Political Science
124 Prospect, 432.5241
M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Chair
Ian Shapiro
Director of Graduate Studies
Frances Rosenbluth
Professors
Bruce Ackerman, Seyla Benhabib, Paul Bracken (Management), David Cameron, William Foltz, Alan Gerber, Donald Green, Ilona Kickbusch (Epidemiology), Theodore Marmor (Management), David Mayhew, Barry Nalebuff (Management), William Odom (Adjunct), Douglas Rae, John Roemer, Susan Rose-Ackerman, Frances Rosenbluth, Bruce Russett, James Scott, Ian Shapiro, Stephen Skowronek, Steven Smith, Ivan Szelenyi (Sociology)
Associate Professors
Arun Agrawal, John McCormick, M. Victoria Murillo, John Wargo (Forestry & Environmental Studies)
Assistant Professors
Jose Cheibub, Keith Darden, Anna Grzymala-Busse, Jacob Hacker, Gregory Huber, Anastassios Kalandrakis, Pauline Jones Luong, Pierre-François Landry, John Lapinski, Ellen Lust-Okar, Jennifer Pitts, Rose Razaghian, Nicholas Sambanis, Kenneth Scheve, James Vreeland
Fields of Study
Fields include contemporary theory, political philosophy, international relations, comparative politics, American politics, political economy, and empirical analysis and research methodology.
Special Admissions Requirement
The department requires that scores from the GRE General Test accompany an application.
Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
Students are required to pass fourteen term courses during their first two years in the program, and receive a grade of Honors in at least two Political Science courses. Two of the courses may be in departments other than Political Science. Students are normally expected to complete seven courses in the first year. Courses are offered in seven fields: Contemporary Theory; Political Philosophy; International Relations; Comparative Politics; American Politics; Political Economy; and Empirical Analysis and Research Methodology. Each student must demonstrate competence in three of the seven fields by the beginning of the third year. Competence is demonstrated by passing the comprehensive examination in the field. The department also allows students to petition for the creation of a special field of study and examination in exceptional cases.
As part of the second year of courses, all students are required to take the two-term course in Research and Writing, which is devoted to the preparation of a manuscript based on original research on a topic of the student's choice. The course is conducted as a seminar including all second-year students and directed by two members of the faculty. Performance in the first-term course (540a) is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. The second-term course (541b) carries conventional letter grades that are assigned retroactively to 540a at the end of the second term.
Students are required to take a one-term course in statistical methods, successful completion of which satisfies the statistics requirement. All students are also required to demonstrate at least an elementary reading competence in one foreign language. Such competence is usually demonstrated by taking, or having completed, two years of undergraduate course work. A student may fulfill the language requirement by taking a graduate-level course in statistics offered in the department, or in another department at Yale, in addition to the required course in statistical methods.
In the fall term of the student's third year, each student must take the Dissertation Prospectus seminar. Upon submission of a dissertation prospectus that is approved by the seminar instructor and the student's dissertation adviser, the student is given a grade of either satisfactory or unsatisfactory for the seminar. The prospectus is judged by both readers for the following standard: the dissertation prospectus should present a summary of the nature and scope of the dissertation research. The prospectus should make clear the significance of the topic and should go into enough detail about research methods and plans to give the reader a clear idea of the research and persuade him or her of its feasibility. The prospectus must not exceed six double-spaced typewritten pages. If a satisfactory grade is not obtained, the student will be required to write a prospectus that is approved by three members of the faculty by May 1 of the student's third year. If three members of the faculty approve a student's prospectus prior to the start of the fall term of the third year, the requirement to participate in the prospectus seminar may be waived by the director of graduate studies.
Students are admitted to candidacy by the end of the third year, but only after all courses, including those involving statistics, language, and Research and Writing, and approval of the dissertation prospectus have been completed.
Almost without exception, those who successfully complete the Ph.D. in Political Science will join the faculties of colleges and universities. For that reason, learning what is involved in teaching and gaining teaching experience is an essential and central component of graduate teaching. The department normally expects students to devote themselves exclusively to course work and comprehensive examinations in their first two years in the Ph.D. program. Students in Political Science typically teach in their third and fourth years.
A joint Ph.D. degree is available with African American Studies. Students must apply to and be acepted by both departments independently. Consult that department for details.
Master's Degrees
M.Phil. The academic requirements for the M.Phil. degree are the same as for the Ph.D. degree except for the completion of the dissertation.
