PSC 154 A-Z - Special Topics in Comparative Politics

Semester Hours: 1-4

Current Special Topics:

PSC 154H - The Politics of Antisemitism

Antisemitism is considered the “world’s oldest hatred”. This course will examine various sources and expressions of antisemitism, with a particular focus on the rise of antisemitism in the 21st century. Jews have been falsely blamed for major global crises such as 9/11, the Great Recession of 2008, the migrant crisis and even COVID. Antisemitism motivated the perpetrators in several violent events that have shaped politics including the deadly far right march in Charlottesville, VA, the murderous synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the attempted shooting at a synagogue in Colleyville, TX as well as the deadly shootings at a Jewish day school in Toulouse, France, at the Belgian Jewish Museum and at a kosher supermarket in Paris, not to mention the large number of antisemitic acts since Hamas’s attack in Israel on October 7th 2023. We will examine how antisemitism is politicized across the political spectrum both in Europe and the US and how it is used as a political tool to undermine democracy. We’ll also focus on policy initiatives both in the EU and US to address antisemitism including national strategies to address antisemitism and EU legislation to regulate online antisemitic content. This course is open to all students, and you do not need to be a political science student to take it.

Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes:
As individual subjects are selected, each is assigned a letter (A-Z) which is affixed to the course number. The course involves substantial reading, discussion and writing. Includes regular seminar sessions and individual conferences with instructor. Specific titles and course descriptions for special topics courses are available in the online class schedule. (Formerly PSC 154: Seminar: Comparative Politics.)

View Course Offering(s):

Summer Session I 2026

Summer Session II 2026

Summer Session III 2026

Fall 2026