IGS-Sponsored Seminars & Colloquia

The Institute of Governmental Studies hosts one of the most active programs of social science seminars on campus, averaging dozens each academic year. These seminars draw participants from many different departments and schools including public policy, political science, history, statistics, law, sociology, economics, and journalism. All seminars are held in 119 Moses Hall (Harris Room), unless noted otherwise. See the individual seminar pages or the IGS calendar for further details on upcoming offerings.

American Political History Seminar

The American Political History Seminar meets about six times a year and explores topics in American political history, often using the lens of biography. Faculty and graduate student participants are drawn from disciplines such as history, political science, journalism, public policy, law, and business. Guest speakers are renowned authors of recent historical works. For more information, contact Gene Zubovich at genezubovich [at] berkeley.edu..

Colloquium on Race, Ethnicity and Immigration

The Colloquium on Race, Ethnicity and Immigration invites speakers from the Berkeley campus and other institutions to report on research touching on various aspects of race, ethnicity, and immigration. One important theme explored by the colloquium is the changing shape of ethnic politics in the country. A second, closely related theme is the impact of immigration on the nation and on California's political and economic life. The 2000 Census showed important changes in the country's ethnic make-up, with large increases in the Latino population, the emergence of a group of residents who prefer to identify themselves as bi-racial, and changing patterns of naturalization among the various immigrant groups. These changes have altered the meaning of the civil rights revolution and have important implications for public opinion, electoral outcomes and government policy. For more information, contact Naomi Hsu at nhsu [at] berkeley [dot] edu.

Harold Smith Seminar

The Institute of International Studies (IIS) and the Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) jointly sponsor the Harold Smith Seminar Series, which focuses on U.S. defense policies with emphasis on the control and management of nuclear weapons.

Dr. Harold Smith holds the appointment of Visiting Scholar with the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California at Berkeley (UCB), where he focuses on the impact of technology on foreign and defense policy. He serves as an advisor to prime contractors, think tanks, and national laboratories.

Dr. Smith is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a Commander in the Legion of Honor of France. He has thrice received the highest honor granted by the Department of Defense for civilian service, the Distinguished Public Service Award, as well as awards by the Military Services and Agencies. In addition to technical papers, he has published articles of public interest, related to national security, in The New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, US News and World Report, and Arms Control Today.

Research Workshop in American Politics

The Research Workshop in American Politics brings together faculty and graduate students in American politics to share their work in an informal setting. The seminar meets weekly and covers a broad range of topics in American politics. Anyone working on American politics, political behavior, public law or public administration is welcome. Students who will take the workshop for credit as PS 230 will make at least one presentation of work-in-progress per semester and will serve as a discussant for another student or faculty member's presentation at least once per semester. There are also occasional presentations by invited speakers. For more information, contact Eric Schickler at eschickler[at]berkeley[dot]edu.