Politics

Undergraduates study is focused in four areas: American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. There also is a strong concentration of courses in the area of quantitative analysis, political economy, and strategy in politics.

Course Selection. By the end of the senior year, all students in the department must complete, in addition to the prerequisites(link is external), eight departmental courses, of which two may be cognates.

Concentrators indicate a prospective primary field when they sign into the department in the spring of their sophomore year, and designate a primary field by the end of the first term of their junior year. Concentrators take courses in at least three of the fields listed below, designating one as their primary field of study, another as their secondary field, and an additional field. Students take a minimum of three courses in their primary field, two courses in their secondary field, and one course in a third field. One of three courses in the primary field normally is a 200-level course. Prerequisites may be used to satisfy field requirements. A course taken to satisfy the analytical requirement cannot be used to satisfy the field requirement. The department's website(link is external) lists additional courses that will fulfill field requirements in a given year, including one-time-only courses. It also lists topics courses offered by other departments that have POL cross-listings and that therefore can be counted as departmental courses.

I. Political Theory: 210, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 313, 315, 316, 321, 403, 410, 411, 412, 413, 416

II. American politics: 220, 314, 315, 316, 318, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 330, 333, 349, 392, 420, 421, 422, 423

III. Comparative politics: 230, 349, 351, 352, 355, 356, 360, 362, 364, 366, 367, 374, 375, 378, 384, 386, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434

IV. International relations: 240, 313, 380, 381, 383, 385, 386, 388, 389, 392, 393, 396, 397,440, 441, 442, 443, 444

V. Methods in political science (cannot be the primary field): 250, 345, 346, 347, 350, 450, 451, 452, 453

Analytic Requirement. The department maintains a list of politics courses that have an emphasis on political analysis. Concentrators are required to take a politics course in systematic analysis, normally no later than the first term of their junior year. Courses in systematic analysis have an emphasis on how political scientists develop and test hypotheses and how various types of analytic investigation further the understanding of political ideals and processes. The course used to fulfill the analytic requirement(link is external) cannot be used to fulfill primary-, secondary-, or third-field requirements. The analytic requirement may be satisfied by POL 341, POL 345/SOC 305, POL 346, or POL 347. We will also accept ECO 202, ECO 302, ECO 312, ORF 245, SOC 404, WWS 200, or WWS 332. Effective with the Class of 2018, ANT 300A, ANT 301A, and PHI 201 will also satisfy the analytic requirement. [NOTE: POL 350 will no longer be offered as of Fall 2016, but students who have already taken it will have met the analytical requirement.]

Cognates. The department maintains a list of all cognates approved by the departmental representatives for each student. Cognates(link is external) must be approved before or during the semester in which they are taken, and no later than the last Friday of classes. Courses taken in the Freshman or Sophomore year cannot be designated as cognates. Cognate courses should not be at the introductory level. Cognates cannot be used to satisfy field distribution requirements. To seek approval for a cognate, students must complete the Politics Cognate Approval Application and send it along with a current syllabus to the director of undergraduate studies or the relevant politics academic advisor for their review. Once a cognate has been approved, it may not be rescinded. Approved cognates will be used in the departmental honors calculation.

Graduate Courses. Well-prepared undergraduates may take graduate seminars for full University and departmental credit. To enroll in a graduate seminar, the student must have the signature approval of the instructor in charge of the seminar, the director of undergraduate studies, and the student's residential dean. The graduate course approval form(link is external) can be picked up from and returned to the student's residential college office.

Independent Work

Junior Year. Students are required to complete two semesters of junior independent work. Effective with the Class of 2018, fall junior research workshops(link is external) will meet every week of teaching period alternating between small group meetings and plenary lectures. The plenary component provides common instruction in research procedures and techniques. In their fall workshops, juniors will complete a series of assignments building up to a research prospectus. In the spring semester, juniors will complete a Junior Paper under the supervision of an independent work advisor.

Senior Year. During the senior year, each student writes a thesis. The senior thesis(link is external) normally is written on a topic within a student's primary field.

The department encourages students to use the summer between junior and senior year for work on the senior thesis.

Senior Departmental Examination

For the Class of 2017, the senior comprehensive examination(link is external) tests knowledge in a concentrator's primary field. The senior comprehensive normally involves a one-day, take-home, closed-book examination. Effective with the Class of 2018, seniors will be required to prepare and present a professional poster describing their Senior Thesis results in lieu of taking the senior comprehensive exam.

