Academic Bulletin Political Science - Course Descriptions - 2008-09

The four courses labeled "Survey" assume no prior knowledge of the subject matter. Those marked "advanced" build on the specific introductory course cited as a prerequisite.

An analysis of the powers, functions, and political bases of government in America, including attention to democratic theory, civil liberties, political parties and pressure groups, campaigns and elections, Congress and the Presidency, judicial review, federal-state-local relations, and public policy making in domestic, foreign and budgetary areas. This course is offered both semesters.

No prerequisite.

Comparative Politics is a sprawling field of inquiry in which scholars investigate issues ranging from the origins of revolution to the family planning policies of various governments, from democratization to land seizures by peasant communities in different countries. What holds this field together is the notion that we can best understand and explain the political phenomena of different nations (including our own) by comparing them in careful, precise ways. In this course, we will examine some of the questions Comparativists ask, and the ways they go about answering them. We will also familiarize ourselves with the politics and polities of a sampling of nations around the globe, and mull over arguments concerning their differences and similarities. In this course you should become more knowledgeable of other countries, and also see how comparisons enable us to better understand our own nation’s political development. This course is offered both semesters.

No prerequisite.

The survey of political theory will use selected political theorists to examine a series of major questions which are central to political theory, e.g., power, authority, justice, and liberty. This course is offered in the fall semester, 2008.

No prerequisite.

A study of major contemporary approaches to understanding international politics, including political realism, pluralism, globalism, and feminism. Through this framework, the course will take up concepts such as the evaluation of national power and the balance of power, the interplay of individuals and groups in international politics, the impact of capitalism on the development of the world-system, and the role of gender in world politics. This course is offered in the spring semester, 2009.

No prerequisite.

What do political scientists know and how do they know it? This course focuses on the nature of political science as a discipline, the range and kinds of questions it addresses, and the methods and techniques by which it seeks answers to those questions. We will use examples from U.S., comparative, and international politics to examine the scope of the political science discipline and the different approaches we take to answering important questions about how and why political systems work as they do. We will also survey some of the basic statistical techniques employed in systematic studies of politics and government. This course is strongly recommended for sophomores planning to major in political science. This course is offered in the spring semester, 2009. PSC 261 may require one lab session per week.

No prerequisite.

Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.

Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.

A study of the legislative and executive branches of the United States government. This course will involve analysis of each branch as an institution. Particular attention will be given to the interactions between and the interdependence of Congress and the Executive and the effects of these interactions on the decisions and operations of the two branches of government. Counts as an advanced course in American Politics. This course is offered in the spring semester alternate years beginning 2010 and includes an immersion trip to Washington, DC (required).

Prerequisite: Political Science 111 or consent of the instructor.

A systematic look at mechanisms for popular control of American government. This course looks at the nature of public opinion and its translation into political action. Political parties and interest groups are investigated as mechanisms which link the citizen to the policy-making system. Attention will be given to elections and the bases upon which individuals make their decisions at the polls. We will also consider the conflicting arguments about the decline, decomposition, and realignment of parties in the 1980s and the rise of the single-issue interest group. Counts as an advanced course in American Politics. This course is offered in the fall semester, 2008.

Prerequisite: Political Science 111 or consent of the instructor.

The Supreme Court has accurately been described as a “Storm Center” of political controversy. This course examines the Court’s most potent power—to strike down as unconstitutional the actions of elected officials. We will focus on key Supreme Court decisions, including those dealing with affirmative action, gay rights, abortion, tax money for religious schools, and deciding the 2000 Presidential Election.  What role should judges play in deciding such divisive issues? How should the Court apply such broadly worded constitutional guarantees as “equal protection” and “due process of law”? And what impact have the Court’s decisions had—on other branches of government and on American society in general? Counts as an advanced course in American Politics. This course is offered in the fall semester, 2008.

Prerequisite: Political Science 111 or consent of the instructor.

