Intensive first-year seminar focused on specific themes and/or disciplinary perspectives. Emphasis on developing critical reading and writing skills, substantive revision, information literacy, and analytical thinking. First-year seminars are frequently organized to meet one of the disciplinary Catamount Core requirements. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years.
Intensive first-year seminar focused on basic problems in political philosophy, e.g. morality and law; punishment; freedom; equality; obligation and disobedience. Emphasis on developing critical reading and writing skills, substantive revision, information literacy, and analytical thinking.
Intensive course in the social sciences examining the causes of dramatic variations in the status of women in different countries. Part of an integrated first-year experience in which students take 2-4 classes exploring aesthetic, humanistic, social, linguistic, environmental, or scientific issues. Co-requisite: Enrollment in Liberal Arts Scholars Program for Social Science Scholars.
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.
Introduction to the main currents of political thought in America today (including liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, and more), considering their moral and philosophical foundations and investigating them in historical perspective. Prerequisite: POLS 1012 or POLS 1200.
Examination of the history of Congress and its current practices that can lead to landmark legislation or dysfunction. Considers the structure of both chambers, the motivations of individual members, and congressional interactions with the other branches, outside groups, and voters on matters of foreign and domestic policy. 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.
Explores the history, strategies, conflicts, and issues surrounding the various movements advancing the claims of LGBT rights, as well as the roles LGBTQ people play as participants in American politics and culture. Prerequisite: POLS 1300, POLS 1013, GSWS 1500, GSWS 1010, or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: GSWS 2070.
Environmental and natural resources politics in the American context. Analysis of the environmental movement and political theories, issues, processes, and institutions. Prerequisites: POLS 1300, POLS 1013, or ENVS 1500. Cross-listed with: ENVS 2460.
Survey of the politics of the Middle East since World War II. Includes sessions on specific countries, discussions of topics ranging from democratization to terrorism to social media use, and debate on current policy dilemmas in the region. Prerequisite: POLS 1500 or POLS 1015.
Investigation of food in the development of political hierarchy, the state system, industrial capitalism, economic development, environmental issues, health and diet, and the politics of identity and difference. Analyzes our food system and grapples with pressing questions about the future of food using comparative politics and international relations concepts and theories. Prerequisite: POLS 1500, POLS 1015, POLS 1700, or POLS 1017.
Examines varied topics in the field of comparative politics. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisite: POLS 1700 or POLS 1017.
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.
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.
Addresses normative political theory that asks what obligations, if any, citizens and their states have internationally. Topics include human rights, immigration, global poverty, humanitarian military intervention, and more. Prerequisite: POLS 1200 or POLS 1012; three hours of Political Science at the 2000-level.
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.
Considers the process by which public officials, businesses, lobbyists and citizens determine who gets what, when, how and where in the United States. We will pay particular attention to how state legislatures create and enforce the rules of the game to affect policy outcomes that vary in substantial ways on socioeconomic, racial and regional lines. The course also pays particular attention to how organized interests pursue their goals. Prerequisites: POLS 1300, HSCI 1600, or SOC 1300; a Political Science course at or above the 2000-level; minimum Junior standing.
Both new and established democracies face challenges as strongmen and populist leaders chip away at civil liberties, the rule of law, and free and fair elections. An examination of the factors that drive this process and shape the susceptibility of societies to democratic decline, as well as how backsliding might be resisted. Prerequisites: POLS 1700 or POLS 1017; three hours of Political Science at the 2000-level.
An in-depth examination of the Mexican political system. Topics will include an overview of Mexican history, one-party authoritarian rule, democratization, and political economy. Prerequisites: (POLS 1700 or POLS 1017) and three hours of Political Science at the 2000-level; or appropriate Global and Regional Studies background.
Involves students in policy research for the Vermont State Legislature on a wide range of topics, including the environment, health, and welfare. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
College honors thesis or other department/program honors, under the supervision of a faculty member. Offered at department discretion.