Study Abroad

The department encourages students to consider studying abroad(link is external) for one term or even for a full year in conjunction with departmental concentration in politics. If, under a program approved in advance by the dean of the college, a concentrator in politics studies abroad for the equivalent of an academic year at Princeton, the department is willing to credit as departmentals as many as four courses in political science or related fields when they are taken at a foreign university. Normally, the department is willing to substitute no more than one cognate and one departmental or two cognates for concentrators studying abroad for one term.

Program in Political Economy. The Department of Politics offers the Program in Political Economy(link is external) for students who wish to further their understanding of social phenomena and individual behavior by combining and comparing the perspectives of its two constituent disciplines.

Requirements. To participate in this program, students must complete two politics courses, ECO 100 and 101, and MAT 103 before the end of their sophomore year. All five of these courses should be taken on a graded basis (e.g., not pass/D/fail). Students may substitute a higher-level math course that subsumes MAT 103, such as MAT 104, MAT 175, or MAT 215. NOTE: Students can apply for these prerequisites to be waived by committing to complete MAT 175, ECO 300/310, and ECO 301/311 before the end of the junior year. This will be considered by the political economy adviser on a case-by-case basis.

It is important for each student to select a combination of economics and politics courses that form a coherent and meaningful program. Before signing up for the first term of the junior year, the student should work out a tentative course outline for the next two years; this outline must be approved and signed by the political economy adviser.

A student in the political economy program is required to take at least seven upper-level courses in the politics department, at least five of which must be numbered 300 and above; two upper-level courses in the economics department; and one course in quantitative methods in either economics or politics. These courses will be counted as departmentals. This 10-course combination fulfills the requirements both for the political economy program and for the major and is used in calculating department honors.

All students must pass the following courses:
(1) One of the following Political Economy courses: Political Economy (POL 349) or Comparative Political Economy (POL 352);
(2) Mathematical Models in the Study of Politics (POL 347);
(3) One of the following Quantitative Methods courses: POL 345/SOC 305, POL 346, ECO 202, ECO 302, or 312;
(4) One of the following Intermediate Microeconomics courses: ECO 300, ECO 310, or WWS 300;
(5) One of the following upper level Economics courses: Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECO 301 or ECO 311), International Trade (WWS 301/ECO 352), International Development (WWS 302/ECO 359), Public Economics (WWS 307/ECO 349). Except for extraordinary circumstances (approved by the PE representative) students must complete both the Intermediate Microeconomics course requirement and the Political Economy course requirement by the end of the junior year.

Students in the Political Economy Program must also fulfill the distribution requirement of the Department, however, the quantitative methods course will satisfy the Politics Department's analytical requirement, while POL 347 can serve as a course in a third field.

While a student in the Program must write a thesis on a topic related to the student's primary field, the thesis must also incorporate significant Political Economy content. On or before the thesis draft deadline, the Political Economy content of the thesis must be certified by the Political Economy Advisor. The student should meet with the Political Economy Advisor well in advance of this deadline to discuss the Political Economy content of the thesis.

Concentrators who successfully complete the program's requirements will receive a departmental certificate.

Student Departmental Committee. All students in the department have an opportunity to elect five seniors and four juniors to serve as members of the Undergraduate Student Departmental Committee. This committee discusses and makes recommendations on matters affecting the undergraduate program in the department. The committee normally meets with the faculty Committee on the Undergraduate Program, and its members represent all undergraduate students in departmental meetings.

