The Approaches seminars introduce students to some of the key concepts, assumptions and values related to global politics, such as power, democracy, citizenship, rights, and economic development. These discussion-based seminars explore the connections between international politics, human rights, and development from a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches, e.g.,
- Realism
- Liberalism and Conservatism
- Cosmopolitanism
- Marxism and Capitalism
- World Systems Theory
- Authoritarianism and Fascism
- Just War Theory
- Theories of Democracy
- Capabilities Theory
- Theories of Dissent and Resistance
- Humanitarianism
- Other Socio-Economic Theories
Students will be able to explain the historical, cultural, and philosophical sources of political power, human rights, and the notion of global justice and critically evaluate arguments about politics, rights, and development. They will develop the ability to construct a research question, identify relevant scholarly sources that enable research and thereby begin to join ongoing scholarly conversations in their fields of interest. Students will learn the use of research methods and sources, including the thoughtful use of digital tools and databases available through the Bobst libraries. Assignments will ask students to become acquainted with advanced theories relevant to the concentration, to master theoretical vocabularies, and to apply such theories to a specific issue, work, or phenomenon in a substantial research paper. Throughout the course, students will take intellectual responsibility through their research projects and presentations and as discussion leaders.
Sample Courses: