COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Spring 2007
POLI 101S 01 – 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 two papers. Regular reading of the New York Times is required. 9/06
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 101S 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. 9/06
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. 10/06
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 102S 01 – Introduction to Comparative Politics
4 credits
Yu, Bin
This course begins with some of the central concepts of comparative approaches to the study of politics It then examines 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 one quiz. 9/06
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 102S 02 – 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. 9/06
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 202S 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. 9/06
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. 9/06
POLI 211R 01 – Ancient & Medieval Political Philosophy
4 credits
Wright, Heather
This is a challenging and thought-provoking course which explores the history of political philosophy from ancient Greek drama to medieval thought through a combination of primary textual analysis and interpretive commentary. What is political philosophy? Simply put, it is the quest for knowledge about the nature of politics. Ancient and medieval political philosophers sought knowledge about many of our most compelling and vital human questions. What is the nature of human beings? What is nature itself? What is justice? How can we begin to understand power? What is the good life for human beings? What is the best form of political rule? What is the proper relationship of philosophy to politics? On what basis might we construct our ethical life? Are men and women different, and if so, how might this impact the political? Not surprisingly, political philosophers have thought and continue to think very differently about these topics. Evaluation will be based on several short essays, midterm and final examinations, and class preparation and participation. 9/06
POLI 215R 01 – American Political Thought
4 credits
Wright, Heather
In this course we will examine a selection of key political-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. 9/06
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. 9/06
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. 9/06
POLI 236S 01 – Media and Politics
4 credits
Rhine, Staci
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. 10/06
POLI 252S – International Organizations
4 credits
Hudson, George
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 includes a model U.N. simulation. 9/06
POLI 260 1Z – Methodology
4 credits
Hasecke, Ed
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. 9/06
NOTE: The course is required for all political science majors.
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 260 2Z – Methodology
4 credits
Baker, Rob
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. 9/06
NOTE: The course is required for all political science majors.
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 305 1W – Western European Politics
4 credits
Allan, James
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. 9/06
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 322 01 – 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. 9/06
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 323 1W – U. S. Congress
4 credits
Hasecke, Ed
Prerequisites: POLI 101 and Jr Class Standing
In this course, 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 a class research project that involves data collection and statistical analysis. A subscription to an online Congressional simulation (www.legsim.org) is required. Evaluation will be based on participation in the simulation, several written assignments and a final paper. 9/06
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 350 1W – American Foreign Policy
4 credits
Yu, Bin
Prerequisites: POLI 101 or POLI 251 and Jr Class Standing or with permission
This course has three central substantive themes: (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 parts of the course as a basis for understanding some current foreign policy issues. Two papers are expected. The course is a seminar and extensive discussion will be conducted based on individual research and reports. 9/06
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 354 1W – Chinese Foreign Policy
4 credits
Yu, Bin
Prerequisite: East Asian and Political Science majors desirable, or POLI 102, 205C, or 210C/S, and Jr Class Standing
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 structure and process. The coursel also 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. 9/06
WRITING INTENSIVE