Courses

• POL 210 Political Theory Fall EMAn introduction to political theory that explores the relevance of theory to a critical understanding of political and social problems. The course will examine the major classical and contemporary expressions of liberal, conservative, and socialist theory and relate them to the problems of order, freedom, equality, and justice. Two lectures, one preceptorial. M. Lane
• POL 220 American Politics (also WWS 310 ) Fall SAAn introduction to the national institutions and political processes of American government. Topics include the Constitution, the American political tradition, public opinion, interest groups, political institutions, civil rights, civil liberties, and public policy. Two lectures, one preceptorial. N. McCarty, S. StaszakPOL 230 Introduction to Comparative Politics (also WWS 325 ) Spring SAThis course will focus on the process of democratic transition and consolidation in a comparative and historical manner. In particular, we will analyze the democratic revolution that has swept the globe during the last 30 years by examining the communist and authoritarian backgrounds of newly democratized countries, the factors influencing the emergence of democracy, the problems associated with building stable democratic systems, and finally, the prospects for a regime shift in parts of the world still under autocratic rule. Two lectures, one preceptorial. A. Holland
• POL 240 International Relations (also WWS 312 ) Spring SAA comprehensive introduction to the major issues of contemporary international relations. The course presents competing theoretical perspectives and reviews the historical record to explore such puzzles as the causes of war, explanations of cooperation, the behavior of states, and the proper ethical standards for judging international relations. Two lectures, one preceptorial. A. Moravcsik
• POL 250 Introduction to Game Theory Not offered this year SAThis course serves as an introduction to strategic issues in politics as well as non-cooperative game theory. The course develops the basic concepts and equilibrium concepts of normal and extensive form games with both complete and incomplete information. We will look at collective action problems, bargaining, voting, legislative politics, deliberation, deterrence and campaigns. Evaluation is through problem sets, exams and a short paper in which students develop their own model and analysis. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 268 Political and Economic Development of the Middle East (See NES 265)
• POL 301 Ancient and Medieval Political Theory (also CLA 301 /HLS 303 ) Not offered this year EMThis course focuses on classical political theory in ancient Greece and its appropriation and development in the Roman, medieval, and Renaissance periods. It examines Greek democracy, drawing on tragedy, rhetoric ,and history; the ethics and politics of Plato and Aristotle; and the Roman republican thought of Cicero and Livy. It considers the influence of Plato on Augustine and More, Aristotle on Aquinas and Marsilius, and Cicero and Livy on Machiavelli. Topics include nature and convention; democracy, oligarchy and tyranny; church and state; consent and representation; and virtue, property, and law. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 302 Continental Political Thought from Rousseau to Nietzsche Not offered this year EMAn examination of the development of political thought in Europe from the second half of the 18th century to the end of the 19th. The course will focus on Kantian, Hegelian, and Marxist developments in this tradition. Emphasis on the important role played by different conceptions of freedom, human nature, and history in the political thought of the period, with particular attention to issues concerning autonomy and authority, the nature of the state, and the limits to state power. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 303 Modern Political Theory Spring EMA study of the writings of some major political theorists from the 17th through the 19th centuries, including Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, and J. S. Mill. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 304 Conservative Political Thought Not offered this year EMA historical and analytic examination of conservative political theories. Topics include the classical and medieval roots of modern conservatism, the development of conservatism in Europe and America, fascism and the radical right, and the tensions between libertarianism and traditionalism in contemporary conservative thought. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 305 Radical Political Thought Not offered this year EMThis course will examine traditions of political thought--mostly, but not only, on the Left--which challenge mainstream conceptions of liberal democracy and modern capitalist society. The main focus will be on Marxism, anarchism, feminism, religious radicalism, ecological thought, and critiques of alienation in everyday life. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between political and cultural criticism, and to the philosophical anthropologies underlying different theories as well as the mechanisms for social change they envisage. We also ask if liberal democratic thought can effectively respond to radical challenges. Staff
• POL 306 Democratic Theory (also PHI 360 /CHV 306 ) Not offered this year EMA study of the intellectual foundations of the modern democratic state. Topics include the meaning and justification of democracy, the rationality of voting, political representation, property rights, civil disobedience, and education. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 307 The Just Society (also CHV 307 ) Spring EMAn introduction to alternative theories of social justice and examination of the implications of those theories in areas of contemporary social and political controversy. Readings and lectures focus on utilitarian, libertarian, liberal egalitarian, communitarian, and feminist conceptions of what it means to live in a just society. Two lectures, one preceptorial. A. Patten
• POL 308 Ethics and Public Policy (See WWS 370)
• POL 309 Politics and Religion (also REL 309 ) Not offered this year EMClose study of a number of texts that have illuminated the connection between religiosity and politics, and, in particular, the role of religious language and ideas to establish, preserve, reform, and redeem republics. Special attention will be given to the religious dimensions of revolutionary and messianic politics, and to the role that religiosity has played in the development of contemporary social movements and in the moral and political resistance to totalitarian regimes. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 313 Global Justice (also CHV 313 ) Not offered this year EMWhat, if any, norms of justice apply to the institutions and practice of world politics? Topics include "political realism" and skepticism about global morality; just wars and justice in warfare; ethics of humanitarian intervention; the nature and basis of human rights; world poverty and global distributive justice; and democracy and accountability in global institutions. Readings chosen from recent works in political philosophy. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 314 American Constitutional Development Fall SAThe development of American constitutionalism, considered historically as the product of legal, political, and intellectual currents and crises (e.g., the Founding, the Marshall and Taney eras, the slavery crises, the rise of corporate capitalism, the emergence of the modern state, the New Deal crisis, and new forms of rights and liberties). Topics include the growth of Supreme Court power, the court's relation to the states and the other federal branches, and the influence on constitutional understandings of economic developments, reform movements, wars, party competition, and legal and political thought. Two lectures, one preceptorial. K. Whittington
• POL 315 Constitutional Interpretation Fall SAA study of the development of the United States Constitution, chiefly through close analysis of selected judicial decisions. One 90-minute lecture, one two-hour preceptorial. R. George