M.A. (en route to the Ph.D.). The M.A. degree is awarded upon completion of a full year of course work in the program (i.e., at least seven term courses) with an average of High Pass or better. The course must include one each in at least three of the department's substantive fields and a basic course in statistical analysis. Language requirements are the same as for the Ph.D. degree.
Program materials are available upon request to the Director of Graduate Studies, Political Science Department, Yale University, PO Box 208301, New Haven CT 06520-8301.
Courses
Empirical Analysis and Research Methodology
PLSC 500a, Statistics. Alan Gerber. TTh 9–10.15
The goal of this course is to introduce basic statistical theory and techniques for Political Science graduate students. The first part of the course covers probability theory, while the second part is devoted to estimation and inference, including an introduction to the classic multiple linear regression framework. Although emphasis is on the development of the relevant theory and statistical concepts, a series of applications and examples are considered on a variety of political science problems, such as turnout, crime, elections, party systems, etc.
PLSC 503b, Advanced Quantitative Methods. Kenneth Scheve. M 1.30–3.20, 1 HTBA
This course provides an extensive treatment of the linear regression model. It covers a wide array of regression techniques including those which address problems of measurement error, reciprocal causation, and nonlinearities. Time series and pooled time-series-cross-sectional models are also covered. The aim is to make students intelligent consumers of published quantitative research and to prepare them to conduct original research in political science. The course assumes students have command of the material covered in PLSC 500 including basic knowledge of probability theory.
PLSC 512au, Experimental Methods in Political Science. Alan Gerber, Donald Green. M 1.30–3.20
An introduction to how experimental methods can be used to study politics. The strengths and weaknesses of experimental and nonexperimental studies are explored. Applications include the effects of television advertising, formation of political attitudes, and causes of voter turnout. Students participate in the design and implementation of an experiment. Background in introductory statistics is helpful but not required.
PLSC 516b, Research Seminar for Experimental Methods. Alan Gerber. M 9–11
Research workshop for advanced graduate students working on projects involving experimental methods. Most sessions consist of presentation and discussion of research projects. Several times during the term there are lectures on methodological issues in experimental research. Students interested in this course should see the instructor prior to first meeting.
PLSC 517a, Fundamentals of Modeling. John Roemer, Anastassios Kalandrakis. Th 10.30–12.30
Topics include preferences, utility functions, Pareto efficiency, economic equilibrium, voting for public goods, Nash equilibrium, Downs-Nash political equilibrium, Wittman-Nash political equilibrium, social welfare functions, the Arrow Impossibility Theorem, the prisoners' dilemma, elements of probability, von Neumann-Morgenstern utility, Harsanyi's veil of ignorance, games in extensive form, and subgame perfect Nash equilibrium. The necessary mathematics is introduced as needed, but students are advised to review elementary calculus before the class begins.
PLSC 521a, Strategies in Research Design. Pauline Jones Luong, Anna Grzymala-Busse. T 3.30–5.20
This course provides students with the analytical and methodological tools to pursue problem-driven research. Questions addressed include: How does one identify important problems or empirical puzzles independently from the theories and methods used to explore them? How does one test the validity of his/her claims against competing hypotheses derived from existing theories? How does one generate hypotheses where no theories exist? Do certain kinds of questions lend themselves to specific methodological approaches? How can we avoid the trap of method-driven research? What are the trade-offs between large and small studies?
PLSC 540a, 541b, Research and Writing. David Mayhew, Kenneth Scheve. T 9–11
Six weeks in beginning of fall term; six weeks in beginning of spring term. This is a required course for all second-year students. The fall meetings are devoted to discussion of research design as well as individual student projects. These meetings supplement 540a, the individual meetings with faculty advisers. The spring meetings are devoted to discussion of drafts of student papers. The work of the spring-term seminar includes criticism of the organization, arguments, data evaluation, and writing in each student's paper by the instructors and the other students. Using this criticism, and under the supervision of the instructors, each student conducts additional research, if necessary, rewrites the paper as required, and prepares a final paper representing the best work of which the student is capable. Students must submit a one-page outline of the proposed project for the first fall-term meeting and a complete draft of the paper at the first meeting in the spring.
PLSC 545a, Prospectus Seminar. Stephen Skowronek. HTBA
This seminar is for third-year students without an approved prospectus. Students present drafts of their prospectuses for discussion by fellow students and faculty.
