Every Barnard Political Science major must take three colloquia. The third colloquium integrates the senior capstone requirement.
The colloquium format involves weekly discussion of readings, and development of research skills through completion of a 25- to 30-page research paper, constituting the major piece of written work for the course. See the course catalogue for a detailed description of the colloquium requirement. A colloquium, as with any course used for the major or minor requirement, cannot be taken Pass/D/Fail.
Prerequisite: Please make certain that, before enrolling, you will have successfully completed one lecture course in the relevant subfield or have received special permission from the instructor for that requirement to be waived. Colloquia are not suitable for first-year students. Sophomores will be admitted as room permits. When making your third colloquium selection, please keep in mind that it is to your benefit to choose one in the field of your anticipated senior essay topic.
Columbia seminars do not fulfill the colloquium requirement for political science (they do provide elective credit).
Each political science colloquium is limited to students who are assigned by the department, not by individual instructors. Preference is given in the following order: senior Barnard majors; junior Barnard majors; sophomore Barnard students who have declared the major and will be studying abroad during junior year; senior and junior majors from other undergraduate divisions of the University; non-majors from all undergraduate divisions of the university.
Please apply here. If you run into any problems filling out the form, please email PolSci@barnard.edu.
Essay Prize: Every semester colloquium instructors each can nominate one essay written by a Barnard Political Science major in her or his colloquium for the Political Science Quarterly Prize.
Application Deadlines
For the fall colloquia, Barnard Political Science majors must submit their applications by 5:00 p.m. on April 1.
For the spring colloquia, Barnard Political Science majors must submit their applications by 5:00 p.m. on October 31 - Halloween! If October 31 falls on a weekend, the applications will be due the following Monday at 5pm. Students will receive an email notifying them of their placement.
(Sophomores, please note: The Dean of Studies' due date for you to declare your major is March 1.)
Please note that students are assigned to a colloquium by the Department and not by individual instructors. Be sure to attend the first class session in order to secure your place in the course.
Spring 2019 Colloquium Schedule (applications due October 31, 2018)
NOTE: Unless otherwise mentioned, the only prerequisite for each colloquium is the intro course or approved substitution for that subfield.
Political Theory
POLS-BC3329 Harlem in Theory (Michelle Smith) W 4:10-6 PM
Note: Political Theory (POLS UN1101) or an equivalent 3000-level lecture class is a prerequisite for this course.
Harlem in Theory is an advanced political theory colloquium. Its focus is both thematic and methodological. Joining a two-thousand year tradition of doing philosophy in and for the city, we theorize Harlem as urbs and civitas (place and socio-political association) and bring Harlem to bear on philosophy. We explore the political theorist's craft by engaging different theoretical approaches and methodologies used by political, social and critical theorists. Our readings include political philosophy, critical frameworks for interpretation and historical, social scientific and literary works about Harlem - supplemented by film, music and of course periodic trips to various Harlem venues.
POLS-BC3435 Law and Violence (Ayten Gundogdu) T 2:10-4 PM
Note: Political Theory (POLS UN1101)or an equivalent 3000-level lecture class is a prerequisite for this course.
This colloquium examines how the law can participate in the justification of various forms of violence, exclusion, and inequality. It focuses on the power of law to determine which subjects get recognized as persons entitled to rights. Possible topics include slavery, migration, gender, sexual orientation, homelessness, and nonhuman animals.
American Politics
POLS-BC3445 Gender & Public Policy (Katherine Krimmel) W 2:10-4 PM
Note: Introduction to American Government and Politics (POLS UN1201) or an equivalent 3000-level lecture class is a prerequisite for this course.
In this course, we will examine how notions of sex and gender have shaped public policies, and how public policies have affected the social, economic, and political citizenship of men and women in the United States over time.
POLS-BC3325 The Politics of Bad Behavior (Michael Miller) Th 12:10-2 PM
Note: Introduction to American Government and Politics (POLS UN1201) or an equivalent 3000-level lecture class is a prerequisite for this course.
This course explores the politics of what happens when people, institutions, or states deviate from expected behavior. The course will span all subfields of political science, engaging issues such as lies, scandal, money laundering, corruption, campaign finance, election fraud, racism, and incarceration.
Comparative Politics
POLS-BC3540 Constructing, Nations, States and Democracy (Sheri Berman) M 2:10-4 PM
Note: Introduction to Comparative Politics (POLS UN1501) or an equivalent 3000-level lecture class is a prerequisite for this course.
The course will examine the development of, and relationship among, the three constituent features of the modern political world: states, nations and democracy. It begins by investigating state building in Europe and then moves on to state building in other parts of the world. It then analyzes how and why nations began to supplant other forms of identity first in Europe and then in other parts of the world. And finally, the course considers how various factors influence the success or failure of democracy in the world today.
International Politics
POLS-BC3411 Building Peace (Severine Autesserre) T 12:10-2 PM
Note: Introduction to International Politics (POLS UN1601) or an equivalent 3000-level lecture class is a prerequisite for this course.
How can we build peace in the aftermath of extensive violence? How can international actors help in this process? This colloquium focuses on international peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding efforts in recent conflicts. It covers general concepts, theories, and debates, as well as specific cases of peacebuilding successes and failures. Cross-listed with Human Rights.
Colloquium Application Process
Please note that we ask you to submit three colloquium choices. To the degree possible, the Department will try to honor one of your first two choices. If you list fewer than three choices, you will be assigned to a colloquium at random.
The number of semesters you have left at Barnard plays a role in the selection process. Therefore, if you are planning to study abroad or to participate in S.I.P.A.'s Joint Degree Program, be sure to indicate this.
You can now apply for Spring 2019 Colloquia via this form.
Updated on November 5, 2015 by Irene Robertson