GOVT 50.08 Psychology and International Politics
What, if anything, can psychology tell us about international security? This seminar looks at the various ways in which IR scholars have drawn upon psychology to enhance existing theories and develop new insights into world politics. Political psychology has been leveraged to make sense of puzzles at the core of IR, from nuclear proliferation to war and institutional cooperation. The course is designed around substantive psychological topics, which will form the basis of our critical discussions each week. Topics include decision-making, risk assessment, trust, reputation, emotions, social identity, nationalism, and leader personality/beliefs. This course does not require a background in psychology.
Instructor
Powers