This course explores the nature of the Constitution and the role of the Court in enforcing it by focusing on a particular controversial topic in constitutional law. What role should the Court play in helping resolve our most difficult and searing conflicts? Is the Constitution adaptable to such challenges? Counts as an advance course in American Politics. This course is offered in the spring semester, 2009.

Prerequisites: Political Science 111 or 313 or consent of the instructor

A survey of the institutions, actors, and processes involved in the governing of states, cities, and other local jurisdictions. Attention is given to intergovernmental relations as well as to the analysis of individual units. Field work is required. Counts as an advanced course in American Politics. This course is offered in the spring semester, alternate years beginning 2009.

Prerequisite: Political Science 111 or consent of the instructor.

A brief survey of problems facing lesser-developed countries and of measures proposed and used for the advancement of political integration and the improvement of living standards and social welfare. The roles of capital accumulation, private initiative, representative government, and other factors in economic growth and political modernization will be studied. Counts as an advanced course in International Politics or Comparative Politics. This course is offered in the spring semester, 2009.

Prerequisite: Political Science 122 or consent of the instructor.

The central purpose of this course is to introduce students to the varied political institutions and practices throughout Latin America. Another purpose is to sharpen our analytical tools so that we can better describe and explain the political differences and similarities among Latin American countries. Finally, this course will increase our understanding of the obstacles Latin Americans have faced in building stable, equitable political systems, and our appreciation of their many accomplishments. Each year brings a new thematic focus. Counts as an advanced course in Comparative Politics. This course is offered in the fall semester, 2008.

Prerequisite: Political Science 122 or consent of the instructor.

A survey of the politics of the major nations of the region plus attention to several of the leading issues, including the Israeli-Arab conflict, oil and the Persian Gulf, and the broader question of economic and social development. Counts as an advanced course in Comparative Politics. This course is not offered in 2008-2009.

Prerequisite: Political Science 122 or consent of the instructor.

An examination of some of the important cases of non-democratic politics with special attention to their historical and ideological bases as well as their structural and operational features. Counts as an advanced course in Comparative Politics. This course is not offered in 2008-2009.

A series of half-courses, each of which will focus on a particular political theorist from classical antiquity, the medieval period, or the Renaissance. Specific offerings will vary from year to year. Counts as advanced course work in political theory.

Prerequisite: Political Science 231 or consent of the instructor.

A series of half-courses, each of which will focus on a particular political theorist from the modern period. Specific offerings will vary from year to year. Counts as advanced course work in political theory.

Prerequisite: Political Science 231 or consent of the instructor.

An introduction to the diplomatic-military facets of past, present, and alternative foreign policy strategies. An analysis of the political, ideological, institutional, technological, and strategic factors shaping the United States’ foreign policy. Counts as an advanced course in International Politics or American Politics. This course is offered in the fall semester, 2008.

Prerequisite: Political Science 242 or 111 or consent of the instructor.

A series of half-courses, each of which will focus on a particular political theorist from the contemporary period. Specific offerings will vary from year to year. Counts as advanced course work in political theory.

Prerequisite: Political Science 231 or consent of the instructor.

These courses will focus on a particular issue, concept, problem or question at an advanced level with specific prerequisites.

These courses will focus on a particular issue, concept, problem or question at an advanced level with specific prerequisites.

These courses will focus on a particular issue, concept, problem or question at an advanced level with specific prerequisites.

A study of the basic organization of the European Union. The course will include an historical dimension, focusing on the development of efforts to move toward closer union. The main emphasis of the course will be on political institutions and issues and integration as a political process. Counts as an advanced course in international politics or comparative politics. This course is offered in the spring semester, 2009, and includes an immersion trip over spring break. Requires concurrent enrollment in ECO 277, Economics of the European Union.

Prerequisite: Political Science 122 or 242 or consent of the instructor.

Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.

Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.

Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.

Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.

Open only to senior political science majors. This is both a reading and a research seminar, organized around a general concept central to the discipline. Participants discuss common readings on the topic. They also prepare individual research papers which treat the general theme, but from the stance of their chosen emphases within the major. This course is offered in the fall semester, 2008.