This seminar examines Philippine political institutions with a focus on the causal processes that shape their emergence, persistence, and influence on political behavior and policy outcomes. Students will study both formal structures and informal arrangements, considering how they interact and evolve over time. The course draws from a broad range of theoretical perspectives—including but not limited to rational choice, historical, sociological, and other comparative approaches—to develop explanations suited to the Philippine context. Emphasis is placed on identifying, articulating, and empirically testing causal claims using Philippine political data and cases. By engaging with diverse scholarship, students will learn to frame research questions, link them to theory, and select appropriate empirical strategies. The course culminates in a theoretically informed, empirically grounded research project with the potential to be developed into a publishable work.
- Teacher: Rogelio Alicor Panao