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CMIST Undergraduate Courses

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84-101 Introduction to Political Science

This course provides an introduction to political science and the discipline’s key subfields: comparative politics, American politics, international relations, and political theory. Students confront fundamental questions about citizenship, democracy, and civic…

84-104 Decision Processes in American Political Institutions

This is an interdisciplinary introduction to the study of politics and government in the United States. It familiarizes the student with the basic structures and processes of American government, but moves beyond the purely descriptive into the realm of the analytical. The…

84-110 The Economics of Politics and Technology

This course provides a broad introduction to economic analysis for political scientists. The first part of the course will cover the principles of microeconomics, public choice theory, and the economics of technological change. The next segment of the course will apply…

84-120 Introduction to US Constitutional Law

This course provides an introduction to the United States Constitution and the principles of constitutional law. Using landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped the development of constitutional law in the United States, students will gain familiarity with legal…

84-215 Tomorrow's Professionals

Professionalism is the cornerstone of a healthy and productive workplace. It is a defining component of success, but it is not innate. Rather, professionalism is taught and learned. It should be practiced deliberately and developed over time and with experience. It is a…

84-226 International Relations

This course introduces students to the discipline of international relations (IR) and enables students to examine the causes of war and peace, the role of international institutions and non-state actors in world politics, and the forces that shape international political…

84-250 Writing for Political Science and Policy

Writing and briefing are essential skills in the policy discipline. This course will equip students with the tools necessary to enter professional policy-related domains. We will use a workshop format that promotes classroom discussions, small group work, and practical…

84-252 Briefing in the Policy World

Briefing is a critical skill for the policy world as it is the most direct and formal means of communication with the policy and or decision maker. One successful brief can fast-track a career, identify you as a subject-matter-expert, and open dialogue with…

84-266 Research Design for Political Science

How do political scientists turn complex ideas into rigorous research? This course provides the foundational tools to evaluate, design, and conduct qualitative and quantitative research in political science. The course is divided into three parts. We begin with the…

84-274 An Introduction to Technology and War

“Advancements” in military technology over time have enabled countries to kill quickly, with pinpoint precision, and on a massive scale from thousands of miles away. Today, emerging technologies also empower state and non-state actors to use lethal…

84-275 Comparative Politics

This course is an introduction to the subfield of Political Science called Comparative Politics. In this subfield we use comparative methods to study and compare domestic politics across countries. In this course, we aim to learn about how political systems differ, discuss…

84-303 International Human Rights

This mini-course surveys the causes of human rights violations around the world and the internal and external forces that combat them. The course begins by asking how political scientists conceptualize and measure human rights; we also review the origins and evolution of…

84-304 Analysis of Current US National Security Priorities

This discussion-based course will examine the headlines in international relations, defense, national security, and homeland security. We will follow major news stories, breaking down media coverage to go deeper, conducting our own unique analysis as a group but also…

84-306 Latin American Politics

The world’s most unequal region is an area of contrasts. Ethnically diverse, stable and tumultuous, young and old, urban and rural, learned and illiterate, prosperous and poor, independent yet dependent. The disparities that have characterized the region since…

84-309 American Political Divides and Great Debates

This course explores political polarization in the United States. It’s not just learning about the extent of political polarization; it’s about active engagement in analyzing some of the most contentious issues facing the nation today, such as the 2nd…

84-310 Policy in a Global Economy 1: International Trade and Trade Policy

Across the globe, the longstanding consensus in favor of open trade and investment policies is being called into question. Trade wars are spreading and becoming more intense. Protectionism and industrial policies are being embraced by developed and developing countries…

84-311 Policy in a Global Economy 2: International Macroeconomics and Finance

The global economic and financial landscape is far from tranquil and stable. National governments must frequently respond to macroeconomic and financial shocks generated elsewhere in the world. How can governments achieve and maintain growth and stability in a world where…

84-312 Terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa

The spread and growth of terrorism on the continent of Africa has increased substantially over the last decade; this mini is an introduction to the major terrorism groups that operate in sub-Saharan Africa. Throughout the course, we will examine the nexus of the terrorist…

84-314 Politics, Technological Change, and Economic Growth

Technological change has had an extraordinary impact on the story of humankind.   It has had a massive influence on the nature of our political systems.  It has been one of, maybe the, major determinant of…

