Political Science

This course offers an introduction to the legal framework of the European Union, often referred to as sui generis, meaning that it is unique in its characteristics as compared with other regional organizations. EU law is increasingly important for national legal systems. At the same time, the EU represents a fascinating case study of regional integration especially in the light of challenges that the EU has been facing such as the government debt crisis, the refugee crisis, Brexit, and the covid-19 pandemic. This course guides students through the establishment of the EU and development of EU law and policy since then. Relevant questions include: how is the EU organized and how does it function? Which institutions exist within the EU and what is their role? How do they react to recent challenges of European integration? What does EU law regulate and why? How does the European legal order interact with the domestic orders of its Member States? What is the position of individuals within EU law and how are their rights under EU law protected? The course focuses on these institutional questions, helping students to critically assess the EU in its legal context. They zoom in on particular topics, such as decision making in law and in practice, or judicial protection in the EU, teaching students how to apply the general rules to specific case studies. The course gives students a platform for discussing the recent developments within the European Union.

This course examines the nature and workings of the American political economy and society. To achieve a well-balanced understanding of the country in the context of the globalized world, it  studies the United States by comparing it to other industrialized democracies of North America, Europe, and Oceania. The course seeks to understand the interplay among politics, the economy, and society and its effects on the economy and the well-being of citizens.

This course examines historical, social, and political aspects of contemporary Israeli society. After analyzing the ideologies and groups that played a major role in the formation of Israeli society, class discussion focuses on social and political issues which are at the center of current debate in the country. The course discusses topics including the major social groups in Israeli society, key social and political issues in Israel and the positions of different political and ideological groups on these issues, Israel’s political system, and the character of Israel as both a democracy and Jewish nation-state.

This course is designed for students wishing to clarify and advance their career goals through an 8-week internship in Thailand. It provides a structured learning environment to help students make the most of their internship experience. While there are no regularly scheduled class meetings, internships are conducted under the close academic supervision of the School of Global Studies at Thammasat University. An assigned internship coordinator provides oversight and guidance for the duration of the internship. The course requires a minimum of 288 total work hours.