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.
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 101S 02 – American National GovernmentThis 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 102S 01 – Introduction to Comparative PoliticsThe course is devoted to beginning an 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 consolidated democracies (Great Britain, Germany, and France), transitional democracies (Russia and Mexico), and authoritarian regimes (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.
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 102S 02 – Introduction to Comparative PoliticsThis 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.
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 202S 01 – Comparative Political Economy & Public PolicyThis 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.
POLI 204H 01 – Russian PoliticsThe 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 208S 01 – Moscow: Politics & PlanningThis 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 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 for three weeks in May-June 2008.
POLI 212R 01 – Modern Political PhilosophyWhat 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.
POLI 215R 01 – American Political ThoughtIn 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.
POLI 221S 01 – State and Local GovernmentThe 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 230S – Campaigns and ElectionsThis course explores campaigns and political participation, with a particular focus on presidential elections. We study voter turnout over time and between different groups. We also study the voting decision. The course will focus on the 2006 congressional elections and upcoming presidential election. The parties will be selecting their nominees in the primaries in the spring of 2008. Students are required to volunteer time with a political campaign of their choice. Class requirements include quizzes, journals, discussion and exams.
POLI 234S 01 – Black PoliticsThis 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 236S 01 – Media and PoliticsMedia 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.
POLI 260 1Z – MethodologyThe 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. WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 260 2Z – MethodologyThis 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. WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 305 1W – European PoliticsPrerequisites: POLI 102S and Junior/Senior Class standing
This seminar course focuses on European politics with special emphasis on changes in political and economic institutions and behavior since World War II. The course covers four main aspects of politics in Europe: i. Political institutions; ii. Political parties and political behavior; iii. Political economy; and iv. the European Union. Although the course is not designed on a country-by-country basis, we will examine most of the European countries (though some countries will get more attention than others). By the end of the class, students should be familiar with the evolution of the states in Europe, the evolution of different democratic political institutions throughout Europe, key differences in the economic institutions in these countries, and the major issues surrounding the future of the European Union in the 21st Century. WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 315 1W – Feminist and Postmodern Political ThoughtPrerequisites: Either POLI 211R, POLI 212R or POLI 219, or permission of instructor, Junior Class Standing
An exploration of the major figures, schools of thought, and concepts in Feminist and Postmodern political thought, culminating in an examination of the often uneasy relationship between feminism and postmodernism. Readings include Nietzsche, Heidegger, Derrida, Foucault, Wollstonecraft, Goldman, MacKinnon, Elshtain, and Irigaray, among others. Evaluation will be based on an in-class presentation, two long papers, midterm and final essay examinations, and class preparation and participation. WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 321 1W – Public PolicyPrerequisites: POLI 101S and Junior Class Standing
This course is designed to consider the nature of public policy and the challenges that face society as we try to create solutions to difficult problems. The semester begins with theories of justice and then explores the paradoxes that plague public policy. The class then tackles the issue of funding public schools. Students will perform a statistical analysis of Ohio school districts and research the current funding structure for Ohio schools. Several off-campus experiences are required to gain an understanding of the challenges facing urban schools. Evaluation will be based on a research paper, essay exams, and additional assignments. WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 323 1W – U. S. CongressPrerequisites: POLI 101 and Junior Class Standing
In this course, students will learn competing theories of congressional behavior and structure and use statistical analysis to test competing hypotheses. In addition, 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. 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. WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 355C 1W – East Asian Foreign RelationsPREREQUISITE: Either POLI 102S, POLI 205C, POLI 210SC, or POLI 251S, or permission of instructor, and Junior Class Standing
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. WRITING INTENSIVE.
