Undergraduate

Dêmokratia, democratia, democracy. What did this term mean to the ancient Greeks who coined it, to the Romans who borrowed it, to the early modern Europeans who discussed it—and what does it mean today? Who or what was the original dêmos, how did it rule, and how different is the interpretation of “rule by the people” that now predominates? Starting with the first attestations of da-mo in the 12th century BC and ending with the recent attempts by Iceland and Chile to reform their constitutions by crowdsourcing and a citizen convention respectively, this course offers a chronological exploration of the idea and practice of democracy, intended to broaden our imaginative horizons with respect to what democracy has been, is, and could become.  

This course explores central themes and ideas in the history of African American political thought: slavery and freedom, solidarity and sovereignty, exclusion and citizenship, domination and democracy, inequality and equality, rights and respect. Readings will be drawn, primarily, from canonical authors, including, among others: Frederick Douglass, Martin R. Delany, Harriet Jacobs, Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Marcus Garvey, and Martin Luther King, Jr. This is an introductory course, which emphasizes both thematic and historical approaches to the study of political theory.

Subfield: Either American Politics or Political Theory

Berkeley Connect is a mentoring program, offered through various academic departments, that helps students build intellectual community. Over the course of a semester, enrolled students participate in regular small-group discussions facilitated by a graduate student mentor (following a faculty-directed curriculum), meet with their graduate student mentor for one-on-one academic advising, attend events and/or panel discussions, and go on field trips to campus resources. Students are not required to be declared majors in order to participate. There is no homework associated with Berkeley Connect: no exams, no papers, no quizzes.

 We encourage students in their first year at Berkeley, as freshman or transfers, to participate.

This seminar focuses on fragile states, especially post-conflict states, to consider politics in these contexts. We will examine how the design of state security institutions change and can then contribute to peacebuilding in post-conflict environments. Post-conflict orders are especially prone to failure. But we will also think beyond these states that have had civil conflict. Indeed, most civil conflicts recur shortly after they end. There is a special focus on policing in these contexts.

The seminar is especially aimed at both the substantive of this topic, as well as the research process, beginning focused study of specific cases. In this course, taking the comparative perspective seriously, all students will develop case studies on how policing structures and controls change at pivotal moments of conflict termination and then how those changes affect outcomes such as citizen trust and cooperation. Students may also choose to code variables about post-conflict state policing, rebel demobilization, and peacekeeper patrolling if they wish for a mixed-method approach. Significant portions of the class will focus collecting and assembling descriptive evidence in case studies. 

How does foreign policy shape the global economy? What explains the creation of international
institutions to facilitate global economic governance? How might these governance frameworks
change in the 21 st century? This course introduces theories and issues in the international
political economy of trade. In light of the challenges posed to the existing liberal order, China’s
rise, and the rise of anti-globalization, trade policy is becoming an increasingly central foreign
policy concern—with consequences for both national and international security. To address this
rapidly shifting context, this seminar provides a foundational understanding of international
trade, the character of multilateral and minilateral negotiations, and economic dimensions of
statecraft. Following an overview of leading theories in international political economy, the
course focuses on the domestic origins of trade policy focusing on NGOs, business interests,
and government agencies. In particular, we will examine industrial policy with an eye to its impact on global trade policy. We then turn to the origin and evolution of the World Trade Organization, the rise of mega-free trade agreements, bilateral trade negotiations, and
unilateral protectionism—reflecting on both historical and contemporary cases. Alongside seminar participation, students will write a paper of approximate 4,000 words that explores one or more trade arrangements. 

This course focuses on a central issue that all political leaders face: how to exert and maintain control over society. This topic is particularly timely in present-day China and one that the Party leadership has approached in many different ways. Topics covered will include: policing of protest and crime, censorship and information control, the Wuhan lockdown, and how the social welfare system is used to defuse discontent. We will consider both “hard” and “soft” repression and also strategies that incorporate responsiveness to popular expectations. Finally, the course will examine ways in which different social groups are coping with increased control.

The course is designed, and will be conducted, like a graduate seminar.  Students who enroll must be ready to do all the reading in advance of seminar meetings and to participate actively in class discussions.

Subfield: Comparative Politics

The methods used to manage the power of the bureaucracy in the American political system. An introduction to theories of organizational behavior. The effects of administration structure upon the creation and distribution of public benefits.

Subfield:   American Politics

Please note that this description is from Fall 2013.

This one-unit course will feature a guest speaker each week discussing an issue currently in the news. The class is open to all students, and there are no prerequisites. The class is offered Pass/Not Pass, based on a final examination. May be repeated for credit.

This course does not count as an upper division Political Science requirement.

This course provides an overview of California politics, with a focus on contemporary issues and an analysis of who wields power and why. Specifically, the course will focus on : the demographic, social and economic forces that shape the State's politics- the three official branches of state government (executive, legislative and judicial)- the three unofficial branches (the media, lobbyists and interest groups)- campaigns (candidates, initiatives, consultants, pollsters, political parties and money), local government, the state budget and education policies.

Subfield:   American Politics

Please note this description is from Fall 2013