POLI 101S 01/03 American National Government
4 credits
Hasecke, Ed
This introductory course will examine the institutions and workings of the federal government. Students will learn basic concepts that define American democracy, learn about ideology and think about their own ideological positions, and gain an understanding of the nature of politics. Regular reading of the New York Times is required. 2/08
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. 2/08
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
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. Evaluation will be based on two exams, reading quizzes, and participation in three short political analysis/simulation exercises. 2/08
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. 10/08
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. 9/07
POLI 212R 01 Modern Political Philosophy
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. 10/07
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. 2/07
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. 9/07
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 251S 01 International Relations
4 credits
Yu, Bin
This course begins with an overview of the evolution of international system. This is followed by the discussion of some key theoretical concepts and approaches in the study of international relations (IR). Students will then apply IR history and theories to analyze some major issues in the 21st century, including international security, international political economy, nationalism, democratization, and global governance. 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 take home paper. 10/08
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
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. 9/07
NOTE: The course is required for all political science majors.
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 305 1W European Politics
4 credits
Allan, James
Prerequisites: POLI 102S and Junior/Senior 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. 10/08
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 315 1W Feminist and Postmodern Political Thought
4 credits
Wright, Heather
Prerequisites: Junior Standing and either POLI 211R, POLI 212R, POLI 215, POLI 216, or POLI 219, or permission of instructor
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. 2/06
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. 10/08
POLI 355C 1W East Asian Foreign Relations
4 credits
Yu, Bin
PREREQUISITE: Either POLI 102S, POLI 205C, POLI 210SC, or POLI 251S, Junior Class Standing or permission of instructor
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 the stability of the region and the world. 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 a seminar and writing intensive. It requires a 15-page research paper and several oral presentations. 10/08
WRITING INTENSIVE
