Political Science

This course provides an overview of the political history of France from 1815-1940. It covers the failed Second Republic, neither democratic nor liberal; the return of imperial France, a final transition between an authoritarian regime and a liberal regime; the Third Republic, a severe struggle between the royalists and republicans; and the radical party, aimed at a liberal democracy. The course highlights how, through the end of the 19th century, the installation of the Republic was fraught with economic crises and political oppositions. 

This course explores the role of seapower and empires in the development of modern warfare, strategy, and international relations. Students examine the role of sea power in imperialism and the relationship between East and West, the role of technological innovation in the ability of sea power to affect war and politics both at the global and regional levels, the role of maritime geography as a structural impediment and enabler in the projection of power, and the conceptual complexities involved in the terms empire and imperialism as tools for understanding the strategic challenges that face the world today.

This course focuses on the reading of classical texts in political theory and philosophy. It confronts foundational texts in the Western tradition (Plato, Hobbes, Tocqueville, Marx, Arendt, Foucault) to improve reading skills, better understand the history of political ideas, and develop views on current political events. The course provides an opportunity to practice the use of precise concepts and to develop stronger argumentations.

This course examines how, and to what end, violence is practiced. The courses addresses some of the biggest and oldest questions in the study of comparative politics: why are some societies prone to civil conflict, while others are not? When do political actors resort to violence over a peaceful solution to conflict? Why are some societies prone to political violence, while others are not? Why do individuals participate in collective violence? How, if at all, do the perpetrators of political violence justify their actions? And how, and under what conditions, does violence end?

The course provides an introduction to comparative public policy analysis used in political science and administrative studies. It develops theoretical and methodological skills for students interested in public policy analysis. The course provides the necessary tools for understanding and conducting in-depth research on a variety of political issues. Each class is divided into two parts. The first part of the lecture deals with the main concepts in public policy analysis. The second part applies those concepts to a specific policy related to urban issues through a presentation by the students followed by either a group work or a debate in class. Learning outcomes include understanding and criticizing comparative analytical frameworks; investigating policy processes, outputs, and outcomes across various policy areas; conducting their own research on a specific policy domain following a comparative perspective. The course is structured so that the learning experience in class sessions is cumulative. Students are expected to read all assigned readings, regularly attend, and contribute to the class, and develop their own comparative analysis of one policy in the United States or Canada and in a European country.