Political Science

This course is about an omnipresent yet curiously ill-understood phenomenon in politics and government: leadership. What does it mean when people say they want better leadership? What place can leadership have in a democracy? How is its exercise being facilitated and constrained by the institutions of democracy and the rule of law? How do people who occupy senior public offices exercise leadership and how can leadership be exercised by those who don’t? Through discussing the literature, watching and analyzing episodes of political drama series and documentaries, case studies, meetings with practitioners, and a simulation the course explores how to systematically understand and evaluate various forms of public leadership. Among the key questions the course addresses are: What are the distinctive and functions of leadership in politics and government? Is ‘democratic leadership’ an oxymoron? How does leadership in democracies and autocracies differ? Why do people follow leaders – even really bad ones? How do we know successful political, administrative and civic leadership when we see it? What role do personality, context and skills play in leadership processes? How can we understand, distinguish and evaluate leadership styles? How do leaders cope with the special challenges and opportunities presented by major disruptions and crises? How can we organize effective leadership succession in politics and public administration? During the course, several guest speakers share their knowledge and experience and participants experience acting as a political leader during a simulation. It is vital that reading and coursework are completed before class, so that literature can be (critically) discussed during the meetings and be present during meetings. Please note that for non-USG bachelor students the course 'Introduction public administration and organizational science (USG5520/USG5020)' or another introduction course covering the subject of public administration/political science is required.

This course explores the impact of technology on international politics, introducing key international relations theories and examining how technological advancements influence patterns of war and peace, as well as the dynamics of cooperation and conflict among states.  

The first part of the course focuses on the development of nuclear weapons and their implications for international relations. It addresses critical questions such as: Does the advent of nuclear weapons represent a fundamental shift in the nature of warfare and international relations? Why and how do states pursue nuclear weapons? What international efforts exist to regulate their proliferation?  

The latter part of the course examines the role of emerging technologies from the new industrial revolution, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous weapons, in shaping international affairs. It tackles questions like: Do cyber operations alter the nature of warfare? What ethical considerations are necessary for regulating autonomous weapons? How does social media influence international relations? Through these inquiries, the course provides a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between technology and global politics. 

There is no prerequisite for this course, but basic knowledge of international relations theories is expected (A recommended course before taking this course: Introduction to International Politics) 

This course introduces the study of democracy and democratization, which is one of the core sub-fields in comparative politics. Drawing on classic and cutting-edge work, it covers four major topics in the field: the concepts and typologies of democracy, regime transitions from authoritarianism to democracy, the consolidation of democracy, and democratic backsliding. The course helps students develop theoretical understanding about what democracy is and how democracy can be established and developed, or de-consolidated. 

The course includes designated class discussions/debates on South Korean democracy and democratization. Therefore, a substantial level of knowledge of Korean politics is needed to participate in class discussions/debates. 

This course introduces and elaborates on diplomatic practices, such as negotiation and mediation. Central issues discussed and compared are varieties of diplomacy, newness and decline of diplomacy, cultural differences in international negotiation, and third parties in international negotiations. Practice and strategies are linked to various diplomatic actors, such as states, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) official, and unofficial diplomats. The course stresses the linkage between theory and practice in international relations.

This course discusses the different aspects of EU's foreign policy such as conflict transformation, financial aid packages and sanctions, geo-strategic investment, energy diplomacy and more, introducing students to the workings of EU's diplomatic bodies and their influence in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Trio. The course considers the candidate countries' regional dynamics and motivations behind their foreign policy alignment. It concludes with a simulation exercise focused on the EU's supranational institutions within a fictional negotiating scenario.

This course offers an in-depth exploration of quantitative text analysis methods for studying international relations. Students engage with advanced computational techniques, including text classification, topic modeling, and network analysis, to systematically examine textual data. The class places emphasis on methodological rigor, critical interpretation of results, and the application of these tools to address key research questions in the field. It is designed to equip students with the skills needed to conduct independent research using text as data.

This course immerses students in a global examination of the rise of far-right movements, employing mixed methods to explore radicalization, narratives, and mobilization strategies. The comparative perspective encompasses cases in both Latin America and Europe. Participants gain practical experience in qualitative data collection and analysis techniques, as well as skills in database construction and discourse analysis. The course culminates in the drafting of a research publication, fostering the development of rigorous academic skills.

This course introduces key concepts and frameworks in public policy, focusing on how policies are formulated, implemented, and evaluated. It provides insights on how issues make it onto the political agenda; when and how public policies are made; how their effects can be assessed; what makes them successful; and how public policies can be compared. The course explores different types of policies, the policy instruments governments use to influence societal outcomes, and the factors that drive policy change or stability to familiarize students with analytical tools used in policy research. In doing so, the course also examines the challenges of addressing complex, "wicked" problems that confront governments with particular challenges. In addition to general theories and approaches in public policy research, the course introduces selected policy areas, such as health, education, environmental, and social policy. The course equips students with the tools to analyze policy processes, assess government effectiveness, and critically engage with real-world policy challenges.

Law is often imagined as a mass of written documents containing intricate and arcane language, which is usually manipulated by lawyers and judges. This course expands this imagery by exploring the impact of legal practice, defined as a set of techniques deployed by legal professionals, in relation to our daily life. The course first surveys the historical underpinnings of legal practice, devoting special attention to the study of its Roman and Medieval manifestations. Moreover, it reflects upon the impact of legal professionals and legal techniques in the organization of geographical spaces, group membership, behavior control, and economic production. The course also discusses the tensions between legal pluralism and the centralization of legal authority promoted by the nation-State, as well as introduces the use of legal technique as tools for resistance and change.