Contemporary Theory
PLSC 550a, Proseminar in Contemporary Political Theory. Ian Shapiro. M 1.30–3.20
This seminar is intended to help students prepare for the contemporary political theory Field Exam and to do advanced (i.e., dissertation-level) work in political theory. The emphasis is on those sections of the department's Field Exam reading list and deals with theories of democracy, justice, equality, freedom, and power.
PLSC 565au, Democracy and Distribution. Ian Shapiro. T 3.30–5.20
An examination of the effects of democracy on the distribution of income and wealth. Particular attention to factors that limit redistribution to the bottom quintile of the population, and those that might increase it.
PLSC 570a, Discourse Analysis of Politics. David Apter. T 4–6
This seminar examines the "discursive" turn in political analysis. While discourse theory can be applied to the role of authority and state power, the emphasis here is on confrontational situations, protest, and violence. Particularly useful in analyzing some of the factors which lead people to try to change their political circumstances by interpreting and reinterpreting their experiences, part one examines the diverse theoretical strands and components making up contemporary political discourse theory as compared to other approaches, and an intellectual pedigree (much of it drawn from related fields) is mapped. Part two develops hypotheses derived from discourse theory as an analytical approach to show the kinds of questions with which it can be expected to deal. In part three a model framework for analysis is offered while students are expected to develop their own. In part four these frameworks are applied to relevant comparative and case materials. Also AFST 638a, SOCY 538a.
PLSC 575a, Political Competition. John Roemer. W 9–12
Political competition in democracies is party competition. We develop, from the formal viewpoint, theories of party competition in democracies. The familiar "median voter theorem" of A. Downs is the simplest example of such a theory, but it is inadequate in several ways. We develop a theory in which parties: (1) compete over several issues, not just one issue, as in Downs; (2) are uncertain about how citizens will respond to platforms; and (3) represent interest groups in the population. Applications, particularly to the theory of income distribution and taxation, are studied. Also ECON 788a.
PLSC 583a, Contemporary Critical Theory: Habermas and Beyond. Seyla Benhabib, Rahel Jaeggi. W 3.30–5.20
Deliberative democracy and struggles for recognition are two competing paradigms in critical social and political theory. This course traces the emergence of these paradigms in Habermas's work, as well as examining conflicts and convergences among them. Also PHIL 700a.
PLSC 597bu, Lincoln: Principle, Statesmanship, Persuasion. Steven Smith, David Bromwich. M 1.30–3.20
An inquiry into the problem of statesmanship as epitomized by the career of Abraham Lincoln. Also ENGL 848bu.
Political Philosophy
PLSC 602bu, Political Theory from Plato to Machiavelli. Robert Wokler. MW 9–10.15, 1 HTBA
An intensive study of the foundations of political philosophy. An analysis of the origins of political philosophy in Socratic and Platonic thought, followed by Machiavelli's comprehensive critique of the Socratic tradition.
PLSC 603bu, Political Theory since Machiavelli. John McCormick. MW 10.30–11.20
The development of political thought in the West from Machiavelli to Mill, with selected readings from the twentieth century. Themes addressed include politics and morality; the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; liberty; community and equality; violent and nonviolent political transformation.
PLSC 604bu, European Political Thought from Weber to Derrida. Seyla Benhabib. TTh 2.30–3.20, 1 HTBA
A survey of major themes in twentieth-century continental political thought. Topics include reason and rationalization in modernity; legality, legitimacy, and sovereignty; decline of the public sphere; origins of totalitarianism; communicative ethics and the inclusion of the "other" in the new Europe. Readings from Max Weber, the Frankfurt school, Walter Benjamin, Hannah Arendt, Martin Heidegger, Carl Schmitt, Jurgen Habermas, and Jacques Derrida. Also PHIL 510bu.
PLSC 607a, Reading Karl Marx. Ivan Szelenyi. T 1–3
A close textual analysis of some of Karl Marx's work. Also SOCY 545a.
PLSC 612au, International Justice. Jennifer Pitts. T 3.30–5.20
What are states' obligations to people who are not their citizens, especially the very vulnerable? How are standards of justice that are developed in domestic politics applied abroad? How do we argue about the morality of war, about rules of conduct in situations of extreme violence and insecurity? This course analyzes modern theories of war, empire, and international justice from Aquinas and Grotius to Hannah Arendt.