• POL 316 Civil Liberties Spring EMA study of selected problems concerning civil liberties in contemporary America, with specific focus on privacy and on problems derived from living in a pluralistic society. One 90-minute lecture, one 90-minute class. R. George
• POL 317 Discrimination and the Law Not offered this year EMHow can law change (or reinforce) the ways in which race, gender, and sexual orientation affect status? This course examines the purposes of antidiscrimination law and asks if it is appropriate to extend antidiscrimination protection from race to other categories. Conflicts with tradition, autonomy of community, and liberty are also considered. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 318 Law and Society Spring SAAn exploration of the relationships between law and society, using judicial and other materials from the American legal system. Topics considered include the stages of legal development, law and morality, judicial decision making, formal resolution of disputes, social control through law, the political nature of law, and courts. Two lectures, one preceptorial. S. Staszak
• POL 320 Judicial Politics Spring SAAn introduction to the political science of law and courts. Topics typically include: bargaining and decision making on the U.S. Supreme Court; political struggles over doctrine within the judicial hierarchy; the politics of Supreme Court nominations; juries as political institutions; court packing, jurisdiction stripping, and judicial intimidation; political use of litigation by activists, firms, and interest groups; judicial oversight of the administrative state; judicial activism by state attorneys general; and the social and economic impact of courts. Two lectures, one preceptorial. J. Kastellec
• POL 321 American Political Thought Not offered this year EMThe origin and development of political ideas and institutions. Drawn from primary sources, the readings feature the ideas and deeds of those who from colonial times to the present have shaped the American concept of free government. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 322 Public Opinion Not offered this year SAAn examination of public opinion and mass political behavior, particularly in the American context. Topics include formation of political attitudes and ideology, conflict and consensus on basic issues, political participation and voting, the effects of the media, and the impact of public opinion on governmental policy. Two lectures, one preceptorial or laboratory. Staff
• POL 323 Party Politics Not offered this year SAAn examination of party organization and activities, the forces that shape them, and their consequences. The course is concerned primarily with U.S. party politics in the contemporary period but gives some attention to American political history and foreign party systems. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 324 Congressional Politics Not offered this year SAAn examination of the role of Congress in American politics, with a special focus on the political world of individual legislators. The course explores how legislators run their campaigns, interact with their constituents, operate within Congress, and make public policy. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 325 The Presidency and Executive Power Not offered this year SAA study of the place of the presidency in the American political order that stresses tension between power and accountability inherent in the office and the system. Topics include: separation of powers, presidential selection, impeachment, relations with Congress and bureaucracy, emergency powers, presidential character, and leadership. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 330 Electing the President: Voter Psychology and Candidate Strategy Not offered this year SAAn examination of how U.S. election campaigns are conducted and how they affect political reasoning and voting behavior. Empirical analyses of public opinion data and campaign communication provide the foundation for studying campaigns. The goal of the course is to offer a broad theoretical understanding of the conduct of campaigns and their effects. Recent elections serve to illustrate key insights. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 332 Topics in American Statesmanship Fall EMWhat is statesmanship? Can qualities of statesmanship be critically assessed? If so, by what analytical methods of political science? This course explores statesmanship through a study of the biographies, principles, practices, and leadership styles of men and women who have been widely regarded as having exemplified the craft. Among the goals is to deepen understanding of how the practical necessities of democratic politics have been combined with appeals to democracy's loftiest ideals. D. Forte
• POL 333 Latino Politics in the U.S. (also LAS 333 /LAO 333 /SOC 325 ) Not offered this year SAThe course will explore the personal, political, historical and sacred aspects of Latinas/Latinos in the United States from the perspective of a theory of transformation. The course intends to provide Latinas/Latinos as well as students from all backgrounds the opportunity to see a people in their own midst becoming and being political as they move forward to create a new culture and community in this country. Staff
• POL 338 Race and the American Legal Process: Emancipation to the Voting Rights Act (See AAS 362)
• POL 345 Introduction to Quantitative Social Science (also SOC 305 ) Fall QRWould universal health insurance improve the health of the poor? Do patterns of arrests in US cities show evidence of racial profiling? What accounts for who votes and their choice of candidates? This course will teach students how to address these and other social science questions by analyzing quantitative data. The course introduces basic principles of statistical inference and programming skills for data analysis. The goal is to provide students with the foundation necessary to analyze data in their own research and to become critical consumers of statistical claims made in the news media, in policy reports, and in academic research. K. Imai, M. Frye
• POL 346 Applied Quantitative Analysis Spring QRDevelops the use of statistical techniques appropriate for empirical exploration of political topics. Each statistical topic is motivated by a significant question in political science that can be addressed by an available data set. Computers will be used both as part of the lecture and for completing classwork. Emphasis is on hands-on training that will give students the capacity to use these statistical techniques in other courses and independent work. Prerequisites: 345 or instructor's permission. Two lectures, one preceptorial. O. Wasow
• POL 347 Mathematical Models in the Study of Politics Fall QRAn introduction to the use of mathematical models and, especially, game theory in the study of politics. The basics of game theory are presented through applications to a broad range of political phenomena: voting, legislative politics, political campaigns, comparison of electoral systems, the evolution of cooperation, and international relations. Two lectures, one preceptorial. M. Iaryczower
• POL 349 Political Economy Fall SAThis course provides a rigorous introduction to some of the central ideas in political economy. Game theoretic models of voting are used to illustrate the way that democratic institutions filter interests. Topics may include the measurement of income inequality, the median voter theorem, models of income redistribution, political agency, and the link between institutions and economic performance. Two lectures, one preceptorial. T. Romer
• POL 350 Research Methods in Political Science Not offered this year SAAn introductory undergraduate course in research methods for politics concentrators, designed to help prepare students for junior papers and the senior thesis. The material is chosen to convey an understanding of research design, choice of method, and data analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be taught, but this is not a statistics course. It provides an introduction to a range of research methodologies as they are applied to political science topics. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 351 The Politics of Development (also WWS 311 ) Fall SAA comparative study of politics in selected developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Topics include colonialism, nationalism, class and ethic conflict, political instability, military coups, revolutionary change, and development strategies such as land reforms, green revolution, import substitution, and management of external dependencies. Two lectures, one preceptorial. J. Widner
