Political Science

This course provides a critical analysis of European Union institutional structure and political functioning from the point of view of political science. It reflects on the nature of the European Union political system and policies by looking at its historical and constitutional design. The course then examines how European Union institutions are appointed, how they function, their respective powers, and how they interact with each other and with the national political institutions and civil society actors. The course also describes European policy making, examines the process of institutional reform, and the challenges the European Union is facing today.

This course examines how the European Left thinks and practices economics, above and beyond the vast but erroneous stereotype: that this is a party that is incapable, once in power, to conduct a coherent economic policy. At the crossroads of history, sociology, and political science, this course reexamines the tormented history of the Left towards economics, from the first world war to the consequences of the financial crisis of 2007-2008.  It uses a transnational comparative approach and looks at several case studies done in the European zone to examine the movement of ideas and the crucial role of the economy in the changes and political recompositions of the Left during this time.

This course examines the social and historical contexts of violence and peace. Topics include: violence in politics; state and violence; peace and diplomacy; war and technological development; cultures of war and cultures of peace; etc.

This course examines recent developments in the contentious electoral politics of three Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, with some comparative references to Burma/Myanmar. Following a brief review of the case countries, the course adopts a thematic approach, first reviewing the character of the state, including national mythologies and the historical role of the military. It then explores aspects of transition, including the changing political economy, the rise of electoral politics, the role of religion and media, and the phenomenon of rally politics. Challenges to national elites from the regions is also closely scrutinized. These themes and issues have a broader relevance to wider debates in comparative politics which students explore in their written assessment.