PLSC 642au, The Republic Tradition I: Ancient and Renaissance Republicanism. John McCormick. W 1.30–3.20
The first in a two-course sequence, this class focuses on four giants of classical and Renaissance republican political thought: Aristotle, Cicero, Guicciardini, and Machiavelli. Themes include: the person and the polity, moral and political virtue, patriotism, class conflict, mixed institutions, participation and military conquest.
PLSC 643bu, The Republic Tradition II: Modern Civic Republicanism. Jennifer Pitts. T 3.30–5.20
This is the second in a two-course sequence on the republican tradition of political thought. This term covers the adoption of republican themes and arguments in revolutionary and post-revolutionary England, France, and the United States, examining thinkers and texts such as Milton and James Harrington; Rousseau and Tocqueville; and Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Federalist.
International Relations
PLSC 652bu, The Politics of Non-Democratic Regimes. Keith Darden. T 1.30–3.20
Even though the majority of countries of the world are non-democratic, scholarly understanding of non-democratic regimes is limited. The purpose of this course is to move beyond simple notions of non-democratic regimes as a form of personalistic rule, to examine the formal and informal patterns of contestation and control within these regimes, and to develop systematic explanations for the foreign and domestic policies of non-democracies.
PLSC 656au, U.S. National Security. William Odom. M 3.30–5.20
This course examines the institutions and processes for making U.S. national security strategy and policy. We reflect critically on inherent tensions in the way Americans view the nature of war, the use of force, the aims of diplomacy, and America's role in the world; and we address several contemporary challenges facing the U.S. national security policy making.
PLSC 665au, Ideas, Culture, and Rationality in International Politics. Keith Darden, Oona Hathaway. T 1:30–3:20
This course examines the diverse literature in international politics known generally as "Constructivism." The first part of the course examines the origins of constructivist thinking outside of the field of international relations. We then look at efforts to define and explain the role of identity, morality, different forms of rationality, and other "intractable" variables in international affairs. Also LAW 20301.
PLSC 666bu, Research Seminar on Democracy, Interdependence, and Peace. Bruce Russett. W 1.30–3.20
Examination of whether the international system is changing fundamentally, with zones of peace among many countries, through forces of democratization, economic linkages, and international organizations. Consideration of how classical and contemporary theories of international relations may illuminate these questions and what the empirical evidence may be.
PLSS 689au, Secession and Political Boundaries. Nicholas Sambanis. W 3.30–5.20
This course analyzes the political economy of decentralization, secession, and political boundaries (both internal to states and international). We explain why some countries have stable systems of political decentralization and others do not. We develop a framework that explains why (and which) regions will demand more self-determination and where these demands might lead to violent conflict.
Comparative Politics
PLSC 708au, Urban Politics in China. Pierre Landry. W 3.30–5.20
The course introduces students to the key political science literature (and sociological literature) on the transformation of Chinese urban politics in the reform era (1978–2002).
PLSC 712b, Political Economy. Frances Rosenbluth. Th 10–12
The course introduces graduate students to the basic theoretical and methodological approaches to political economy (most notably rational choice and game theory), as well as analyzing important empirical questions and providing a forum for students to undertake their own research. Some of the empirical topics include transitions to democracy and the market, political competition and economic outcomes, globalization, deregulation, environment, regional integration, federalism, and corruption.
PLSC 714b, Corruption, Economic Development, and Democracy. Susan Rose-Ackerman. T 2.10–4
A seminar on the link between political and bureaucratic institutions on the one hand, and economic development on the other. Consideration is given to the role of international aid and lending organizations such as the World Bank. A particular focus is the impact of corruption on development. This course has a limited enrollment and students should be in contact with Professor Rose-Ackerman prior to the beginning of class. Also LAW 21042.
PLSC 715a, Studies in Grand Strategy, Part II. John Gaddis, Charles Hill, Paul Kennedy, Paul Bracken. M 1.30–3.20
This two-term course began in January 2002 with readings in classical works from Sun Tzu to Clausewitz to Kissinger. Students identify principles of strategy and examine the extent to which these were or were not applied in historical case studies from the Peloponnesian War to the post-Cold War period. During the summer, students undertake research projects or internships designed to apply resulting insights to the detailed analysis of a particular strategic problem or aspect of strategy, whether of a historical or contemporary character. Written reports on these projects are presented and critically discussed early in the fall term. The seminar then turns its attention to strategic dilemmas currently facing governments, corporations, and nongovernmental organizations. Students must take both terms, fulfill the summer research/internship requirement, and attend additional lectures on grand strategy to be scheduled throughout the spring and fall terms. For the first term, students from the graduate school receive a grade of FY (full year), which converts to a final grade for both terms upon completion of the course. Other students receive grades in accordance with the grading systems of their respective schools. In both terms the seminar meets during reading week and holds a total of fourteen weekly sessions. Admission is by competitive application only; forms are available at International Security Studies. Also HIST 985a.
