POLI 101S-01. American National Government
(4 credits) 9/04
J. 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.
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 101S-02. American National Government
(4 credits) 9/04
Staff
This course will examine the institutions and workings of the federal government, with emphasis on the Congress, President, Courts, Political Parties and Interest Groups. Students should be prepared to discuss current political developments and to assess the extent to which the national political system is able to respond to critical issues.
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 101S-03/04. American National Government
(4 credits) 9/04
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.
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 102S-01. Introduction to Comparative Politics
(4 credits) 10/04
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.
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 102S-02. Introduction to Comparative Politics
(4 credits) 9/04
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.
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 204H. Russian Politics
(4 credits) 9/04
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.
POLI 209S. Topics: Comparative Political Economy
(4 credits) 9/04
J. Allan
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. Finally, the course will also consider questions surrounding the impact of globalization on rich and poor countries alike.
POLI 212R. Human Nature and Modern Political Theory
(4 credits) 10/04
H. Wright
What is modernity? Why are works written in the 17 th century considered modern? This course explores the revolutionary challenge to ancient and medieval political philosophy posed by the development of “modern” political theory, from its origin in 16 th century Florence with Machiavelli to its restatement in the 20 th century by Rawls. The focus of our study is liberal democratic thought, from the social contract theory articulated by Hobbes and Locke to the institutionalization of liberal ideas in Madison and Hamilton to the expansion of liberal rights in Wollstonecraft, Mill, and Rawls. We will conclude with a consideration of various critiques of liberalism, including those leveled by Rousseau, Marx, and Arendt. Evaluation will be based on several short essays, midterm and final examinations, and class preparation and participation.
POLI 219. American Political Thought
(4 credits) 10/04
H. Wright
In this course we will examine a selection of key politico-theoretical debates and controversies, from the points of view of dominant and marginalized groups, dating from the colonial era to contemporary America. To lay the necessary groundwork, we will spend some time considering the moment of the American Founding. Then, we will explore writings from the country's early development, the post-Civil War era of Reconstruction and Industrialization, and the “Rise of the Positive State” in the early 1900s. This foundational work will well prepare us for more contemporary ground, when we will explore topics including “Liberalism,” “the New Left,” “the New Right,” “Feminism,” and “Multiculturalism.” Evaluation will be based on several short essays, midterm and final examinations, and class preparation and participation.
POLI 221S. State and Local Government
(4 credits) 9/04
J. 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.
POLI 224S. The Presidency
(4 credits) 9/04
Staff
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 .
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 252S. International Organizations
(4 credits) 9/04
G. Hudson
The class examines the role of international organizations, particularly the United Nations , as they operate in the international system. The student will be expected to gain familiarity with the characteristics and functions of the organizations within the UN system, particularly their specific regimes and their component organizations. The course will also investigate the multitude of non-governmental organizations through class discussions and projects. The class may participate in a required regional Model U. N. conference.
POLI 260 1Z. Methodology
(4 credits) 9/04
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 .
NOTE: The course is required for all political science majors.
PREREQUISITE: Statistics (Business, Math, or Psychology)
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 305. Western European Politics
(4 credits) 9/04
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.
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 319 1W. Adv. Topics: American Constitutional Law
(4 credits) 10/04
H. Wright
A course on constitutional law can be-and is-nothing less than an extended inquiry into the meaning of America. We will examine the Court's role in political agenda setting in several arenas, including economic policy, property rights, separation of powers, federalism, presidential powers and war powers, and in interpreting the equal protection and due process clauses as they bear on race and gender equality. But we will also explore judicial review, judicial activism and restraint, and theories of constitutional interpretation. In short, we will go beyond the facts and rulings of the great Supreme Court cases to engage important issues of political theory and the nature of our democracy. Evaluation will be based on case briefs, an in-class presentation, a term paper, midterm and final examinations, and class preparation and participation.
PREREQUISITES: POLI 101 and Junior Standing
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 332 1W. Political Parties & Interests Groups
(4 credits) 9/04
S. Rhine
Students of American politics have traditionally focused on parties and interest groups as important components of the American political system. In fact, some political scientists and sociologists have sought to explain how the system works by developing a theory of politics based solely on "group" formation and interaction. The "groups" these theorists study are political parties and interest groups. Our objective in this course is to examine the roles these groups perform in the American political system. Our focus will be primarily on U. S. political parties and interests groups, but comparisons will be made with institutions in several other developed democracies. We will review their historical development and the current patterns of their organizational structures, support in the electorate, and involvement in the governing process of the U. S. The course has a lecture/discussion format. You will write a series of papers and a book review. There will be two exams .
PREREQUISITE: POLI 101 and Junior standing
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 350 1W. American Foreign Policy
(4 credits) 10/04
B. Yu
This course has three central substantive concerns: (1) analyzing the history of American Foreign policy; (2) examining the process through which foreign policy is made; and (3) using the first and second concern as a basis for understanding current foreign policy issues. Several papers are expected. Extensive discussion, individual research and reports.
PREREQUISITES: POLI 101 or POLI 251, Junior standing or with permission
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 15-page research paper and several oral presentations.
PREREQUISITE: At least one of the following: POLI 102S, 205C, 210SC, and 251S, or with permission. 9/04
WRITING INTENSIVE
