Below are the Spring 2022 class offerings and what specializations these classes can be applied toward.
1. Course(s) required to declare the major
*Students must have at least one of these
POLITSC 1100: Introduction to American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduction to American politics, the institutions and processes which create public policy, the strengths and weaknesses of the American political systems. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 3100 (300), 101, or 101H. This course is available for EM credit. GE soc sci orgs and polities course. SS Admis Cond course.
POLITSC 1200: Introduction to Comparative Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduction to modern nation-states outside the United States: problems of state- and nation-building, representation, conflict, and making of government policy in selected countries. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 100 or 100H. This course is available for EM credit. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
POLITSC 1300: Global Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Cooperation and conflict in world politics. Covers basic theories of international relations and key issues, including security, political economy, international organizations, and the environment. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 145 or 145H. GE soc sci human, nat, and econ resources and diversity global studies course.
POLITSC 2150: Voters and Elections
Semester | 3 credit units
Study of US elections, focusing on voter attitudes, group behavior, and political participation. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 201 or 201H. GE soc sci indivs and groups course. SS Admin Cond course.
POLITSC 2300: American Foreign Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
The role of the United States in world politics since the Second World War, emphasizing structural change in economic and political-military relations. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 245 or 245H. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
POLITSC 2400: Introduction to Political Theory
Semester | 3 credit units
An introduction to the field of political theory through classic and contemporary texts and selected case studies. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 210 or 210H. 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
POLITSC 2367: Contemporary Issues in American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Discussion of and critical writing about controversies in contemporary American politics; aimed at fostering analytical abilities in reading comprehension, oral, and written expression.
Prereq: 101 or 300, and English 110 or 111, and Soph standing; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 367.01 or 367.01H. GE writing and comm course: level 2 and soc sci orgs and polities course.
POLITSC 4125: American State Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Comparative analysis of politics in the American states. Prereq: 1100 (101) or 3100 (300) or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 507.
POLITSC 4136: Civil Liberties
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of civil liberties decisions by American courts, their legal and political bases, and their effects on government and society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 519.
POLITSC 4138: Women and the Law
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of the legal status of women and the ways in which law affects the situation of women in American society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 514.
POLITSC 4139: Gun Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Examination of the arguments and issues surrounding gun control in the United States. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 4139 (518).
POLITSC 4150: American Political Parties
Semester | 3 credit units
Theories of political parties, party organization, individual voting behavior, nomination and electoral politics, the party in government. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 575. GE soc sci orgs and polities course.
POLITSC 4285: 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.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 578.
2B. Political Identities and Allegiances
POLITSC 2150: Voters and Elections
Semester | 3 credit units
Study of US elections, focusing on voter attitudes, group behavior, and political participation. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 201 or 201H. GE soc sci indivs and groups course. SS Admin Cond course
POLITSC 2367: Contemporary Issues in American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Discussion of and critical writing about controversies in contemporary American politics; aimed at fostering analytical abilities in reading comprehension, oral, and written expression.
Prereq: 101 or 300, and English 110 or 111, and Soph standing; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 367.01 or 367.01H. GE writing and comm course: level 2 and soc sci orgs and polities course.
POLITSC 3910: Identity Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Explores who controls the meaning of identity in society; examining identity from the perspective of liberal, sociological, and social psychological, structuralist, and institutionalist theories. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 547.
POLITSC 4138: Women and the Law
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of the legal status of women and the ways in which law affects the situation of women in American society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 514.
POLITSC 4150: American Political Parties
Semester | 3 credit units
Theories of political parties, party organization, individual voting behavior, nomination and electoral politics, the party in government. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 575. GE soc sci orgs and polities course.
POLITSC 4164: Political Participation and Voting Behavior
Semester | 3 credit units
A study of political participation and its correlates, determinants of the vote decision, and analysis of recent American elections. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 574.
POLITSC 4285: 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.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 578.
POLITSC 4465: Feminist Political Theory
Semester | 3 credit units
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.
2C. Political Economy and Development
POLITSC 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.
POLITSC 4250: African Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
An introductory survey of Sub-Saharan African politics from the pre-colonial period to the contemporary era. It will examine the common themes, issues, and trends that shape politics and development across forty-nine countries. Students will gain an understanding of how context shapes political behavior and how historical and political forces have influenced African politics. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 4597.02 (Au13, African Politics), 4250H, or AfAmASt 4250. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in AfAmASt.
