Courses

Examines the founding period of the United States through the events, political concepts and individuals depicted in the art exhibited in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The course includes a visit to the U.S. Capitol Building, the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, the floor of the U.S. Senate, and an exploration of the legislative process. Prereq., PSCI 1101 or 2012 or 2223 or 2004. Restricted to students with a minimum 3.4 GPA and 60 credit hours completed. PSCI 4081 and PRLC 4081 are the same course. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

Comparatively analyzes major urban systems in different political/economic settings and Third-World countries. Gives special attention to political and economic factors shaping urbanization processes and distinctive policy issues in these different settings. Recommended prereqs., PSCI 1101 and 3071. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Analyzes the causes and consequences of military intervention in politics, contrasting patterns of civil-military relations, and the problem of democratic control of the armed forces. Focuses on the Latin American military, with secondary attention to U.S. military. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000, and PSCI or ROTC major. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Examines the political status and activities of Mexican Americans and other Latino groups (Cuban Americans and Puerto Ricans) in the U.S. Also covers Latino political attitudes and behaviors; Latino efforts to influence the major national, state, and local institutions of the American government; and public policy concerns of Latinos. Recommended prereq., PSCI 1101. Restricted to sophomores/juniors/ seniors. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

Analyzes international organizations to determine whether they are an effective instrument for achieving peace and security and for the promotion of human welfare. Prereq., PSCI 2223. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Investigates the body of law that regulates relations between nation states and provides a framework for the solving of common problems. Explores its nature and effectiveness as well as its adaptability to a changing environment. Prereq., PSCI 2223. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Analyzes issues at the intersection of international politics and international economics. Utilizes theories and concepts from both economics and political science to understand issues in trade, finance, development and migration. Prereq., PSCI 2223.

Covers European and Atlantic regionalism. Discusses such communities as the Council of Europe, NATO, EFTA, and OECD, and provides a detailed examination of the European Union. Looks at theories of integration, problems of partnership and interdependence, rival nationalisms and strategic doctrines, and problems of the post-Cold War era. Prereq., PSCI 2223.

Examines the psychological foundations of political decision-making among citizens and elites. Condsiders the role of political psychology in explaining political behavior and outcomes at the individual and collective level. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

Focuses on the nature and scope of American constitutional principles as developed by the U.S. Supreme Court: federalism, jurisdiction of the federal courts, separation of powers, the taxing power, and the commerce power. Involves the case method. Prereq., PSCI 1101 and junior or senior standing. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

Explores the domestic politics of various Middle Eastern countries as well as the development and globalization of the region. Includes topics such as the ongoing prevalence of dictatorships, political Islamism, oil politics, economic growth and stagnation, and relations with the U.S. Prereq., PSCI 2012.

Explores the evolution of warfare and origins of terrorism. Ideological and identity differences have come to the forefront of violent political conflicts while the emerging doctrine of warfare has placed civilians in the middle of modern conflicts. Tracks potential changes in the means of and reasons for fighting, roles of civilians and media, and rules of war. Prereq., PSCI 2223. Recommended prereq., PSCI 3193. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Continuation of PSCI 4241. Emphasizes war power, powers of the president, citizenship, the Bill of Rights, and the Civil War amendments. Involves the case method. Not open to freshmen. Prereq., PSCI 1101 or instructor consent. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Analyzes ethnic identity as a factor in contemporary politics. Deals extensively with the role of ethnic groups in political mobilization, the development of national collective consciousness, nation building, and international relations. Explores the influence of religion, language, history, culture and class on ethnic group formation and behavior. Prereq., PSCI 2012. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Explores the development, functioning, focus and future of the European Union. Examines history, institutions, policies and politics as well as governance theories that have been developed to explain origins and evolution of the EU. Prereq., PSCI 2012.

Examines the politics of language. Topics covered include the primordial versus instrumental role of languages, the politics over minority language recognition, and the trade-offs surrounding the use of a lingua franca. Course will start with a regional focus on Asia then shift to the European Union and conclude in the United States. Prereq., PSCI 2012.

Examines aspects of political communication as it applies to citizens, political decision makers, and specific public policies. Prereq., PSCI 1101 or instructor consent. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

Introduces uses and abuses of symbols as instruments and indicators of political change. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Recommended prereq., junior or senior standing.

Aims to help students think about the future of the world in a systematic way. Focuses on alternative projections and policies dealing with major problems. Prereq., PSCI 2223 and junior or senior standing. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

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 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

Involves writing and discussion of selected topics in political science. Critically reviews the major methodological and conceptual features of the discipline. Students begin their honors papers in the seminar. Prereq., GPA of at least 3.50. Formerly PSCI 4718. Generally offred in fall term only.

Integrates general principles of policy inquiry with documents and other literature on specific problems in public policy, in order to evaluate courses of action. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours on different topics. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Restricted to juniors and seniors. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

Examines the political history and development of the United States of America. Looks at the particular policy choices we have made and examines the future political agenda. Prereqs., junior or senior standing and PSCI 1101 recommended. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

Closely examines the various understandings of democracy, the arguments for and against democracy, and the progress of and prospects for democratic politics in the United States. Particular attention is paid to economic, social, and political developments in the United States that affect popular sovereignty, political equality, and liberty. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Exposes students to current issues in the political economy of development. Subjects range from globalization, democratization, and economic development. Specifically, the course explores the international and domestic determinants of economic development with special reference to currency markets, foreign direct investment, trade, and democratization. Prereqs., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000, ECON 2010 and 2020, and one upper-division PSCI course. Same as INVS 4302. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).