Political Science

The course examines major modes of explaining nationalism, and relates nationalism to other key themes in sociology. It begins by examining key concepts, theories, and typologies of nationalism, with particular attention focused on the distinction among ethnic, civic, and civil nationalism. Thereafter the course explores the relationship between nationalism and other social and political processes, such as language, religion, class, gender, conflict regulation, and globalization. The course uses substantive case material to inform an understanding of nationalism.

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.