[h=2]Graduate[/h] All graduate courses are categorized as either seminars or independent study.
[h=3]Seminars[/h] 200A. Foundations of Political Science (4)
An introduction to the theoretical concepts in the discipline of political science that are commonly used across various subfields. Each week will introduce the core concept(s) and discuss applications from several, if not all subfields in the department.
Prerequisites: graduate student standing.
200B. Democracy (4)
An overview of the normative and positive issues associated with modern democracies. The appeal and the social, political, and economic arrangements of democracies will be explored.
Prerequisites: graduate student standing.
200C. States and Markets (4)
An overview of the normative and positive issues associated with decentralized (market) versus centralized (political) mechanics of allocation. The appropriate role of government in the economy will be explored.
Prerequisites: graduate student standing.
204A. Research Design (4)
This course will study various approaches to knowledge accumulation in social science. A basic outline of scientific method will be used to examine the difference between theories as assumptions and axioms and hypotheses as "if-then" statements derived from theory. Experimental, quasi-experimental, and qualitative designs will be discussed.
Prerequisites: graduate student standing.
204B. Quantitative Methods I (4)
The use of quantitative methods (particularly multiple regression and its extensions) in political science. Emphasis on understanding the methods and using them in political science applications.
Prerequisites: graduate student standing.
204C. Game Theory 1 (4)
This course introduces students to the rudiments of decision theory and game theory. Emphasis will be placed on modeling and solving games.
Prerequisites: graduate student standing.
210A. Systems of Political Thought: Thucydides to Augustine (4)
This course is a preparation for the field examination in political theory. It will provide an intensive and critical introduction to European political thought from Thucydides to Augustine. Some of the secondary literature on this period will also be explored.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
210B. Systems of Political Thought: Machiavelli to Rousseau (4)
This course is a preparation for the field examination in political theory. It will provide an intensive and critical introduction to European political thought from Machiavelli to Rousseau. Some of the secondary literature on this period will also be explored.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
210C. Systems of Political Thought: Kant to Nietzsche (4)
This course is a preparation for the field examination in political theory. It will provide an intensive and critical introduction to European political thought from Kant to Nietzsche. Some of the secondary literature on this period will also be explored.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
210D. Systems of Political Thought: Contemporary (4)
This course is a preparation for the field examination in political theory. It will provide an intensive and critical introduction to twentieth-century political thought. Some of the secondary literature on this period will also be explored.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
214. Marxist and Post-Marxist Political Philosophy (4)
An examination of selected texts in Marxist and post-Marxist political philosophy, with a focus on the theme of individual and collective identity including issues concerning alienation, consciousness, and ideology.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
216. Contemporary Liberal and Democratic Theory (4)
Normative approaches to liberty, equality, justice, and democracy, mostly Anglo-American and empirical approaches to justice. Thinkers such as Rawls, Habermas, Nozick, Dworkin, Raz, Roemer, Elster, Ostrom, Bowles, and Gintis may be considered.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
219. Special Topics in Political Theory (4)
This seminar is an examination of the different approaches to the study of political theory. Issues and research areas will vary each time the course is offered.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
220A. Comparative Politics: State and Society (4)
This course will provide a general literature review in comparative politics to serve as preparation for the field examination.
Prerequisites: graduate standing, or consent of instructor.
220B. Comparative Politics: Institutions (4)
This is a second course in comparative politics designed as a preparation for the field examination. It will focus on the comparative study of political institutions.
Prerequisites: graduate standing, or consent of instructor.
220C. Origins of the State (4)
Survey of theories, with empirical cases explaining origins of the modern state.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
222A. American Politics in Comparative Perspective (4)
Research seminar that focuses on the systematic comparison of the American political system with about thirty other contemporary democracies, particularly the other large industrialized countries. A central aim will be to assess the claims about American "exceptionalism."
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
223A. Comparative Parliamentary Studies (4)
A survey of the academic literature on parliamentary studies, comparing the research on legislative elections, behavior, and organization in American, European, and Asian democracies. The course will also compare various approaches to studying legislative activity.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
224. The Politics of Democratization (4)
A survey of theories explaining the processes of democratization and democratic stability.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
224A. Elections in Consolidating Democracies (4)
Course looks at elections in consolidating democracies with an eye to evaluating existing theories of elections with new data. Also explores new empirical patterns in countries around the world, especially Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Soviet successor states.