POLITSC 4327: Politics in the Middle East
Semester | 3 credit units
Politics of Arab-Israeli relations, Persian Gulf, Islamic fundamentalism, and oil; processes of change and their effects on governments and international relations.
2D. Cooperation, Conflict, and Violence
POLITSC 2300: American Foreign Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
The role of the United States in world politics since the Second World War, emphasizing structural change in economic and political-military relations. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 245 or 245H. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
POLITSC 3240: Political Violence
Semester | 3 credit units
This course will expose students to major theoretical debates and broad empirical patterns of intrastate conflict during the post-World War II era.
POLITSC 3310: Defense Policy and National Security
Semester | 3 credit units
This course addresses some of the basic issues surrounding national security policy. The primary focus is on policy issues related to the use of force between and within countries. The goal of the course is to provide the analytical tools and factual knowledge that are necessary to identify and assess current and future threats to national security.
POLITSC 4310: Security Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
National security and military policy issues and trends since 1945; covers containment, deterrence, Vietnam, nuclear weapons, terrorism, and globalization. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 552.
POLITSC 4315: International Security and the Causes of War
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines various issues regarding international conflict and cooperation, including theories of strategic interaction and the causes of war. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 544.
POLITSC 4327: Politics in the Middle East
Semester | 3 credit units
Politics of Arab-Israeli relations, Persian Gulf, Islamic fundamentalism, and oil; processes of change and their effects on governments and international relations.
2E. Inequality and Justice
POLITSC 3430: Political Theories of Freedom
Semester | 3 credit units
Provides an overview of the various ways in which the value of human freedom has been understood and pursued in political life. Prereq: 2400 (210). Not open to students with credit for 570.
POLITSC 3440: Political Theories of Justice
Semester | 3 credit units
Focuses on debates among political theorists about the meaning of justice; "What is justice?" and "How might we order our world justly?" Prereq: 2499 (210). Not open to students with credit for 572.
POLITSC 4136: Civil Liberties
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of civil liberties decisions by American courts, their legal and political bases, and their effects on government and society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 519.
POLITSC 4138: Women and the Law
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of the legal status of women and the ways in which law affects the situation of women in American society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 514.
POLITSC 4139: Gun Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Examination of the arguments and issues surrounding gun control in the United States. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 4139 (518).
POLITSC 4285: 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.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 578.
POLITSC 4465: Feminist Political Theory
Semester | 3 credit units
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.
2F. Political Leadership and Reform
POLITSC 3430: Political Theories of Freedom
Semester | 3 credit units
Provides an overview of the various ways in which the value of human freedom has been understood and pursued in political life.
Prereq: 2400 (210). Not open to students with credit for 570.
POLITSC 3440: Political Theories of Justice
Semester | 3 credit units
Focuses on debates among political theorists about the meaning of justice; "What is justice?" and "How might we order our world justly?" Prereq: 2499 (210). Not open to students with credit for 572.
3912: Political Leadership
Semester | 3 credit units
Establishment of a working definition of political leadership, investigation of recruitment of leaders, analysis of major functions political leaders perform, and assessment of consequences of political leadership. Prereq: 1100 (100), 1200 (101), or 3100 (300). Not open to students with credit for 612.
POLITSC 4136: Civil Liberties
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of civil liberties decisions by American courts, their legal and political bases, and their effects on government and society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 519.
POLITSC 4138: Women and the Law
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of the legal status of women and the ways in which law affects the situation of women in American society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 514.
POLITSC 4150: American Political Parties
Semester | 3 credit units
Theories of political parties, party organization, individual voting behavior, nomination and electoral politics, the party in government. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 575. GE soc sci orgs and polities course.
POLITSC 4164: Political Participation and Voting Behavior
Semester | 3 credit units
A study of political participation and its correlates, determinants of the vote decision, and analysis of recent American elections. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 574.
POLITSC 4465: Feminist Political Theory
Semester | 3 credit units
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
POLITSC 3780: Data Literacy and Data Visualization
Semester | 3 credit units
Introduction to the tools of data analysis in political science, with an emphasis on data visualization. GE data anly course.