PLSC 722bu, Authoritarian Regimes. Pierre Landry. W 3.30–5.20
The course introduces students to the key literature on authoritarian regimes and their political evolution.
PLSC 724a, Comparative Policy Development: Theories, Methods, Realities. Jacob Hacker. M 3:30–5:20
An introduction to comparative public policy, both as a field of social science inquiry and as a set of concrete observations about the character of government interventions and the differences that they make in people's lives. Theoretical emphasis on the ways in which political processes shape—and, in turn, are shaped by—policy outcomes. Substantive emphasis on the domestic policies of advanced industrial democracies. Topics include the evolution of the welfare state, public-private and business-government relations, sources of cross-national policy convergence and divergence, models of policy making, and historical-institutional approaches.
PLSC 734a,b, Comparative Research Workshop. Ivan Szelenyi, Lawrence King. M 5–7
This workshop is a weekly interdisciplinary seminar at which work-in-progress by distinguished visiting scholars, Yale graduate students, and faculty from various social science disciplines is discussed. Papers are distributed a week ahead of time and also posted at the Web site of the Center for Comparative Research. Students who take the course for a letter grade have to present a paper the term they are enrolled for credit. Also SOCY 560a,b.
PLSC 738bu, Resource Wealth, Political Regimes, and Economic Growth. Pauline Jones Luong. T 3.30–5.20
Is there in fact a "resource curse"? The proposition that the abundance of resources is more often a curse than a blessing is all too familiar—and particularly prominent in the developing world. There are countless studies documenting the correlation between resource wealth and a series of negative economic and political outcomes, including poor economic performance, unbalanced growth, weakly institutionalized states, and authoritarian regimes. The causal mechanisms, however, are rarely specified and often assumed rather than empirically verified. It is quite possible, then, that the link between resource wealth and these negative economic and political outcomes throughout the developing world is one of correlation and not causation. Moreover, few of these studies offer any hope that countries in the developing world can actually escape this so-called "resource curse." The purpose of this course is to explore the relationship between resource wealth and a series of negative political and economic outcomes and to provide students with the analytical tools to determine whether this correlation is in fact causation.
PLSC 744au, Dynamics of Russian Politics. William Odom. T 1.30–3.20
Issues of political stability, constitutionalism, and institutions for political participation and governing are examined in light of contemporary events as well as the legacy of the Soviet period. Concepts from political development literature are used to devise alternative interpretations of the most critical determinants of Russian political change and stability, today and in the future. Huntington's Political Order in Changing Societies, Dahl's Polyarchy, Barrington Moore's The Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy, as well as selected journal articles on transitions to democracy, provide the analytic tools for analysis.
PLSC 746b, Models of Legislatures and Parliaments. Anastassios Kalandrakis. T 3.30–5.20
This course provides a unified introduction to recent developments in the theory of legislative bargaining, and is intended for students of legislative politics in the American and Comparative fields. Although familiarity with the basic concepts of noncooperative game theory is helpful, there are no technical requirements other than an understanding of probability and the ability for basic algebraic manipulation. The course starts with static agenda setting followed by dynamic models of legislative bargaining. Subsequent applications built around the latter include legislative power, the size of winning coalitions, legislative committees, seniority, government formation in parliaments, investiture institutions, etc. Emphasis is placed on the corresponding empirical literature (including novel approaches to empirical testing such as game-theoretic experiments and calibration methods).
PLSC 755au, European Politics. David Cameron. T 1.30–3.20
A comprehensive survey of politics in Europe. Attention is concentrated upon the development of the European Union as a supranational organization—including recent developments associated with economic, monetary, and political union, and the developments that have occurred throughout Eastern Europe since 1989.
