The following courses required for the BA in Political Science degree are available for the Autumn 2016 semester. A full list of courses offered by the department and requirements for the major can be found in the Undergraduate Handbook [pdf] and the major requirements handout [pdf].
Additional course information can be found on BuckeyeLink.
Do you have questions about courses or scheduling? Make an appointment with an advisor by calling Arts and Sciences Advising at (614) 292-6961.
1. Course(s) required to declare the major
*Students must have at least one of these
1100: Introduction to American Politics
This course is an introduction to the institutions, processes, and influences of American government, politics, and political behavior. The first part of the course will focus on political elites, discussing the history and theories of American democracy, as well as its political institutions (Congress, Executive, and Judiciary). In the second half of the course, we will shift gears and focus on mass political behavior and interests (public opinion, contemporary political debates, voting and campaigns and elections).
This course is available for EM credit. GE soc sci orgs and polities course. SS Admis Cond course.
1200: Introduction to Comparative Politics
This is a course that introduces students to politics as it takes place outside the United States. The emphasis is on the big questions of the day: How should democracy be structured? How do countries confront the challenges of economic development, inequality, ethnic and racial cleavages, or nation building? What are the politics that make possible transitions from authoritarianism to democracy? And how are different authoritarian political systems structured? The class will address questions of this nature in the context of an analysis of selected wealthy and poor countries around the world.
This course is available for EM credit. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
1300: Global Politics
What are the causes of war? What are the conditions in which people from different parts of the world can work together to tackle common problems such as climate change? This course provides you with the basic theoretical perspectives to address important issues in world politics such as these, and also covers other topics including economic relations, the role of international organizations, and human rights, so that, at the end of the course, you will be able to critically analyze the phenomena in world politics as an informed citizen.
GEC soc sci human, natural, and economic resources and diversity global studies course.
2150: Voters and Elections
Why do people vote? Are non-voters completely disengaged, or simply engaged in other kinds of political activities that they find more satisfying and more likely to affect their lives? This course examines recent research into voting behavior, the election context of voting, and political participation. We will learn why people are turned off of politics, and consider what kinds of changes might be necessary to rekindle the interest of voters and maintain the legitimacy of elections in the future.
GE soc sci indivs and groups course. SS Admin Cond course.
2300: American Foreign Policy
Today, the United States possesses unrivaled power and influence in international politics. How is this power used? How is U.S. foreign policy developed and implemented? What interests should the United States pursue in key policy areas like terrorism, economic globalization and weapons proliferation? The goal of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills needed to answer these questions and to critically evaluate the role of the United States in the world.
GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
2400: Introduction to Political Theory
Justice, it is said, requires giving people what they are due – but what exactly are people due? Does justice encompass freedom and equality, or are these often conflicting political values? If so, how do we trade them off against each other? How should a just state distribute the goods that we all need, such as rights and liberties, educational opportunities, and wealth? In addition to studying great philosophical answers to such questions, we will apply those answers to live debates about pressing political questions, for example, regulating sexual conduct, economic markets, affirmative action, environmental sustainability, immigration, and global justice.
GE soc sci orgs and polities course. SS Admis Cond course.
2. Specialization courses
*Students must have a minimum of 33 hours of course work at the 2000 level or higher, and at least 24 of those hours must be at the 3000 level or higher. Students must have at least four courses in one of the areas of specializations, and at least one course from each of the four traditional subfields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.
2A. Democracy and Law
3115: Introduction to the Policy Process
This course provides students with an introductory overview of the policy-making process, paying particular attention to the actors who play a pivotal role in crafting public policies and the institutions through which they interact. Note that this is not a course on policy analysis. Rather, it is a course about the politics behind successful policy change (and the pitfalls of policy failure). The objective of the course is to encourage students to think like strategic political operatives, who can take idealistic policy goals and design strategies to translate these goals into law.
3450: Ethics and Public Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
Contemporary approaches to public policy evaluation and their ethical foundations, including efficiency, security, rights, welfare, and equity. This course will give students the basic knowledge of contemporary public policy approaches and will provide critical tools to evaluate the ethical implications of specific policy positions.
4110: The American Presidency
Semester | 3 credit units
Political Science 4110 The American Presidency introduces the student to the state of the art in contemporary scholarship on the executive branch in the United States. To coincide with the 2016 presidential primary elections, the Spring 2016 offering of the course will focus especially on presidential campaigns. By the end of the course, successful students will have mastered a range of topics, including the historical and contemporary party nomination processes, the role of campaign organizations and outside interests in presidential elections, and voter decision making.
4120: U.S. Congress
Semester | 3 credit units
Analysis of legislatures and legislators, with a focus on the U.S. Congress and some attention to state legislatures and representative assemblies in other countries.
GE soc sci orgs and polities course.
4130: Law and Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
This class examines the intersection of law, politics, and political science. We will look at a variety of major issues — ranging from voter ID laws and voting machine technology to campaign finance and gerrymandering — that affect the way that elections and politics work. We will also carefully analyze the legal decisions that govern the electoral process and the academic research aimed at influencing policymakers and judges. Students will need to complete the assigned readings on time, come to class ready to discuss the material, work in groups to compose a legal brief, and argue their case before a mock Supreme Court.
4132H: Supreme Court Decision Making
Semester | 3 credit units
This course is about explanation of the decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court. Students will use theories and explanations for Court decisions to conduct a research project and predict justices' positions in current cases.
Prereq: Honors standing or permission of instructor.
4137: The Politics of Legal Decision Making
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of the literature relating social-science theories and research to the law, focusing on the criminal justice system.
4152: Campaign Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
The organization and strategy of American political campaigns; practical politics seen in the light of knowledge about political behavior and public opinion.
4210: Politics of European Integration
Semester | 3 credit units
A survey of the politics of European integration since the Second World War; topics include theories of political integration, institutions of the EU, its policies and decision making, common currency, and internal and external relations.
4212: From Dictatorship to Democracy in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece
Semester | 3 credit units
This course presents a comprehensive overview of government and politics in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Specifically, the course will be organized around two complementary sets of questions: what were the causes of political instability and the weakness of democratic institutions and practices in the past, and how might the legacy of those political divisions affect the functioning of the current democratic regimes?
GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
4240: Latin American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
This course serves as in introduction to Latin American politics, and it is organized thematically to cover a broad swath of countries. The course provides a historical overview and theoretical debates surrounding many political, economic, and social actors and events in the region. It also analyzes the quality of democracy and the current problems and political developments Latin America. Students will engage critically, analytically, and thoughtfully with theories in political science and developments in the scholarship of Latin American Politics.
4242: Incomplete Democracies
4280: State and Economy
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduction to comparative political economy; relations between the state and the economy, politics and markets, and democracy and capitalism; the consequences of state intervention.
4285: The Comparative Politics of the Welfare State
Semester | 3 credit units
Analyzes different kinds of welfare capitalism including social, economic, and political considerations shaping welfare policy; and contemporary welfare reform as an exercise in reallocation, reorganization, and budget-cutting.
Semester | 3 credit units
Why do people vote? Are non-voters completely disengaged, or simply engaged in other kinds of political activities that they find more satisfying and more likely to affect their lives? This course examines recent research into voting behavior, the election context of voting, and political participation. We will learn why people are turned off of politics, and consider what kinds of changes might be necessary to rekindle the interest of voters and maintain the legitimacy of elections in the future.
GE soc sci indivs and groups course. SS Admin Cond course.
2400: Introduction to Political Theory
Semester | 3 credit units
Justice, it is said, requires giving people what they are due – but what exactly are people due? Does justice encompass freedom and equality, or are these often conflicting political values? If so, how do we trade them off against each other? How should a just state distribute the goods that we all need, such as rights and liberties, educational opportunities, and wealth? In addition to studying great philosophical answers to such questions, we will apply those answers to live debates about pressing political questions, for example, regulating sexual conduct, economic markets, affirmative action, environmental sustainability, immigration, and global justice.
GE soc sci orgs and polities course. SS Admis Cond course.
3170: Political Psychology
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduces students to political psychology, its development from parent disciplines, its topics and problems, its research results and methods, and their applications to current affairs.
4140: Black Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Economic, political, and social constraints on the development of black political power; the efforts made by black people in recent times to organize for effective political action.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 504 or AfAmASt 4504 (504). Cross-listed in AfAmSt.
4160: Public Opinion
Semester | 3 credit units
What is public opinion? Where does it come from? How does it change? What does it matter? In this course we will attempt to answer these questions using the results of scientific studies and our own insights. We will explore the landscape of opinion on a variety of political topics, attempting to find out what the public thinks about these issues, and more importantly, why they think the way they do. We will also try to find out how a person's political opinions influence their behavior, and whether or not political leaders pay any attention to, or manipulate, "the will of the public."
4165: The Mass Media and American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
We like to think of ourselves as well-informed citizens - yet almost everything we know about politics we know only secondhand. The media acts as our only window into the political world, and as such, understanding how that window works is of central importance to understanding the actions and beliefs of both our leaders and ourselves. Students will understand how modern American political messages are designed, how they influence the public, and how this changes the behavior of the political elite.
4282: The Politics of Income Inequality
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduces fundamental politics of income inequality and redistribution, including social policy development, redistributional policy differences between countries, and popularity of differing welfare programs.
4465: Feminist Political Theory
Examines concepts in feminist political theory including the articulation of feminism, the subjects of feminist theory, the relation of race, class and sexuality to gender experience, and the use of feminist theory to transform conceptions of justice.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for WGSSt 4465. Cross-listed in WGSSt.
4597.02: Political Problems of the Contemporary World
Semester | 3 credit units
Critical problems of industrialized and developing societies, including governmental legitimacy, conflict and violence, social welfare, equality, and economic development. Topic varies by semester.
Current topic: Critical development challenges in post-conflict nations, including natural resource management, the role of aid, migration, democratization, ethnic tension, and corruption and civil service reform. No foundational knowledge required.
4597.02H: Illicit Markets and Organized Crime
Despite efforts by states to prevent trade in certain goods, illicit markets thrive in a variety of contexts. To make sense of the prevalence of such markets, as well as their impacts on important social, political, and economic issues, this course provides an overview of the development and organization of domestic and transnational markets for illegal goods. This course examines social scientific and popular work on the development of markets for various illegal goods, as well as the ways in which black market trafficking of humans, natural resources, drugs, weapons, and protection affect outcomes such as order, violence, welfare, and development.
Prereq: Honors standing, or permission of instructor.
2C. Political Economy and Development
3220: Politics of the Developing World
Semester | 3 credit units
The international system is characterized by tremendous inequality, and the gaps between the poorest and wealthiest countries commonly grow larger and larger. This class asks, given this, what is a developing country to do? That is, what are the political strategies, institutions, and problems that shape whether rapid economic and social development is possible, or whether poverty, marginalization, and malgovernance are likely to remain endemic. The course covers experiences selected from around the developing world (from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and even the European periphery), and is organized around three periods: (1) the post-war boom from the 1945 to the mid-1970s, (2) the return of free-market economics in the 1980s-90s, and (3) the contemporary era for financial globalization and crisis. This is a class about the politics of development, and no formal economics training is presumed.
GE soc sci human, nat, and econ resources and diversity global studies course.
4240: Latin American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
This course serves as in introduction to Latin American politics, and it is organized thematically to cover a broad swath of countries. The course provides a historical overview and theoretical debates surrounding many political, economic, and social actors and events in the region. It also analyzes the quality of democracy and the current problems and political developments Latin America. Students will engage critically, analytically, and thoughtfully with theories in political science and developments in the scholarship of Latin American Politics.
4242: Incomplete Democracies
4280: State and Economy
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduction to comparative political economy; relations between the state and the economy, politics and markets, and democracy and capitalism; the consequences of state intervention.
4282: The Politics of Income Inequality
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduces fundamental politics of income inequality and redistribution, including social policy development, redistributional policy differences between countries, and popularity of differing welfare programs.
4285: The Comparative Politics of the Welfare State
Semester | 3 credit units
Analyzes different kinds of welfare capitalism including social, economic, and political considerations shaping welfare policy; and contemporary welfare reform as an exercise in reallocation, reogranization, and budget-cutting.
4327: Politics in the Middle East
Semester | 3 credit units
Politics of Arab-Israeli relations, Perisan Gulf, Islamic fundamentalism, and oil; processes of change and their effects on governments and international relations.
4332: Politics of Globalization
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines globalization's origins, impacts on human welfare, and political conflicts that arise from it, including actions of governments, multinational corporations, and the anti-globalization movement.
4335: International Environmental Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Theories and debates over sustainable development, environment, and security, and effectiveness of international regimes with a focus on international fisheries management and global climate change.
4380: Political Analysis of International Economic Relations
Semester | 3 credit units
Many important facets of our daily lives are influenced by the global economy (trade, currency trading, capital flows). This course examines the relationship between political and economic events in the international system and the manner in which governments seek both to shape the global economy and respond effectively to the constraints and opportunities it provides. Topics include global interdependence, inequality, scarce resources, and periphery nation strategies.
4597.02: Political Problems of the Contemporary World
Semester | 3 credit units
Critical problems of industrialized and developing societies, including governmental legitimacy, conflict and violence, social welfare, equality, and economic development. Topic varies by semester.
Current topic: Critical development challenges in post-conflict nations, including natural resource management, the role of aid, migration, democratization, ethnic tension, and corruption and civil service reform. No foundational knowledge required.
4597.02H: Illicit Markets and Organized Crime
Despite efforts by states to prevent trade in certain goods, illicit markets thrive in a variety of contexts. To make sense of the prevalence of such markets, as well as their impacts on important social, political, and economic issues, this course provides an overview of the development and organization of domestic and transnational markets for illegal goods. This course examines social scientific and popular work on the development of markets for various illegal goods, as well as the ways in which black market trafficking of humans, natural resources, drugs, weapons, and protection affect outcomes such as order, violence, welfare, and development.
2D. Cooperation, Conflict, and Violence
2300: American Foreign Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
Today, the United States possesses unrivaled power and influence in international politics. How is this power used? How is U.S. foreign policy developed and implemented? What interests should the United States pursue in key policy areas like terrorism, economic globalization and weapons proliferation? The goal of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills needed to answer these questions and to critically evaluate the role of the United States in the world.
GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
4249: Domestic Politics of International Conflict
Semester | 3 credit units
Examination of war and the impact of domestic politics on the war-making decision; influence of domestic institutions and public opinion on leaders' ability/willingness to wage war.
4300: Theories of International Relations
Semester | 3 credit units
This course introduces students to the major theoretical issues and paradigms in the field of international relations, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism. These perspectives will be used as theoretical lenses to examine the current age of US primacy, how others are reacting to it, and what comes next.
Prereq: 1300 (145).
4315: International Security and the Causes of War
Semester | 3 credit units
This course examines various issues regarding international conflict and cooperation, including theories of strategic interaction and the causes of war.
4318: The Politics of International Terrorism
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines international terrorism's concepts and actors, the motivations and causes of terrorism, the experience of the United States, and tensions between freedoms and security.
4320: Strategies for War and Peace
Semester | 3 credit units
This course examines common strategies in foreign policy and the factors that explain why countries pursue them. It pays special attention to the ways in which countries seek to affect change and advance their interests, and the implications these have for war and peace. The course examines both the track-records of different strategies and the conditions under which they have been found to work. It also covers the different ways in which the process of decision-making has been understood and explores what is known about the factors that have the biggest impact on the course countries follow.
4327: Politics in the Middle East
Semester | 3 credit units
Politics of Arab-Israeli relations, Perisan Gulf, Islamic fundamentalism, and oil; processes of change and their effects on governments and international relations.
4332: Politics of Globalization
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines globalization's origins, impacts on human welfare, and political conflicts that arise from it, including actions of governments, multinational corporations, and the anti-globalization movement.
4335: International Environmental Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Theories and debates over sustainable development, environment, and security, and effectiveness of international regimes with a focus on international fisheries management and global climate change.
4380: Political Analysis of International Economic Relations
Semester | 3 credit units
Many important facets of our daily lives are influenced by the global economy (trade, currency trading, capital flows). This course examines the relationship between political and economic events in the international system and the manner in which governments seek both to shape the global economy and respond effectively to the constraints and opportunities it provides. Topics include global interdependence, inequality, scarce resources, and periphery nation strategies.
4455: Human Rights
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines human rights, including the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights; coercive enforcement of rights; as well as hunger, violence, persecution, and economic rights.
2E. Inequality and Justice
2400: Introduction to Political Theory
Semester | 3 credit units
Justice, it is said, requires giving people what they are due – but what exactly are people due? Does justice encompass freedom and equality, or are these often conflicting political values? If so, how do we trade them off against each other? How should a just state distribute the goods that we all need, such as rights and liberties, educational opportunities, and wealth? In addition to studying great philosophical answers to such questions, we will apply those answers to live debates about pressing political questions, for example, regulating sexual conduct, economic markets, affirmative action, environmental sustainability, immigration, and global justice.
GE soc sci orgs and polities course. SS Admis Cond course.
3220: Politics of the Developing World
Semester | 3 credit units
The international system is characterized by tremendous inequality, and the gaps between the poorest and wealthiest countries commonly grow larger and larger. This class asks, given this, what is a developing country to do? That is, what are the political strategies, institutions, and problems that shape whether rapid economic and social development is possible, or whether poverty, marginalization, and malgovernance are likely to remain endemic. The course covers experiences selected from around the developing world (from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and even the European periphery), and is organized around three periods: (1) the post-war boom from the 1945 to the mid-1970s, (2) the return of free-market economics in the 1980s-90s, and (3) the contemporary era for financial globalization and crisis. This is a class about the politics of development, and no formal economics training is presumed.
GE soc sci human, nat, and econ resources and diversity global studies course.
3450: Ethics and Public Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
Contemporary approaches to public policy evaluation and their ethical foundations, including efficiency, security, rights, welfare, and equity. This course will give students the basic knowledge of contemporary public policy approaches and will provide critical tools to evaluate the ethical implications of specific policy positions.
4130: Law and Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
This class examines the intersection of law, politics, and political science. We will look at a variety of major issues — ranging from voter ID laws and voting machine technology to campaign finance and gerrymandering — that affect the way that elections and politics work. We will also carefully analyze the legal decisions that govern the electoral process and the academic research aimed at influencing policymakers and judges. Students will need to complete the assigned readings on time, come to class ready to discuss the material, work in groups to compose a legal brief, and argue their case before a mock Supreme Court.
4132H: Supreme Court Decision Making
Semester | 3 credit units
This course is about explanation of the decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court. Students will use theories and explanations for Court decisions to conduct a research project and predict justices' positions in current cases.
Prereq: Honors standing or permission of instructor.
4137: The Politics of Legal Decision Making
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of the literature relating social-science theories and research to the law, focusing on the criminal justice system.
