Schedule

Week 1: Institutions and Institutional Analysis
Lead lecturers: John Aldrich (Duke), Arthur Lupia (Michigan)

This unit explores Empirical Implications of Institutional Models. It traces the origins, successful development, and potentially problematic aspects of the New Institutionalism literature, combining lectures and innovative class activities to understand modern studies of the causes and consequences of institutional choices. Activities use examples such as bureaucratic performance, voter competence, congressional organization, election laws, bargaining, jury decision-making, political development, etc. Such past work teaches critical lessons, but this week aims to improve the scientific and social value of new research, helping to shape the new new institutionalism. Thus this week examines such additional topics as the appropriateness to political contexts of the modern proliferation of equilibrium concepts and statistical-estimation procedures, how incomplete information affects institutional efficacy, and innovation in data-collection methods.

Week 2: Interdependence and Comparative Politics
Lead lecturers: Rob Franzese (Michigan), Jude Hays (Illinois)

This week explores the specification, estimation, interpretation, and presentation of empirical models of interdependence in political and social science. Interdependence, i.e., the dependence of each unit's outcomes (belief, opinion, preference, action, behavior, etc.) on other units' outcomes characterizes most of the theories and substance of social science, from micro-behavioral 'contextual' or 'network' effects to strategic interdependence in comparative politics and international relations. Participants will learn how to incorporate the empirical implications of several generic and applied theoretical models of interdependence into a spatial-econometric framework that can be used for inference.

Week 3: Bargaining and International Relations
Lead lecturer: Jim Morrow (Michigan)

Week 4: Complex Systems, Agent-Based Models and Networks
Lead lecturer: Scott Page (Michigan)

This abbreviated week focuses on complex-systems models and their use in describing and analyzing the design and effects of political institutions. This introduction to complex systems models consists of three parts. First, it presents core models and concepts from complex-systems theory and provides a hands-on approach to agent-based models. Second, it describes theoretical and empirical applications of network theory in varied research agendas. Third, it provides participants the opportunity to learn how to apply these techniques to their own research as a complement to more traditional EITM approaches.

Qualifications: We expect that MFRs will be drawn from the ranks of tenure-track or recently tenured political science faculty who use EITM methods in their research. The most important qualification for the Mentoring Faculty-in-Residence is experience with developing, executing and publishing EITM research projects. Participation in past Summer Institutes (either our rotating institute or our sister program at Washington University in St. Louis) is helpful but not required. Experience with graduate teaching in formal and quantitative methods is similarly helpful, but also not essential (although MFRs should have the appropriate preparation for teaching in these areas.) Female and minority applications are strongly encouraged.

Applications from faculty whose home institutions do not currently offer EITM training are particularly welcome. We hope that participating in the Summer Institute will enable the Mentoring Faculty to develop their teaching and mentoring expertise, will expand the number of universities that teach EITM methods, and will deepen course offerings where EITM is already part of the curriculum.

A complete application consists of the following components:

1. Curriculum Vita with name and contact information, current location and position, and names of two people we may contact as references if needed.

2. Brief (1-3 page) statement of interest and purpose in applying for a position as Mentoring Faculty-in-Residence. Please indicate any skills and background that would be particular useful as an MFR.

3. Brief (1-3 page) description of current research.

Application materials should be sent as PDF attachments or MS-WORD documents via e-mail to eitm@fordschool.umich.edu. Please indicate "MFR application" in the subject line.

Financial support:

Domestic travel expenses, dormitory housing and meals are covered, along with stipend of approximately $7,725. Applicants will be notified of our acceptance decisions (by e-mail) by March 15.