CSS 371
Spring 2026
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01
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This course provides a global history of the rise of political authoritarianism. It does so first by looking at numerous explanations for the crisis that liberalism has experienced since the mid-2010s as demonstrated by Trump's presidency, Brexit, and the success of authoritarian movements throughout South America, continental Europe, and Asia. It traces the origins of today's authoritarian turn back to the 1990s, and specifically to the end of the Cold War and the rise of globalization that exploded in myriad sectarian reactions around the world. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS PHIL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (College of Social Studies)(Social, Cultural and Critical Theory Certificate) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Most readings will consist of articles and book chapters, often featuring these required texts:
Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson, WHY NATIONS FAIL
Bo Rothstein, SOCIAL TRAPS AND THE PROBLEM OF TRUST
Kaushik Basu, PRELUDE TO POLITICAL ECONOMY
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Examinations and Assignments:
Interactive exercises
Group presentations
Final paper |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Course open to CSS juniors only.
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| Instructor(s): Skillman,Gilbert Times: .M..... 10:45AM-11:55AM; ...W... 10:45AM-12:15PM; Location: FRANK301; FRANK301; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 30 | Permission of instructor will be granted during the drop/add period. Students must submit either a ranked or unranked drop/add request for this course. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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