COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Spring 2006
POLI 101S 01/02 – American National Government
4 credits
Baker, Rob
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. 9/05
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 101S 03/04 – American National Government
4 credits
Rhine, Staci
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. 9/05
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 101S 05 – American National Government
4 credits
Hasecke, Ed
This course will examine the institutions and workings of the federal government. Students will be asked to master basic concepts that define American democracy and critically assess political events through readings, discussion, exams, and a paper. A subscription to the New York Times is required. 10/05
POLI 102S 01 – Introduction to Comparative Politics
4 credits
Allan, James
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 several political games are also required. 9/05
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 204H 01 – Russian Politics
4 credits
Hudson, George
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. 9/05
POLI 208S 01 – Moscow: Local Politics & Urban Planning
4 credits
Hudson, George
This interdisciplinary course intends to introduce the student to the processes of governing and conducting urban planning in one of the largest and most complex cities in the world--Moscow. By the end of the semester, students will be able to analyze a range of issues, including Moscow’s history, contemporary planning, environmental control, social issues, architecture, and governance. The consideration of these and other issues will help the student to understand how Moscow is facing the difficulties of the transition from the old, communist system to a new one, based upon principles of democracy and a market economy. Time will be spent learning and applying social science methods such as mapping techniques (using Geographical Information Systems), voting behavior analysis, and the preparation for field research in Moscow. Following the conclusion of the class, students will have the opportunity to participate in field research in Moscow for three to four weeks. Students may receive credit for the class in either Political Science or Geography. There are no prerequisites.
NOTES: The course is also cross-listed with GEOG 232S. The class may be used to fulfill major or minor requirements in Political Science, Geography, Russian Area Studies, or Urban Studies. Students will be prepared to pursue an optional, follow-up field research experience to take place in Moscow about three-four weeks in May-June 2006. 9/05
POLI 209S 01 – Comparative Political Economy & Public Policy
4 credits
Allan, James
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. 9/05
POLI 212R 01 – Human Nature and Modern Political Theory
(4 credits)
Wright, Heather
What is modernity? Why are works written in the 17th 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 16th century Florence with Machiavelli to its restatement in the 20th 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. 9/05
POLI 219 01 – American Political Thought
4 credits
Wright, Heather
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. 9/05
POLI 221S 01 – State and Local Government
4 credits
Baker, Rob
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. 9/05
POLI 234S 01 – Black Politics
4 credits
Young, John
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 01/02 – International Relations
4 credits
Staff
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 participate in class discussion. There will be a mid-term, a final exam, and a reaction paper. 9/05
POLI 260 1Z – Methodology
4 credits
Hasecke, Ed
Prerequisites: Statistics (Business,
Math, or Psychology)
This course will engage students in political science research. Class sessions will focus on conceptualization and design of a research project; various data collection methods used in political science; data analysis techniques; and the process of writing a research paper. Students are expected to perform original research. Evaluation will be based on exams, short exercises, and a major research paper. 10/05
NOTE: The course is required for all political science majors.
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 305 1W – Western European Politics
4 credits
Allan, James
Prerequisites: Poli 102 and Jr/Sr Class Standing
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. 9/05
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 319 1W – American Constitutional Law
4 credits
Wright, Heather
Prerequisites: POLI 101 and Jr Class Standing
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. 9/05
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 323 1W – U. S. Congress
4 credits
Hasecke, Ed
Prerequisites: POLI 101 and Jr Class Standing
This course is an interactive experience. Students will be exposed to the world of Congress through a semester-long simulation. Class sessions will mix traditional lecture/discussion with simulated legislative experiences. As a class we will discuss Congressional structure and legislative strategy. We will also engage in floor debates, committee hearings, and other legislative activities. A subscription to an online Congressional simulation (www.legsim.org) and the New York Times is required. Evaluation will be based on participation in the simulation, several written assignments and a final paper. 10/05
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 332 1W – Political Parties & Interests Groups
4 credits
Rhine, Staci
Prerequisites: POLI 101 and Jr Class Standing
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. 9/05
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 359 01 – International Law
4 credits
Domrin, Alexander
Prerequisites: POLI 102S or POLI 251S or POLI 252S, and Jr or Sr Class Standing
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of public international law, focusing on aspects of international law particularly concerning the interests of the United States. Included is a survey of sources, methodology, and major doctrines of international law. Students will become familiar with procedural aspects of international law involving international institutions (e.g. the United Nations, Council of Europe, International Court of Justice, and International Criminal Court). Four half-hour tests and a final paper will be due during the semester. 10/05
