Political Science

This course covers the different groups that are or have been at some point in American history considered as minorities: ethno-racial minorities (especially African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Native Americans), immigrants, women, but also sexual minorities, religious minorities, and people with disabilities. Various issues are discussed such as the genesis of the notion of “minority,” discrimination, minority rights, and identity politics. By the end of the students can: understand past and current public policy debates in the United States regarding minorities; analyze these debates using the theoretical frameworks provided in class; draw connections between the policies pertaining to different minority groups.

This course has four parts: firstly, it sets the scene by introducing a series of analytical categories and dimensions that can be employed to examine social policy in comparative perspective; secondly, it illustrates similarities and differences in the social policies of high-income countries by reviewing in detail selected national models of welfare state; thirdly, it moves from the national to the supranational level by examining the role of selected supranational institutions in shaping social policies in the Global North and the Global South (e.g. European Union; World Bank; ILO); fourthly, it reviews some key challenges that welfare states are currently faced with and the opportunities for renewal that these challenges may offer. 

This course investigates the political, strategic, and institutional dynamics shaping Northeast Asia—a region home to major powers, contested histories, nuclear tensions, and economic interdependence. It examines the evolving regional order through both theoretical lenses and case-based analysis. Topics include great power competition, alliance politics, nationalism and identity, historical memory, economic security, and digital sovereignty. Students analyze how state and non-state actors interact within shifting geopolitical conditions and regional governance structures. The course also explores how transnational challenges—such as the chip war, data governance, and human rights—intersect with traditional security and diplomatic agendas. Through engagement with readings, expert lectures, and structured debates, students develop a critical understanding of the region’s complexities and its global implications.

This course, together with International Relations (II) in the spring semester, provides an overview of International Relations for political science majors and other interested students. The course aims to provide the following: a foundation in the study of international relations; an ability to apply international relations theory to discuss real-world politics; an overview of global politics; the ability to read academic texts in English, and oral and written communication skills in the English language.