Courses

    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.

    Examines theoretical and empirical research on social movements from a U.S. perspective. Considers why social movements arise, who participates in them, the tactics they employ, obstacles they face, and their political impact. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

    Presents theories on the interaction between policies and economics, economic models of politics, and familiarizes students with an approach that will prove useful in understanding current developments in both economics and politics. Explores relationships between financial markets, currency regimes, and politics with some special consideration of the behavioral foundations of political and economic developments. Prereq., PSCI 2012.

    Examines structure of political, social, and economic influence in urban areas. Focuses on the relationship of political processes to governmental, social, and economic institutions and contemporary policy processes in American cities. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Examine the diverse political trajectories of four South Asian countries: India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Using a comparative lens, we will take into account historical, cultural, and economic, in addition to political, factors in deciphering this diversity of political paths. Prereqs., ASIA 1000, HIND 1011, HIST 1408, and PSCI 2012.

    This course is designed to survey the wide range of research designs and methods employed in political science research, including normative analysis, interpretive analysis and causal analysis. It will provide an introduction to students planning to write honors theses and will be useful for any student planning to do research in political science as part of a senior seminar or capstone course. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: quantitative reasoning and mathematics. Prereq., PSCI 2075 or equivalent. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors).

    Analyzes employment, or the threat of employing force, in securing American interests in the post-Cold War world. Gives special attention to utilities claimed for nuclear weapons, and alternatively, to weapons control and disarmament. Prereq., PSCI 2223.

    Analyzes the various theoretical and policy challenges facing the post-Cold War world, with an emphasis on examining alternative conceptions of and approaches to such challenges. Prereq., PSCI 2223. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Examines foundations, assumptions, objectives, dynamics, and methods of U.S. foreign policy since WWII. Gives special attention to domestic and external problems of adapting U.S. policy to the changing world environment. Prereq., PSCI 2223. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Examines competing theoretical approaches to questions related to origins, development, and purposes of modern government in the United States; particular attention paid to impact of transformations in the underlying structure of the capitalist economy. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.

    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.

    Analyzes how the American governmental and political system is structured to define, select, and implement national security policies. Examines roles of the president, Congress, bureaucracy, interest groups,and other actors. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

    Presents alternate theoretical frameworks for the explanation of international processes. Applies theories of conflict behavior and social organization to problems of war and peace. Prereq., PSCI 2223. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Considers constitutional, political, and geographic factors in development of public policy affecting the use of natural resources and management of the environment; organization, procedures, and programs for use of natural resources; and administration of environmental policies. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Focuses on the rational choice approach to understanding social decision making. Introduces students to the tools and methods of game-theoretic reasoning, and examines the strategic logic of many forms of political decision-making, including voting, lawmaking, and international conflict. Prereqs., PSCI 1101 or 2012 or 2223. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Examines relationship between human behavior and legal system, looking closely at the voluntary relationship between the citizen and the state, the use of law to balance economic liberty and equality, support for civil liberties, and procedural, distributive, and retributive justice. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

    Contemporary and historic overview of U.S. courts' treatment of sex and gender. Using the case method, examines policy issues including, but not limited to: same sex marriage and civil unions; privacy; affirmative action; abortion; reproductive technologies; and discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation in education and in the workplace. Prereq., WMST 2000 or PSCI 1101. Same as WMST 3300. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

    Provides an overview and critical examination of women as political actors within the United States. Students will examine the gendered components of citizenship, election, political office, and public policy. Furthermore, students will explore the ways in which gender intersects with class, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other identities in U.S. politics. Same as WMST 3311.

    Comparatively analyzes development of the political systems and processes of European democracies. Emphasizes contemporary institutions, decision making patterns, and policy issues. Special attention to challenges of welfare systems. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Involves writing an honors thesis. Prereq., PSCI 4718.

    Analyzes development theory, case studies in development strategies, and the problems and promises of development: specifically issues of gender, environment, labor, corruption and poverty. The primary focus is on explanations for variation in level of development over time and across countries. Prereq., PSCI 2012, ECON 2020, IAFS 1000, or one upper-division PSCI course. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    History of China's external relations and theories of foreign policy decision making. Explores two vital bilateral relations (Sino-U.S. and Sino-Japanese) and several key issues (like Taiwan) in China's 21st century foreign policy. Prereq., PSCI 2012. 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.

    Offers subjects not covered by existing courses. Offered when the department approves a special topic. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours for different topics. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Explores the politics of 20th century China to speculate on China's future in the 21st century. Begins with an extensive look at the political history of the People's Republic, before turning to social, cultural, economic, and political issues today. Concludes with an examination of Chinese foreign policy, with a focus on Sino-American relations. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

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