Political Science

This course investigates how the early childhood period contributes to the reproduction of social inequalities, focusing on the role of early education and care, and on the interplay between micro-level characteristics with the policy context. Several interdisciplinary concepts are introduced, as well as the key policy evaluation tools, as applied to (early) education and care. The course discusses and questions current concepts in the early childhood literature and their relevance to the reproduction of social inequalities; examines early education and care; explores cross-national differences in early childhood policies and current policy debates; considers the concepts behind key policy evaluation tools; and applies acquired knowledge to evaluate early education programs and their role in the production of inequalities. Sessions are interactive and require participation.

The course is concerned with theories of democratization and case studies of democratic transformations during the so-called “third wave” of democratization from the 1970s to the present. The course analyzes processes of transition and consolidation of democracy and of democratic reversal in the context of globalization. Students study the concept of democracy, theories of transition to democracy, democratic consolidation and hybrid regimes and the crisis of liberal democracy. They focus on the condition of democracy in different regions of the world, including Southern Europe, Africa, Turkey, South East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.