This course will expose students to tools and methods of analysis for use in assessing the challenges and dangers associated with nuclear weapons in international politics. The first two weeks of the course will look at the technology and design of nuclear weapons and their means of production. The next five weeks will look at the role they played in the Cold War, the organizations that managed them, the technologies that were developed to deliver them, and the methods used to analyze nuclear force structures and model nuclear exchanges. The last six weeks of the course will look at theories and cases of nuclear decision making beyond the original five weapon states, and will look particularly at why states pursue or forego nuclear weapons, the role that individuals and institutions play, and the potential for both new sources of proliferation and new consequences.

The Key Terms resource is provided in .docx format. It includes terms extracted directly from the textbook and organized by chapter. Each key term is bolded and followed by its definition in context.

This course in organizational economics prepares doctoral students for further study in the field. The course introduces the classic papers and some recent research. The material is organized into the following modules: boundaries of the firm, employment in organizations, decision-making in organizations, and structures and processes in organizations. Each class session covers a few leading papers.
This course was joint-taught between faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. The Harvard course is Economics 2670 Organizational Economics.

Organizational Processes enhances students’ ability to take effective action in complex organizational settings by providing the analytic tools needed to analyze, manage, and lead the organizations of the future. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the organizational context in influencing which individual styles and skills are effective. The subject centers on three complementary perspectives, or “lenses”, on an organization: political, cultural, and strategic design. Students enrolled in this class are also jointly enrolled in 15.328, Team Project, in order to complete a field study of an organizational change initiative. Organizational Processes also operates in conjunction with 15.280, Communication for Managers, by sharing certain assignments and holding some joint classes.

This is a module framework. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a zip file.

As taught Autumn Semester 2010/2011.

The module identifies and evaluates the role that Parliament plays in the political system. The module is both descriptive and analytical, comprising an introduction to Parliament (such as its place in the political process, and the impact of party) and an investigation into the effectiveness or otherwise of its scrutiny and influence of selected sectors of government responsibility. It covers the process of legislation, scrutiny, and links with the public. The module also includes consideration of the role of the House of Lords.

Module Code: M13043

Suitable for study at: Undergraduate level 3

Credits:20

Professor Philip Cowley

Professor Cowley's research interests are primarily in British politics, especially political parties, voting and Parliament. He has three future projects, one major, two more minor. The first is to write the next volume in the British General Election of xxxx series, with Dennis Kavanagh, taking over from David Butler, after his 50+ years involved in the project. As two side-lines, he is also interested in issues to do with political engagement, and especially the disconnection between politicians and public (although, unlike many who write on this subject, he doesn't assume that this is always the fault of the politicians), as well as ideas for parliamentary reform imported from outside the UK.

This is a graduate seminar for students who already have some familiarity with issues in political economy and/or European politics. The objective is to examine the ways in which changes in the international economy and the regimes that regulate it interact with domestic politics, policy-making, and the institutional structures of the political economy in industrialized democracies.

This is a module framework. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a zip file.

As taught Autumn Semester 2010/2011.

This module will introduce students to key debates in the study of political behaviour. The module will focus specifically on the core ‘pillars’ of political behaviour (elections, voting, political participation and, to a lesser extent, public opinion). Through the module students will explore theories and methodologies used by political scientists to study these key aspects of political behaviour. Voters, political parties, party members and activists, and forms of political participation more generally will be addressed.

The module will build on the knowledge students might have gained during their undergraduate degrees while introducing them to new debates and literatures. Students will be introduced to, and encouraged to critically assess, major approaches to studying these political phenomena and will gain a firm understanding of the interplay between theory and empirical research.

Module Code: M13128

Suitable for study at: Undergraduate level 3

Credits:20

Dr Matthew Goodwin, School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Matthew Goodwin obtained his BA (First Class Hons) in Politics and Contemporary History at the University of Salford and MA in Political Science at the University of Western Ontario. He completed his PhD at the Department of European Studies and Modern Languages at the University of Bath, under the supervision of Professor Roger Eatwell and Professor Anna Cento Bull. Before being appointed Lecturer at the University of Nottingham, Dr Goodwin was Temporary Lecturer at the University of Bath, Research Associate at the University of Manchester and an ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Manchester).

At broad level Dr Goddwin's research clusters around electoral behaviour and, to a lesser extent, public policy. His research interests are mainly in extremist political parties and the roots of their support, especially extreme right-wing parties. He also has a strong interest in party membership and activism, and the study of political participation more generally. This research has been published in journals including the European Journal of Political Research, Political Studies and the Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties (JEPOP), among others. Dr Goodwin has also recently co-edited a volume - The New Extremism in 21st Century Britain (Routledge) which explores support for alternative forms of extremism and implications for public policy, police and practice.

