLL: MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK

Beginning in the mid-1970s a democratic wave swept the globe.  It started in Southern Europe, spread throughout Latin America, parts of East Asia and Africa, and engulfed the former Soviet bloc.  In all, dozens of new democracies emerged during the late twentieth century and by the early 21st century there were more democracies in the world than there had ever been before.  Over the last decade and a half, however, a democratic undertow has sent in.  Many new democracies have slid back towards dictatorship and many old democracies have experienced significant problems as well.  This colloquium will exam the literature on democratic consolidation and backsliding, providing students with an overview of the most important theories about what makes democracy work—or not.

• M 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Sheri Berman
  CULPA: 19 Wikipedia h-index: None Info
• 4 points

CIVIL RIGHTS &CIVIL LIBERTIES

Prerequisites: POLS W1201 or the equivalent. Not an introductory-level course. Not open to students who have taken the colloquium POLS BC3326. Enrollment limited to 25 students; L-course sign-up through eBear. Barnard syllabus. Explores seminal caselaw to inform contemporary civil rights and civil liberties jurisprudence and policy. Specifically, the readings examine historical and contemporary first amendment values, including freedom of speech and the press, economic liberties, takings law, discrimination based on race, gender, class and sexual preference, affirmative action, the right to privacy, reproductive freedom, the right to die, criminal procedure and adjudication, the rights of the criminally accused post-9/11 and the death penalty. (Cross-listed by the American Studies and Human Rights Programs.)

• R 4:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Instructor: Paula A Franzese
  CULPA: 11 Wikipedia Info
• 3 points

COLL:NON-STATE GOV CRIME/WAR

Prerequisites: (POLS UN1501) The conventional wisdom is that crime and civil war are linked to disorder. But these are far from disorderly and ungoverned spaces. Unpacking these settings reveals complex forms of non-state governance constructed by a range of actors, including rebel and guerillas, gangs, vigilantes, and protection rackets – sometimes facilitated by the state.

• W 2:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Instructor: Eduardo Moncada
  CULPA: 2 h-index: 12 Info
• 4 points

DRUGS & POLITICS IN AMERICAS

A major challenge for governments across the Western Hemisphere is the complex relationship between illicit drugs, violence, and politics. We can see this relationship operating at multiple levels, from everyday politics in gang-controlled neighborhoods to the global arenas where governments debate and craft international drug policy. These links also reach back in history to global wars of empire and colonial rule, race relations during and following the collapse of the institution of slavery, and contemporary drug wars being waged across the Western Hemisphere and other parts of the world. Today, the dynamics and consequences of the politics of illicit drugs touch all our lives in different ways, including individual and family struggles with substance abuse, everyday encounters with militarized police, and the strains on democracy and citizenship, among many others. This course will examine some of these dynamics and consequences with a theoretical and empirical focus mainly on Latin America and the United States. Throughout our time together we will connect these pressing issues to broader theories, concepts and empirical findings in political science. The course is divided into several individual modules (denoted below with the headings A – G) under three overarching themes for this semester:

 

1. Politics of Drugs in a Historical Perspective:
The first theme is a broad historical overview of the political origins of illicit drugs and the global drug regime. Some of the main questions we will tackle are: When and why did states label drugs as illicit?  How did domestic and global politics come together to shape the global drug regime and the “war on drugs?” What role did race and gender play in the early social construction of illicit drugs?

 

2. Illicit Drugs, Politics and Governance:
The second theme focuses on contemporary linkages between illicit drugs, violence, and politics. Here we will examine the conditions under which illicit drug markets are either violent or (relatively) peaceful. We will tackle questions like: Do states always seek to dismantle drug markets? What is the relationship between illicit drugs and electoral politics? What role do illicit drugs play in governance by armed non-state actors?  Are states and criminal actors involved in the drug trade always at “war” with each other? 


3. Democracy, Citizenship, and the War on Drugs:
The th

• MW 11:40 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
• Instructor: Eduardo Moncada
  CULPA: 2 h-index: 12 Info
• 4 points

DRUGS & POLITICS IN THE AMERICAS - DISC

DRUGS & POLITICS - DISC

Discussion Section for POLS-UN3565 Drugs and Politics in the Americas

• M 3:10 p.m.-4 p.m.
• M 4:10 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Instructor: Juan Corredor-Garcia
  Info
• 0 points

The Global Politics of Climate Change

GLOBAL PLTCS OF CLIMATE C

Climate change mitigation is the greatest global political challenge of our times. This course uses concepts drawn from the broader political science literature to analyze the recent history and possible future trajectories of interactions between international politics and climate change, including the international political economy of various relevant commercial sectors. It has no prerequisites, and no background knowledge is required.

• MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
• Instructor: Kimberly Marten
  CULPA: 71 Wikipedia h-index: 19 Info
• 4 points

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Students who wish to do an independent study project (I.S.P.), should speak with a Political Science faculty member willing to serve as sponsor, then fill out a Request for Approval of Credit for Independent Study (see Registrars link below) and obtain signatures from the sponsor and from our Department Chair. File this form with the Committee on Programs and Academic Standing, which must approve all requests. (It must be filed with the C.P.A.S. well before the Registrars program-filing deadline for the semester of the I.S.P.) Note that no credit is given for an internship or job experience in or by itself, but credit is given for an academic research paper written in conjunction with an internship, subject to the procedures outlined above. The internship and the I.S.P. can be in the same semester, or you may do the I.S.P. in the semester following the internship. A project approved for three or four points counts as an elective course for the purpose of the ten-course major or five-course minor requirement. No more than two such three- or four-point projects may be used for the major, and no more than one for the minor. An independent study project may not be used to satisfy either the colloquium or senior seminar requirement. Each instructor is limited to sponsoring one independent study project per semester. The Registrar will assign a POLS BC 3799 section and call number unique to the faculty sponsor. The Registrars ISP form: http://www.barnard.edu/sites/default/files/inline/indstudy.pdf. The Political Science faculty: http://polisci.barnard.edu/faculty-directory.

• Instructor: Xiaobo Lu
  CULPA: 4 Info
• Instructor: Michael Miller
  CULPA: 18 h-index: 14 Info
• Instructor: Eduardo Moncada
  CULPA: 2 h-index: 12 Info
• Instructor: Kimberly Marten
  CULPA: 71 Wikipedia h-index: 19 Info
• 1-4 points