Please consult the published Courses of Instruction or check with the Department of Government to verify course offerings.

EAS 98: East Asian Studies Junior Seminar (Japan)   

(offered Fall 2008 & 2009)
The Japan/social science track tutorial for East Asian Studies concentrators explores the nature of politics and society in contemporary Japan, and the origins of current social arrangements. It brings social science theories and approaches from political science, sociology, anthropology, and economics to bear on basic issues and problems relating to Japan over the period from 1868 to the present, with emphasis on the postwar era. This class also now counts as a GOV Junior Research Seminar.

(offered Spring 2008 & 2009)
This seminar examines civil societies in Asia, with particular emphasis on East Asia. After tracing how the concept evolved in Western and Eastern Europe, it explores: how the term applies in the Asian context; how globalization, religion, ethnic conflict, market reforms, international NGOs, corruption, the Internet, post-September 11 developments, and other forces are affecting civil societies in Asia; and the relation between developments in civil society and democratization in Asia.

GOV 2148: Civil Society, West and East    

(offered Fall 2007)
Focusing in particular on European and Asian settings, the seminar examines debates over what civil society is, notions of public space and social capital, and the role of civil society in political transitions. Taught with Grzegorz Ekiert.

GOV 2262: Politics and Political Economy in Japan    

( offered Spring 2008)
Explores major issues in Japanese politics and political economy in historical and comparative perspective, including pre- and post-1993 developments in Japan's party system; the changing role of bureaucracy; big business in policymaking; and the international, socio-cultural, economic, and political determinants of domestic policy choices.

(offered in Academic Years 2008-9 and 2009-2010)
This advanced workshop will focus on research topics in comparative politics representing a wide range of methodological traditions, and offers participants an opportunity to present their work-in-progress, benefit from critiques of it, and discuss theoretical and methodological issues. Graduate students at all stages of the research process, from preliminary prospectus drafting to thesis completion, are welcome.

For up to date versions of the course syllabus, please consult the course websites at my.harvard.edu.