PLSC 759bu, European Union. David Cameron. W 1.30–3.20
An examination of the history, institutions, and policy-making processes of the European Union. Topics include theories of European integration, the creation of the single market and the euro, the eastward enlargement of the European Union, and the so-called democratic deficit.
PLSC 764b, International Political Economy. Kenneth Scheve. T 1.30–3.20
This course examines how domestic and international politics influence the economic relations between states. It addresses the major theoretical debates in the field and introduces the chief methodological approaches used in contemporary analyses. We focus on five types of cross-border flows and the policies that regulate them: the flow of goods (trade policy), the flow of capital (financial and exchange rate policy), the flow and location of production (foreign investment policy), the flow of people (immigration), and the flow of pollutants (environmental policy).
PLSC 768a, Globalization and Violence: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Arjun Appadurai. W 3.30–5.20
This seminar uses the close reading of eight or nine monographs as the basis for intensive discussion of ethnic violence in the era of globalization. The course is concerned with the general methodological problem of relating scales to forms in social life, and with the related problem of the historical breaks implied by the idea of "globalization." The readings and class discussions deliberately focus on problems that cut across the social sciences, such as those of state cultures, crowd dynamics, genocidal stereotyping, and the making of modern minorities. A cultural perspective—one focusing on various dimensions of contextual meaning—serves to probe the limits of various disciplinary languages and images in regard to the politics of violence. Also ANTH 552a.
PLSC 770bu, Party Politics. Anna Grzymala-Busse. T 1.30–3.20
This is an advanced undergraduate/graduate seminar to examine party politics, their development, and its ramifications for democratic governance. Main topics of the course include: the rise of political parties, electoral laws and their effects, parties as organizations, parties and patronage/corruption, fragmented political systems, consociational arrangements, and the roles of parties in ethnic conflict. Broader theoretical themes addressed in the course include the specificity of political party organizations, "difficult choices" (responsiveness to the electorate versus responsibility as the government), and the threats to democracy from the parties themselves, both in the interwar period and at the end of the twentieth century. Principal readings include: Kitschelt, The Transformation of European Social Democracy; Sartori, Parties and Party Systems; Horowitz, Ethnic Groups in Conflict. As a graduate seminar, the format includes a research/theoretical paper, suitable for publication, or a conference presentation. There may be student presentations.
PLSC 773b, Political Institutions and Market Failures. Rose Razaghian. W 3.30–5.20
The goal of this course is to provide a survey of the literature on institutions through systematically studying the role that institutions play in shaping outcomes, in particular the effect that political institutions have on economic outcomes. Because there is no unified theory of institutions, the course is structured around the major contributions in economics and business organization and then turns to work in political science and political economy.
PLSC 776bu, States and Regimes in Comparative Perspective. Anna Grzymala-Busse. T 3.30–5.20
This seminar is designed to analyze the state as a responsive, if not necessarily a unitary, political actor. Main topics include: theories of the state; analytical issues in "measuring the state"; the rise of bureaucracy, patronage, corruption, and rent-seeking; state engineering of economic and administrative policies; the state under a variety of political systems; the colonization of the state by political parties, interest groups, and economic classes; state collapse and regeneration. Principal readings include Bates, States and Markets; Scott, Seeing Like a State; and Bunce, Subversive Institutions.
PLSC 779a, Agrarian Societies: Culture, Society, History, and Development. Robert Harms, Steven Stoll, Michael Dove, Enrique Mayer. M 1.30–5.20
An interdisciplinary examination of agrarian societies, contemporary and historical, Western and non-Western. Major analytical perspectives from anthropology, economics, history, political science, and environmental studies are used to develop a meaning-centered and historically grounded account of the transformations of rural society. Team taught. Also ANTH 541a, F&ES 753a, HIST 965a.
PLSC 783bu, The IMF at the Crossroads. James Vreeland. M 1.30–3.20
The International Monetary Fund is at a crossroads. Originally intended to provide exchange rate stability, the IMF has gradually become involved in the economic policies of most countries in the world. Since the East Asian financial crisis, however, the IMF has come under closer scrutiny than ever before. For the first time, calls for its reform and even its dissolution come from across the political spectrum. We study the purposes of the Fund, the effects of its economic programs, and the various reform arguments.
PLSC 784au, Africa and the Disciplines. William Foltz. T 1.30–3.20
This seminar is designed to introduce students to the study of Africa from the perspective of the several disciplines, specifically history, anthropology, politics and economics, law, literature, linguistics, and art history. It will examine how Africa has been studied from the perspectives of the different disciplines, and also show how the study of Africa has in turn contributed to the disciplines themselves. Also AFST 764au.
