Quantitative and formal modeling courses at Harvard require mathematics and computer programming. It is becoming increasingly difficult to take courses in political economy, American politics, comparative politics, or international relations without encountering game-theoretic models or statistical analyses. Flipping through the latest issues of the top political science journals makes it clear that mathematics have entered the main-stream of political science. Even political philosophy has been influenced by mathematical thinking. Unfortunately, most undergraduate political science programs have not kept up with this trend, and first-year graduate students often find themselves lacking in basic technical skills.
This course is not intended to be an introduction to game theory or quantitative methods. Rather, it introduces basic mathematics and computer skills needed for quantitative and formal modeling courses offered at Harvard.