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Government Courses

• GOVT S-10 Introduction to Political Philosophy
• GOVT S-20 Introduction to Comparative Politics
• GOVT S-30 Introduction to American Government
• GOVT S-40 Introduction to International Relations
• GOVT S-90qb Summer Seminar—International Law and Human Rights
• GOVT S-1112 Pathways to Democracy
• GOVT S-1119 State Formation and Society in Modern Europe
• GOVT S-1121 The Politics of Non-Governmental Organizations
• GOVT S-1130 Intellectual Property
• GOVT S-1241 The Political Economy of Russia and China
• GOVT S-1511 Global Energy and Environmental Politics
• GOVT S-1512 Crime and the Constitution
• GOVT S-1732 War Crimes, Genocide, and Justice
• GOVT S-1733/W Globalization and US National Security
• GOVT S-1738 Rationalist Sources of International Conflict and War
• GOVT S-1740 International Law
• GOVT S-1741 International Law: Theory and Research
• GOVT S-1781 Study Abroad in Venice, Italy: International Oil Politics from the 1970s to the Present
• GOVT S-1886 Nuclear Weapons and International Security
• GOVT S-1900 American Foreign Policy
• GOVT S-1925 International Conflict and Cooperation

GOVT S-10 Introduction to Political Philosophy (30154)

This course tackles the central questions of political philosophy: What makes authority legitimate? What liberties can citizens claim? What does justice require? Readings include works by classic authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, David Hume, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Stuart Mill, as well as those by present-day political philosophers and legal theorists. These readings illustrate differing ways of thinking about such issues as free speech, privacy rights, justice, and equality of opportunity. No background in the study of philosophy is presumed. (4 credits)

GOVT S-20 Introduction to Comparative Politics (32003)

Why are some countries democratic while others are not? Why are some countries rich while others are poor? Why does diversity lead to conflict and violence in some countries but not in others? This course seeks answers to these questions, which relate to the three most important political challenges of our time: democracy, development, and diversity. We begin by developing and debating the core paradigms of comparative politics: modernization, Marxism, state, culture, rationality, institutions, and civil society. In the remainder of the course, we develop explanations for the empirical evidence drawn from the varieties of world regions and country cases: Africa (Nigeria and Rwanda), the Americas (Mexico and the United States), Asia (China, India, Japan, South Korea), Europe (Britain and Germany), Middle East (Iran) and post-communist (Russia and former Yugoslavia). (4 credits)

GOVT S-30 Introduction to American Government (31773)

An introduction to the American political system, this course examines the constitutional basis of American politics; the national institutions that are involved in decision making and public debate (the presidency, the bureaucracy, Congress, the courts, the media); the issues that Americans argue about (rights and liberties, economic benefits, foreign policy); and the processes by which these arguments are resolved (campaigns and elections, administrative action, legislation, lobbying). (4 credits)

GOVT S-40 Introduction to International Relations (30155)

This course focuses on the essential characteristics and patterns of international relations, including the causes of war and the pathways to peace; new threats to international security; the role of international organizations; and globalization. Special topics include the causes of major wars and of ethnic conflicts, humanitarian intervention, weapons of mass destruction, international terrorism, human rights, and global environmental and economic challenges. (4 credits)

GOVT S-90qb Summer Seminar—International Law and Human Rights (32753)

This course covers the development of international human rights norms over time. We discuss the history of international human rights, the development of international legal institutions designed to define and address them, and we look at the role of treaties in furthering human rights norms internationally. Topics include civil and political rights, women's rights, freedom from torture, children's rights, and the International Criminal Court. There are no formal prerequisites, but a background in international studies is useful. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1112 Pathways to Democracy (32835)

