First-Year Course Offerings — Fall 2026

CORE S137   Authoritarianism by the Numbers
Credits1
RestrictionsNo 2028 2027
Pre-RequisitesStudents may not take more than 1 CORE Sciences course
Co-Requisites
Core Area Sciences
Area of Inquiry
Liberal Arts Practices

Authoritarianism is a phenomenon that has influenced political, social, and economic movements worldwide throughout history and today. Understanding this type of governance in its historical and modern contexts is essential for globally-conscious citizens to better grasp potential socioeconomic and political futures in different regions. The study of authoritarianism is often confined to specific fields (e.g., political science, international relations, peace and conflict studies), where the focus tends to be on democracy or its relationship with authoritarianism, rather than on defining, identifying, and examining authoritarianism as a distinct phenomenon. By employing a scientific approach, including spatial analysis, students examine authoritarianism across various national and regional settings to enhance students’ understanding of its development, expansion, and effects on people, places, and governance systems.