Topic for Fall 2014: Research Seminar in International Politics and Comparative Politics
Students enrolled in this seminar will be given the opportunity to research a topic of their choosing that fits within the broad fields of international relations and/or comparative politics. In preparation for this, students will be introduced to methods utilized by both fields and to some of the questions important in both fields, including: (1) how does regime type influence international affairs; (2) what role do non-state actors and social movements play in international affairs? Readings and discussions will be geared toward two broad goals: First, to give students the opportunity to engage substantively with some of the important works shared by both sub-fields; and second, to help students develop their own senior experience projects in the form of a substantive research paper.

Topic for Winter 2015: American Politics
The first part of the seminar will be devoted to an overview of the scope and methods of political science research. During the balance of the term, students will design and produce individual research projects on topics of their choice. Projects must be descriptive or explanatory rather than prescriptive. Ideally, students entering this seminar should have some background in the topic they wish to study.

Topic for Spring 2015: Causes of War
This course will explore why states and non-state actors engage in violence from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives, including rationalism, realpolitik, social movement theory, and others. Additionally, a substantial part of the term will be dedicated to senior experience projects.