4140: Black Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Economic, political, and social constraints on the development of black political power; the efforts made by black people in recent times to organize for effective political action.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 504 or AfAmASt 4504 (504). Cross-listed in AfAmSt.
4280: State and Economy
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduction to comparative political economy; relations between the state and the economy, politics and markets, and democracy and capitalism; the consequences of state intervention.
4282: The Politics of Income Inequality
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduces fundamental politics of income inequality and redistribution, including social policy development, redistributional policy differences between countries, and popularity of differing welfare programs.
4285: The Comparative Politics of the Welfare State
Semester | 3 credit units
Analyzes different kinds of welfare capitalism including social, economic, and political considerations shaping welfare policy; and contemporary welfare reform as an exercise in reallocation, reogranization, and budget-cutting.
4380: Political Analysis of International Economic Relations
Semester | 3 credit units
Many important facets of our daily lives are influenced by the global economy (trade, currency trading, capital flows). This course examines the relationship between political and economic events in the international system and the manner in which governments seek both to shape the global economy and respond effectively to the constraints and opportunities it provides. Topics include global interdependence, inequality, scarce resources, and periphery nation strategies.
4455: Human Rights
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines human rights, including the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights; coercive enforcement of rights; as well as hunger, violence, persecution, and economic rights.
4465: Feminist Political Theory
Examines concepts in feminist political theory including the articulation of feminism, the subjects of feminist theory, the relation of race, class and sexuality to gender experience, and the use of feminist theory to transform conceptions of justice.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for WGSSt 4465. Cross-listed in WGSSt.
5413: Democracy, Equality & Revolution: 19th Century Political Thought
In the 19th century the hierarchies that had traditionally dominated European politics were collapsing: kings had been overthrown or seen their powers sharply limited, feudal aristocracies were dying off, the working class was enfranchised, and democratic governance was becoming the order of the day. In this course we will examine some of the earliest and most influential attempts to wrestle with the practical implications of living in a world where people were not only considered equal in theory, but were becoming equal in fact. Topics of discussion will include the relationship between liberty and equality, individualism and conformity, alienation and exploitation, and morality and power.
2F. Political Leadership and Reform
2400: Introduction to Political Theory
Semester | 3 credit units
Justice, it is said, requires giving people what they are due – but what exactly are people due? Does justice encompass freedom and equality, or are these often conflicting political values? If so, how do we trade them off against each other? How should a just state distribute the goods that we all need, such as rights and liberties, educational opportunities, and wealth? In addition to studying great philosophical answers to such questions, we will apply those answers to live debates about pressing political questions, for example, regulating sexual conduct, economic markets, affirmative action, environmental sustainability, immigration, and global justice.
GE soc sci orgs and polities course. SS Admis Cond course.
3115: Introduction to the Policy Process
This course provides students with an introductory overview of the policy-making process, paying particular attention to the actors who play a pivotal role in crafting public policies and the institutions through which they interact. Note that this is not a course on policy analysis. Rather, it is a course about the politics behind successful policy change (and the pitfalls of policy failure). The objective of the course is to encourage students to think like strategic political operatives, who can take idealistic policy goals and design strategies to translate these goals into law.
3450: Ethics and Public Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
Contemporary approaches to public policy evaluation and their ethical foundations, including efficiency, security, rights, welfare, and equity. This course will give students the basic knowledge of contemporary public policy approaches and will provide critical tools to evaluate the ethical implications of specific policy positions.
4123: Political Crisis and Reform
4130: Law and Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
This class examines the intersection of law, politics, and political science. We will look at a variety of major issues — ranging from voter ID laws and voting machine technology to campaign finance and gerrymandering — that affect the way that elections and politics work. We will also carefully analyze the legal decisions that govern the electoral process and the academic research aimed at influencing policymakers and judges. Students will need to complete the assigned readings on time, come to class ready to discuss the material, work in groups to compose a legal brief, and argue their case before a mock Supreme Court.
4152: Campaign Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
The organization and strategy of American political campaigns; practical politics seen in the light of knowledge about political behavior and public opinion.
4160: Public Opinion
Semester | 3 credit units
What is public opinion? Where does it come from? How does it change? What does it matter? In this course we will attempt to answer these questions using the results of scientific studies and our own insights. We will explore the landscape of opinion on a variety of political topics, attempting to find out what the public thinks about these issues, and more importantly, why they think the way they do. We will also try to find out how a person's political opinions influence their behavior, and whether or not political leaders pay any attention to, or manipulate, "the will of the public."
4165: The Mass Media and American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
We like to think of ourselves as well-informed citizens - yet almost everything we know about politics we know only secondhand. The media acts as our only window into the political world, and as such, understanding how that window works is of central importance to understanding the actions and beliefs of both our leaders and ourselves. Students will understand how modern American political messages are designed, how they influence the public, and how this changes the behavior of the political elite.
