COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
FALL 2004
POLI 101S 01 & 02. American National Government
J. Young
This course will introduce students to the study of the American Political System. Students will become acquainted with such political concepts as federalism, political culture, political socialization, political participation, etc. The course should enable students to analyze and evaluate the institutions processes and policies of American Government. Emphasis will be given to the role and activities of individuals and institutions as they shape and respond to the American Political Process. Student performance will be evaluated via three exams, group debate and class participation. Instructional format will include lecture/discussion and weekly issue round tables. (4 credits) 2/03 NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 101S 03. American National Government
R. Baker
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. A subscription to the New York Times is required. (4 credits) 2/03 NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 102S 01. Introduction to Comparative Politics
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. (4 credits) 9/03 NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 102S 02. Introduction to Comparative Politics
G. Hudson
The course is devoted to a beginning exploration of similarities and differences among some well-known national political systems found in the world. Students should expect to develop an acquaintance with the principal characteristics of established democracies (Great Britain, Germany, and France), transitional democracies (Russia and Mexico), and non-democracies (China and Nigeria). A second major objective is to learn basic concepts and techniques used in comparative political analysis. Two hourly exams, a final exam, and a short paper are required. (4 credits) 2/04 NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 102S 03 & 04. Introduction to Comparative Politics
J. Allan
This course introduces students to the study of political institutions and political behavior from a comparative perspective. During the course of the semester, the course will focus on political processes and issues in a wide variety of countries, including advanced industrial democracies, communist and post-communist systems, as well as countries in the developing world. A second major objective is to learn basic concepts and techniques used in comparative political analysis. There will be two midterms and a final, and participation in a simulation exercise and a political game are also required. (4 credits) 2/04 NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 209SC. Middle East Politics
H. Nejad
This course provides an overview of contemporary Middle Eastern politics. The overall goal of this course is to critically examine the existing political structures and the complexities of political change in this region. Close attention will be paid to social, cultural, and religious factors, to the impact of the West, to authoritarian rule, to experimentation with democracy, and to human rights and gender issues. The focus will be on post-WWII developments, though relevant historical forces will also be examined. (4 credits) 2/04
POLI 210SC. East Asian Politics
B. Yu
The course introduces students to the political structure and dynamics of three major countries, or group of countries, in East Asia: Japan, China (Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong King), 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 whole on global affairs. There will be one mid-term exam, one final exam, and a take-home essay (7-9 pages). (4 credits) 2/03
POLI 211R. Justice, Power, & the Self: Readings in Ancient & Medieval Political Philosophy
Staff
This course will examine the influential texts that constitute the Ancient and Medieval periods of political philosophy. We will engage the ideas of thinkers such as Plato and St. Augustine, and analyze their proposals for "justice," "authority," and "citizenship." In other words, we will discuss the Ancient and Medieval debates on who should rule, where, and why. Questions we will ask include: Why should an enlightened elite make decisions for society? Does might make right? Why should one obey authority? We will also use additional literary sources to address specific issues. (4 credits) 2/03
POLI 219. Topics in Political Philosophy
Staff
POLI 227. Criminal Law and Politics
D. Carter
The primary goal of Criminal Law and Politics is to acquire an understanding of the procedural and substantive development of the American Criminal Justice System, and how it has been influenced by social, cultural and political factors. The course will attempt to examine American penal issues from the enactment of the U. S. Constitution, to contemporary problems and debates. (4 credits) 2/04
POLI 230. Campaigns and Elections
S. Rhine
American public knows about elected leaders, and what factors influence the outcomes. Class will be a combination of lecture and discussion. The course will focus on the 1996 presidential and congressional elections. Students are required to volunteer time with a political campaign of their choice. The class also will organize a local candidate forum for the university and the community. Class requirements include quizzes, journals describing campaign experiences, discussion and exams. (4 credits)
POLI 236S. Media and Politics
S. Rhine
Media and Politics is a survey course about the impact of the media on the public and political elites. The course will explore topics of the media structure, news content, public knowledge, and elite efforts to influence media coverage. The class will be a combination of lecture and discussion. Students will be assessed using a paper, discussion, quizzes and exams. (4 credits) 3/03
POLI 251S. International Relations
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 a mid-term, a final exam, and a reaction paper. (4 credits) 9/03
POLI 260 1Z. Methodology
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.
NOTE: This course is required by all political science majors. (4 credits) 10/02
PREREQUISITE: Statistics (Business, Math, or Psychology)
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 309 1W. North American Politics
J. Allan
This course is a comparative survey of the political systems within the North American Free Trade Area: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. 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. The course will also focus on politics across, as well as within, the three countries: are there commonalities among North American states? What is the impact of NAFTA and do attitudes to further economic integration vary across borders? What is the future of NAFTA? The course format will be a combination of lectures and discussions, with occasional small group exercises. Evaluation will be based on a midterm and a final, class participation, and two research papers. (4 credits) 2/04
PREREQUISITE: POLI 102S and Junior standing
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 319 1W. Advanced Topics in Political Philosophy
Staff
POLI 320 1W. Public Administration
R. Baker
Using a systems framework, this course focuses on politics and policymaking of the federal bureaucracy. Emphasis is on how bureaucrats and bureaucratic agencies interact with each other, and with other political factors at the federal level. The course combines lectures with seminar discussion format. Students will be asked to write 4 critical book reviews, and an article summary. Two essay exams will also be given. (4 credits) 2/03
PREREQUISITES: POLI 101 and Junior standing
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 323 1W. Congress
J. Young
To what extent can the behavior of members of Congress be explained by their desire to get reelected? Are there other goals that explain the behavior of Congress and, if so, are these goals significant predictors of the way members of Congress behave? How is that behavior reflected in the way Congress operates? To what extent is the behavior of members constrained by institutional structure and processes? These will be the central questions we consider as we study our national legislative institution. Essay exams and papers will be required. (4 credits) 2/03
PREREQUISITES: POLI SCI 101 and Junior standing
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 352 1W. Russian Foreign Policy
G. Hudson
This course examines the development and factors involved in Russian foreign policy, with an emphasis on events since 1991. One of the major themes of the class will concern an understanding of the nature of the changes taking place in that policy under the Yeltsin and Putin administrations. The transition in foreign policy during the Gorbachev years (1985-91) will also be discussed. The class will consider defense policy, economic policy, and the imperatives of the processes of nation-building and state-building as elements of Russian foreign policy. The class will center about either the presentation and preparation of a lengthy term paper or three "mini" papers, written in response to specific issues.
(4 credits) 2/04
PREREQUISITES: POLI 102 or 204 and Junior standing
WRITING INTENSIVE
