101S. American National Government. 4 semester hours.

Study of the basic concepts, background, constitutional basis, organization, functions, and political processes of the United States government. Every year.

102S. Introduction to Comparative Politics. 4 semester hours.

260Z. Methodology. 4 semester hours.

Study of the approaches to the framing and investigation of political questions. Writing intensive. Every year.

211R, 212R, 215R or 216R.  See descriptions below.

 

Area I: Comparative Politics

202S. Comparative Political Economy and Public Policy. 4 semester hours.

This course provides an introduction to understanding the relationship between politics and economics, or to put it another way, between "states and markets."  What is the appropriate role for government in managing the economy?  Should politics and economics be completely separate, or are the two inextricably linked?  This course examines how great political economists such as Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and others have addressed these questions.  It will also consider, from a comparative public policy perspective, the variety of ways in which governments and markets actually interact within advanced capitalist democracies through an examination of economic policy making.

204H. Russian Politics. 4 semester hours.

Introduction to the politics of the Russian Federation. Historical perspective is provided through an overview of Soviet history from 1917 to 1991. Subjects considered include the break-up of the USSR, the Russian constitutional crisis, Russian political institutions, problems of the Russian economy, and issues of nationalities in Russia and the former Soviet republics. Every year.

205C. Chinese Politics. 4 semester hours.

Introduction to Chinese politics since 1949. Topics include a brief overview of modern Chinese history and a survey of contemporary analyses of the Chinese political process. Emphasis is given to Chinese political culture, major political institutions and current policy issues. Every third year.

208S. Moscow: Local Politics and Urban Planning. 4 semester hours.

This intoductory course intends to introduce the student to the processes of governing and conducting urban planning in one of the largest and most complex cities in the world - Moscow.  By the end of the semester, students will be able to analyze a range of issues, including Moscow's history, contemporary planning, environmental control, social issues, architecture, and governance.  The consideration of these and other issues will help the student to understand how Moscow is facing the difficulties of the transition from the old, communist system to a new one, based upon principles of democracy and a market economy.  Time will be spent learning and applying social science methods such as mapping techniques (using Geographical Information Systems) and voting behavior analysis, and preparing for field research in Moscow.  At the conclusion of the class, students will have the opportunity to participate in field research in Moscow for three to four weeks.  Students may receive credit for the class in either Political Science or Geography.  There are no prerequisites.

209. Topics in Comparative Politics. 4 semester hours.

Introductory course on a special topic, normally offered on a one-time basis only. This course may be repeated for credit.

210C/S. East Asian Politics. 4 semester hours.

The course introduces students to the political structure and dynamics of three major countries in East Asia: Japan, China (Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong), and Korea (South Korea and North Korea). The major objective is to make students familiar with their history, politics and economy, their relationships with each other and the impact of East Asia as a whole on global affairs.

302W. North American Politics. 4 semester hours.

This course is a comparative survey of the political systems of the North American continent: Canada, Mexico, and the United States (although more emphasis will be placed on Canada and Mexico).  Topics covered in the course from a comparative perspective include political culture and values, political institutions, the practice of federalism, political parties and electoral systems, and public policies.  A section of the course will also focus on the development and future of the North American Free Trade Agreement.  Prerequisites:  Political Science 102S and junior standing.  Writing intensive.  Every year.

303W. Politics in Developing Nations. 4 semester hours.

Problem-oriented analysis of political processes and institutions in modernizing societies. Case studies from Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Prerequisite: Political Science 102 and junior standing. Writing intensive. Every second year.

305W. European Politics. 4 semester hours.

Comparative analysis of political systems and public policy issues in Europe. Prerequisite: Political Science 102 and junior standing. Writing intensive. Every year.

309W. Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics. 4 semester hours.

Advanced class on a special topic, normally offered on a one-time basis only. Prerequisite: Determined by the instructor. Writing intensive. This course may be repeated for credit.

 

Area II: International Relations

251S. International Relations. 4 semester hours.

Introduction to some key theoretical concepts and approaches to the study of international relations. Also an application of the concepts to historical case studies of war and peace, diplomacy, arms control, international political economy, international organizations and other issues. Every year.

252S. International Organizations. 4 semester hours.

Study of the role of international organizations as they operate in the international political system. Particular emphasis is given to a study of the United Nations through an extended simulation of that body’s activity. Alternate years.

