<p>Here are the course descriptions: </p>
<p>RACISM IN WESTERN MODERNITY </p>
<p>The purpose of this course is to introduce students to a critical understanding of the influences of racism in the formation of Western modernity (the latter being broadly understood as comprising European/American polities, economies, cultures and discourses from the 16th century onwards). On a global scale, Western societies have been largely responsible for developing economic institutions, religious identities, international laws and nation-states mobilized through race and historically shaped by racism. Yet at the same time, western cultures have globally represented themselves as exemplars of liberalism, democracy, civilization and universalism. Examining the relation between these overlapping trajectories of modernity, requires conceptual and historical analysis, if we are to understand the social meaning of race and the historical implications of racism in the contemporary West (e.g. the United States and Europe)… </p>
<p>The objective of the course therefore is to develop an effective conceptual and historical understanding of the formative processes and discourses involved in constructing western modernity as a series of racialized polities, cultures and societies. Consequently, this is not a course overly concerned with empirical case studies or attitudinal assessments; it promotes a thinking approach rather than a descriptive one. It will be concerned to establish the basis for a critical concept of racism that can explain the apparent contradictions of western modernity. </p>
<p>TEACHING METHOD: Lectures and Seminars
EVALUATION METHOD: One book review and one thematic essay
READING: Michael K. Brown et al (2003) White-washing Race The myth of a color-blind society, University of California press.
David Goldberg (2000) The Racial State, Blackwell
Alana Lentin (2004) Racism and Anti-Racism in Europe, Pluto Press
Howard Winant (2001) The World is a Ghetto Race and Democracy since World War 2, US: Basic books </p>
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<p>URBAN POLITICS </p>
<p>This course explores political life in American cities. We chart the dynamics of urbanization in the United States, paying close attention to the major political and social issues that have accompanied that process. We begin by investigating how cities developed around major structural shifts, such as industrialization and large scale immigration from Europe. We then focus on the institutions that emerged to govern cities and address the social, economic, and political problems that arose in the wake of urbanization. By examining the activities of political machines, informal coalitions, grassroots constituencies, and leaders in key arenas, we learn how political power is distributed and marshaled to solve problems and advance particular interests in cities. The second half of the course shifts our focus to recent and ongoing changes in the political life of cities. We explore how the major structural and demographic changes of the last quarter centuryde-industrialization, suburbanization, and the emergence of increasingly multiracial populationshave altered urban politics. We pay special attention to the new policy problems generated by these changes and how groups and political actors address them within todays metropolitan context. </p>
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<p>TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE: PUBLIC POLICY </p>
<p>This course is designed to give students an understanding of public policy. Among the topics we will cover are how public policy is made, what its effects are, and a set of tools for analyzing and arguing about particular policy issues. In particular, we will address debates regarding the extent to which government should or should not be involved in the economy and society. At the end of the quarter, we will apply the knowledge and tools from the class to specific policy issues in a series of in-class debates among students.</p>