• POL 352 Comparative Political Economy Spring SAExplores the dynamic relationship in theory between market-formation and reform on the one hand, and economic ideas and cultural values on the other. The course examines classical and contemporary works in comparative political economy. Two lectures, one preceptorial. J. Londregan
• POL 353 The Politics of Modern Islam (See NES 269)
• POL 355 Comparative Politics of Legislatures Not offered this year SAThis course examines the workings of legislatures in a comparative setting.The course will look at the internal workings of legislative institutions, and at the relationship between electoral systems and legislative outcomes. We will consider and compare parliamentary and presidential systems, unicameral and bicameral legislatures. The course will look at the determinants of cabinet duration in parliamentary systems, and the emergence of committee systems. We will also take up the linkage between electoral systems and the structure of political parties, and the reasons for political parties to emerge from within and outside the legislature. Staff
• POL 356 Comparative Ethnic Conflict Spring SAThis course introduces students to the study of ethnic conflict. It will examine different theories of ethnically based identification and mobilization; cover different types of ethnic conflict such as riots, genocide, hate crime and war; and study past and present cases of ethnic conflict around the world. Two lectures, one preceptorial. D. Aksoy
• POL 360 Social Movements and Revolutions Not offered this year SAThis course investigates the politics of protest and revolution, examining the conditions under which protest movements emerge, their choice of protest tactics, the effects of repression and concessions, and the determinants of movement success. The second part of the courses focuses on revolutions, examining the forms that they assume and the conditions under which they develop and prove successful. Examples discussed include the civil rights, women's and environmental movements; the French, Russian, and Iranian revolutions; the collapse of communism; and the "colored" revolutions and other waves of revolution in the contemporary world. Staff
• POL 362 Chinese Politics (also WWS 323 /EAS 362 ) Not offered this year SATraditional politics; the rise of warlords, nationalists, and radicals; causes of the "Liberation," land reform, Hundred Flowers, Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, and Four Modernizations; policies of Mao and Deng for development, health, law, and rights. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 364 Politics of the Middle East (also NES 322 ) Not offered this year SAFocuses on social and economic change in the Middle East as reflected in development strategies, political competition and conflict, and state intervention in economic and social life. The emphasis is on domestic and comparative politics in the Middle East rather than its international relations. Two lectures, one preceptorial. StaffPOL 366 Politics in Africa (also 
• AFS 366
•  ) Fall SAA comparative approach to African political systems. The meanings of the concepts of modernization, national integration, and development are explored. Topics include the inheritances of colonial rule, independence and the new tasks, political patterns in the postindependence period, prospects for political change, and African interstate relations. Two lectures, one preceptorial. J. Widner
• POL 367 Latin American Politics (also LAS 367 ) Fall SAA study of the governments and politics of Latin America. The political systems of the Latin American countries will be examined, as well as the common political problems and processes of the area. Special attention will be given to the role of revolution, military rule, and constitutional democracy in Latin American political development. Two lectures, one preceptorial. M. Saffon Sanin
• POL 374 Russian and Post-Soviet Politics Not offered this year SAThis course surveys the politics of Russia and the post-Soviet states, focusing on the four major political challenges that these states confront: state-building, nation-building, democratization, and economic development. Particular attention is given to the ways in which the Soviet experience continues to shape the politics of the Eurasian region, nation-building and identity politics, modes of authoritarian rule and democratization, the politics of energy, and the role of external actors and Russian policies in affecting the political evolution of the region. Staff
• POL 375 Politics after Communism Not offered this year SAAn examination of the political and economic change in Russia and some of the former Soviet republics from Gorbachev to the present. After briefly reviewing the main institutions of the Soviet system and theories of its collapse, the course examines specific reforms and the social impact of rapid systemic change. Topics include shock therapy (privatization and economic liberalization), nationalism, crime, and legislative reform among others. The course will also compare the process of change in the former Soviet Union with democratic and market transitions in Latin America and elsewhere. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 376 Political Islam (See NES 268)
• POL 378 Politics in India Not offered this year SAAn introduction to politics in the large subcontinental country of India. The course will address themes that are important both to India and to a general study of politics in a developing country. The following questions help organize the course: How does one make sense of democracy in a poor, multiethnic setting? How has democratic politics shaped and been shaped by a society divided along numerous lines, such as caste, class, and linguistic and religious identities? And how well has the democratic state fared in promoting both economic growth and social welfare? Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 380 Human Rights Spring SAA study of the politics and history of human rights. What are human rights? How can dictatorships be resisted from the inside and the outside? Can we prevent genocide? Is it morally acceptable and politically wise to launch humanitarian military interventions to prevent the slaughter of foreign civilians? What are the laws of war, and how can we punish the war criminals who violate them? Cases include the Ottoman Empire, Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, Bosnia, and Rwanda. Two lectures, one preceptorial. G. Bass
• POL 381 Theories of International Relations Not offered this year SAExamination of selected theories and issues of international relations including the following: causes of war, theories of imperialism, the issue of order and change, the relationship of morality and statecraft. Course readings drawn from historical and theoretical materials. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 383 International Cooperation Not offered this year SAExamines theories about how international cooperation can be initiated and maintained. Topics include the achievement of cooperation under conditions of anarchy, regimes and norms, international and multilateral organizations, tacit bargaining, formal and informal agreements, and strategies for punishing noncompliance. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 384 European Politics and Society in the 20th Century (See EPS 300)
