Available courses

Course Description: This course examines the history of Armenia, its land and people. The course will cover history from antiquity to the early modern age (beginning of the 16th century). The course examines the geopolitical, economic, religious and socio-cultural development of Armenia and explores the relationship between Armenia and other countries. Students will critically examine historical events, processes, actors, and models of history writing. Students will work individually and in groups to integrate evidence from various sources in order to develop a greater understanding of Armenian history. Instructor-led discussions.

This course examines the history of Armenia, its land and people beginning with the early modern age through the establishment of the modern Republic of Armenia and renewed independence in the 21st century. Students will explore Armenian history in its geopolitical, economic, religious and socio-cultural contexts. Students will critically examine historical events, processes, actors, and models of history writing. Students will conduct independent research using primary and secondary sources to analyze issues through a comparative lens and evaluate and synthesize evidence and arguments from various disciplines. Students will analyze Armenia’s history in a global context in order to anticipate challenges and opportunities for development.

This course examines the history of Armenia, its land and people beginning with the early modern age through the establishment of the modern Republic of Armenia and renewed independence in the 21th century.  Students will explore Armenian history in its geopolitical, economic, religious and socio-cultural contexts. Students will critically examine historical events, processes, actors, and models of history writing. Students will conduct independent research using primary and secondary sources to analyze issues through a comparative lens and evaluate and synthesize evidence and arguments from various disciplines. Students will analyze Armenia’s history in a global context in order to anticipate challenges and opportunities for development.  Instructor-led discussions.

This course examines the history of Armenia, its land and people beginning with the early modern age through the establishment of the modern Republic of Armenia and renewed independence in the 21th century.  Students will explore Armenian history in its geopolitical, economic, religious and socio-cultural contexts. Students will critically examine historical events, processes, actors, and models of history writing. Students will conduct independent research using primary and secondary sources to analyze issues through a comparative lens and evaluate and synthesize evidence and arguments from various disciplines. Students will analyze Armenia’s history in a global context in order to anticipate challenges and opportunities for development.  Instructor-led discussions.

The course examines religion as a phenomenon of human culture. It firstly introduces the students to the main theoretical approaches and methods through which religion has been studied by historians and social scientists. Secondly, the course looks at the major themes in the study of religion. These themes will be examined drawing on particular religious traditions and through the lens of the theoretical approaches covered. Readings will include theoretical writings about religion by classics and contemporary authors, and primary texts from various religious traditions and by representatives of those traditions. The course combines lectures, in-class discussions, and analytical essays. Its broader aim is to give the students an understanding of the richness of the religious traditions of the world, and to develop skills to analyze religious phenomena and to situate them in their historical contexts. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

This course is a general introduction to the structure and functions of the Armenian Government and its institutions, from historical, legal and comparative perspectives. The role of each branch of the government, the scope of its authority, and the checks and balances in the system will be examined in light of constitutional design and ongoing political processes, along with the relationship between the national, regional and local levels of government. Specific issues will include the law-making and regulation-making, civic participation in the process, and mechanisms for public oversight of government activities and protection of individual rights as well as the law enforcement, and security agency’s special responsibilities and authority. The course aims to help students understand the role of government in the 21st century and the rights and responsibilities of 21st citizens in public and governmental affairs, in light of international best practices and Armenia’s development—three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

The course examines world religious traditions from a comparative perspective. Students will be introduced to the basic tenets, worldview, and practices of the major religious traditions around the world, polytheistic traditions, Asian religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as new religious movements. The course will also examine the sacred texts of various religions. Upon completing the course, students should be familiar with the key beliefs and practices of the major religions and gain an appreciation of the diversity of religious experience through time and across cultures. The course also aims to equip students with concepts and frames for thinking critically about the relationship of Christianity to other religious traditions and comparing the dogmatic, doctrinal and ritualistic practices within various religious traditions. The course combines lectures, in-class discussions, and analytical essays. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Increasingly lawyers, because of their insight into public policy, are called upon to use their skills to advocate in the court of public opinion and other fora beyond the formal courtroom and deliberative assembly. This course aims to equip students with models and skills to be effective public advocates. In addition to learning theoretical models and case studies, students will be called upon to design advocacy strategies and make written and oral presentations in simulations of public deliberation.

This course provides an introduction to the comparative study of politics. It covers a variety of questions facing nations, societies, political parties and political institutions. After providing students with a general understanding of the field of comparative politics, including government systems, electoral proceedings and relations between various branches of government, the course will then focus on comparing countries with various political, social and economic backgrounds. Countries examined range from industrialized and developed Western countries to underdeveloped and new countries in the Global South. Upon completion of the course, students should have a basic understanding of the function and operation of various political institutions as well the basic political culture of different countries. Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, readings, group work and practice exercises. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, exams, projects and presentations.


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