POLI 101S-01/02. American National Government
(4 credits)
K. Mulligan
This course provides an introduction to American government and politics at the national level. We will discuss the norms, values, and culture of American politics as well as the rules and institutions of American government as laid out by the U.S. Constitution and amendments to it. These include Congress, the presidency, the judiciary, civil liberties, and the role of the states. We will learn about the political behavior of the U.S. electorate, including voting, public opinion, and the role of the news media. Finally, we will discuss current affairs and controversial political issues with the intention of applying what we are learning about U.S. government to contemporary American politics. 9/03
POLI 102S-01. Introduction to Comparative Politics
(4 credits)
B. Yuv
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. 9/03
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. 9/03 NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 102S-03. Introduction to Comparative Politics
(4 credits)
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. 9/03
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 209S. Topics: Comparative Political Economy
(4 credits)
J. Allan
This course provides a comparative introduction to understanding the relationship between politics and economics, or to put it another way, between “states and markets.” The course will begin with an overview of the works of great political economists such as Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and others. It then turns to examining, from a comparative perspective, public policies that have broad economic implications within advanced capitalist democracies: fiscal and monetary policy, social/welfare policy, and education policy. The course will also consider questions surrounding the impact of economic globalization. 9/03
POLI 212R. 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 221S. State and Local Government
(4 credits)
R. Baker
The course focuses on important contemporary problems and trends affecting state and local politics, and the role of states and localities in the federal system. Using a comparative approach, attention is given to general intergovernmental, social, economic, and cultural influences that shape state and local politics in America. Additionally, a mock state legislature is conducted providing the student with a "hands-on" experience in one of the key political processes of state government. 9/03
POLI 224S. The Presidency
(4 credits)
J. Young
This course will examine the presidency and the powers and constraints of the office. We will look at the development of the modern presidency including its relations with Congress, the media, the courts, and the public. We will also consider the influence of the President=s experiences, ideas, and expectations on his approach to the exercise of presidential power. The course will be a lecture/discussion format. There will be three exams and a 10 page term paper. 9/01
POLI 234S. Black Politics
(4 credits)
J. Young
This course will introduce students to the nature of black politics and black political behavior. The course will inquire into the political dimensions of black life in America and how Black America has interpreted and responded to the democratic experiment. Considerable attention will be given to an examination of how individuals, institutions, and protest movements have shaped black political consciousness and black political participation. Finally, the course will examine the relative impact of black protest politics versus black electoral politics in addressing black political demands.
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 a mid-term, a final exam, and a reaction paper. 9/03
POLI 260 1Z. Methodology
(4 credits)
J. Baker
The political science methodology course focuses on providing the major with requisite skills needed to conduct research in the field of political science. Emphasis is placed on conceptualization and design of a research project; various data collection methods used in political science; data analysis techniques, both quantitative and qualitative; and the research report writing. 9/03
NOTE: The course is required for all political science majors.
PREREQUISITE: Statistics (Business, Math, or Psychology)
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 303. Politics in Developing Nations
(4 credits)
R. Flickinger
A principal objective of this course is to develop your capacity to think comparatively across the regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, to identify common characteristics as well as significant differences within the political life of countries in these regions. Another objective is to enable you to understand better the phenomenon of modernization, particularly its political implications. We also will explore the characteristics and consequences of economic, cultural and political interaction between the "less developed" and the "more developed" areas of the world. Lots of discussion, student presentations and lectures. Mid-term and final exams, several essays and a research paper. 9/03
PREREQUISITES: Poli Sci 102 and Junior standing
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 305. Western European Politics
(4 credits)
J. Allan
This course focuses on Western European politics with special emphasis on changes in political and economic institutions and political behavior since 1945. Although the course is not designed on a country-by-country basis, it will examine all of the West European countries (though some countries will get more attention than others). By the end of the course, students should be familiar with the evolution of states in Europe, the evolution of different democratic political institutions throughout the countries of Western Europe, key differences in the economic institutions in these countries, and the major issues surrounding the future of the European Union. 9/03
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 321 1W. Public Policy
(4 credits)
J. Young
This course will focus on the substance of public policy as well as the policy-making process. In examining the substance of policies this course will analyze the nature and impact of such issues as civil rights, poverty and welfare, education, immigration, crime, health care, and the environment. Policies addressing these issues generate considerable controversy and we the course will examine the nature of the controversies. The course will also examine the policy-making process including how issues find their way on the public agenda, what happens to them, and the factors affecting the implementation of policies.
PREREQUISITES: POLI 101
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 339. Advanced Topics: Political Psychology
(4 credits)
K. Mulligan
This course provides a sampling of the interdisciplinary field of political psychology. We will discuss the role of personality in the decision making of political leaders; processes of political socialization and social influence; political belief systems, attitudes, and attitude change; information processing and cognition; the role of emotion in political judgment; and the role of unconscious preferences or biases (such as implicit racism ) in political attitudes. 9/03
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; 2) examining the process through which foreign policy is made; and using 1) and 2) as a basis for understanding current foreign policy issues. Several papers and two exams are expected. Extensive discussion, individual research and reports. 9/03
PREREQUISITES: POLI 101 and Junior standing
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 355C 1W. East Asian Foreign Policy
(4 credits)
B. Yu
The course introduces students to the interactive dynamics in East Asia (between Japan, China, Russia, Korea and the U.S. as a Pacific power), a region which is vital for world stability and the U.S. The objective is to make students understand and be able to analyze diplomatic process, patterns of external behavior and transnational forces at work in the region. These learning goals will be achieved in conjunction with an actual process of learning how to do original empirical research. The course is writing intensive and requires a 20-page research paper and several oral presentations. 9/03
PREREQUISITE: At least one of the following: POLI 102S, 205C, 210SC, and 251S, or with permission
WRITING INTENSIVE