• POL 385 International Political Economy Not offered this year SAA study of the relationship between political and economic processes in international affairs. Attention will be given to problems that lie on the boundary between politics and economics. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 386 Violent Politics Not offered this year SAGovernments have tremendous power over our lives and thus the competition over who controls them is always intense and often violent. This course will study various ways in which violence is used to political ends. The larger goal of the course is to understand the sources of violence in political competition and the conditions under which political disputes can be peacefully resolved. Specific forms of violence to be covered include assassination, civil war, ethnic conflict, insurgency, revolution, riots, terrorism, and war. Staff
• POL 388 Causes of War Not offered this year SAWhy do states and peoples go to war? Conversely, how can war be avoided? This course surveys some of the most important explanations--including human nature, the anarchic international system, domestic politics, economics, technology, nationalism, and terrorism--and evaluates them in light of historical wars, and of crises resolved short of war. The course will examine cases ranging from the Peloponnesian War to the ongoing American-led war against terrorism. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 389 International Relations of East Asia (See WWS 317)
• POL 392 American Foreign Policy Not offered this year SAA systematic study of major issues and problems of American foreign policy in the contemporary world. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 393 Grand Strategy (See WWS 315)
• POL 396 International Organization Not offered this year SAThis course examines the role played by international organizations (IOs)--especially inter-state multilateral institutions--in the international system. It focuses on the effectiveness of IOs in managing global issues in a rapidly changing world and addresses questions such as: Why do IOs exist? What do they do? How do we gauge their success? Are they simply irrelevant? The course begins by covering several theoretical approaches to understanding IOs, their functions, and their shortcomings, then moves on to a critical examination of the work of different types of IOs. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 397 National Security Not offered this year SAAn introduction to classic texts (for example, Sun Tzu, Clausewitz) and dominant theoretical approaches in the study of national security. Why states fight and how they fight are examined with an emphasis on how they generate and employ military power in combat. The determinants of battlefield effectiveness, the limits of military power, and the historical evolution of warfare are also considered. Attention is paid to alternative conceptions of security (including human security) and warfare, including civil wars, insurgencies, and genocide. Cases are drawn from diverse Western and non-Western historical eras. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff
• POL 403 Architecture and Democracy (also CHV 403 /ARC 405 /URB 403 ) Not offered this year EMWhat kind of public architecture is appropiate for a democracy? Should public spaces and buildings reflect democratic values - such as transparency and accessibility - or is the crucial requirement for democratic architecture that the process of arriving at decisions about the built environment is as particpatory as possible? The course will introduce students to different theories of democracy, to different approaches to architecture, and to many examples of government architecture from around the world (the U.S., Germany, and China in particular), via images and films. Might include one or two field trips. Staff
• POL 410 Seminar in Political Theory Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in political theory. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 411 Seminar in Political Theory Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in political theory. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 412 Seminar in Political Theory Not offered this year EMInvestigation of a major theme in political theory. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 413 Seminar in Political Theory Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in political theory. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 416 Moral Conflicts in Public and Private Life (also 
• CHV 416
•  ) Not offered this year EMThe distinction between public and private spheres of life is both foundational to modern liberal democratic politics and also fraught with controversy. This course examines such conflicts in the context of political theory, ethics, law, and public policy. Including the tense interface between public values and religious conscience and practice, and the scope of freedom with respect to marriage, family, and sexual relations. How broad are the claims of private liberty and what is the nature and extent of legitimate public authority when it comes to activities claimed to be private? Can paternalist and perfectionist policies ever be justified? Staff
• POL 420 Seminar in American Politics (also GSS 421 ) Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in American politics. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 421 Seminar in American Politics Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in American politics. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 422 Seminar in American Politics (also GSS 422 ) Spring SAInvestigation of a major theme in American politics. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. D. Strolovitch
• POL 423 Seminar in American Politics Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in American politics. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. Staff
• POL 424 Topics in African American Religion (See AAS 368)
• POL 430 Seminar in Comparative Politics Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in comparative politics. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 431 Seminar in Comparative Politics Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in comparative politics. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. Staff
• POL 432 Seminar in Comparative Politics Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in comparative politics. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 433 Seminar in Comparative Politics Spring SAInvestigation of a major theme in comparative politics. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. L. Wantchekon
• POL 434 Seminar in Comparative Politics Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in comparative politics. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 440 Seminar in International Relations Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in international relations. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 441 Seminar in International Relations Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in international relations. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. Staff
• POL 442 Seminar in International Relations Not offered this year SAInvestigation of a major theme in international relations. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 443 Seminar in International Relations Fall SAInvestigation of a major theme in international relations. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. J. Shapiro, K. McKiernan
• POL 444 International Institutions and Law (See WWS 420)
• POL 450 Seminar in Methods in Political Science Not offered this year QRInvestigation of a major theme in methods of political science. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 451 Seminar in Methods in Political Science Not offered this year QRInvestigation of a major theme in methods of political science. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. Staff
• POL 452 Seminar in Methods in Political Science Not offered this yearInvestigation of a major theme in methods of political science. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• POL 453 Seminar in Methods in Political Science Not offered this yearInvestigation of a major theme in methods of political science. Reading and intensive discussion of selected issues in the literature. One three-hour seminar Staff
• POL 463 Public Leadership and Public Policy in the U.S. (See WWS 363)
• POL 465 Early Modern Philosophy (See PHI 332)
• POL 479 Comparative Constitutional Law (See WWS 421)

