Selected Topics in American Government: Politics and Organizations

This PhD course provides an overview of theories of organizations as they pertain to the behavior of individuals as atomistic agents and collective actors in the context of political life. Students will engage both foundational texts and recent research to build a comprehensive understanding of how organizational logics structure politics. Topics include identity, networks, social movements, parties, and bureaucracies. Assignments will include weekly memos, conceptual "maps" of the field, and a final project that advances students’ own research agendas.