PLSC 787bu, Japanese Politics. Frances Rosenbluth. MW 9–10.15
This course places Japanese politics in historical, theoretical, and comparative perspectives. After comparing conceptual frameworks, we examine the organization and functioning of political parties, factions, and local electoral machines and take a close look at the government's decision-making process in the area of economic regulation and social policies and recent changes in Japanese politics and their implications for Japan's global role.
American Politics
PLSC 806a, Topics in Congressional Research. David Mayhew. T 1.30–3.20
Two topics are considered: majority versus supermajority rule in the Senate and theories of accounting for committees.
PLSC 828b, American Political Development. Stephen Skowronek. W 3.30–5.20
An examination of patterns of political change and institutional development in the United States. The course considers patterns of reform, the political construction of interests and movements, problems of political culture, party-building, and state-building. Also AMST 828b.
PLSC 837a, Political Organization. Gregory Huber. T 10–11.50
This course is an introduction to the study of political organizations, with a particular focus on formal political organizations including parties, legislatures, and bureaucracies. It offers an overview of organization theory for political scientists.
PLSC 842b, The Constitution: Philosophy, History, and Law. Bruce Ackerman. T 2.10–4
An inquiry into the foundations of the American Constitution, at its founding and at critical moments in its historical transformation—most notably in response to the Civil War, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights Movement. Philosophically speaking, do we still live under the Constitution founded by the Federalists, or are we inhabitants of the Second or Third or Nth Republic? Institutionally, in what ways are the patterns of modern American government similar to, and different from, those in post-Revolutionary (1787–1860) and post-Civil War (1868–1932) America? Legally, what is or was the role of constitutional law in the organization of each of these historical regimes? Through asking and answering these questions, the course will try to gain a critical perspective on the effort by the present Supreme Court to create a new constitutional regime for the twenty-first century. Also LAW 21046.
PLSC 853au, U.S. National Elections. David Mayhew. W 1:30–3:20
A research seminar centering on presidential and congressional elections. Topics include electoral realignments, current presidential alignments, the electoral college, voter turnout, aggregate House election patterns, House incumbency advantage, challenger quality, career decisions, election laws, House and Senate constituencies, campaign finance, Senate elections, and divided party control. Assigned authors include R. Erikson, E. Tufte, G. Jacobson, A. Abramowitz, M. Fiorina, R. Wolfinger, E. Ladd, G. King, J. Snyder, and B. Grofman.
PSCL 854bu, Seminar on Urban Change. Douglas Rae. M 3.30–5.20
This seminar uses New Haven and its region as a case study for change in older American cities over the course of the twentieth century. Major studies of New Haven and of other cities are discussed during the first nine weeks of term. Student research is the major focus in the concluding weeks of term. Specific topics include economic decentralization, racial and ethnic conflict, civic engagement and its decline, changing patterns of political competition, and the challenges of government leadership.
PLSC 871a, Health Law and Policy. Theodore Marmor, Jerry Mashaw.
This course provides a general introduction to health law, policy, politics, and economics. Topics include access to health care, patients' rights, the meaning and effects of "managed care," the relationship of health care to public health, and selected issues in bioethics. Treatment of these issues in foreign health care systems is analyzed to provide perspective on domestic issues. Examination with a limited paper option. Also MGT 661a, LAW 20304.
PLSC 876bu, The American Welfare State in Comparative Perspective. Jacob Hacker. Th 3.30–5.20
An exploration of the causes and consequences of America's comparatively distinctive social welfare framework. Consideration of competing analytic and normative perspectives in the context of selected policy issues and political episodes, including health care, retirement pensions, economic inequality, the New Deal, the Great Society, and current debates over Medicare and Social Security.
PLSC 903b, Scope of the Policy Sciences. Garry Brewer. HTBA
Emphasizing a systematic and comprehensive approach to the study of policy, this course concentrates on a general sequence of decisions comprised of six distinct, interrelated, phases of the "life" of a policy or problem. The course has served as a foundation upon which other substantive policy courses and work have been built. Furthermore, it works to integrate theory with practice in a variety of substantive fields. Also F&ES 770b, MGT 676b.
PLSC 990a,b, Directed Reading. Faculty.
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