253S. International Political Economy. 4 semester hours.

This course provides an introduction to the subfield of international political economy, which explores the linkages between politics and economics in the international system.

259. Topics in International Relations. 4 semester hours.

Introductory course in a special topic. Normally offered on a one-time basis only. The course may be repeated for credit.

350W. American Foreign Policy. 4 semester hours.

Analysis of U.S. foreign policy since 1945, with emphasis on policy processes and issues. Prerequisite: Political Science 101 and junior standing. Writing intensive. Every year.

352W. Russian Foreign Policy. 4 semester hours.

Analysis of the instruments and priorities of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. Attention is given to the historical context of Soviet foreign policy from 1917 to 1991. Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or 204 and junior standing. Writing intensive. Alternate years.

354W. Chinese Foreign Policy. 4 semester hours.

Analysis of the evolution and workings of Chinese foreign policy behavior in terms of historical patterns, the role of ideology, military and strategic factors, economics, domestic politics and the decision-making process. Chinese relations with the United States, Russia, Japan and other nations are discussed. Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or 205 and junior standing. Writing intensive. Alternate years.

355C/W. East Asian Foreign Relations 4 semester hours.

The course introduces students to the dynamic interactions between major powers in East Asian ( Japan, China, the United States, Russia and Korea). The objective is to make students understand and be able to critically analyze diplomatic process, patterns of external behavior of major powers, and transnational forces at work in the region. Prerequisite: Political Science 102, 210 or 251.

359W. Advanced Topics in International Relations. 4 semester hours.

Advanced class on a special topic, normally offered on a one-time basis only. Prerequisite: Determined by the instructor. Writing intensive. This course may be repeated for credit.

 

Area III: Politcal Theory and Law

211R. Ancient and Medieval Political Philosophy. 4 semester hours.

An examination of the history of political philosophy from ancient Greek drama to medieval thought through a combination of primary textural analysis and interpretive commentary.  Questions considered include: What is the nature of human beings?  What is nature itself?  What is justice?  How can we begin to understand power?  What is the good life for human beings?  What is the best form of political rule?  What is the proper relationship of philosophy to politics?  On what basis might we construct our ethical life?  Are men and women different, and, if so, how might this impact the political?  Readings include Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Aquinas, Augustine, and de Pizan..

212R. Modern Political Philosophy. 4 semester hours.

An exploration of the revolutionary challenge to ancient an dmedieval politcal philosophy posed by the development of liberal democratic thought, as well as various modern critiques of liberalism.  Readings include Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Wollstonecraft, Mill, Rawls, Rousseau, Marx, and Arendt.

215R. American Political Thought. 4 semester hours.

An examination of a selection of key political-theoretical debates and controversies, from the points of view of dominant and marginalized groups, dating from the Founding to contemporary America.

216R. Family Values: The Politics of Virtue, Care, and Equality. 4 semester hours.

An examination of the theoretical underpinnings of the contempoary debate over family values, from the influential conceptions of the proper relationship between the family and public life offered by the canonical political philosophers to thoughtful analyses of the conflict of rights involved in contemporary debates over the family.

219. Topics in Political Philosophy. 4 semester hours.

Introductory course on a special topic, normally offered on a one-time basis only. This course may be repeated for credit.

227. Criminal Law and Politics. 4 semester hours.

A study of the procedural and substantive development of the American criminal justice system, and how it has been influenced by social, cultural and political factors. No prerequisites.

315W. Feminist and Postmodern Political Thought. 4 semester hours.

An exploration of the major figures, schools of thouyght, and concepts in Feminist and Postmodern political thought, culminating in an examination of the often uneasy relationship between feminism and postmodernism.  Readings include Nietzsche, Heidegger, Derrida, Foucault, Wollstonecraft, Goldman, MacKinnon, Elshtain, and Irigaray, among others.  Prerequisites: junior class standing and either Political Science 211R, 212R, 219, or permission of instructor.  Writing intensive.  Every year.

319W. Advanced Topics in Political Philosophy. 4 semester hours.

Advanced class on a special topic, normally offered on a one-time basis only. Prerequisite: Determined by the instructor. Writing intensive. This course may be repeated for credit.

322W. American Constitutional Law. 4 semester hours.

