Category Archives: Undergraduate

Courses for All IMA Students

Fall 2022

Games, Strategy, and Politics (POL-UA 844)

Offered every year. 4 points. Theories of political strategy with emphasis on the theory of games. Uses of strategy in defense and deterrence policies of nations, guerrilla warfare of revolutionaries and terrorists, bargaining and negotiation processes, coalitions and the enforcement of collective action, and voting in committees and elections. Secrecy and deception as political strategies and uses of power, with some applications outside political science.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2022)

POL-UA 844-000 (9366)09/01/2022 – 12/14/2022 Mon,Wed2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Early afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Brams, Steven

POL-UA 844-000 (9369)09/01/2022 – 12/14/2022 Thu3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Late afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by

POL-UA 844-000 (9370)09/01/2022 – 12/14/2022 Fri11:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Morning)at Washington SquareInstructed by

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Fall 2022

Terrorism (POL-UA 742)

Comparative study of terrorism as a domestic political phenomenon. Examines foundational issues, economic, psychological, strategic, and social theories of terrorism as well as theories of the cessation of terrorist violence, government negotiation with terrorists, the relationship between terrorists and nonviolent political actors, and the internal political economy of terrorist organizations. Considers terror in the Middle East (especially emphasizing Hamas), nationalist terror (ETA and the IRA), and Maoist revolutionary terror (with emphasis on the Shining Path).

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Fall 2022

Politics of Poverty & Welfare (POL-UA 382)

Prerequisite: V53.0300. Offered in the spring. 4 points. Poverty and welfare problems in the United States and the controversies aroused by them. Concentrates on the causes of poverty and dependency among the controversial working-age poor, the history of programs and policies meant to help them, and the enormous impact these issues have had on national politics.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2022)

POL-UA 382-000 (9662)09/01/2022 – 12/14/2022 Mon,Wed12:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Early afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Williams III, Napoleon

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Fall 2022

Comparative Politics of South Asia (POL-UA 562)

Introduces the comparative politics of South Asia. Analyzes the politics of South Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, individually and in a comparative framework. Readings are chosen from across disciplines, including political science, anthropology, economics, and history. The course also uses novels and films on South Asia to illustrate themes highlighted in the readings.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2022)

POL-UA 562-000 (20838)09/01/2022 – 12/14/2022 Tue,Thu3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Late afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Chandra, Kanchan

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Fall 2022

Congress & Legislative Assemblies (POL-UA 320)

Origin, structure, functions, and dynamics of legislatures in the United States. Although some attention is given to state legislatures and municipal lawmaking bodies, the major emphasis is on the Congress. Readings include a textbook, official sources such as the Congressional Record and Congressional District Data Book, and the new behavioral studies and commentaries.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Fall 2022

Gender in Law (POL-UA 336)

Examines the relationship between gender politics, legal theory, and social policy. Studies the role that the legal arena and certain historical conditions have played in creating, revising, and protecting particular gender identities and not others and examines the political effects of those legal constructions. Analyzes the major debates in feminist legal theory, including theories of equality, the problem of essentialism, and the relevance of standpoint epistomology. In addition to examining how the law understands sex discrimination in the workplace and the feminization of the legal profession, also addresses to what extent understandings of the gender affect how law regulates the physical body by looking at the regulation of reproduction and of consensual sexual activity. In light of all of the above, considers to what extent law is or is not an effective political resource in reforming notions of gender in law and society.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2022)

POL-UA 336-000 (20835)09/01/2022 – 12/14/2022 Tue,Thu3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Late afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Harrington, Christine

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Fall 2022

Amer Political Thought (POL-UA 170)

Study of American political ideas and debate from colonial times to the present. Topics include Puritanism, revolution and independence, the Constitution framing, Hamiltonian nationalism, Jeffersonian republicanism, Jacksonian democracy, pro- and antislavery thought, Civil War and Reconstruction, social Darwinism and laissez-faire, the reformist thought of populism, progressivism and socialism, legal realism, the New Deal and 20th-century liberalism, modern conservatism, civil rights, and war protest. Readings and discussion are based on original and interpretative sources.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2022)

POL-UA 170-000 (20834)09/01/2022 – 12/14/2022 Tue,Thu6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Evening)at Washington SquareInstructed by

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Summer 2022

Int’L Pol of Middle East (POL-UA 760)

Systematic study of the international politics of the Middle East, emphasizing the period since World War II. Emphasis on the relationship among patterns of inter-Arab, Arab-Israeli, and great-power politics, and on the relationship between domestic and external politics. Attempts to relate the Arab-Israeli conflict to interregional politics, the place and role of Turkey and Iran, and the problems in the Persian Gulf.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 6 Weeks

Sections (Summer 2022)

POL-UA 760-000 (2364)05/23/2022 – 07/06/2022 Mon,Wed5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Late afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Erbal, Ayda

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate

The Presidency (POL-UA 9310)

Study of the American presidency, its origins, and roles, including those of commander in chief; director of foreign policy; leader in legislation, administration, and party affairs; manager of the economy; and dispenser of social justice. The president is also viewed as a decision maker and compared with the heads of other governments. Readings include the works of presidents and their associates, analytical commentaries by observers of the presidency, and biographies.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 14 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2025)