Prerequisites: graduate student standing or consent of instructor.
225B. The Nation-State (4)
A reading and research seminar on the origins, development, and politics of nationalism and the nation-state.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
227. Comparative Political Economy (4)
An introduction to seminal and current research in comparative political economy. Course explores how various political institutions and processes affect economic outcomes (e.g. growth, inequality, and redistribution) and how the economy influences politics (e.g. democratization, electoral institutions, and welfare states).
Prerequisites: Poli Sci 200C or consent of instructor.
229. Special Topics in Comparative Politics (4)
This seminar is an examination of the different approaches to the study of comparative politics. Issues and research areas will vary each time the course is offered.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
231E. Politics of Development (4)
This course provides an overview of previous and current efforts to explain political and economic development in non-Western settings.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
235A. Latin American Politics (4)
Introductory reading seminar on Latin American politics to acquaint students with leading schools of thought, provide critical perspective on premises and methodology, and identify themes for further inquiry. Themes include authoritarianism, revolution, democratization, regional conflict, and emergence of middle-level powers.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
236. Immigration Policy and Politics (4)
An interdisciplinary seminar covering origins, consequences, and characteristics of worker migration from Third World countries (especially Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean basin) to the United States, from the nineteenth century to the present.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
238. State and Society in Modern East Asia (4)
An examination of the role of the state in economic development in major East Asian societies and its impact on democratization. Case studies will vary but will include China, Japan, and Korea, as well as at least one other society.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
240. International Relations Theory (4)
A survey of the principal theories and approaches to the study of international relations.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
243. International Security (4)
A colloquium surveying the major theoretical controversies in the study of international and national security.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
245. International Political Economy (4)
A seminar surveying the major theoretical controversies in the study of international political economy.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
247A. Quantitative International Relations (4)
Explores empirical research in international relations with special emphasis on international conflict. Topics covered include theories on the causes of war, the distribution of power and conflict, formal and informal alignment, interdependence and conflict, linkages between domestic and international processes, and issues of research design. Students who have previously taken 247 may not take this course for credit.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
247B. Formal Models in International Relations (4)
Explores formal analytic and primarily game-theoretic research in international relations with emphasis on conflict and bargaining. Topics include: causes of war and peace, conventional and nuclear deterrence, crisis bargaining, arms race, and two-level games.
248. Special Topics in International Relations (4)
(Same as IRGN 290) This seminar is an examination of the different approaches to the study of international relations. Issues and research areas will vary each time the course is offered.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
251. American Political Institutions (4)
A critical examination of major contributions to the theoretical and empirical literature on the US Congress, presidency, and federal bureaucracy.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
252. American Politics: Behavior (4)
Theoretical and empirical perspectives on voting and other forms of political participation, parties, interest groups, and public opinion in the United States.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
254. American Political Development (4)
This course examines the historical evolution of the American state with particular attention to theories of political development. Special topics include the development of the party system, electoral and policy realignments, and the evolution of national political institutions.
Prerequisites: graduate standing in any discipline of the social sciences or humanities or consent of instructor.
255. Urban Politics (4)
Examines central works on the development of political institutions in US cities; analyses of community power structures; who governs, why, and to what ends; processes and prospects for minority empowerment; the prominence of "growth machines"; the political economy of contemporary cities.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
257. Voting and Elections (4)
This course is designed to acquaint graduate students with the central themes and issues in the study of voting in national elections.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
259. Special Topics in American Politics (4)
This seminar is an examination of the different approaches to the study of American politics. Issues and research areas will vary each time the course is offered.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
270. Mathematical and Statistical Foundations (4)
This course reviews essential calculus and linear algebra and introduces probability theory (probability rules, random variables, univariate and multivariate distributions) and mathematical statistics (sampling distributions, estimation and inference frameworks).
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
276. Mathematical Modeling (4)
This course demonstrates how to construct mathematical models of phenomena of interest to political science. Specific applications examined may include models for the distributions of state size, war magnitude, and democracy over time and space.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
277. Measurement Theory (4)
This course is concerned with methods of estimating latent dimensions of preference and similarity from individuals' observed choices and judgments. Factor Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling, and related techniques are studied both with classical maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
279. Special Topics in Methodology (4)
This seminar is an examination of the different approaches to the study of methodology. Issues and research areas will vary each time the course is offered.
Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
282A-B-C. Workshop on State and Society (4-4-4)
Examination of recent research in American politics, comparative politics, and political theory concerning the relationship of politics to society; development and presentation of research projects by graduate students; presentations of research projects by faculty. Second-year students present seminar paper; third-year students present dissertation prospectus; candidates make yearly presentations of dissertation research.
Prerequisites: Poli Sci 202 or consent of instructor.
283A-B-C. Workshop in International Relations (4-4-4)
Examination of recent research in international politics; development and presentation of research projects by graduate students; presentations of research projects by faculty. Second year students present seminar paper; third year students present dissertation prospectus; candidates make yearly presentation of dissertation research.
Prerequisites: Poli Sci 202 or permission of instructor.
284. Workshop on Scientific Communication (4)
Forms of scientific communication, practical exercise in scientific writing and short oral communication, and in criticism and editing; preparation of illustrations, preparation of proposals; scientific societies, and the history of scientific communication. Examples from any field of science, most commonly political science, economics, and law.
Prerequisites: Poli Sci 202 or consent of instructor.
[h=3]Independent Study[/h] 298. Directed Reading (1–12)
Guided and supervised reading in the literature of the several fields of political science.
299. Dissertation Research (1–12)
Independent work by graduate students engaged in research and writing of second-year paper and doctoral dissertation, under direct supervision of advisor.
500. Apprentice Teaching (1–4)
A course in which teaching assistants are aided in learning proper teaching methods by means of supervision of their work by the faculty: handling of discussions, preparation, and grading of examinations and other written exercises, and student relations. Twenty-four units of teaching apprenticeship meets the department teaching requirement for the PhD degree.
501. Seminar on Teaching Development-American Politics (1–4)
A seminar designed for graduate students serving as teaching assistants in American politics, includes discussion of teaching theories, techniques, and materials, conduct of discussion sessions, and participation in examinations, under the supervision of the instructor in charge of the course.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
502. Seminar on Teaching Development-Comparative Politics (1–4)
A seminar designed for graduate students serving as teaching assistants in comparative politics, includes discussion of teaching theories, techniques, and materials, conduct of discussion sessions, and participation in examinations, under the supervision of the instructor in charge of the course.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
503. Seminar on Teaching Development-International Relations (1–4)
A seminar designed for graduate students serving as teaching assistants in international relations, includes discussion of teaching theories, techniques, and materials, conduct of discussion sessions, and participation in examinations, under the supervision of the instructor in charge of the course.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
504. Seminar on Teaching Development-Political Theory (1–4)
A seminar designed for graduate students serving as teaching assistants in political theory, includes discussion of teaching theories, techniques, and materials, conduct of discussion sessions, and participation in examinations, under the supervision of the instructor in charge of the course.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
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Globalisation and Governance MA - Uxbridge - Greater London Objectives:
The term "Globalisation" embraces a range of deeply transformative political, economic and social processes. Understanding these - or the meaning, significance and implications of globalization - presents major theoretical and practical challenges for those working or intending to work in the realms of government, business, civil society or academia. The Brunel MA not only equips students to understand globalisation, but also to think in an informed manner about questions of its "governance": that is, how globalisation might be steered or developed in a politically and ethically satisfactory manner. Students graduating from this programme will have knowledge and understanding not only of the key debates and perspectives upon globalisation, governance and international relations, but also of the different sectors of the emerging global political system: namely the state and other public authorities, business and institutions of global capital, and civil society and international non-governmental organisations.
Entry Requirements:
Entry Requirements You should normally have a good honours degree (2.II or above) or an equivalent professional qualification. Applicants with relevant work experience who lack these qualifications will also be considered. If English is not your first language then applicants must have IELTS 6.5 (with no section less than 5.0) or TOEFL 237/585 (with a minimum TWE of 4.5 or above).
Award:
Globalisation and Governance MA
Course Description:
Course Summary
The term "
Globalisation" embraces a range of deeply transformative political, economic and social processes. Understanding presents major theoretical and practical challenges for those working or intending to work in the realms of government, business or academia. The MA not only equips students to understand
globalisation, but also to think in an informed manner about questions of its "
governance": that is, how
globalisation might be steered or developed in a politically and ethically satisfactory manner.
