Courses

An overview of key organizing principles of American government, including its institutions, history, and various aspects of political participation.Limited to three attempts.

Introduces microeconomics in the context of current problems. Explores how market mechanism allocates scarce resources among competing uses; uses supply, demand, production, and distribution theory to analyze problems. Limited to three attempts.

Introduces macroeconomics in the context of current problems. National income analysis, money and banking, economic growth and stability, unemployment, inflation, and role of government. Limited to three attempts.

Basic concepts and techniques of deduction, emphasizing the modern treatment of such topics as quantification and rules of inference, with study of the classical treatment. Basic principles of induction, informal fallacies, and uses of logic in everyday life. Limited to three attempts.

Basic factors of price and distribution theory: analysis of demand, costs of production and supply relationships, and price and output determination under various market structures. Limited to three attempts.

Investigation of theories of natural law, legal positivism, and legal realism as they pertain to some of the central philosophical questions about law. Limited to three attempts.

Exploration through lecture and discussion of developments in the Western tradition of political thought from the time of the Greek city-state to late medieval Christendom, focusing on such topics as the nature and purpose of politics, the relationship between the individual and the state, the political significance of religion and tradition, and the concept of natural law. Equivalent to GOVT 323.

Lectures, discussions of developments in Western tradition of political thought from time of Greek city-state to late medieval Christendom. Topics include nature and purpose of politics, relationship between individual and state, political significance of religion and tradition, and concept of natural law.Equivalent to PHIL 323.

Exploration through lecture and discussion of developments in the Western tradition of political thought from the Renaissance to the middle of the 19th century, focusing on such topics as the rise of individualism in political theory, early developments in social contact theory, theories of radical popular sovereignty, and early criticisms of liberal theory. Equivalent to GOVT 324.

Lectures, discussions of developments in Western tradition of political thought from Renaissance to mid-19th century. Topics include rise of individualism in political theory, early developments in social contact theory, theories of radical popular sovereignty, and early criticisms of liberal theory.Equivalent to PHIL 324.

Exploration through lecture and discussion of recent developments in the Western tradition of political thought from the middle of the 19th century to today. Different sections focus on one or another of the various political theories that have been influential during this period such as liberal, libertarian, conservative, communitarian, Marxist, feminist, and postmodern thought. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Equivalent to GOVT 327.

Lectures, discussions of developments in Western tradition of political thought from mid-19th century to today. Different sections focus on various political theories that have been influential during this period, such as liberal, libertarian, conservative, communitarian, Marxist, feminist, and postmodern thought. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different.Equivalent to PHIL 327.

Philosophical issues relating to competing methodologies for the social sciences. Analysis and critique of mainstream positivism and behaviorism; paradigm theory and scientific revolutions; interpretive understanding and hermeneutical science; phenomenology and the social construction of reality; ethnomethodology and situational meaning; analytic philosophy and action theory; the "idea" of a social science; sociology of knowledge and theory of ideology; and Western Marxism and critical theory. Limited to three attempts.

Examines issues at the intersection of ethics and economics. Looks at the different ways in which ethics and economics impact each other. Limited to three attempts.

In-depth examination of selected topics and debates in contemporary philosophy of science. Studies the aims and methodology of science through the work of key thinkers in the field. Questions of concern may include: the demarcation of science from pseudo-science; the rationality of scientific change; problems of induction, prediction and evidence; objectivity, values and scientific practice; the unity of science; and the relation between scientific knowledge and truth. Limited to three attempts.

Applies economic theory, methodology to study nonmarket decision making. Limited to three attempts.

Examines from a philosophical perspective descriptive and normative theories of individual decision, with particular focus on the strengths and weaknesses of theories of rational choice, and attempts to incorporate insights from psychology into theories of decision. Explores theoretical developments and a variety of applications. Limited to three attempts.

Introduces game theory and its relevance for analyzing framework of rules and institutions within which economic processes occur. Applies game theoretical concepts to comparative analysis of causes and effects of alternative institutional arrangements. Limited to three attempts.

Examines Supreme Court's interpretation of constitutional powers of Congress, presidency, and judiciary. Includes examination of major decisions concerning state regulation, taxation, and interstate relations.Limited to three attempts.

Covers issues in the philosophy, economics, and political science of institutions, information, and collective action. Through case studies of existing legal and political institutions, applies the insights to problems in politics, policy making, social-choice theory, and social, moral, and political philosophy. (Specific content varies). Notes: Serves as the capstone course for the PPE program. Equivalent to ECON 460, GOVT 469.

Using case studies from last 60 years, this course provides students with understanding of how decisions and policy are really made as politicians reconcile policy preferences with political realities, institutional dynamics, expert opinion and personal ambition. Meets Friday in Washington, with weekly guest speakers from White House, Congress and policy community. As a final product, students are required to design and defend a politically realistic policy proposal to solve a significant national problem. Students must already have familiarity with, and interest in, modern American history, politics and government.Limited to two attempts.