Courses

Prerequisites: this course uses elementary concepts from calculus, and students should therefore have some basic background in differentiation and integration. Assignments to discussion sections are made after the first lecture. Basic introduction to the study of mechanics, fluids, and thermodynamics. The accompanying laboratory is PHYS S1291D. NOTE: There are two recitation sessions that meet for one hour each week. The recitation times will be selected at the first class meeting.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1201 or the equivalent. This course uses elementary concepts from calculus, and students should therefore have some basic background in differentiation and integration. The same course as PHYS S1202X, but given in a six-week session. Assignments to discussion sections are made after the first lecture. Basic introduction to the study of electricity, magnetism, optics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics. The accompanying laboratory is PHYS S1292Q. NOTE: There are two recitation sessions that meet for one hour each week. The recitation times will be selected at the first class meeting.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1201 or the equivalent. This course uses elementary concepts from calculus, and students should therefore have some basic background in differentiation and integration. The same course as PHYS S1202X, but given in a six-week session. Assignments to discussion sections are made after the first lecture. Basic introduction to the study of electricity, magnetism, optics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics. The accompanying laboratory is PHYS S1292Q. NOTE: There are two recitation sessions that meet for one hour each week. The recitation times will be selected at the first class meeting.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1201. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS S1201D. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture, offered Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs 10.30AM-1.30PM.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1202. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS 1202X. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture. NOTE: Labs meet one day a week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs) 1:00pm - 4:00pm only. There are no evening lab sections.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1202. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS 1202X. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture. NOTE: Labs meet one day a week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs) 1:00pm - 4:00pm only. There are no evening lab sections.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1202. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS 1202X. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture. NOTE: Labs meet one day a week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs) 1:00pm - 4:00pm only. There are no evening lab sections.

This course introduces students to international relations through the lens of world order— how it emerged, how it operates, and why it is now under strain. Students examine how power, institutions, law, domestic politics, and leadership shape cooperation and conflict among states. Rather than treating international relations as abstract theory, the course emphasizes concrete puzzles: why wars occur despite their costs, why democracies rarely fight one another, and why rules sometimes constrain powerful states and sometimes fail, and international law is often weaker than many might expect. The course also explores competing visions of world order, including American, European, Chinese, Islamic, African, and Non-Aligned perspectives, especially in the context of deglobalization. In the final weeks, students apply these ideas to the U.S.–China rivalry and to existential challenges such as nuclear war and environmental stress. The course is designed for students from all majors and emphasizes analytical reading, clear argumentation, and informed discussion of contemporary global politics. 

This course introduces students to international relations through the lens of world order— how it emerged, how it operates, and why it is now under strain. Students examine how power, institutions, law, domestic politics, and leadership shape cooperation and conflict among states. Rather than treating international relations as abstract theory, the course emphasizes concrete puzzles: why wars occur despite their costs, why democracies rarely fight one another, and why rules sometimes constrain powerful states and sometimes fail, and international law is often weaker than many might expect. The course also explores competing visions of world order, including American, European, Chinese, Islamic, African, and Non-Aligned perspectives, especially in the context of deglobalization. In the final weeks, students apply these ideas to the U.S.–China rivalry and to existential challenges such as nuclear war and environmental stress. The course is designed for students from all majors and emphasizes analytical reading, clear argumentation, and informed discussion of contemporary global politics. 

Political theory examines the ideas and institutions that shape political life.  This course introduces key texts and arguments about the best way to organize political power, how it should be used, and for what purpose.

We will address these larger questions by studying how major thinkers, ancient and modern, analyzed political diversity, division, and conflict.  What are the sources of conflicting identities, interests, passions, and values in politics?  How can partisanship and contestation avoid degenerating into open war and unjust domination?  Which institutions, laws, and practices are best able to manage conflict consistent with other political goals, such as freedom, equality, justice?  

Course goals: Demonstrate broad knowledge of key texts, thinkers, concepts, and debates in the history of political thought; compare, contrast, and classify definitions of diversity and their political significance; interpret texts and reconstruct their core arguments and concepts; evaluate arguments, concepts, and theories in terms of consistency, plausibility, and desirability; develop persuasive interpretations and arguments through textual analysis; present and defend ideas and arguments clearly in writing and discussion.

In this course, students will gain familiarity with some of the major questions and theoretical frameworks in the American Politics subfield of political science and learn how to think theoretically and empirically about politics.