1. Submit
   • A Completed Application. You must submit your application online through either the Common Application, Coalition Application or the Universal College Application. 
   • Princeton's Supplement. In addition to the application provided by the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application, all applicants must submit the Princeton Supplement. You should submit the Princeton Supplement online through the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application website. 
   • Application Fee or Fee Waiver. You may submit a fee waiver one of two ways: 1) Select the fee waiver option on the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application. Your college or guidance counselor must approve your fee waiver request online or submit your fee waiver form by mail or fax. 2) Select one of the following fee waiver options on the Princeton Supplement: Princeton-specific, ACT, College Board, NACAC or Realize Your College Potential. All low-income students are eligible for the Princeton-specific fee waiver. Students named QuestBridge Finalists should select the QuestBridge fee waiver. If you use the Princeton-specific fee waiver, you do not need to get approval from your college counselor. Learn more about fee waivers on the How to Apply page.
2. Request
   • Transcript. An official transcript must be sent by a guidance counselor or school official.
   • School Report (SR). The SR form is available from the Common Application and Universal College Application websites. Please ask your guidance counselor or other school official to complete and submit the SR form. If you are using the Coalition Application, the SR and counselor recommendation are uploaded as one item.
   • Counselor Recommendation. If you are using the Common Application online, please note that the SR and the Counselor Recommendation are separate items. Be sure to 'invite' your guidance counselor or academic adviser to complete both items. If you are using the Coalition Application, please invite your counselor to upload the counselor recommendation and school report.
   • Two (2) Teacher Recommendations. Please ask two of your teachers from different academic areas of study to complete and send the teacher recommendation forms, available on the Common Application, Coalition Application and Universal College Application websites. Choose teachers who have taught you in higher-level courses.
   • Mid-year School Report. Please ask your guidance counselor or other school official to complete and submit this form when your mid-year grades are available. The form may be found on the Common Application, Coalition Application and Universal Application websites.
3. Report
   • SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. Early action applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing test before the Nov. 1 deadline. Regular decision applicants should take the SAT with Essay test by the January test date or take the ACT with Writing by the December date. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the following codes to ensure your scores are sent to Princeton: SAT: 2672 and ACT: 2588. Learn more about standardized testing for admission.
   • SAT Subject Tests. We recommend, but do not require, the submission of two SAT Subject Tests, which often assist us in the evaluation process. We have no preference for the specific SAT Subject Tests applicants might choose to take. However, if you apply for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, we recommend that you take mathematics Level I or II, and either physics or chemistry. If you decide to submit Subject Tests, early action applicants should take them by the November test date, and regular decision applicants should take them by the January test date. Learn more about standardized testing for admission.
   • TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores. If English is not your native language and you are attending a school where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic) or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), in addition to the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. You are not required to take the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic if English is your native language or if you have spent at least three years at a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction. Please have your scores sent directly to Princeton: TOEFL: 2672

