Political Science

Upon entering the 21st century, environment is becoming one of the most pressing issues for the world. This course introduces global environmental politics from different aspects: global environmental issues, such as climate change, waste trade, biodiversity conservation; political causes and implications of global environmental issues; global environmental governance, including UNEP, World Commission on Dams; non-state actors and global environmental protection; global economy and environment; and political theoretical reflections inspired by global environmental politics.

During the Arab springs, Algeria gave the impression of remaining impervious to regional dynamics. Algerians however claimed they recognized in the Tunisian and Egyptian revolts, democratization, rise of Islamism, and later threat of the return of dictatorship, their own experiences. An outlier to current events in the Maghreb, and perhaps a precursor, Algeria is an excellent case study for students to acquire a deeper historical understanding of the region. Based on texts, images, and film sources, and with constant comparison to other Maghribi countries, this course begins with the enthusiasm of independence in 1962, Third Worldism, and socialist utopia, and then moves on to the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, the rise of Djihadi Islam, and the first of its kind civil war between the army and the armed Islamists in the 1990, and its aftermath.

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the exciting inter-disciplinary study of contemporary Africa. The course will engage with African societies by examining the history, politics, economy, anthropology and culture of the continent and will explicitly draw on a range of disciplinary approaches. By taking this course students will gain knowledge of contemporary Africa and will be sensitized to the diverse experiences of continuity and change on the continent and how Africa is situated and understood by different actors within global debates on topical issues. Africa in the Contemporary World will appeal to students from a diverse range of courses that touch on issues related to contemporary Africa. It will also be appealing to students who wish to go to Africa to pursue work or study. For students who wish to continue to study Africa in more depth, the course will expose students to a range of disciplines and research processes relevant to the study of contemporary Africa. Africa is also a focus for students interested in questions of international development and globalization and the course will address and provide a context for a deeper engagement with these topics. The lectures will cover two related topics each week and will be delivered by lecturers from the Centre of African Studies as well as lecturers from across the school who will bring expertise on specific topics for this introductory course. Tutorials will provide the opportunity for students to discuss and develop their own ideas and form an independent response to the readings and lectures. The tutors will assist in clarifying key concepts and will assist students in developing a critical analysis of the material. The tutors will also provide feedback on presentations and support the peer feedback sessions on essay plans. Students will be encouraged to attend extra-curricular events run by the Centre of African Studies and the School such as film screenings and seminar series as well as University talks on topics related to Africa. Students will also be encouraged to read a number of contemporary African novels. Indicative Themes: Africa and the long duree Colonialism and post-colonialism Liberation struggles and nationalism Citizenship, ethnicity and identity Social movements and democratization Law and governance Conflict and civil war Poverty and economic change Aid, debt and trade The informal economy China in Africa Migration Land and the environment Food security and climate change Population dynamics Health and disease Religion, gender and the family Popular culture Cities Is Africa Rising? For Whom?

This course provides a study of human rights, cultural diversity, and indigenous rights in modern society within the context of globalization. Topics covered include: concepts of social justice using models of fair multicultural societies; human rights, citizenship, the rights of individuals, the rights of states, international migration; racism as an ideology, power and domination, social movements; solidarity and cultural diversity, humanism and humanitarianism, civil society and social organizations, peace as an intercultural value.

This course provides a study of the relationship between the labor market and economics, examining the main schools of economic thought from Adam Smith to the present as well as impacts of social movements on labor law. Other topics covered include: Marxism, socialism and labor movement; social protection and the welfare state; flexicurity; the duality of the Spanish labor market; the future of labor law.

This class discusses the history of postwar Japan through the writings of so-called "movement intellectuals" and examines changing ideas of Shimin through the postwar period and their implications for today's perspectives on politics. Text: Simon Andrew Avenell, MAKING JAPANESE CITIZENS: CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE SHIMIN IN POSTWAR JAPAN. Assessment: response papers, research paper, presentation. Units: The regular version of this course is worth 3.0 UC quarter units. The AQ version of this course is worth up to 4.5 UC quarter units. Students must submit a special study project form which outlines the requirements for the additional units. This is typically an additional paper graded by the instructor of the course.