2026-2027 Academic Year

Fall 2026

INST 170 International Relations
Cross-listed with POSC 170-02.

POSC 170 International Relations
Cross-listed with INST 170-02.

INST 401 Political Violence
This seminar is intended to improve critical thinking and analytical writing skills through the study of intra-state violence. The course will focus on the types of political violence, causes of intra-state conflict, and the reasons individuals participate in violence. The topics will focus primarily on civil war, ethnic conflict and genocide, terrorism, and revolution. The course will also emphasize the research process and the ethics (and ethical dilemmas) of conflict research. The discussions will be guided by three overarching questions: how do structural conditions shape the likelihood of political violence? What are the individual or social factors that contribute to an individual's decision to participate in violence? Why are certain strategies or types of violence used? These questions will be addressed through the readings, seminar discussions, and student research on a case of their choosing. By the end of the seminar, students should be able to ask informed questions and have the social science skills to answer those questions well. There is a heavy emphasis on writing in the course that is designed to improve students' writing and research skills, as well as learning to give constructive feedback.

Spring 2027

INST 258 Human Rights
Cross-listed with POSC 258-01.

POSC 258 Human Rights
Cross-listed with INST 258-01.

INST 280 American Foreign Policy
Cross-listed with POSC 280-01.

POSC 280 American Foreign Policy
Cross-listed with INST 280-01.

INST 290 Civil Wars & Polit Viol
Cross-listed with POSC 290-03. Since the end of the Cold War there has been a turn toward conflict within states and by non-state actors. This course is intended to survey theories about the emergence of civil wars and violence by non-state actors, the nature of intra-state conflicts, and the rebuilding of peace. We will discuss civil war, revolution, terrorism, and other strategies of political violence, as well as how these conflicts end. The class will focus around three central themes: the types of political violence, participation in violence, and how civil wars end. In addressing each theme, the class will examine theoretical arguments for the causes of civil wars and other types of violence, as well as critically engage with local and international responses.

POSC 290 Civil Wars & Polit Viol
Cross-listed with INST 290-02. Since the end of the Cold War there has been a turn toward conflict within states and by non-state actors. This course is intended to survey theories about the emergence of civil wars and violence by non-state actors, the nature of intra-state conflicts, and the rebuilding of peace. We will discuss civil war, revolution, terrorism, and other strategies of political violence, as well as how these conflicts end. The class will focus around three central themes: the types of political violence, participation in violence, and how civil wars end. In addressing each theme, the class will examine theoretical arguments for the causes of civil wars and other types of violence, as well as critically engage with local and international responses.