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. 02/10*
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. 02/10
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 of three general types of politics: 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. 02/10
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. Evaluation will be based on two exams, reading quizzes, and participation in three short political analysis/simulation exercises. 02/10
NOTE: This course is required of all political science majors and minors.
POLI 205C 01 Chinese Politics
4 credits
Yu, Bin
This course introduces politics in the People's Republic of China. It begins with an overview of traditional and modern Chinese history, and is followed by a survey of contemporary Chinese politics. Emphasis is given to Chinese political culture, institutions, processes and major issues both in the Maoist and post-Mao periods. One mid-term exam, one final exam and one take-home short paper are required. 2/10
PREREQUISITE: None (but this is helpful for the 354 Chinese Foreign Policy course).
POLI 211R 01 Ancient & Medieval Political Philosophy
4 credits
Staff
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. 02/10
POLI 215R 01 American Political Thought
4 credits
Staff
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.” 02/10
POLI 222S 01 Urban Politics
4 credits
Baker, Rob
An examination of politics and government in American cities. Emphasis is on how changes over time in local political structures and processes have affected the delivery of services at this most basic level of our federal system. The course has a lecture/discussion format. Two exams, quizzes, and a simulation will be required. 02/10
POLI 224S 01 Presidency
4 credits
Hasecke, Ed
This course will explore issues in the modern presidency. We will begin with the basic characteristics of the presidency and debate the conflicts inherent in the demands we place on the president. We will then shift to an exploration of presidential success. What makes a president more successful than another? Students will be asked to perform an original research project that seeks to explain presidential success of a president of their choosing. 02/10*
POLI 230S 01 Campaigns and Elections
4 credits
Rhine, Staci
This 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 2008 presidential election and 2010 midterm elections. Students are required to volunteer time with a political campaign of their choice in Ohio. Class requirements include quizzes, journals about volunteer time, discussion and exams. 02/10
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. 02/10
POLI 259S 01 Topics: International Political Economy
4 credits
Allan, James
This course provides an introduction to the subfield of international political economy, which explores the linkages between politics and economics in the international system. We will first critically examine the dominant theories used to interpret and explain patterns of international economic relations. We will then examine institutions and features of the international political economy, relating to areas such as trade, foreign investment, foreign aid, and relations between "advanced industrial" and "less developed" countries. Evaluation will be based on a midterm and a final exam, two short reflective papers, class participation, and a project that uses computer software to assess major challenges to the international system.
Students will need their own Windows-based personal computer or have regular access to a computer in a lab in order to run software used in this course.
Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum: CLAC
Interested in using your foreign language skills to earn extra credit connected to this course and to learn more about the subject matter of this course at the same time? If so, register for the CLAC components offered here. You don't need to be fluent in the language to exercise this option. In fact, you need only to have completed two credits beyond 112 or to be currently enrolled in a course beyond 112. Your work will be guided by your professor and by faculty from the Languages Department. The CLAC module is designed for intermediate level language learners.
This course offers a foreign language component or CLAC component in the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Russian.
Students who select the CLAC option will complete work in a foreign language that will supplement the work in this course. Students who complete the CLAC assignments successfully will earn 1 credit for the CLAC component.
To register for the CLAC component, you must also register for a one-credit LANG 230 CLAC module listed among the Language Department's offerings. Meeting times and location will be arranged at the beginning of the semester. Credit for CLAC modules may be counted toward the requirements for International Studies and as elective credit in the Language department. 02/10
POLI 260 1Z Methodology
4 credits
Allan, James
Prerequisites: Minimum Math Placement Score of 23. Jr class standing or with permission
The political science methodology course focuses on providing students with requisite skills needed to conduct and understand 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; and the process of research report writing. Evaluation will be based on an exam, several short exercises, and a major research paper. 02/10
NOTE: This course is required by all political science majors.
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 319 1W Adv. Topics: TBA
4 credits
Staff
POLI 320 1W Public Administration
4 credits
Baker, Rob
Prerequisites: POLI 101S and Jr class standing
Using a systems framework, this course focuses on politics and policymaking of the federal bureaucracy. Emphasis is on how bureaucrats and bureaucratic agencies interact with each other, and with other political actors at the federal level. The course combines lectures with seminar discussion format. Students will be asked to write 4 critical book reviews, and an article summary. Two essay exams will also be given. 02/10
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 components: (1) understanding the history of American foreign policy; (2) examining and explaining the process through which foreign policy is made; and (3) analyzing current foreign policy issues. Two papers and at least two oral presentations are required. The course is a seminar and students are expected to engage in extensive discussion based on individual research. 02/10
WRITING INTENSIVE