84-319 Civil-Military Relations

Why do militaries (people with guns) ever obey civilians (people without guns)? Can we have a military strong enough to protect civilians, yet not so strong as to ignore or subvert civilian authority? What is the dividing line between civilian and military spheres of…

84-322 Nonviolent Conflict and Revolution

How can everyday people promote justice, equality, and democracy? Throughout history, many have looked to armed struggle and revolutionary violence. But over the course of the last century, nonviolent "people power" movements -- from Gandhi's salt march to the Arab Spring…

84-323 War and Peace in the Contemporary Middle East

This course examines the drivers and dynamics of war and peace in the contemporary Middle East. It is structured around a series of key debates about different facets of conflict and violence in the region, such as the causes of rebellion, the reasons resistance…

84-325 Contemporary American Foreign Policy

This course provides a survey of American foreign policy since World War I as a means of explaining why American foreign policy looks the way it does today. We will cover topics such as America's perennial battles between isolationism and internationalism, the creation of…

84-328 Military Strategy and Doctrine

While major interstate warfare has markedly declined since World War II, recent events illustrate that the causes and dynamics of major war remain some of the most important topics in international politics. This course will survey how the causes, conduct, and termination…

84-329 Asian Strategies

What are the strategies of leading Asian countries?  How do they intend to pursue their economic, political, and military goals in the years ahead?  What role will technology and information play in advancing their strategic objectives?  These…

84-331 Technology, Law, and Democracy

We are living through a technology revolution that is reshaping politics, economics, and social relations. Democracies and institutions are  being challenged on how to respond and regulate these new social forces. Policy communities are struggling to create new…

84-332 Contemporary US Constitutional Law Issues

This course will explore the recent redefinition of rights by the supreme court on such issues e.g. gun rights, vaccine mandates, reproduction, death penalty, voting, presidential immunity and affirmative action. The theme of the course will focus on different schools of…

84-336 Implementing Public Policy: From Good Idea to Reality

Good public policy doesn’t just “happen.”  Rather, successful policy is the result of thorough research, careful drafting, and successful navigation within the government or non-government organization whose leadership may ultimately…

84-338 Analysis of US Presidential Powers

This course will explore the evolution of presidential power and the underlying theories that support the expansion of the executive branch in contemporary politics. Some of the topics that will be covered include - emergency powers, presidential immunity, the "Steel…

84-339 Seminar in Public Policy Research

Public policy has high stakes. The taxes we pay, our access to medical care, the quality and composition of the military- all of these are the direct result of US public policy. Furthermore, public policy often touches on highly contested issues such as private gun…

84-341 Transnational Criminal Networks & International Security

COURSE CANCELLED Since the end of the Cold War, threats to national and international security have become more varied and diffused.  Some of these threats are subtle and insidious rather than overtly military in character. This course will explore the rise of…

84-349 Digital Diplomacy: Cybersecurity Challenges and Global Governance

In an increasingly interconnected world, the realms of cybersecurity and diplomacy are inextricably linked. This course provides a comprehensive examination of how cyber threats and digital technologies impact international relations and global security. Students will…

84-350 A Strategist's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

How do AI technologies influence politics, governance, and conflict? This course provides an overview of AI technologies, beginning with unpacking the term 'artificial intelligence' itself. Students will examine AI applications and their implications in political and…

84-352 Representation and Voting Rights

What does it mean to be represented? Who is represented, who is not? What is the nature of that representation? In practice, does representation result in policy congruence? In this course, we will explore the concept of representation, what it means in theory,…

84-355 Democracy’s Data: Analytics and Insights into American Elections

In the aftermath of the 2024 US presidential election, understanding the intricacies of electoral processes has become paramount. This course offers a unique blend of political science and data analytics, specifically focusing on the American electoral system. It places a…

84-360 CMU/WSP Internship Seminar

The internship is the experiential "core" of the Washington Semester Program. Students intern three days per week, for approximately 24-25 hours, in offices from Capitol Hill to the White House and including opportunities in cabinet agencies, nonprofit institutions,…

84-362 Diplomacy and Statecraft

Diplomacy and statecraft are the driving forces behind foreign policy and international politics. In the first part of the course, students are introduced to the concepts, theories, and history of diplomacy. Students survey examine key cases and statesmen and women in…

