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This course focuses on imperial expansion and anti-imperial movements for self-determination in the eighteenth through twentieth centuries. Conceptualizing differences and similarities between modern and earlier empires, we will explore questions such as: What is the relationship between imperialism and the spread of capitalism? What are the political and economic factors that

How do we best manage the world's ecosystems to support our economy, livelihoods and well-being? This course will use the tragedy of the commons as a framework to examine pressing socio-ecological dilemmas such as climate change, declining ocean fisheries, water pollution and biodiversity loss. We will explore a variety of policies, programs and governance structures for

Contemporary American conservatism has evolved considerably from its historical roots in the ideologies of classical conservatism and classical liberalism. How did we get from Edmund Burke to Steve Bannon? From the Federalists to the Freedom Caucus? To gain insight into these questions, this course will explore how the aforementioned ideologies have intersected with four

Contemporary American conservatism has moved a long way from its historical roots in the ideologies of classical conservatism and classical liberalism. How did we get from Edmund Burke to Donald Trump? From the Federalists to the Freedom Caucus? With an election looming, and chaos unfolding, this course will explore how the aforementioned ideologies have intersected with four

Contemporary American conservatism has evolved considerably from its historical roots in the ideologies of classical conservatism and classical liberalism. How did we get from Edmund Burke to Steve Bannon? From the Federalists to the Freedom Caucus? To gain insight into these questions, this course will explore how the aforementioned ideologies have intersected with four

Contemporary American conservatism has moved a long way from its historical roots in the ideologies of classical conservatism and classical liberalism. How did we get from Edmund Burke to Steve Bannon? From the Federalists to the Freedom Caucus? To gain insight into these questions, this course will explore four traditions within American conservative thought: (1)

In his 1906 work, “Why is there no socialism in the United States?,” German sociologist Werner Sombart famously mused that American socialism had been ship-wrecked “on reefs of roast beef and apple pie.” While the relative affluence of American workers certainly impacted Leftist organizing at that time, there is a storied history of socialist thought and practice in the United

In his 1906 work, "Why is there no socialism in the United States?," German sociologist Werner Sombart famously mused that American socialism had been ship-wrecked “on reefs of roast beef and apple pie.” While the relative affluence of American workers certainly impacted Leftist organizing at that time, there is a storied history of socialist thought and practice in the United

Why do people support Donald Trump? Why does part of the public think same-sex marriage is a human right, while the other sees it as destroying the family? Why do some look at Israel and see a liberal, innovative state, and others a racist one? In this class we will explore these questions using the lens of Political Psychology. In addition to discussing key theories in the

“For those who are concerned with the history of political theories,” Sheldon Wolin wrote in a 1969 essay, “the vocation has become a demanding one at the present time.” If Wolin was alarmed then by the drive to render the study of politics “scientific” – thus relegating political theory to the dust-bin of

Among regions of the world, Africa is more or less unique for its large number of fragile and unstable states, poor governance, explosive social and demographic pressures, and recent hopeful economic and political transitions. This course surveys the big questions, enduring challenges, and leading theories of contemporary African politics and governance. Themes to be explored

Among regions of the world, Africa is more or less unique for its large number of fragile and unstable states, poor governance, explosive social and demographic pressures, and recent hopeful economic and political transitions. This course surveys the big questions, enduring challenges, and leading theories of contemporary African politics and governance. Themes to be explored

The faculty of judgment might be thought of as the capacity to make decisions and choices in the absence of principles or procedures that dictate or generate "correct" answers. In this course we will ask what is required of "good judgment" in politics and of whom its practice should be required, with particular attention to democratic theory and practice. Is

This course builds on and extends high school algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. It develops these topics from a classical and historical perspective. It is one good entry point for students who are confident with high school algebra and precalculus, and it may be used as a prerequisite for Calculus A, Linear Algebra, and some other more advanced mathematics classes. Topics

This performance ensemble will study polyrhythmic theory practiced in the Sub-Sahara, Southeast Asia , Caribbean , and Western music cultures. The individuals and ensemble will learn to play music that incorporates playing two or more contradicting rhythms at once. Each student will compose a piece for the ensemble to perform that is influenced by one or more of the

Understanding pop culture in modern China is no small effort. This course is not designed to do a comprehensive survey of popular culture in modern China. Instead we will explore ways of listening, speaking, reading, watching, seeing and writing to learn Mandarin Chinese through various forms of pop culture including TV shows, films, sports, newspapers, rock music, and posters

In this course, a selection of audio, video, and print media on pop music, food, fashion, and social media, among other aspects of popular culture In Taiwan, will serve as a source of authentic input for the study. Students will explore the role of pop culture in shaping modern Taiwanese and Chinese societies through in-class discussions while developing their competencies in

In this pop-up module we will talk about the election and what comes after. We will talk about different ways of approaching voting--single issue voter? party stalwart? on the fence? trying to take everything into account? We will explore together what issues and concerns drive our thinking about the election and voting tendencies. We will watch the final presidential debate of

During the month of April, 2016 Utopia Is No Place, Utopia Is Process will transform Usdan Gallery into a platform for critical feminist pedagogy. The project was inspired by Bennington’s experimental curricula and its history as a women’s college. In lieu of a traditional exhibition, resources such as a library, screening series, printing press, meeting space, and discussion

Early in the morning on September 14, 2015, two 4 kilometer long laser tunnels in opposite corners of the country measured a very subtle expansion and contraction, significantly smaller than the diameter of an atom. The minuscule flexing of space, detected by the LIGO project, was caused by gravitational waves passing through Earth. These waves originated from the merger of two

On the web site Electric Lit, Lincoln Michel asks: “We May Know Who Ferrante Is, But Have We Learned Anything?” (https://electricliterature.com/we-may-know-who-ferrante-is-but-have-we-…). Let’s tweak the question: “What can we learn by knowing?”

The election has engendered a deep desire to organize and resist the potentially reactionary politics that lie ahead. In order to so effectively, it is necessary to learn from the giants who have come before us. This course proposes to do so by engaging with theories, models and histories of social movement organizing. We'll do so mainly through the lens of three activist

In this pop-up course, we will be deconstructing a media spectacle by studying its signs, symbols, and discourse. Using the Donald Trump presidential campaign as a case study, we will observe the visual codes and linguistic scaffolding of political ‘branding’ and messaging. We will explore various registers of populist and authoritarian rhetoric by carefully analyzing how those