Course Listings - Spring 2003

POLI 101S-01/02. American National Government; (4 credits); S. Rhine
This course introduces students to American government and politics. The course includes sections on the Constitution, rights and liberties, the major institutions, and political behavior. Students will use current topics in politics to understand the processes of government. Classes will be a combination of lecture and discussion. The course material will include several textbooks and a subscription to The New York Times. There will be two exams, quizzes, and a paper. 10/02
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.

POLI 101S-03/04. American National Government; (4 credits); S. Godek
This introductory course is intended to provide the student with a broad overview of American governmental institutions, processes, and policies. The Constitutional basis of our political system serves as the foundation for lectures and discussions. The course is required for all majors, and is a prerequisite for certain other upper-level courses in political science. NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors. 9/02

POLI 102S-01. Introduction to Comparative Politics; (4 credits); B. Yu
This course introduces students to some of the central concepts of comparative approaches to the study of politics. We will then examine the origins, development, institutions, and the functioning of political systems other than the United States. Specifically, the course focuses on industrialized democracies (Britain and France), the rise and fall of communist systems (Russia and China), as well as the workings and problems of the Third World (Africa and East Asia). There will be two mid-terms, a final exam, and several quizzes. 10/02
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.

POLI 102S-02. Introduction to Comparative Politics; (4 credits); R. Flickinger
The course is devoted to a beginning exploration of similarities and differences among the national political systems found in the world. Students should expect through the course to develop an acquaintance with the principal characteristics of Western democratic political systems, Communist or formerly Communist political systems and political systems of the Third World. A second major objective is to learn basic concepts and techniques used in a comparative political analysis. Lectures and discussions. 9/02
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.

POLI 204H. Russian Politics; (4 credits); G. Hudson
The purpose of this class is to give the student an introduction to the politics of Russia. There are five general goals: (1) to enable the student to write and talk about the area in a well-informed manner; (2) to enable the student to read intelligently about Russia; (3) to aid the student's understanding of the forces which have shaped Soviet and Russian politics; (4) to enable the student to understand Russian and Soviet domestic policies; and (5) to help the student become a better analyst of American press and scholarly treatment of Russian-related issues. A mid-term and final exam plus a ten-page paper are required. 10/02

POLI 209S. Local Politics & Urban Planning: Moscow & St. Petersburg; (4 credits); G. Hudson
This course introduces the student to the processes of governing and conducting urban planning in two large, complex cities-Moscow and St. Petersburg. The emphasis of the class will be placed upon Moscow. By the end of the course the student will be able to analyze a range of issues in these two cities, including their histories, contemporary planning, environmental control social issues, architecture, and governance. Toward the end of the class, we will be conducting group projects applying the innovative software, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to the study of specific issues in Moscow. Students will be evaluated according to the results of two examinations, a class project, and a number of assignments and panel discussions.
NOTES: The course is also cross-listed with GEOG 280. The class may be used to fulfill major or minor requirements in Political Science, Geography, or Russian Area Studies. Students will be prepared to pursue an optional, follow-up field research experience to take place in Moscow and St. Petersburg for about three-four weeks in May-June 2003. 10/02

POLI 209S. European Union; (4 credits); R. Flickinger
This course offers an introduction to the European Union by considering its development from the early 1950s, its institutions and decision processes, and issues facing the EU today, e.g., expansion to the east and south, and adoption of the Euro. We will consider the EU’s impact on its member governments, the peoples of its member states, and the wider world. Along the way, we will evaluate theories of integration in the context of the European experience. Lectures, discussions and role playing simulations as well as several exams and two papers. Recommended background: Poli 102 or modern European history; basic knowledge of economics also helpful. 9/02

POLI 212RH. Human Nature and Modern Political Theory; (4 credits); K. Miyazaki
This course will be dedicated to understanding the major themes and thinkers that constitute a body of work that is classified as modern political thought. We will begin by reading the influential and infamous text by Machiavelli entitled The Prince, and end with Jean Paul Sartre’s Existentialism and Human Emotions. In between these two texts we will explore the primary issues of modern political philosophy - the individual, legitimacy, equality, nature, and the problem of truth. 10/02

POLI 218A-01/02. Ideology & Film.; (4 credits); K. Miyazaki
This course will explore the connections between the major modern political ideologies and their representations on film. First, we will analyze the concept of ideology itself. What is ideology? How is it that some writers can contend that we have reached an “end of ideology?” Is an alternative desirable, even possible? Second, we will explore both the written and visual texts of the of Marxism, fascism, liberalism, conservatism, and feminism. Finally, we will look at the particular properties of the visual experience. Is there an ideology of vision? How does the experience of film interact with this ideology? What is the relationship between an ideology of vision and the various political ideologies? 10/02

POLI 251S. International Relations; (4 credits); B. Yu
This course introduces some key theoretical concepts and approaches in the study of international relations. The course then will apply these theoretical concepts to the relevant historical backgrounds in international relations and diplomacy, international political economy, and some of the key issues for the international community. The course has a lecture/discussion format. Students are encouraged to speak out in the discussion sections. There will be two mid-terms, a final exam, and an oral presentation. 10/02

POLI 260 1Z. Methodology; (4 credits); S. Rhine
This course aims to prepare students to better understand as well as conduct research. The course will explore hypothesis development and testing, measurement, research design, analysis, and interpretation of results. Students will pursue their own research question as well as refine the presentation of their results. There will be exams, several small projects, and a large research paper. 10/02
NOTE: This course is required by all political science majors.
PREREQUISITE: Statistics (Business, Math, or Psychology)
WRITING INTENSIVE

POLI 321 1W. Public Policy; (4 credits); S. Godek
This course will focus on the policy-making process in a variety of substantive policy areas. After discussing some ways that we might organize our understanding of public policies (including definitions and categories of policy), we will look at the substance of and controversies surrounding policies in a number of areas. We will then turn to an examination of the policymaking processes and consider the question of how we can describe this process in general and within different areas of public policy. This will involve identifying a number of models of policymaking and critically assessing how these models fit in specific cases of policy. 9/02
PREREQUISITES: POLI 101 and Junior status
WRITING INTENSIVE

POLI 350 1W. American Foreign Policy; (4 credits); R. Flickinger
This course has three central substantive concerns 1) analyzing the record of American Foreign policy since World War II; 2) examining the process through which foreign policy is made; and using 1) and 2) as a basis for understanding current foreign policy issues. Two papers and two exams are expected. Extensive discussion, individual research and reports. 9/02
PREREQUISITES: POLI 101 and Junior standing
WRITING INTENSIVE

POLI 354 1W. Chinese Foreign Policy; (4 credits); B. Yu
This course is designed to introduce the student to the evolution and workings of Chinese foreign policy. Emphasis will be on the PRC's foreign policy behavior, in terms of its historical patterns, the role of ideology, military and strategic factors, economics, domestic politics, and the decision-making process. We will then analyze the interplay of these factors in shaping Chinese policy toward certain countries and regions. The course is a seminar and students will be required to give a number of oral presentations based on the readings and one 15-page research paper. 10/02
PREREQUISITE: East Asian and Political Science majors desirable (or POLI 102, 205C, or 210SC, and Junior standing)
WRITING INTENSIVE