Examination of basic problems in political philosophy, e.g. morality and law; punishment; freedom; equality; obligation and disobedience. Credit not awarded for both POLS 1200 and POLS 1012.
Institutions, processes, and problems of American government. Credit not awarded for both POLS 1300 and POLS 1013.
Examines the major theories of international relations, important concepts in the study of international relations (such as the balance of power and democratic peace theory), dilemmas leaders face when formulating foreign policies, and current international events. Credit not awarded for both POLS 1500 and POLS 1015.
An examination of questions such as why some countries are democratic and others authoritarian, and why some countries are poor and others wealthier, through the study and comparison of political institutions and patterns of interaction across countries. Credit not awarded for both POLS 1700 and POLS 1017.
Intermediate courses on topics in political theory beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. May be repeated for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisite: POLS 1012 or POLS 1200.
Introduction to the most important ethical debates about our economy. To make questions of economic justice vivid and evocative, includes the application of principles learned to cases about access to higher education, meritocracy, workers' rights, complicity in sweatshops, the impact of economic inequality on democracy, a universal basic income, and other topics. Prerequisite: POLS 1200 or POLS 1012.
Exploration of human experiments in fashioning an ideal society, in theory and in practice, from antiquity to the present day. Discussion-based and culminating in student group presentations on various utopian communities of choice. By the end of this course, students will have gained new factual knowledge about political theory and practice, a new vocabulary to discuss it, and new abilities to write cogently and think critically about human social relationships. Prerequisites: POLS 1012 or POLS 1200.
Emphasis on developing skills of legal analysis. Historical origins and general principles of constitutionalism. Prerequisite: POLS 1300 or POLS 1013.
Investigation of the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment, rights of the accused, and the right to privacy. Prerequisite: POLS 1300 or POLS 1013.
Examines varied topics concerning the American political system. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisite: POLS 1300 or POLS 1013.
Exploration of the role of media in democracy. Subjects include how media operate in the United States and how media presentation and interpretation of events affect democracy through shaping public opinion, affecting political institutions, and determining public policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1300 or POLS 1013.
The evolution of sexual politics within the United States. Includes examinations of shifting debates over marriage, reproduction, abortion, LGBT rights, sex education, and teen sexuality. Prerequisite: POLS 1300, POLS 1013, GSWS 1500, or GSWS 1010. Cross-listed with: GSWS 2765.
Theoretical and empirical examination of the security of the international system and the states within it, with particular emphasis on twenty-first century security challenges. Prerequisite: POLS 1500 or POLS 1015.
Overview of scholarly research on terrorism and counterterrorism efforts, engagement with debates on the appropriateness of the term terrorism, information on terrorist movements (both historical and contemporary), and a discussion of policy responses to terrorism. Prerequisite: POLS 1500, POLS 1015, POLS 1700, or POLS 1017.
Examines the nature of politics and the development of post-Soviet social and economic institutions in Russia. Prerequisite: POLS 1700 or POLS 1017.
Institutions, processes, and problems of government in Japan. Prerequisite: POLS 1700 or POLS 1017.
Comparative examination of selected Latin American political systems. Prerequisite: POLS 1700, POLS 1017, HST 1475, SPAN 3665, or SPAN 3670.
Introduction to research methods in social science. Includes examination of research design, measurement, data collection, data analysis, and the presentation and theoretical interpretation of research findings. Prerequisites: STAT 1050, STAT 1110, STAT 1410, or higher; three hours of Sociology or Political Science; minimum Sophomore standing. Cross-listed with: SOC 2500.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Examines varied topics concerning the American political system in a seminar format. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisites: POLS 1300 or POLS 1013; three hours of Political Science at the 2000-level.
Investigates the relationship between popular film, TV, books, and/or video games and people's perspectives on politics. Prerequisite: POLS 1300 or POLS 1013; three hours of Political Science at the 2000-level; minimum Junior standing.
Examines varied topics concerning the interaction between national and international politics in a seminar format. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisites: POLS 1015, POLS 1017, POLS 1500, or POLS 1700; three hours of Political Science at the 2000-level.
Examines varied topics concerning comparative politics in a seminar format. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisites: POLS 1700 or POLS 1017; three hours of Political Science at the 2000-level.
Examination of major contemporary research topics in political science. Admission by invitation only. Typically those invited are junior or senior Political Science majors who have completed or are currently enrolled in a 3000-level POLS seminar. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
College honors thesis or other department/program honors, under the supervision of a faculty member. Offered at department discretion.