Pathways in World Politics

Those who can create and shape order have power. How is order formed at the international level? How is it expressed domestically? How do domestic and international orders change and interact with one another? Political Science defines order as the institutions (e.g. treaties signed by nations; a nation's government type, such as being a democracy) that regulate interactions between individuals, communities, and nations. As the Social Science focused on the acquisition and application of power in and between governments, Political Science offers tools for thinking about the causes of and possible solutions to many of the challenges facing the world today, including wars, economic crises, and the collapse of democratic regimes. This three-week course will introduce students to the scientific study of world politics, focusing on such issues as the creation of international organizations like the United Nations, the regulation of the global economy, and applied diplomacy. Students will come away with a more nuanced comprehension of some of the concepts, methods, and knowledge that can help them understand and judge politics within and among nations, which can bolster a future career in business, government, journalism, education, law, or nonprofit organizations, as well as make students better informed global citizens poised to make informed decisions and interventions in an increasingly complex world.