4335: International Environmental Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Theories and debates over sustainable development, environment, and security, and effectiveness of international regimes with a focus on international fisheries management and global climate change.
4455: Human Rights
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines human rights, including the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights; coercive enforcement of rights; as well as hunger, violence, persecution, and economic rights.
4465: Feminist Political Theory
Examines concepts in feminist political theory including the articulation of feminism, the subjects of feminist theory, the relation of race, class and sexuality to gender experience, and the use of feminist theory to transform conceptions of justice.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for WGSSt 4465. Cross-listed in WGSSt.
2G. Political Analysis
3780: Data Literacy and Data Visualization
Most social science debates can be addressed with data, and sources of data are growing exponentially. This course introduces students to tools of data analysis and principles behind their use in the context of social-science applications.
3905: Political Manipulation
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines how political actors manipulate the rules and the salience and availability of information to shift political outcomes in their favor.
4781: Techniques of Political Analysis (Data Analysis I)
Semester | 3 credit units
This course is an introduction to the ways in which social scientists leverage quantitative data to answer questions about human behavior and society. Students will learn how to critically evaluate social scientific research and will get hands-on experience in analyzing data. This course also trains students to use the R statistical software, which is used for all analyses.
Prereq for 4781: One course in political science at the 3000 level or above. GE data anly course.
4782: Research Methods in Political Science (Data Analysis II)
Semester | 3 credit units
Our focus in this course will be on research questions and the methods we can use to answer them. Key to understanding the “how” of research is a good grasp of basic statistics and probability theory, which we will review briefly, and model estimation, on which we will spend several weeks. The second section of the course is meant to illuminate research methods at work. We will do this through reading and discussion of political science articles that apply the methods we’ve discussed in class and through your development and presentation of an original research project to address a research question of your choosing. The overall goal is that by the end of the course you will have learned the mathematics and assumptions that underpin social science models, allowing you to be a more critical consumer of published information both in the social sciences and in the world at large.
5413: Democracy, Equality & Revolution: 19th Century Political Thought
In the 19th century the hierarchies that had traditionally dominated European politics were collapsing: kings had been overthrown or seen their powers sharply limited, feudal aristocracies were dying off, the working class was enfranchised, and democratic governance was becoming the order of the day. In this course we will examine some of the earliest and most influential attempts to wrestle with the practical implications of living in a world where people were not only considered equal in theory, but were becoming equal in fact. Topics of discussion will include the relationship between liberty and equality, individualism and conformity, alienation and exploitation, and morality and power.
2H. American Politics
2150: Voters and Elections
Why do people vote? Are non-voters completely disengaged, or simply engaged in other kinds of political activities that they find more satisfying and more likely to affect their lives? This course examines recent research into voting behavior, the election context of voting, and political participation. We will learn why people are turned off of politics, and consider what kinds of changes might be necessary to rekindle the interest of voters and maintain the legitimacy of elections in the future.
GE soc sci indivs and groups course. SS Admin Cond course.
3115: Introduction to Policy Process
Semester | 3 credit units
This course provides students with an introductory overview of the policy-making process, paying particular attention to the actors who play a pivotal role in crafting public policies and the institutions through which they interact. Note that this is not a course on policy analysis. Rather, it is a course about the politics behind successful policy change (and the pitfalls of policy failure). The objective of the course is to encourage students to think like strategic political operatives, who can take idealistic policy goals and design strategies to translate these goals into law.
3170: Political Psychology
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduces students to political psychology, its development from parent disciplines, its topics and problems, its research results and methods, and their applications to current affairs.
3905: Political Manipulation
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines how political actors manipulate the rules and the salience and availability of information to shift political outcomes in their favor.
4110: The American Presidency
Semester | 3 credit units
Political Science 4110 The American Presidency introduces the student to the state of the art in contemporary scholarship on the executive branch in the United States. To coincide with the 2016 presidential primary elections, the Spring 2016 offering of the course will focus especially on presidential campaigns. By the end of the course, successful students will have mastered a range of topics, including the historical and contemporary party nomination processes, the role of campaign organizations and outside interests in presidential elections, and voter decision making.
4120: U.S. Congress
Semester | 3 credit units
Analysis of legislatures and legislators, with a focus on the U.S. Congress and some attention to state legislatures and representative assemblies in other countries.
GE soc sci orgs and polities course.
4123: Political Crisis and Reform
4130: Law and Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
This class examines the intersection of law, politics, and political science. We will look at a variety of major issues — ranging from voter ID laws and voting machine technology to campaign finance and gerrymandering — that affect the way that elections and politics work. We will also carefully analyze the legal decisions that govern the electoral process and the academic research aimed at influencing policymakers and judges. Students will need to complete the assigned readings on time, come to class ready to discuss the material, work in groups to compose a legal brief, and argue their case before a mock Supreme Court.