POLITSC 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. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 577.
POLITSC 4781: Data Analysis in Political Science I
Semester | 3 credit units
Covers basic techniques for analyzing data in political science. Prereq: Math 1151 and one course in PolitSc at the 3000 level or above; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 485, 4781H (485H), 585, or 585H. GE data anly course.
POLITSC 4782: Data Analysis in Political Science II
Semester | 3 credit units
Covers advanced techniques for analyzing data in political science. Prereq: Math 1151 and 4781 (485), or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 586.
2H. American Politics
POLITSC 2150: Voters and Elections
Semester | 3 credit units
Study of US elections, focusing on voter attitudes, group behavior, and political participation. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 201 or 201H. GE soc sci indivs and groups course. SS Admin Cond course
POLITSC 2367: Contemporary Issues in American Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Discussion of and critical writing about controversies in contemporary American politics; aimed at fostering analytical abilities in reading comprehension, oral, and written expression.
Prereq: 101 or 300, and English 110 or 111, and Soph standing; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 367.01 or 367.01H. GE writing and comm course: level 2 and soc sci orgs and polities course.
POLITSC 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. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 577.
POLITSC 4115: Bureaucracy and Public Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of bureaucracies as political institutions, and a consideration of their role in several areas of public policy implementation. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 510.
POLITSC 4125: American State Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Comparative analysis of politics in the American states. Prereq: 1100 (101) or 3100 (300) or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 507.
POLITSC 4127: Governing Urban America
Semester | 3 credit units
This course will examine the major problems facing urban communities in the 21st Century; the economic, social, and political forces that have historically shaped - and continue to influence - their development; the role of government in addressing urban problems; and the major participants and stakeholders in city politics. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 505.
POLITSC 4136: Civil Liberties
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of civil liberties decisions by American courts, their legal and political bases, and their effects on government and society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 519.
POLITSC 4138: Women and the Law
Semester | 3 credit units
An examination of the legal status of women and the ways in which law affects the situation of women in American society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 514.
POLITSC 4139: Gun Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Examination of the arguments and issues surrounding gun control in the United States. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 4139 (518).
POLITSC 4150: American Political Parties
Semester | 3 credit units
Theories of political parties, party organization, individual voting behavior, nomination and electoral politics, the party in government. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 575. GE soc sci orgs and polities course.
POLITSC 4164: Political Participation and Voting Behavior
Semester | 3 credit units
A study of political participation and its correlates, determinants of the vote decision, and analysis of recent American elections. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 574.
2I. Comparative Politics
POLITSC 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.
POLITSC 3240: Political Violence
Semester | 3 credit units
This course will expose students to major theoretical debates and broad empirical patterns of intrastate conflict during the post-World War II era.
POLITSC 4200: Politics of Modern Democracies
Semester | 3 credit units
A survey of the basic institutions and politics of modern democracies, with emphasis on representativeness and democratic stability. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 535.
POLITSC 4218: Russian Politics
Survey of the politics of Russia and the former soviet states with emphasis on democratization, economic reform, institutional development, elites, mass behavior, and ideology. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 533.
POLITSC 4245H: Democratic Erosion
Semester | 3 credit units
How do democracies become less democratic? This course will explore the causes and consequences of democratic breakdown in countries around the world and over time. Prereq: Honors standing, or permission of instructor.
POLITSC 4250: African Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
An introductory survey of Sub-Saharan African politics from the pre-colonial period to the contemporary era. It will examine the common themes, issues, and trends that shape politics and development across forty-nine countries. Students will gain an understanding of how context shapes political behavior and how historical and political forces have influenced African politics. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 4597.02 (Au13, African Politics), 4250H, or AfAmASt 4250. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in AfAmASt.
POLITSC 4285: 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.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 578.
2J. International Relations
POLITSC 2300: American Foreign Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
The role of the United States in world politics since the Second World War, emphasizing structural change in economic and political-military relations. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 245 or 245H. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.
POLITSC 3240: Political Violence
Semester | 3 credit units
This course will expose students to major theoretical debates and broad empirical patterns of intrastate conflict during the post-World War II era.
