Politics, Law, & Economics (PLE)

Session Snapshot:

Politics, Law, & Economics (PLE) is a session aimed at students with an interest in understanding diverse economic theories, the values and practices of government, and legal frameworks in historical and comparative perspectives. Students learn key ideas in topics such as public policy, human rights, market regulation, governance structures, international policy, and conflict and cooperation across borders.

The session builds students’ critical thinking and analytical skills, enabling them to examine social systems and present-day issues through the lenses of economic, legal, and political theory. During PLE, students draw extensively on interdisciplinary approaches to build their expertise and increase their exposure to a wide array of topics within the session theme, preparing them to be more informed and engaged global citizens.

Sample Lecture Offerings:

  •  ”International Trade and the Surprisingly Swift Decline of U.S. Manufacturing Employment” by Peter Schott
  • “The Meritocracy Trap” by Daniel Markovits
  • “Terrorism and Political Violence: Understanding and Applying the Concept in the Case of Northern Ireland” by Bonnie Weir

Sample Seminar Offerings:

  • What Does it Mean to be Free? Isaiah Berlin’s Two Concepts of Liberty Sanctions in the Modern World: From Blockades to Banking Freezes
  • Is my Refrigerator Spying on Me? Cybersecurity, Physical Harm and. Privacy Issues Caused by IoT Devices
  • Commodifying Art: The Economics and Contradictions of Musical Work
  • Can Genocides Be Forgiven? Post: Conflict Truth and Reconciliation Committees and the Political Problem of Forgiveness
  • The Technological “Gaydar”: Facial Recognition Software and Its Legal Implications
  • Artificial Intelligence and the Law: The Effects of AI on Criminal Justice System and Democracy

Is PLE a Good Fit for Me?

If you are intrigued by any of the following questions, then this session is a great choice:

  • What legal frameworks exist governing surveillance and foreign intelligence gathering?
  • As climate change and global conflicts continue to shape global migration, how does international law govern (or not govern) asylum processes in different country contexts?
  • What types of resistance movements bring about lasting political change? And how do innovations in social media shape and change protest movements today?
  • What are the challenges in tackling criminal economic activities, particularly if they cross international borders? How can policy makers design relevant and successful solutions?
  • Should governments regulate markets? How do governments balance economic growth with workers’ protections?