POL-UA 9310-000 (11251)at NYU Washington DC (Global)Instructed by

Fall 2025 Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Summer 2022

National Security (POL-UA 712)

Prerequisite: V53.0700. Offered every year. 4 points. Starting with the traditional arena of national security and U.S. military policy, students analyze how national security decisions are made in this country, as well as the past and current military strategies used to carry out those decisions. From there, students examine the particular national security concerns and policies of Russia, China, Germany, and Japan. This course also looks at new thinking on national security, asking to what extent international trade and competition, immigration, illegal drugs, and the environment should be considered national security issues.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 6 Weeks

Sections (Summer 2022)

POL-UA 712-000 (4407)07/07/2022 – 08/17/2022 Tue,Thu2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Early afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Lutmar, Carmela

POL-UA 712-000 (5147)07/07/2022 – 08/17/2022 Tue,Thu2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Early afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Lutmar, Carmela

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Summer 2022

Diplomacy & Negotiation (POL-UA 720)

Analyzes the theory and practice of diplomacy, with special emphasis on bargaining strategies that nations use to try to settle their differences and avoid wars, including the use of mediators, arbitrators, and institutions like the United Nations. Applies game theory to analyze the use of exaggeration, threats, and deception in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. Supplements case studies of international negotiation, especially in crises, with studies of domestic bargaining used in the formulation of foreign policy.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 6 Weeks

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Summer 2022

War, Peace, and World Order (POL-UA 741)

Characteristics and conditions of war and peace and the transition from one to the other from the perspective of political and social science. Examines the role and use of coercion in global affairs, with emphasis on attempts to substitute negotiation, bargaining, market forces, politics, and law for the resort to massive violence in moderating disputes.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 6 Weeks

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Summer 2022

Democracy & Dictatorship (POL-UA 160)

Democracy and dictatorships have traditionally been analyzed in terms of their apparently different institutional characteristics and legal foundations. Examines these traditional interpretations but leans heavily toward ideological and contextual factors. Challenges traditional distinctions between democracy and dictatorship.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 6 Weeks

Sections (Summer 2022)

POL-UA 160-000 (2363)05/23/2022 – 07/06/2022 Mon,Wed10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Morning)at Washington SquareInstructed by Erbal, Ayda

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Summer 2022

Ethics, Politics and Public Policy (POL-UA 130)

Provides students with the ability systematically to evaluate ethically controversial public policy issues using concepts from normative political theory. In the first half of the course, we consider the means by which policy is implemented: Under what conditions, if any, might we permit political actors to do bad in order to do good? In the second half, we consider the ends of public policy: What is it we want the state to accomplish, and at what cost? Substantive policy topics vary from semester to semester.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 6 Weeks

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate
Spring 2022

Introduction to Research Methods for Politics (POL-UA 850)

New research is the most exciting and important aspect of political science: we are able to pose novel questions, construct fresh theories, and provide new evidence about the way the world works. But before we start doing research, we have to learn how it is done. With this in mind, this class will introduce students to quantitative techniques used for research in the study of politics. Part of this task is conceptual: helping students to think sensibly and systematically about research design. To this end, students will learn how data and theory fit together, and how to measure the quantities we care about. But part of the task is practical too: students will learn a `toolbox’ of methods–including statistical software–that enable them to execute their plans.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2022)

POL-UA 850-000 (9156)01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Mon,Wed9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Morning)at Washington SquareInstructed by Harvey, Anna

POL-UA 850-000 (9238)01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Fri2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Early afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by López Peceño, Alejandro

POL-UA 850-000 (9157)01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Wed3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Late afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by López Peceño, Alejandro

POL-UA 850-000 (9158)01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Thu12:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Early afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Pulejo, Massimo

POL-UA 850-000 (9159)01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Tue12:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Early afternoon)at Washington SquareInstructed by Pulejo, Massimo

POL-UA 850-000 (9734)01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Tue8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Morning)at Washington SquareInstructed by Demin, Sasha

POL-UA 850-000 (25687)01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Thu8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Morning)at Washington SquareInstructed by Melnick, Justin

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Undergraduate

Private Influence in Public Policy (POL-UA 9341)

Credits: 4
Duration: 14 Weeks
Dates:

Topics: analysis of mechanisms of influence (selection of sympathetic incumbents, the provision of incentives for public officials, and the provision of information); objects of influence (voter choices, legislative behavior, bureaucratic decisions); collective action; and organizational maintenance.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 14 Weeks

Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Spring 2026 Undergraduate

Western European Politics (POL-UA 9510)

Credits: 4
Duration: 14 Weeks
Dates: Mon,Wed

Study of the politics of Britain, Ireland, France, and Germany. Compares the historical origins of these systems and analyzes their institutions as manifestations of their social and political culture and traditions. Treats each country’s current politics and political trends. Attempts to introduce the basic concepts of comparative political analysis in developing cross-cultural theory.

Politics (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 14 Weeks

Fall 2025 Liberal Arts & Sciences - Electives Societies & the Social Sciences Spring 2026 Undergraduate