Theme Fields

The faculty seeks to encourage students to make connections among work in different subfields of political science, or between political science and another discipline. Students in the department may take courses in integrated theme fields as well as in their major fields for Prelims. This involves choosing an appropriate theme area, and selecting four courses from at least two fields or disciplines constituting the course work for the theme.

Current theme fields include:

Race & Ethnicity Politics

This theme field offers an integrated course of study based on Duke's considerable faculty strength in the study of race, ethnicity and politics (a core interest of more than a dozen members of the department).

Students must take a minimum of four courses including two core courses-one each in race and politics and comparative ethnicity. While each of these courses addresses their specific subfield literature, they will also engage literature from the other subfield. Students are then free to concentrate in either American race and politics or comparative ethnicity, or a combination of both. In putting together their program of study, students are encouraged to take courses outside of the department from faculty who are associates of the program.

For full details of the requirements and of Duke's strength in the field, see the following document (RTF).

Political Economy

The theme field of Political Economy contains both a technical core and areas of substantive application. Students must gain an understanding of the core concepts and techniques of the field. While we do not require it, we also encourage them to develop proficiency in their use. In practice, this means that students taking the theme field examination would be expected to have taken four courses, at least three in Political Science and at least one in Economics, in addition to having mastered the prerequisit mathematics skills on their own. The courses might include:

Political Science--
Positive Political Theory [PS 230]
Political Applications of Game Theory [PS 243]
New Institutionalism [PS 317]
Political Economy of Environmental Resources [PS 205].

Economics--
Intermediate Economics II [205D].
Advanced Microeconomic Analysis [206].
Models of Conflict and Cooperation [207].

(For advanced students)
Microeconomics I and II [301-2]

Students who are deficient in theoretical knowledge of mathematics or economics are strongly encouraged to take courses on their own to make up this defeciency. Examples include Math 135 and Math 136. The mathematics skills taught in these courses are central to modern economics. Students may find it helpful to take Economics 149 (Intermediate Micro-economics) or Economics 154 (Intermediate Macro-economics) and/or more specialized classes directly relevant to their substantive field.

Additional guidance is provided in a memorandum entitled "Tips to Political Scientists On Taking Graduate Work in Economics," which is available from Doris C. Cross in Room 328.

Religion and Politics

Religion has played and continues to play a profound role in political life in virtually every context imaginable. In historical and contemporary times it has often been a key factor shaping values, culture, and behavior; political power and institutions; both democratic and non-democratic mobilization; international, and transnational relations; violent conflict; public policy debates; and the pace and substance of political change, just to name a few. It is also dramatically shaped and transformed by other political, economic, and cultural variables. In the history of political thought, contestations concerning the interpretation, legacy, and implications of religious values, practices, and institutions have been an elemental aspect in the work of a great many theorists. The salience of religion in political life and political theory appears to be growing rather than diminishing in the early years of the twenty-first century.

Hence it is little surprise that the study of religion and politics is a crucial theme field of political science, recognized by national associations, numerous journals, a massive volume of scholarship, and so forth. It intersects with each of the fields within our discipline.

This theme field offers students a course of study on religion and politics that aims to ensure significant breadth while encouraging students to focus on particular areas of interest. The field draws on the substantial strengths of Duke Faculty in Political Science, Religion, Law, and other departments. Students will develop breadth by taking at least four courses in at least two fields, as well as having the opportunity to study across disciplinary boundaries. Simultaneously, the field is structured with sufficient flexibility to allow individuals to focus on particular areas. Hence a student particularly interested in religious conflict on the Indian subcontinent might take a combination of courses in comparative politics, Hinduism, Islam, and political theory. Alternatively, a student interested in the history of Christianity in American political development might take a course in comparative politics for breadth, along with courses in American political thought, political theory, and Christianity. The opportunities are vast.

Requirements :

Students must take a minimum of four courses, including two in theory and two in comparative politics, broadly defined. In addition, each student will work with two faculty members in Political Science (one in theory and one in comparative) to assemble a reading list which will provide the basis for the student's preliminary examination. The faculty expectation is that the reading list will draw heavily from coursework, but will also be expanded as faculty deem appropriate in order to ensure sufficient breadth.

Attached is a matrix that can serve as a heuristic tool for analytically situating students' interests and developing reading lists for the comparative part of the theme field. Also attached is a minimal core reading list (to be developed much further around the student's particular interests) for students focusing on Christianity and political theory. The matrix and the minimal theory list are primarily suggestive – faculty will work with students in the spirit of the theme field thus described to develop reading lists for preliminary examinations that are significantly tailored to their interests.

Courses : At least four courses, two in theory broadly defined, and two in comparative politics broadly defined.

Theory : Two courses and/or special readings, at least one of which will be in Political Science, such as:

(Both these courses will become regular courses)

Christianity and Radical Democracy -- Coles

Theology and Politics -- Gillespie

And/or:

Numerous Courses in the Religion Department (and Literature, Philosophy, and other Departments) by approval of DGS and student's advisor, such as: Calvinism, Christian Ethics, Augustine, Catholicism, Aquinas, American Religious Thought, Christian Ethics of War and Peace, Judaica, Islam, Hinduism, Selected Readings on Bonhoeffer, Barthes, Yoder, etc.

Comparative Politics/American Politics : Two courses and/or special readings at least one of which will be in Political Science, such as:

Religion and Comparative Politics -- Trejo

Ethnic Conflict -- Wilkinson

PPS: Church, State, and Law – Charney

Law 265: First Amendment – Benjamin

Law 594: Theological Dimensions of American Law and Politics - Powell

Core Basic Reading List for students emphasizing Christianity and Political Theory:

A-List (thorough knowledge)

Bible: Genesis, Job, Exodus, Matthew, Romans

Same selections as on political theory prelim reading list:

Augustine
Aquinas
Luther
Calvin
Locke
Tocqueville
Marx, “On the Jewish Question”
Nietzsche, Genealogy of Morals
Weber, Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

B-List (significant familiarity)

Maimonides
Avicenna
Averroes
Hobbes