4132H: Supreme Court Decision Making
Semester | 3 credit units
This course is about explanation of the decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court. Students will use theories and explanations for Court decisions to conduct a research project and predict justices' positions in current cases.
Prereq: Honors standing or permission of instructor.
4137: The Politics of Legal Decision Making
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of the literature relating social-science theories and research to the law, focusing on the criminal justice system.
4140: Black Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Economic, political, and social constraints on the development of black political power; the efforts made by black people in recent times to organize for effective political action.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 504 or AfAmASt 4504 (504). Cross-listed in AfAmSt.
4152: Campaign Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
The organization and strategy of American political campaigns; practical politics seen in the light of knowledge about political behavior and public opini
4160: Public Opinion
Semester | 3 credit units
What is public opinion? Where does it come from? How does it change? What does it matter? In this course we will attempt to answer these questions using the results of scientific studies and our own insights. We will explore the landscape of opinion on a variety of political topics, attempting to find out what the public thinks about these issues, and more importantly, why they think the way they do. We will also try to find out how a person's political opinions influence their behavior, and whether or not political leaders pay any attention to, or manipulate, "the will of the public."
4165: The Mass Media and American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
We like to think of ourselves as well-informed citizens - yet almost everything we know about politics we know only secondhand. The media acts as our only window into the political world, and as such, understanding how that window works is of central importance to understanding the actions and beliefs of both our leaders and ourselves. Students will understand how modern American political messages are designed, how they influence the public, and how this changes the behavior of the political elite.
2I. Comparative Politics
3220: Politics of the Developing World
Semester | 3 credit units
The international system is characterized by tremendous inequality, and the gaps between the poorest and wealthiest countries commonly grow larger and larger. This class asks, given this, what is a developing country to do? That is, what are the political strategies, institutions, and problems that shape whether rapid economic and social development is possible, or whether poverty, marginalization, and malgovernance are likely to remain endemic. The course covers experiences selected from around the developing world (from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and even the European periphery), and is organized around three periods: (1) the post-war boom from the 1945 to the mid-1970s, (2) the return of free-market economics in the 1980s-90s, and (3) the contemporary era for financial globalization and crisis. This is a class about the politics of development, and no formal economics training is presumed.
GE soc sci human, nat, and econ resources and diversity global studies course.
4210: Politics of European Integration
Semester | 3 credit units
A survey of the politics of European integration since the Second World War; topics include theories of political integration, institutions of the EU, its policies and decision making, common currency, and internal and external relations.
4212: From Dictatorship to Democracy in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece
Semester | 3 credit units
This course presents a comprehensive overview of government and politics in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Specifically, the course will be organized around two complementary sets of questions: what were the causes of political instability and the weakness of democratic institutions and practices in the past, and how might the legacy of those political divisions affect the functioning of the current democratic regimes?
GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
4240: Latin American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
This course serves as in introduction to Latin American politics, and it is organized thematically to cover a broad swath of countries. The course provides a historical overview and theoretical debates surrounding many political, economic, and social actors and events in the region. It also analyzes the quality of democracy and the current problems and political developments Latin America. Students will engage critically, analytically, and thoughtfully with theories in political science and developments in the scholarship of Latin American Politics.
4242: Incomplete Democracies
Semester | 3 credit units
Explores various forms of violence including electoral violence and political assassination, organized crime, police brutality, and other human rights abuses in Latin America.
Prereq: Soph standing or above. Not open to students with credit for 542 or IntStds 4242 (542). Cross-listed in IntStds.
4249: Domestic Politics of International Conflict
Semester | 3 credit units
Examination of war and the impact of domestic politics on the war-making decision; influence of domestic institutions and public opinion on leaders' ability/willingness to wage war.
4280: State and Economy
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduction to comparative political economy; relations between the state and the economy, politics and markets, and democracy and capitalism; the consequences of state intervention.
4282: The Politics of Income Inequality
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduces fundamental politics of income inequality and redistribution, including social policy development, redistributional policy differences between countries, and popularity of differing welfare programs.
4285: The Comparative Politics of the Welfare State
Semester | 3 credit units
Analyzes different kinds of welfare capitalism including social, economic, and political considerations shaping welfare policy; and contemporary welfare reform as an exercise in reallocation, reogranization, and budget-cutting.
4597.02: Political Problems of the Contemporary World
Semester | 3 credit units
Critical problems of industrialized and developing societies, including governmental legitimacy, conflict and violence, social welfare, equality, and economic development. Topic varies by semester.
Current topic: Critical development challenges in post-conflict nations, including natural resource management, the role of aid, migration, democratization, ethnic tension, and corruption and civil service reform. No foundational knowledge required.
4597.02H: Illicit Markets and Organized Crime
Despite efforts by states to prevent trade in certain goods, illicit markets thrive in a variety of contexts. To make sense of the prevalence of such markets, as well as their impacts on important social, political, and economic issues, this course provides an overview of the development and organization of domestic and transnational markets for illegal goods. This course examines social scientific and popular work on the development of markets for various illegal goods, as well as the ways in which black market trafficking of humans, natural resources, drugs, weapons, and protection affect outcomes such as order, violence, welfare, and development.