In this course, we answer the question of how a nation becomes a democracy by examining theories of democratization, and analyzing the different paths democratizing nations have taken. Following a theoretical overview, we examine the first case of democratization in ancient Greece. We then turn to study cases from each of the "waves" of democracy. In the first wave (eighteenth and nineteenth centuries) we focus on the United States, testing the ability of competing democratic theories to predict the emergence of American democracy. In our study of the second wave (post-World War II), we investigate Germany's transition from dictatorship to democracy. To explore the third wave (from the 1980s to the present), we examine the cases of Chile and South Africa, aiming to determine whether these cases conform to or challenge classic theories of democratization. The course concludes with an overview of recent events in the Middle East, and the potential for popular protest to culminate into democratic practices. The goal of this course is to provide students with a solid understanding of democratic theory and the process of democratization, as well as the analytical tools necessary for evaluating democratic development. By the end of this course, students are able to explain and evaluate different theories of democratization, describe key democratic milestones in the selected countries, and use this theoretical and empirical knowledge to assess current political events around the world. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1119 State Formation and Society in Modern Europe (32839)

This course, designed for students of sociology and political science, is intended both to provide an introduction to the primary theoretical concerns of the historical sociology of states and to offer an introductory empirical reconstruction of the rise and transformation of statehood in modern European societies. Reflecting its theoretical and empirical focus, the course addresses the core question "What is a state?" by examining the periods of most accelerated state building in European history, and by attempting to identify societal pressures giving rise to statehood. In focusing on these questions, the course examines the interplay between state formation, legal regularization, and democratization, and it subjects to critical scrutiny the analyses of state construction as a coercive concentration of power typically proposed by classical historical sociology. It concludes by addressing the emergence of post-nation-state patterns of statehood in contemporary European society. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1121 The Politics of Non-Governmental Organizations (32822)

This seminar offers general insight into the role of non-governmental organizations and faith-based charities in world politics and global governance. Participants gain contextual knowledge about the activities of NGOs in various policy fields such as economic development, environmental protection, market regulation, security, democratization, and human rights. Students considering NGOs for their professional careers are offered an opportunity to ponder this choice and eventually make their plans more concrete. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1130 Intellectual Property (31596)

Can anyone own ideas? Who owns the literary, artistic, musical, or inventive forms expressing ideas? This course examines the concept of intellectual property and the legal and social means that have developed over time to encourage and control it. We consider copyright, patent, and trademark regimes, together with related areas such as licensing and trade secrets. Case studies include the problems of the patent system, the growth of university licensing, the unique status of music, the emerging international law of intellectual property, the protection of design and fashion, and the tension between originality and creativity. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1241 The Political Economy of Russia and China (32684)

This course combines an economic and political science approach to address the modern direction of Russia and China. These two countries are dealing with many issues as a result of moving from paternalism to consultive market-oriented leadership over the past few decades, and there is worldwide focus on the dynamics of this transition. In this course, students come to understand the origins and evolution of the political economy of Russia and China, the current political debates on change and continuity in the two countries' political economy and society, and the foundations and long-term opportunities, challenges, and limits of their market economy experiments. We analyze the reasons for, and implications of, these events in a solid analytical context as well as the search for a more balanced and thorough economic prosperity and political stability. The focus is on four phenomena: the transformation of the economic and political systems from the time of communism to current day in Russia; China's attempt to combine extraordinary economic reforms and growth with a still monolithic communist political party system; the role of institutions and government and their attempts to affect economic reform and development in both countries; and the new international political economy role for Russia and China. Conflicting arguments are discussed and analyzed and by the end of the course, students are expected to have developed sufficiently sophisticated skills and understanding for their further study of the political economy of Russia and China. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1511 Global Energy and Environmental Politics (32090)

We examine international politics from the perspective of the exhaustibility of global resources and the expansion of global demand. The course concentrates on issues including oil and other energy sources, global environmental challenges and governance, and the relations of these issues to consumption and development concerns. Also included are global interdependence and the appearance of new institutional frameworks of global public policy making. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1512 Crime and the Constitution (32854)

This course examines American constitutional law in relation to the government's investigation, adjudication, and punishment of crime. Topics include limits on the government's authority to criminalize certain behaviors, such as speech or sexual activity; limits on the powers of the investigative powers of the police; constitutional requirements for jury trials in criminal cases; capital punishment; and race discrimination. Our main interest is in understanding, and critically analyzing, recent rulings of the United States Supreme Court. Students can earn Harvard Extension School degree credit for GOVT S-1512 or LSTU E-103, but not both. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1732 War Crimes, Genocide, and Justice (31212)

