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. 10/10
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 three exams, quizzes, and a paper. 10/10
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. 2/10
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 Smith, Marx, Keynes, Hayek and others have addressed these questions. The course then turns to a comparative and theoretical examination of one of the most extensive (and one of the most controversial) aspects of public policy in advanced capitalist democracies: social policy. By the end of the course students should have gained an appreciation of the diversity of approaches to political economy found historically and in contemporary advanced industrial democracies.10/10
POLI 212R 01 Modern Political Philosophy
4 credits
Betti, Daniel
This course studies the European Enlightenment as the beginning of modern political thought and will examine central Enlightenment thinkers from the 17th- 19th century, and one 20th century critic of modernity. The modern era raises difficult question for political organization and human societies. What is the proper relationship between citizen and state? When must a citizen obey their government? What makes law legitimate? What is the proper relationship between church and state, and also between private faith and public reason? The Enlightenment also raises the question of progress- Is history progressive? Is there an end to human progress? How do we treat dissenters in a climate of progress? Concluding the course, students will be presented with the idea of post-modernity. Has the modern era of the Enlightenment given way to the next stage of thought and politics? Concepts central to modern political thought include individualism, equality, liberty, universalism, the state, and freedom.
POLI 215R 01 American Political Thought
4 credits
Betti, Daniel
The central concept for this course on American political thought is citizenship. What does it mean to be a citizen? In what kind of political association? What are the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States? Thinking about citizenship, our course readings will revolve around the main ideas, principles, and public debates that have served as the foundation for American national government. For convenience, the course material divides American political thought into four sections. Each section incorporates primary writings from key political thinkers. First, the course examines the Founding, meaning the American Revolution, the establishment of a federal government under the Constitution, and the establishment and administration of the national government. Second, the course investigates antebellum American political thought as the nation moves toward its Civil War. We will not prove what caused the Civil War, but we will study the ideas behind the nation’s division. Third, we will scrutinize the Progressive Era, the late 19th and early 20th century-era of capitalism, progressivism, and the New Deal. Urbanization, industrialization, and immigration led to flourishing of thought about what America was as nation and how it should confront its immanent challenges. Finally, the course will review the recent past from the Cold War to contemporary debates about culture and politics.
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. 10/10
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 Americans have interpreted and responded to the democratic experiment. Considerable attention will be given to 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. Evaluation will be based on three exams, several quizzes, class participation, and short, one page writing assignments. 10/10
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. 10/10
POLI 260 1Z Methodology
4 credits
Hasecke, Ed
Prerequisite: Math Placement Score of 23
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. 10/10
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 Jr/Sr 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. Evaluation will be based on exams, participation, a short group project, and a major research paper. 10/10
WRITING INTENSIVE
Optional: 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.
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.
POLI 319 1W Democracy and Demagoguery
4 credits
Betti, Daniel
Prerequisites: A Political Theory course (POLI 211, 212, 215 or 216) or permission of the instructor; Jr Class Standing
No other contemporary political system approaches the legitimacy of democracy. This was not always the case. Nor is democracy itself a perfect or ideal political system. In both ancient Greece and contemporary America, democracy cannot avoid carrying demagoguery in tow. This class will examine democracy as a political system and the problem of demagoguery within it, specifically addressing the following questions. How does a democratic system of government decide on policy matters? What constitutes “the best” or “the right” solution to a problem? How does a democracy decide what is a problem and what is not? How does democracy categorize problems? What is a serious problem and what is a lesser problem? Since democracy is the system of government in which the people rule, how does public speech influence the public mind? What are the standards of knowledge and truth in a democracy? The idea of freedom will lurk throughout these questions. What does freedom mean in a democracy? What is the relationship of freedom and knowledge? What limits can a democracy place on the freedom of its constituents? Is there any cure for demagoguery in a democracy?
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 321 1W Public Policy
4 credits
Hasecke, Ed
Prerequisites: POLI 101S and Jr 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. 10/10
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. 10/10
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 354 1W Chinese Foreign Policy
4 credits
Yu, Bin
Prerequisite: East Asian and Political Science majors desirable, or POLI 102S, 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, national interests, military and strategic factors, economics, domestic politics, and the decision-making structure and process. The course also analyzes 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. 10/10
WRITING INTENSIVE