Students graduating from this programme will have knowledge and understanding not only of the key debates and perspectives upon
globalisation,
governance and international relations, but also of the different sectors of the emerging global political system.
Course Details
Typical Modules
Globalisation
This module deals thematically with the main issues in the debate about the meaning, extent, and consequences of '
globalisation'. It uses a multidisciplinary approach, and covers the political, economic, historical and cultural aspects of
globalisation. Topics include the impact of
globalisation on economic policy, with particular reference to the role of the international institutions, international migration, and the impact of
globalisation on culture and the environment.
Global Civil Society
Main topics of study: emergence of civil society as a political category; development of civil society in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; Gramscian and neo-Gramscian readings of civil society; civil society and 'new social movements';
the emergence of 'global civil society'; civil society, associative democracy and global politics; civil society, states, and the international system; global civil society and modern warfare.
Evolution of International Relations
The module analyses the theoretical development of International Relations and many of its central political and normative questions. The evolution of the discipline is traced through critical analysis of the key debates, questions and interventions that have marked an increasingly contested field. The module will also equip students with the concepts and paradigms that are necessary to analyse other areas of International Relations.
Structures of
Governance
Analyses devolution and federalism and their impact on public and social policy. It explores ongoing reforms to different structures of
governance, including local, global and corporate
governance, and introduces debates about regulation and the role of the courts.
Dissertation
The dissertation enables students to conduct research on an area of particular interest, on a topic approved by the Course Director and under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students are expected to show awareness of methodological issues and utilise appropriate social science methods. Students who are unsure about undertaking a dissertation may begin by enrolling for a Diploma and subsequently upgrade their registration to an MA if they wish and if their average mark is above 50%.
Elective Modules
Two from:
International Public Policy
EU Public Policy
Main topics of study: concise overview of the history of European integration and the current institutional architecture of the EU; the making of the single market; impact of economic integration on member states' diverse traditions of public policy; public health; monetary union; implementation; public opinion and support for policy-making at the EU level; justice and home affairs; the concept of a democratic deficit and its implications.
China in the World
Main topics of study: the IR theory legacy: frameworks for analysis; the traditional China legacy: world views, 'strategic culture', the 'middle kingdom'; the western legacy: colonialism, the 'century of humiliation'; the Communist (Maoist) legacy: eg 'Chinese' Communism, theories of development, 'World Revolution', 'intermediate world', 'United Fronts' etc; the modernisation (Dengist and beyond) legacy: economic and military; current Chinese goals, interests and imperatives - 'Grand Strategy'; China's relationship with Russia (regional and global/strategic); China's relationship with Japan (regional); China's relationship with America (regional and global/strategic); China's relationship with Europe/EU (extra-regional/strategic); China's relationship with India (Asia-wide); China and world structures (UN, Environment/Population, Globalization).
Human Rights
International Politics of Climate Change
Main topics of study: the rise of environmental politics – from 'Silent Spring' to 'Sustainable Development'; anthropogenic climate change: understanding the challenges; neoliberalism versus gaia? environmentalism and the sceptics; key actors in the global politics of climate change; combating climate change: key national and international policies and regimes; combating climate change: green theory, critical perspectives.
Environmental Degradation
Environmental Perspectives
Special Features
The Brunel Business School is the largest School in the University and offers a wide range of services to the local, national and international community. To prospective and current students, we offer a great range of vocational and relevant courses, excellent teaching and facilities and a vibrant London campus experience. If you choose to study at Brunel, you will be taught by lecturers who are active researchers engaged in advancing the state of knowledge and understanding in the very fields in which they teach.
Assessment
Successful completion of the course requires students to pass six 20-credit modules and a 60-credit dissertation on an appropriate topic. A Master's degree is awarded if you reach the necessary standard on the taught part of the course and submit a dissertation of the required standard. The pass grade for all modules and the dissertation is 50%. Students are normally required to pass all the required taught modules before being permitted to proceed to the dissertation. If you do not achieve the standard required, you may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate if eligible.
Teaching Methods
Courses will be taught through a programme of lectures, directed reading and seminars. Modules are assessed by a variety of coursework, examination and presentations.