Comparative Politics and Area Studies (Global North)
In this concentration, students learn about the political systems of the higher-income countries of the world, commonly referred to as the Global North. Comparative Politics explores similarities and differences in the institutions, political cultures, and political economies of states and equips students with tools to understand how citizens relate to their governments in different political contexts. Students can explore and debate such topics as democracy and authoritarianism, elections, political communications, populism, gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality, and political representation from the perspective of countries in the Global North.
In their second year of the program, students in this concentration earn 1.0 credit in the following two courses:
PSCI 2101 [0.5 credit]: Comparative Politics of the Global North
Domestic politics in states of the Global North. Comparison of political and economic regimes, political institutions, actors, political processes and cultures, and patterns of public policy making.
PSCI 2102 [0.5 credit]: Comparative Politics of the Global South
Introduction to domestic politics in post-colonial and developing states of the Global South. Topics may include nationalism, authoritarianism, economic development, revolution, democratization, and the politics of gender, religion, and ethnicity.
In their third and fourth years of the program, students take an additional 2.5 credits in Comparative Politics, such as:
PSCI 3200 – U.S. Constitutional Politics
PSCI 3207 – The Government and Politics of European Integration
PSCI 3405 – Comparative Public Policy Analysis
PSCI 3406 – Public Affairs and Media Strategies
PSCI 3801 – Environmental Politics
PSCI 3805 – Politics of Race
PSCI 4103 – The Modern State
PSCI 4204 – Elections
PSCI 4209 – Westminster Democracies: Parliaments, Parties and Elections
PSCI 4505 – Transitions to Democracy
PSCI 4506 – Women and Politics in North America
PSCI 4606 – American Foreign Policy
PSCI 4608 – European Integration and European Security
For the full list of course options in Comparative Politics (Global North), and the specific degree requirements for your program, consult the Undergraduate Calendar. Please note that not all courses in this list are offered each year.