Political Science

The undergraduate research program places students in research opportunites to conduct indpendent research under the supervision of a Chinese University of Hong Kong faculty. Students are expected to spend approximately 15 to 20 hours per week in independent research as well as attend lectures and labs.

The course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrolment is by consent of the instructor. The course examines the political and the social conditions of contemporary Iran. Iran is one of the major players in the contemporary geopolitical situation and has a long history as a hegemonic power. It is also characterized by a vibrant civil society, a fact that is not usually acknowledged. Hence the focus of the course is on both political and social aspects. The course focuses on the historical, political, and social situation of contemporary Iran; the patterns of interaction between Iran and the various local political entities (Empires, nation-states, regional organizations); the interaction between Iran and Europe, North America, and Africa; and the influence of international factors on Iranian domestic and foreign policy. Special attention is placed on the interaction with other regional forces and the international and global dynamics affecting the region as a whole. A special section of the course is devoted to the historiographic and political debate concerning Iran, its future, and its role in international politics. The course is designed primarily to familiarize students with the pivotal events and processes of the political history of contemporary Iran and its foreign and domestic policies. Special attention is placed on Iran’s diplomacy and international relations.

This course considers the following questions: to what extent do processes such as the transnationalization of production, world trade, or migration processes impact gender inequalities? What are the emancipatory effects of these processes? In order to be able to answer these questions, the seminar first discusses the theoretical foundations for a gender analysis in globalization research. Different theoretical approaches of gender research –from liberal, Marxist, social constructivist to postcolonial and intersectional approaches –are presented and critically reflected. Along the theoretical discussion, the various approaches to gender as an analysis category are worked out, discussed with regard to their methodological consequences, and tested on the basis of selected topics. Finally, various feminist strategies and approaches to the gender-equitable organization of globalization are presented and examined with regard to their gender implications.

This course studies the history of Britain from the mid-19th century through to 1945, with a focus on broadly defined political history. The course considers the impact of ideological, sexual, demographic, social, cultural, and economic change on the political process and policy-making in Britain. Students examine more conventional issues such as constitutional reform and party politics. Students also focus on aspects of social and economic history as well as some intellectual and cultural history. This option comprises the spring term of the yearlong course Politics & Society in Modern Britain, 1780-1945.

This course is an introduction to the field of public international law. The course covers major topics in this field, including sources of international law (treaties and customary international law); subjects (States and international organizations); the law of State responsibility; the prohibition on the use of force; and international dispute settlement. The course emphasizes learning how to read and understand international law instruments, such as states multilateral treaties and judgments of the International Court of Justice. The course discusses topics including sources and subjects of international law, state responsibility, prohibition on the use of force, jurisdiction, immunities, international dispute settlement, and international human rights law.