3245: Radicalization, Deradicalization, Countering Violent Extremism
Semester | 3 credit units
Students will gain in depth knowledge about the multi-faceted processes of radicalization and deradicalization and the various approaches to both that have been developed in countering violent extremism policies.
POLITSC 3310: Defense Policy and National Security
Semester | 3 credit units
This course addresses some of the basic issues surrounding national security policy. The primary focus is on policy issues related to the use of force between and within countries. The goal of the course is to provide the analytical tools and factual knowledge that are necessary to identify and assess current and future threats to national security.
POLITSC 3910: Identity Politics
Semester | 3 credit units
Explores who controls the meaning of identity in society; examining identity from the perspective of liberal, sociological, and social psychological, structuralist, and institutionalist theories. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 547.
POLITSC 4310: Security Policy
Semester | 3 credit units
National security and military policy issues and trends since 1945; covers containment, deterrence, Vietnam, nuclear weapons, terrorism, and globalization. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 552.
POLITSC 4315: International Security and the Causes of War
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines various issues regarding international conflict and cooperation, including theories of strategic interaction and the causes of war. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 544.
POLITSC 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. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 548.
POLITSC 4327: Politics in the Middle East
Semester | 3 credit units
Politics of Arab-Israeli relations, Persian Gulf, Islamic fundamentalism, and oil; processes of change and their effects on governments and international relations.
POLITSC 4893: Global and Post-Colonial Feminisms in International Relations
Semester | 3 credit units
How does gender shape the practices of international relations? How do ideas about masculinity and femininity affect foreign policy, nationalism, war, and peace? What do feminist perspectives contribute to the study of IR as an academic discipline? Why do gendered experiences of race, class, and sexuality matter for understanding global politics?
2K. Political Theory
POLITSC 3430: Political Theories of Freedom
Semester | 3 credit units
Provides an overview of the various ways in which the value of human freedom has been understood and pursued in political life. Prereq: 2400 (210). Not open to students with credit for 570.
POLITSC 3440: Political Theories of Justice
Semester | 3 credit units
Focuses on debates among political theorists about the meaning of justice; "What is justice?" and "How might we order our world justly?" Prereq: 2499 (210). Not open to students with credit for 572.
POLITSC 4465: Feminist Political Theory
Semester | 3 credit units
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.
Additional classes:
POLITSC 3002: Tradition, Progress, and Utopia
Semester | 3 credit units
Examines how different ways of thinking about social and political change shape our understanding of philosophy, politics, and economics. Prereq: Econ 2001.XX or 2002.01 or 2002.03H; and Philos 2400 or PolitSc 2400 or 2400H; and Econ 5001 or Philos 2500 or 5540 or PolitSc 4553 or 4553H; and Philos 3300; and Econ 3400 or IntStds 3400 or PolitSc 3780 or 3780H; and PolitSc 4280 or 4380. Not open to students with credit for Econ 3002 or Philos 3002. Cross-listed in Econ and Philos.
A maximum combined total of 6 credit hours in the major can be included from the following categories: independent study; internships; and relevant research, problems and topics courses. Internship experiences must be distinct to count for more than 1 course.
POLITSC 3191: Political Science Internship
March-April | 1 Credit unit
Combines experience in political institutions or policy processes with analysis of that experience. Prereq: Permission of the department. Repeatable to a maximum of 4 cr hrs. This course is graded S/U.
POLITSC 4998: Undergraduate Research in Political Science
March- April | 1- 10 credit units
Undergraduate research in variable topics. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 10 cr hrs or 10 completions. This course is graded S/U.
POLITSC 4999: Undergraduate Thesis Research
Semester | 2-4 Credit Units
Thesis research with thesis adviser. Minimum of two semesters required of candidates for BA with research distinction in political science. Must meet standards for graduation with research distinction. Prereq: Sr standing, and enrollment in PolitSc major, and permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 12 cr hrs or 4 completions. This course is graded S/U.
POLITSC 4999H: Honors Thesis Research
Semester | 2-4 credit units
Honors thesis research with thesis adviser. Minimum of two semesters required of candidates for BA with distinction in political science. Prereq: Honors standing, and Sr standing, and enrollment in Political Science major, and permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 12 cr hrs or 4 completions. This course is graded S/U.