This subject is designed for upper level undergraduates and graduate students as an introduction to politics and the policy process in modern Japan. The semester is divided into two parts. After a two-week general introduction to Japan and to the dominant approaches to the study of Japanese history, politics and society, we will begin exploring five aspects of Japanese politics: party politics, electoral politics, interest group politics, bureaucratic politics, and policy, which will be broken up into seven additional sections. We will try to understand the ways in which the actors and institutions identified in the first part of the semester affect the policy process across a variety of issues areas.

As taught Spring Semester 2011.

This module studies the implications of the growing use of illicit drugs for the political system from both a national and international perspective. It will examine the production, consumption and trade in drugs as an international problem. The development of, and the issues associated with, contemporary British drug policy will be explored, and policy success or failure will be evaluated. The theoretical/philosophical questions raised by drug control policy will also be explored.

Module Codes: M13035 (20 credits)

Suitable for study at: undergraduate Level

Dr Sue Pryce, School of Politics and International Relations

British and US politics; the premiership, politics and drugs. Modules taught: Power and Leadership; European Union Studies; American Government and Politics; Political Ideas in Revolution; Political Ideas in Conflict; Politics and Drugs (all undergraduate). Current research students: Sayaka Fukumi 'Anti-drug cooperation in Latin America'.

This video is the introductory trailer for a series of videos which capture political experts at The University of Nottingham rising to the challenge of defining a political concept in 60 seconds.

Warning this video will contain bloopers

The School of Politics and International Relations

This video is the introductory trailer for a series of videos which capture political experts at The University of Nottingham rising to the challenge of defining a political concept in 60 seconds.

Warning this video will contain bloopers

The School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Miwa Hirono defines a polical concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast considers China's responsibility.

Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.

May 2010

Suitable for Undergraduate study and Community education

Dr Miwa Hirono, School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Miwa Hirono is an RCUK Fellow at the Centre for International Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution at The University of Nottingham’s School of Politics and International Relations. She is also a Research Fellow at Nottingham’s China Policy Institute and has recently published Civilising Missions, a book on religious international NGOs in China.

She taught at the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University, where she was awarded a Ph.D. in International Relations. Dr Hirono was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Anthropology and Ethnology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing (2003-2004), and conducted extensive fieldwork throughout many provinces and autonomous regions in China.

Dr Hirono is interested in the role of NGOs from a Chinese and Japanese perspective. Particularly the role of transnational and local NGOs in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Southeast Asia and Africa.

Dr Miwa Hirono defines a political concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast considers China's responsibility.

Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.

May 2010

Suitable for Undergraduate study and Community education

Dr Miwa Hirono, School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Miwa Hirono is an RCUK Fellow at the Centre for International Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution at The University of Nottingham’s School of Politics and International Relations. She is also a Research Fellow at Nottingham’s China Policy Institute and has recently published Civilising Missions, a book on religious international NGOs in China.

She taught at the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University, where she was awarded a Ph.D. in International Relations. Dr Hirono was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Anthropology and Ethnology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing (2003-2004), and conducted extensive fieldwork throughout many provinces and autonomous regions in China.

Dr Hirono is interested in the role of NGOs from a Chinese and Japanese perspective. Particularly the role of transnational and local NGOs in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Southeast Asia and Africa.

Professor Paul Heywood defines a polical concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focuses on corruption as a political concept.

Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.

May 2010

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Professor Paul Heywood, School of Politics and International Relations

Professor Paul Heywood is Sir Francis Hill Professor of European Politics. He graduated with an MA in Politics (First Class) from the University of Edinburgh, then did postgraduate studies in Madrid and at the London School of Economics, from where he received his MSc(Econ) and PhD (Politics). Before joining the University of Nottingham, he taught at the University of Glasgow and at the University of London. He also worked as consultant author for the Economist Intelligence Unit, London (1989-93). He has been a member of the ESRC Research Grants Board (2001-05) and was Dean of the University of Nottingham Graduate School from 2003-07. Between 2003 and 2009 he was co-editor of the international journal Government and Opposition, and is currently Chair of the Board of Directors.

Professor Paul Heywood is author, co-author or editor of thirteen books and more than seventy journal articles and book chapters. His research focuses on political corruption, institutional design and state capacity in contemporary Europe. In 2006, he was appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of Hunan (China), where he is Senior Adviser to the Anti-Corruption Research Center. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (elected 2002) and has recently (2010) been invited to join the Publications Board of The European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) for a period of three years alongside 11 other distinguished political science experts.

