the Sam Jackson College Experience

So, the semester has not yet started, but today we received the list of classes that we could pre-register for in Political Science. Most majors allow those majors to pre-register for at least some of the classes, though you still have a good shot of getting into seminars afterwards.

I've done quite well over the years getting into classes that I want, and ever since second semester freshman year, I've tried hard to take as few lectures as possible, focusing instead just on seminars.

Here's my favorite course so far, in terms of originality. I'm not sure if I will pre-register for it, but I'll definitely try to shop the class (note: shopping, as in shopping period, the chaotic first two weeks of school where no schedules are solid and you can go to any class. Best part.)

The extended description below.

PLSC 154, Gypsies, Tramps, & Thieves

Instructor: Alec Sweet
Field Distribution: International Relations
Day and Time: T, 1:30-3:20

Expanded Description:

The course examines how people who have chosen to live outside, or on the margins of, “normal” society govern themselves, through constructing and maintaining a defining culture, “law,” and modes of dispute resolution. Cases will include the Roma in Europe, hobos and other transient workers in North America, pirates in the 18th and 19th centuries, and perhaps others (e.g., the Sicilian mafia). One purpose of the course is to consider a range of theories about how discrete human communities make rules and resolve their disputes, with what social effects. We will do so with reference to groups who, through choice or necessity, live beyond the reach of state law and courts.

The course will be divided into four sections. We begin (I) by comparing how Mayan Indians and Cowboys in Shasta County have governed themselves, within their respective state systems (Mexico and California). In addition to introducing general concepts, we will also compare anthropological and economic traditions of analysis. We will then focus, in turn, on (II) pirates, reading closely the new book by Peter Leesen, The Invisible Hook: The Hidden Economics of Pirates; (III) tramps, and the classic compilation of Hobo lore by Joyce Kornbluh, Rebel Voices; and (IV) gypsies, with a focus on various aspects of Roma (including Manouche and Gitan) life and law.

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Yes, this is Yale, where we take classes on Vikings and Pirates.

Loving it!