Open to all majors for winter term.

This course surveys security privatization research on the emergence and use of private military and security companies (PMSCs) in conflict. After reviewing the origins of PMSCs and their primary clients and tasks, we will explore the implications of hiring private actors to conduct war-related efforts. This course uses a combination of cross-disciplinary research and current events to explore key concepts and themes.

Not open to students who have completed GVPT459D.

Why are democracies weakening around the world today, and what can be done to stop it? This course explores the global decline of democracy, examining the actors, strategies, and forces driving backsliding from within, as well as the countermeasures used to fight it. We will discuss topics such as populism, polarization, misinformation, and the dynamics of elite- versus citizen-driven backsliding, alongside the strategies developed to resist them. Through real-world case studies, you will connect theory with evidence and develop the tools to critically assess democratic resilience and explore ways to strengthen it in a rapidly changing world.

Despite multiple treaties and international standards, states frequently restrict migrant rights, limit women s freedoms, and discriminate against minorities in defiance of international law. This course explores the weaknesses of international public law by analyzing the standards developed by international courts and bodies. Students will also examine the challenges involved in implementing these standards in national law. By combining case analysis on women, migrants, and minority s rights with a political perspective, this course provides the tools to assess whether international law remains capable of delivering justice or if its influence is eroding in today s political order.

Why do people believe conspiracy theories? How does fear, anger, or hope influence elections? Why do some political messages go viral while others fall flat? This course introduces students to political psychology, the study of how human thought, emotion, and identity shape political behavior. Topics include how political campaigns use psychology to persuade voters, how misinformation spreads online, why partisans see the same facts differently, and how race, gender, and other identities shape political perceptions.

Music serves as a powerful form of political expression. This course explores how artists use music to challenge power, represent identity, and shape public discourse. Students will listen and analyze politically charged songs across genres and eras, including full albums. Students will also examine the historical and political contexts that inspired them.

Want to know if we can predict the next election or the winner of the World Series? This course gives you the tools to find out. Using real-world data from politics and sports, you ll learn how to simulate uncertainty, test your predictions, and see how well they hold up in practice. No heavy math just hands-on coding in R, smart thinking about probability, and plenty of chances to try out your own forecasts. By the end, you ll understand not only how prediction works, but also its power and limits in explaining the world around us.