Taught by: Jonathan Rodden and Jeremy Weinstein

Terms: Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022

Course description: Why do countries go to war? How can we explain problems such as poverty, inequality, and pollution? What can be done to improve political representation in the United States and other countries? We will use scientific methods to answer these and other fundamental questions about politics.

Taught by: Kathryn Stoner

Terms: Autumn 2020

Course description: This course explores the different dimensions of development - economic, social, and political - as well as the way that modern institutions (the state, market systems, the rule of law, and democratic accountability) developed and interacted with other factors across different societies around the world.

Taught by: Anna Grzymala-Busse

Terms: Winter 2020

Course description: What is populism, and how much of a threat to democracy is it? How different is it from fascism or other anti-liberal movements? This course explores the conditions for the rise of populism, evaluates how much of a danger it poses, and examines the different forms it takes.