Professor Paul Heywood defines a political concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focuses on corruption as a political concept.

Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.

May 2010

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Professor Paul Heywood, School of Politics and International Relations

Professor Paul Heywood is Sir Francis Hill Professor of European Politics. He graduated with an MA in Politics (First Class) from the University of Edinburgh, then did postgraduate studies in Madrid and at the London School of Economics, from where he received his MSc(Econ) and PhD (Politics). Before joining the University of Nottingham, he taught at the University of Glasgow and at the University of London. He also worked as consultant author for the Economist Intelligence Unit, London (1989-93). He has been a member of the ESRC Research Grants Board (2001-05) and was Dean of the University of Nottingham Graduate School from 2003-07. Between 2003 and 2009 he was co-editor of the international journal Government and Opposition, and is currently Chair of the Board of Directors.

Professor Paul Heywood is author, co-author or editor of thirteen books and more than seventy journal articles and book chapters. His research focuses on political corruption, institutional design and state capacity in contemporary Europe. In 2006, he was appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of Hunan (China), where he is Senior Adviser to the Anti-Corruption Research Center. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (elected 2002) and has recently (2010) been invited to join the Publications Board of The European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) for a period of three years alongside 11 other distinguished political science experts.

Dr Vanessa Pupavac defines a political concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focuses on disaster politics as a political concept.

Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.

May 2010

Suitable for Undergraduate study and Community education

Dr Vanessa Pupavac, School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Vanessa Pupavac is a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Nottingham. She has previously worked for the UN Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia and other international organisations. Dr Vanessa Pupavac's research encompasses international human rights, children's rights, linguistic rights, humanitarian and development politics. In recent years she has been examining the international politics of trauma, that is, the influence of Western therapy culture on international aid policy and the rise of international psychosocial programmes. She is also currently examining international language rights and language politics. Her research is underpinned by an interest in contemporary subjectivity and the crisis of meaning in international politics.

Dr Vanessa Pupavac defines a political concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focuses on disaster politics as a political concept.

Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.

May 2010

Suitable for Undergraduate study and Community education

Dr Vanessa Pupavac, School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Vanessa Pupavac is a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Nottingham. She has previously worked for the UN Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia and other international organisations. Dr Vanessa Pupavac's research encompasses international human rights, children's rights, linguistic rights, humanitarian and development politics. In recent years she has been examining the international politics of trauma, that is, the influence of Western therapy culture on international aid policy and the rise of international psychosocial programmes. She is also currently examining international language rights and language politics. Her research is underpinned by an interest in contemporary subjectivity and the crisis of meaning in international politics.

Dr Matthew Rendall defines a political concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focuses on exploitation as a political concept.

Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.

May 2010

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Dr Matthew Rendall, School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Matthew Rendall is Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham, and holds a PhD in Political Science from Columbia University. His research focuses on large-scale war and peace, including such topics as nuclear deterrence, whether there is a 'separate peace' among democracies, and collective security. Much of his work tests theories of war and peace through historical case studies, often drawing on original historical research. Recently he has also begun writing about intergenerational justice and other topics in environmental philosophy.

Dr Matthew Rendall defines a political concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focuses on exploitation as a political concept.

Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.

May 2010

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Dr Matthew Rendall, School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Matthew Rendall is Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham, and holds a PhD in Political Science from Columbia University. His research focuses on large-scale war and peace, including such topics as nuclear deterrence, whether there is a 'separate peace' among democracies, and collective security. Much of his work tests theories of war and peace through historical case studies, often drawing on original historical research. Recently he has also begun writing about intergenerational justice and other topics in environmental philosophy.

Dr Malika Rahal defines a political concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focuses on history and the state as a political concept.

Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.

May 2010

Suitable for Undergraduate study and Community education

Dr Malika Rahal, School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Malika Rahal is a lecturer specializing in Middle Eastern and North African History and Politics. Before joining the School of Politics in Nottingham, she was a History teacher and researcher in France. She still teaches at Science Po in Paris and is an associate researcher at the Institut d'Histoire du Temps présent (CNRS).

Dr Malika Rahal's PhD dealt with the development of nationalist parties in Algeria before the independence and the way post-independence nationalist narratives wrote some of them out of history. Her research interests include the relation between metropoles and colonies and the forms of conflicts - whether armed or otherwise - leading to independences: political mobilization, repression, guerrilla and counter-guerrilla warfare, as well as the way colonial History is - or isn't - written in former colonies and metropoles.