An examination of judicial review, judicial activism and restraint, and theories of Constitutional interpretation, as well as the Court's role in several policy areas, including property rights, the economy, separation of powers, federalism, presidential powers, and in interpreting the equal protection and due process clauses as they bear on race and gender equality.  Prerequisites: Political Science 101 and junior standing.  Writing intensive.  Every year.

 

Area IV: American Politcs

221S. State and Local Government. 4 semester hours.

Consideration of the politics, organization, functions, and role of state and local government in the United States. Outside speakers are used when appropriate. Every year.

222S. Urban Politics. 4 semester hours.

Examination of politics and government in American cities. Emphasis is on how changes over time in local political structures and processes have affected the delivery of services at this most basic level of the federal system. Every year.

223. Introduction to Local Government Administration. 4 semester hours.

An introduction to the politics and administration of city governments in America with particular emphasis on the power, role and responsibilities of administrators in the delivery of city services. The course is taught during designated summers only as a component of an off-campus city management internship program. No prerequisites.

224S. The American Presidency. 4 semester hours.

The course will examine the powers of and constraints on the American Presidency with particular emphasis on the modern presidency. Students will look at the modern presidency and its relations with Congress, the media, the courts and the public. The course will also explore presidential campaign politics with particular attention to the role of party, interest groups, the media, and money. No prerequisites.

229. Topics in American Politics. 4 semester hours.

Introductory course on a special topic, normally offered on a one-time basis only. This course may be repeated for credit.

230S. Campaigns and Elections. 4 semester hours.

Investigation of the nature of the campaign and election process in the United States from a theoretical and a practical perspective. As such, it provides a framework for analyzing electoral politics, both now and in the future. Examples of recent and past campaigns and elections are used in the course to highlight general principles. Every year.

232S. Public Opinion. 4 semester hours.

Study of the formation, development and role of public opinion in American politics. Every year.

234S. Black Politics. 4 semester hours.

Introductory course on the political dimensions of black life in the United States. It examines the role of individuals, institutions and the relative impact of protest versus electoral politics in addressing the status of blacks in the United States. Every year.

236S. Media and Politics. 4 semester hours.

Introductory course on the factors that shape media coverage of politics in the United States and the impact of that coverage. How politicians try to use various media and the rise of new communication technologies are also covered. Every year.

320W. Public Administration. 4 semester hours.

Exploration of the political dynamics of the federal bureaucracy. Particular emphasis is placed on the interactions of bureaucrats and agencies with each other and with other actors in the political system. Prerequisite: Political Science 101 and junior standing. Writing intensive. Every year

321W. Public Policy. 4 semester hours.

Exploration of the politics of the national policy-making process. Special emphasis is placed upon the role of political institutions and the media in shaping the public agenda. Prerequisite: Political Science 101 and junior standing. Writing intensive. Every year.

323W. U.S. Congress. 4 semester hours.

This course will examine the institution of Congress and the behavior of its members. Particular emphasis will be placed on how the motivations of members of Congress contribute to how the institution is organized and how it functions as well as how it relates to other key political actors and institutions. This course is writing intensive. Prerequisites: Political Science 101S and junior standing.

329W. Advanced Topics in American Government. 4 semester hours.

Advanced class on a special topic, normally offered on a one-time basis only. Prerequisite: Determined by the instructor. Writing intensive. This course may be repeated for credit.

332W. Political Parties and Interest Groups. 4 semester hours.

Study of the organization, function, and operation of political parties and interest groups in the United States. An investigation of elections and the role of political action committees is included. Prerequisite: Political Science 101 and junior standing. Writing intensive. Every year.

 

Other Courses

460W. Political Science Seminar. 4 semester hours.

Advanced study and research of a particular area or problem. Results are presented in written and oral reports. Prerequisite: Determined by the instructor. Writing intensive.

490W. Independent Study. 4 semester hours.

Concentration on research projects reflecting the student’s interest completed under the direction of a professor. Prerequisite: Determined by the instructor; proposals must be submitted and approved. Writing intensive. Every year. This course may be repeated for credit.

491. Internship. 2-4 semester hours.

Work-study course opportunity enabling the student to observe decisionmaking processes and relate course material to practical political problems. Prerequisite: Determined by the instructor. Every year. This course may be repeated for credit.

499W. Honors Thesis/Project. Variable credit.

Prerequisite: 3.50 GPA and permission of the Department Chair. Submission of proposal required.