Political Leadership and Executive Government

This scope course addresses the twin subjects of political leadership and executive government. It approaches these subjects theoretically, methodologically and comparatively. Theoretically, we review the trajectory of the major approaches to the study of leaders and executives that includes institutionalism, feminism and rational choice theory. Methodologically, we will learn about different quantitative and qualitative methods that can be employed to address research questions pertaining to leaders and executives. Finally, we will review the study of leaders and executives comparatively by assessing the leadership and executive experience geographically and institutionally. Additional topics to be addressed may include political communication, non-elected leaders (e.g. advisors and judges) and the executive experience at sub and supranational levels of government.