Optional Application Components

• Arts Form, if applicable. If you've excelled in architecture, creative writing, dance, music, theater or visual arts, and would like us to consider your talent, consult Princeton's online Optional Arts Form. Early action applicants must submit digital arts materials by Nov. 7; regular decision applicants must submit digital arts materials by Jan. 6. You can only submit your online Optional Arts Form after we have received the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application. If you are unable to submit online, please use the paper Optional Arts Form. For a list of acceptable file formats and submission types, review our Optional Arts Form page. For more information on the optional arts supplement, please visit our FAQs page.
• Interview. Depending on availability, once you have applied, you may be invited to interview with a member of one of our Princeton Alumni Schools Committees. If so, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Interviews take place after the Admission Office has received your application. Many Princeton Alumni Schools Committees have enough volunteers to offer every applicant an interview. As the interview is not a required element of the application, you will not be at a disadvantage if an interview is not available in your area. We do not offer on-campus interviews. Please visit our FAQs page for more information.

The full need of all admitted international students is met the same as it is for students from the United States. Your family’s ability to pay for your university education is not a factor in our admission decision. Students who qualify for financial aid will receive a grant, rather than a loan that has to be repaid, and a term-time job (8-9 hours per week) to meet their need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Our financial aid program is entirely based on need. Princeton does not offer academic or athletic merit scholarships. Financial aid awards cover the difference between Princeton’s costs and the amount your parents are expected to contribute to your education. The parental contribution is based on our evaluation of your financial aid application.