Synopsis

Terrorism remains a persistent global threat. As new epicenters emerge, attacks increase in intensity, and geopolitical tensions continue to shape global security landscapes, understanding terrorism and how to combat it is critical for national and international security. How do we define terrorism? Who is susceptible to radicalization? How do we understand organizations' behavior? How effective is terrorism? How do we counter it? Are certain methods of counterterrorism more effective than others? This course will tackle these questions by providing a theoretical, empirical, and practical foundation from which to understand, decompose, and analyze terrorism as well as methods to address it. The course is organized in four parts. The first reviews the general concept of terrorism and provides an overview of various theoretical approaches to understanding it. The second considers radicalization and determines which individuals might be more susceptible to violent, radicalized behavior. The third part of the course examines the dynamics of organizational behavior, including tactical selection, intergroup conflict and cooperation, the effectiveness of terrorism, and its effect on social and political life. The final section considers methods of counterterrorism, including blacklisting, torture, leadership decapitation, and rehabilitation, and evaluates their effectiveness.

Synopsis

This course examines the structures, institutions, and norms that shape order in the international system. Students will explore how international law mediates relationships between states, international organizations, and non-state actors, and analyze the tensions between legal rules and political power in global governance. The course is organized in two parts. Part I establishes theoretical foundations, examining competing perspectives on international law's role in world politics, the principles of state sovereignty and compliance, the function of international organizations, and the sources of legal authority in the international system. Part II applies these frameworks to contemporary challenges, including adjudication and dispute resolution, the use of force and humanitarian intervention, human rights protection, international criminal justice, and refugee and migration law. The course requires no prior background in international law, but students are expected to engage regularly with current global affairs and maintain awareness of developments in international relations.

Synopsis

This fourth-year seminar examines major contemporary challenges in the global community through the lens of experimental research methods in political science. The course surveys a wide range of pressing issues, including women's empowerment, political repression and dissent, intergroup contact and social cohesion, refugee movements and migration, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, human rights enforcement, post-conflict reconciliation, gender-based violence, human trafficking, and climate change. Students will engage with randomized controlled trials and field experiments that test causal mechanisms and evaluate interventions addressing these global challenges. Across these topics, students will develop skills in experimental design, learn to critically evaluate causal claims, and assess how rigorous empirical research can inform policy and practice. Emphasis is placed on understanding research methods, critically discussing experimental findings, and synthesizing insights across diverse areas of global politics.