84-363 Click. Hack. Rule: Understanding the Power & Peril of Cyber Conflict

This course explores the multifaceted landscape of cyber conflict across three distinct layers of the Internet: the cyber-physical layer, the software layer, and the application layer. The course will investigate the strategic use of these Internet layers by governments,…

84-365 The Politics of Fake News and Misinformation

This course analyzes the drivers and dynamics of fake news and misinformation in social and political life. From conspiracy theories about COVID and climate change to misinformation about political violence and conflict, how can we characterize fake news and misinformation…

84-367 The Politics of Antisemitism

The course examines the phenomenon of antisemitism in contemporary international politics. Antisemitism is an old form of prejudice, but concerns about its growth and consequences are very present in the news today. Meanwhile, the term has also become something of a…

84-369 Decision Science for International Relations

Decision science studies how people make decisions, in order to learn from their wisdom and help them to do better.  The course focuses decision science on high-stakes decisions in health, safety, environment, technology, and national security. It recognizes that…

84-370 Nuclear Security and Arms Control

This course introduces students to the importance and challenges of implementing safeguards surrounding nuclear energy and arms control. Students will learn the history of nuclear and conventional weapons proliferation, assess the effectiveness of current treaties export…

84-371 International Governance of Artificial Intelligence

How do global institutions seek to govern AI? This course examines AI policy from an international perspective, beginning with a concise technical overview of AI that clarifies its functions. It then outlines the existing and future regulatory challenges that governments…

84-372 Space and National Security

Space systems contribute a great deal to America's security, prosperity, and quality of life. This course examines how space-based services provide critical support to military and intelligence operations and contribute to national security more broadly. The course is…

84-373 International Law

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of international law. Although its efficacy is often debated, states regard international law as essential for regulating their international affairs. International law is largely built on consensus, without a global…

84-375 Geopolitics of Innovation

If technology is applied knowledge, knowledge is power. This course explores how national power is derived from scientific and technological advancements, impacting the global geopolitical landscape. Students will be introduced to topics such as innovation theory, along…

84-380 US Grand Strategy

This class examines different philosophies of US strategy toward other countries and how US strategies impact people in other times and places. By doing so, students are both exposed to different ideas about US foreign policy than they may have otherwise, along with how…

84-383 National Cyber Policy & Strategy

The decisions nations make in cyberspace have profound implications for both prosperity and sovereignty. The internet is a digital thread tying together peoples. The nature of our participation in this ecosystem is determined by policy makers. Cyber policy mirrors the…

84-387 Remote Systems and the Cyber Domain in Conflict

For most of human history, warfare took place face-to-face or in close proximity using weapons like rocks, swords, spears, bow and arrows, and firearms. However, the development of technologies like missiles, drones, and the internet have changed the character of warfare…

84-388 Concepts of War and Cyber War

This course examines traditional theories, concepts, and practices in international relations and warfare- conventional, unconventional, and modern- and relates them to the emerging dynamics of cyber war. The principle concepts examined in this course reflect, have shaped,…

84-389 Terrorism and Insurgency

This course provides an introduction to terrorism, insurgency, and civil war, covering the causes, dynamics, consequences, and policy responses to these forms of political violence. Insurgent and terrorist groups are some of the most important actors behind security…

84-390 Social Media, Technology, and Conflict

This course will examine the role that social media and technology have had on conflict at multiple levels, both between and within nations. Interconnectedness has expanded dramatically and continues to expand, allowing the formerly disconnected—individuals with…

84-393 The US Congress: Legislative Progress or Paralysis?

Seemingly everyone across the political spectrum agrees that Congress is broken: paralyzed by conflict between and within the parties, out of touch with the needs and concerns of the American people, and incapable of acting swiftly or competently to address the…

84-405 The Future of Warfare

Warfare is constantly evolving. Throughout history, technological developments have hastened the evolution in the character, nature, and types of wars being fought. In the contemporary conflict environment, the prospect of large-scale conflict between near-peer states is…

84-450 Policy Seminar

The Policy Seminar course takes a critical look at decision making in domestic politics and US foreign policy. It does so through weekly roundtable discussions with a diverse set of thought leaders. Based on intellectually significant essays that students are expected to…

84-460 Mapping Your Future: Senior Professional Development Seminar

This seniors-only seminar will help prepare students for future careers in international relations, government, politics, and policy. It will build on some of the skills developed in Tomorrow's Professionals, though this course is not required. Students will learn how to…
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