This course examines the relationship between law and warfare, including the historical evolution of the law of war; war crimes and crimes against humanity, and their punishments; the Geneva Conventions; the growth of international human rights; and the concept of genocide. We examine the trial of Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg, the 1968 massacre at My Lai in Vietnam, the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the International Criminal Court, and US policies on detention, torture, and trial, including the response of Congress and the Supreme Court, and related topics. The focus is on broad concepts of law, justice, and accountability in warfare and genocide. No prior knowledge of legal or military systems is required. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1733/W Globalization and US National Security (32792)

This course examines globalization as a contemporary security phenomenon, and potential US policy responses. Globalization is simultaneously an integrating force and a fragmenting one. Globalization can widen economic gaps, fueling anger and frustration among already disparate groups. Further, it has resulted in what some call the democratization of information, opening the floodgates of access and linkages to those with both positive and negative intent. The relationship between globalization, before and after the 2008 global financial meltdown, and future security issues is explored, focusing on impacts relevant to US national security strategy. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1738 Rationalist Sources of International Conflict and War (32846)

Why do states fight costly wars in international relations? Why do peaceful negotiations fail? How does deterrence work? Why do states get into costly arms races? How does domestic politics shape international conflict? What are the security implications of climate change? In answering these questions, this course examines theories that focus on strategic interaction of goal seeking rational actors in international politics. We review and discuss the relevant scholarly literature on several substantitive topics, including crisis bargaining, nuclear and conventional deterrence, arms races and arms control, climate change, and domestic political sources of international conflict. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1740 International Law (32754)

This course is an introduction to public international law for students of international relations. The primary purpose is to enhance students' understanding of the ways in which international law orders international politics. Emphasis is on the substantive rules of international law, the relationship between law and politics, and cases that illustrate the issues. Topics include international human rights law, international economic law and institutions, the use of force, war crimes, and terrorism. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1741 International Law: Theory and Research (32798)

This course is a graduate research course on theories and research into the interaction between international law and politics and international relations. The primary purpose of the course is to learn how to apply social science insights and research methods to the study of international law. The course assumes the students are currently or about to be enrolled in a graduate studies program, and have had a college-level course on either international law or international relations (or both), or have had equivalent professional experience (work in law, government, or an international organization). (4 credits)

GOVT S-1781 Study Abroad in Venice, Italy: International Oil Politics from the 1970s to the Present (32725)

See Study Abroad for more information.

GOVT S-1886 Nuclear Weapons and International Security (32794)

This course examines the role of nuclear weapons in US and international security. In addition to familiarizing students with the types and effects of nuclear arms, the course considers the history and future of nuclear strategy, the control and reduction of nuclear weapons, and the dilemmas of nuclear proliferation. The course is about the politics of nuclear weapons and does not require any specialized technical background. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1900 American Foreign Policy (30164)

This course addresses the frameworks, patterns, and practices of American foreign policy. It explores challenges faced by foreign policy institutions such as the presidency, the national security council, the military, and the intelligence community. It examines many of the historical, economic, military, and political dimensions of America's international energy policy. And it assesses a variety of dangerous international conflicts (and the role that the United States can play to resolve them) in places such as China and Taiwan, North and South Korea, Kashmir and India, as well as Afghanistan and Pakistan. (4 credits)

GOVT S-1925 International Conflict and Cooperation (31739)

This course examines instances of political and legal cooperation in response to cases of large-scale conflict in the international system. From classical to modern times political and legal thinkers have used various forms of government as a means to create nonviolent, enduring, and, ultimately, ever-advancing civilizations. This course examines theories, patterns, and frameworks that have been intended as tools for stabilizing societies. Solutions that have been offered for Kurdistan and Iraq, Israel and Palestine, France and Germany, Ireland and Britain, as well as Puerto Rico and America are explored. The course also examines attempts at regional economic integration for Europe after World War II as well as various partially sovereign federacy arrangements in real or potential zones of conflict. (4 credits)

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