Courses

A study of the political, economic and social determinants of international development. How do we define development, and how has that changed over time? What is the role of the state in the economy? We survey these issues across cases in the Global South, including Africa, Asia and Latin America; we also examine the role of international financial institutions, the donor community, NGOs and private actors.

Political events of ethnic cleansing and genocide, while often assumed to be rare occurrences, have occurred in many continents, in budding democracies as well as authoritarian regimes. This course offers a systematic approach to the conditions under which ethnic cleansing and genocidal policies often occur, a typological examination of sample case studies, and an exploration of how experiences of genocide and ethnic cleansing affect political discourse.

An introduction to domestic political issues across Latin America, focusing on democracy and economic development. We examine how different development strategies have transformed economies and societies, as well as the role of domestic institutions, social groups, and political parties in authoritarianism and democracy.

In 1991, the USSR collapsed and subsequently became fifteen independent countries. This course examines the political development and governmental structures in these countries, each of which has its own history, culture, political and government institutions, and different responses to the Soviet legacy.

A study of terrorism as practiced by governments, political parties, and small groups or individuals, including rationales, methods, justifications, and effects of terrorism by different agencies. Terrorism on an international scale will be studied in the context of global political and economic rivalries.

An interdisciplinary study of the development of German language and culture and the German nation state from the Protestant Reformation (1517) to Unification (1871).

An interdisciplinary study of the development of German language and culture and the German nation state from 1871 to the present.

Social factors influencing fertility and contraceptive use, mortality and migration, consequences of population growth, and population policies and programs in various societies.

The course offers an intensive workshop experience on multimedia portfolios intended to represent the professional work completed throughout course work—including essays, creative writing, technical writing, grant writing, journalism, web content, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, and infographics. Intensive revision of portfolio elements will be informed by rhetorical analysis, theories of composition, digital humanities scholarship, and writing for various professions.

Literatures of nations and/or regions since their independence from colonial rule. The country or region of focus varies according to the instructor. This course deals with national literatures in their national language(s) and languages and/or literatures of former colonial countries. When possible, these literatures will be read in the original languages in which they were written, and when necessary they will be read in English translation.