HONORS SEMINAR ON STATE-BUILDING
In-depth exploration of the origins, functions, and societal impacts of states from a global and historical perspective. Engage critically with theories of state formation, state capacity, and governance, analyzing how states are created, sustained, and challenged across various contexts. Special attention will be given to the role of states in shaping and responding to war, environmental challenges, and social dynamics. Draws on interdisciplinary sources from political science, history, economics, and anthropology. Develop and defend nuanced arguments on the state's role as an agent of both stability and change.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Satisfied Quantitative Reasoning (QR) A Requirement, junior standing, and declared in an Honors program Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Honors - Honors Only Courses (H) Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2025 Learning Outcomes: 1. Evaluate and critique major theories of state formation, state capacity, and governance, identifying their strengths, limitations, and applicability across different historical and cultural contexts. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Integrate perspectives from political science, history, economics, and anthropology to understand the multifaceted role of the state in societal development and change. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Conduct comparative analyses of state structures, capacities, and policies, drawing on diverse case studies to identify patterns, variations, and underlying factors in state development and function. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Synthesize course concepts and empirical evidence to construct and defend original, evidence-based arguments on the state’s role in society, demonstrating advanced critical thinking and academic writing skills. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Evaluate and critique major theories of state formation, state capacity, and governance, identifying their strengths, limitations, and applicability across different historical and cultural contexts. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Integrate perspectives from political science, history, economics, and anthropology to understand the multifaceted role of the state in societal development and change. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Conduct comparative analyses of state structures, capacities, and policies, drawing on diverse case studies to identify patterns, variations, and underlying factors in state development and function. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Synthesize course concepts and empirical evidence to construct and defend original, evidence-based arguments on the state’s role in society, demonstrating advanced critical thinking and academic writing skills. Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027