Political Science

This course surveys and analyzes the interaction between Europe and America since 1945 in the fields of politics, economics, and culture. Special emphasis is placed on the roles of the United States, Germany, and the European Union. The first part has a time-line approach, discussing cooperation and divergence of  interests before, during, and after the Cold War and after 9/11. During the second part, the course focus on issues of common concern for the U.S. and Europe today and on challenges facing the transatlantic partnership during the era of globalization with its challenges to the common values of the “West.” Current events are discussed whenever they become relevant. The course includes a guest speaker and a visit to the German Foreign Ministry for a talk on German-American relations.

The course provides a theoretical and practical inquiry into the interface between society and politics in both developed and developing countries. Special emphasis will be on African states.  The issues addressed include the nature of power and the state, relations between the state and society, social movements, political organization and civic participation, political culture, voting behavior, democracy and economic development, nationalism, citizenship, and globalization. 

The course first offers students an introduction to the discipline of International Relations to understand some of the key questions that scholars and policy makers have focused on, and how the field has been transformed as the world has changed around them. It then studies a series of pressing contemporary issues, including war, security, development, human rights, and terrorism. These cases and questions are analyzed through different theories including realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminism.