Courses

    Studies main political philosophies and political issues of Western culture, from antiquity to 20th century. Approved for GT-SS1. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: ideals and values.

    Highlights the development of American political theories and ideas from colonial period to present. Can also be taken for American field credit. Recommended prereq., PSCI 2004. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context or ideals and values. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Examines environmental discourses as conceptual means for theorizing environmental politics, and applies normative political theories to contemporary environmental policy issues. Considers the roles of political actors (individuals, groups, the state) in defining and addressing environmental problems on local, national, and global levels. Recommended prereq., PSCI 2004. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: ideals and values.

    Studies theories and problems related to citizenship in the US and the EU. This includes rights and restrictions of citizenship, issues of immigration, multicultural citizenship, globalization and citizenship. In the EU the relation between member nation citizenship and EU citizenship is a special problem. Examines how the US and EU compare. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

    Examines the justification and limits for moral, political, and religious pluralism. The students will be trained in the practice of dialogue. They will research the historical context of a subject that would be appropriate for a dialogue and interview members of the community who have different perspectives on the subject. Restricted to students with minimum 26 hours completed.

    Explores how norms of sex, gender, race and sexuality find expression in institutions and policies in ways that legitimize only certain individuals as political actors, certain identities as politically relevant, and certain relationships as important. Critically examines how norms may be exposed, resisted, and changed by studying the politics of the women's, gay liberation, and men's movements in the U.S. Prereq., PSCI 2004 or WMST 2000 or LGBT 2000. Same as WMST 3174. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Intensively analyzes and discusses major theories and issues of both contemporary political thought and the history of political philosophy. The topic is announced by the instructor, but might include analysis of concepts (justice, human rights, democracy, etc.) or major theories. Emphasizes advanced discussion plus individual research. Prereq., PSCI 2004.

    Examines contemporary arguments for and against liberalism. Focuses on the analysis, evaluation, and understanding of the philosophical contributions to this debate. Gives special attention to the concepts of justice, freedom, equality, and individualism. Prereq., PSCI 2004. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Broadly examines political topics as they are presented in important literary works and analyzes the possibilities involved in using the literary mode to present political teachings. Prereq., PSCI 2004. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Examines in depth various philosophical and legal justifications of First Amendment rights of speech, press, association, and religion. Assesses these justifications in relation to broader normative theories of liberal democracy. Can also be taken for American field credit. Prereq., PSCI 2004. Recommended prereq., PSCI 2481. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Subjects and arrangements suit individual student needs. Independent study is for upper-division students who have completed 9 credit hours of political science and who have an overall GPA of at least 3.00. Not more than 6 credit hours of independent study may be credited toward the minimum requirements in the political science major. Special independent study approval agreement form must be obtained from the department. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Prereq., PSCI 2004.

    Independent research in a topic of special interest. Arrangements made to suit needs of each student. Not a free option; must be approved by student's advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. Maybe repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 8904.

    May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
    Allows for intensive research in and presentation of selected topics. Introduces students to the broad context within which political ideas arise. Deals with classical and modern thought. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours for different topics. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Familiarizes students with selected political philosophies or theories in classical or modern political thought. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours for different topics.

    Examines major texts of Western political thought from the ancients through the 21st century. Introduces students to major schools of contemporary political theory, while situating these in their larger political context. Professionalizes students through presentations and research projects. Texts vary each semester. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Recommended prereq., some previous coursework in political theory or philosophy. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
    Surveys major schools of contemporary democratic theory and introduces students to current scholarly debates about democracy and democratic politics. Professionalizes students through class presentations and research projects. Specific controversies and texts vary each semester. Recommended prereq., some previous coursework in political theory or philosophy. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Provides an opportunity for independent research in a topic of special interest. Arrangements are made to suit the needs of each particular student. Not a free option; must be approved by student's advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 6904.

    All doctoral students must register for not fewer than 30 hours of dissertation credit as part of the requirements for the degree. For a detailed discussion of doctoral dissertation credit, refer to the Graduate School section.