2J. International Relations
2300: American Foreign Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
Today, the United States possesses unrivaled power and influence in international politics. How is this power used? How is U.S. foreign policy developed and implemented? What interests should the United States pursue in key policy areas like terrorism, economic globalization and weapons proliferation? The goal of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills needed to answer these questions and to critically evaluate the role of the United States in the world.
GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
4300: Theories of International Relations
Semester | 3 credit units
This course introduces students to the major theoretical issues and paradigms in the field of international relations, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism. These perspectives will be used as theoretical lenses to examine the current age of US primacy, how others are reacting to it, and what comes next.
Prereq: 1300 (145)
4315: International Security and the Causes of War
Semester | 3 credit units
This course examines various issues regarding international conflict and cooperation, including theories of strategic interaction and the causes of war.
4318: The Politics of International Terrorism
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines international terrorism's concepts and actors, the motivations and causes of terrorism, the experience of the United States, and tensions between freedoms and security.
4320: Strategies for War and Peace
Semester | 3 credit units
This course examines common strategies in foreign policy and the factors that explain why countries pursue them. It pays special attention to the ways in which countries seek to affect change and advance their interests, and the implications these have for war and peace. The course examines both the track-records of different strategies and the conditions under which they have been found to work. It also covers the different ways in which the process of decision-making has been understood and explores what is known about the factors that have the biggest impact on the course countries follow.
4327: Politics in the Middle East
Semester | 3 credit units
Politics of Arab-Israeli relations, Perisan Gulf, Islamic fundamentalism, and oil; processes of change and their effects on governments and international relations.
4332: Politics of Globalization
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines globalization's origins, impacts on human welfare, and political conflicts that arise from it, including actions of governments, multinational corporations, and the anti-globalization movement.
4335: International Environmental Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Theories and debates over sustainable development, environment, and security, and effectiveness of international regimes with a focus on international fisheries management and global climate change.
4380: Political Analysis of International Economic Relations
Semester | 3 credit units
Many important facets of our daily lives are influenced by the global economy (trade, currency trading, capital flows). This course examines the relationship between political and economic events in the international system and the manner in which governments seek both to shape the global economy and respond effectively to the constraints and opportunities it provides. Topics include global interdependence, inequality, scarce resources, and periphery nation strategies.
4597.01: International Cooperation and Conflict
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of the relationships industrialized countries have with each other and developing nations; focus on potential for cooperation and conflict.
Prereq for 4597.01: Jr or Sr standing. GE cross-disciplinary seminar.
2K. Political Theory
2400: Introduction to Political Theory
Semester | 3 credit units
Justice, it is said, requires giving people what they are due – but what exactly are people due? Does justice encompass freedom and equality, or are these often conflicting political values? If so, how do we trade them off against each other? How should a just state distribute the goods that we all need, such as rights and liberties, educational opportunities, and wealth? In addition to studying great philosophical answers to such questions, we will apply those answers to live debates about pressing political questions, for example, regulating sexual conduct, economic markets, affirmative action, environmental sustainability, immigration, and global justice.
GE soc sci orgs and polities course. SS Admis Cond course.
3450: Ethics and Public Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
Contemporary approaches to public policy evaluation and their ethical foundations, including efficiency, security, rights, welfare, and equity. This course will give students the basic knowledge of contemporary public policy approaches and will provide critical tools to evaluate the ethical implications of specific policy positions.
4455: Human Rights
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines human rights, including the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights; coercive enforcement of rights; as well as hunger, violence, persecution, and economic rights.
4465: Feminist Political Theory
Examines concepts in feminist political theory including the articulation of feminism, the subjects of feminist theory, the relation of race, class and sexuality to gender experience, and the use of feminist theory to transform conceptions of justice.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for WGSSt 4465. Cross-listed in WGSSt.
5413: Democracy, Equality & Revolution: 19th Century Political Thought
In the 19th century the hierarchies that had traditionally dominated European politics were collapsing: kings had been overthrown or seen their powers sharply limited, feudal aristocracies were dying off, the working class was enfranchised, and democratic governance was becoming the order of the day. In this course we will examine some of the earliest and most influential attempts to wrestle with the practical implications of living in a world where people were not only considered equal in theory, but were becoming equal in fact. Topics of discussion will include the relationship between liberty and equality, individualism and conformity, alienation and exploitation, and morality and power.
3. Other Courses
3191: Political Science Internship
4191: Political Science Internship
4193: Individual Studies
4998: Undergraduate Research in Political Science
4999: Undergraduate Thesis Research
4999H: Honors Thesis Research
5797: Study at a Foreign Institution
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