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Current Courses

The following courses required for the Bachelor of Arts in World Politics degree program are available for the Autumn 2015 semester. A full list of courses and requirements can be found in the   Undergraduate Handbook [pdf] and on the  Major Requirements handout [pdf]. 

 

Course(s) required to declare the major

*students must have credit for at least one of these

1200: Introduction to Comparative Politics

Image for Comparative Politics course

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.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 100 or 101H. This course is available for EM credit. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.


1200H: Honors Introduction to Comparative Politics 

Image for Comparative Politics course

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.

Prereq: Honors standing, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 100 or 100H. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course. SS Admis Cond course.


1300: Global Politics

Semester | 3 credit units

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.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 105. GEC soc sci human, natural, and economic resources and diversity global studies course.


 

Specialization courses

*students must have at least four courses at the 2000 level or higher in one of these areas, and at least one course at the 2000 level or higher in each of the other three areas

Foreign Policy and Security:

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.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 245 or 245H. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course.


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.


4318: The Politics of International Terrorism

The Politics of International Terrorism ImageSemester | 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.


4320: Strategies for War and Peace

Strategies of War and Peace ImageSemester | 3 credit units

Examination of how political leaders make decisions, emphasizing such issues as leaders' reasoning processes and the impact of public opinion and foreign policy bureaucracies.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 545.


4597.01: International Cooperation and Conflict

a U.S. soldier walking with children in a forgein countrySemester | 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: Honors and Jr or Sr standing. Not open to students with credit for 597.01 or 597.01H. GE cross-disciplinary seminar.


4893H: Honors Seminar in International Politics 

Honors Seminar in International Politics ImageSemester | 3 credit units

Intensive study of selected political science topics and issues in a seminar format; topics vary. Topic for Fall 2015: critical security and global governance. 

Prereq: Honors standing or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 12 cr hrs.


 

Political Institutions and Processes:

4212: From Dictatorship to Democracy in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece

Semester | 3 credit units

Survey of the emergence and distinguishing characteristics of stable democracies and modern societies in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece. 

GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course. 


4219: European Political Development*

Semester | 3 credit units

Examines the origins of contemporary crisis in Europe.  Topics include the politics of immigration and the rise of radical far-right parties; the reinvention of social democracy and the resulting counter-revolution of the far-left; a financial crisis that has crippled some countries while allowing others to pick up the pieces relatively quickly; and the increasingly contentious issue of how to incorporate women equally into political and economic life.


4236: Southeast Asian Politics*

 

Southeast Asian Politics ImageSemester | 3 credit units

Government and politics in the Philippines, Indonesia, Indo-China, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma; problems of this region in relation to world politics.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 636.


4240: Latin American Politics*

 

Latin American Politics ImageSemester | 3 credit units

A study of political processes, institutions, and groups in Latin America, with emphasis on constitutional, geographical, social, and economic environments in which they operate.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 540.01.


4331: The United Nations System

The United Nations System ImageSemester | 3 credit units

Activities and potential of the United Nations system in promoting economic well-being, environmental management, resource sharing, social justice, and control of violence.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 551.


 

Political Economy and Development:

3220: Politics of the Developing World

a tibe carring containers on their headsSemester | 3 credit units

A general introduction to the theoretical and substantive literature dealing with the historical development and contemporary characteristics of the new states of Asia and Africa.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 541. GE soc sci human, nat, and econ resources and diversity global studies course.


4219: European Political Development *

European Political Development ImageSemester | 3 credit units

Examines the origins of contemporary crisis in Europe.  Topics include the politics of immigration and the rise of radical far-right parties; the reinvention of social democracy and the resulting counter-revolution of the far-left; a financial crisis that has crippled some countries while allowing others to pick up the pieces relatively quickly; and the increasingly contentious issue of how to incorporate women equally into political and economic life. 

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 529.


4236: Southeast Asian Politics*

 

Southeast Asian Politics ImageSemester | 3 credit units

Government and politics in the Philippines, Indonesia, Indo-China, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma; problems of this region in relation to world politics.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 636.


4240: Latin American Politics*

 

Latin American Politics ImageSemester | 3 credit units

A study of political processes, institutions, and groups in Latin America, with emphasis on constitutional, geographical, social, and economic environments in which they operate.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 540.01.


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. 


4282: The Politics of Income Inequality

The Politics of Income Inequality ImageSemester | 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.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 582.


4327: Politics in the Middle East

Politics in the Middle East ImageSemester | 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.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 546.


4380: Political Analysis of International Economic Relations

a globe sitting on currency from multiple countriesSemester | 3 credit units

Examines the relationship between political and economic events in the international system; topics include global interdependence, inequality, scarce resources, and periphery nation strategies.

Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 553 or 553H.


 

International Theory:

3430: Political Theories of Freedom

protester holding up a sign that says "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: 2100 (210). Not open to students with credit for 570.


4300: Theories of International Relations

Theories of International Relations ImageSemester | 3 credit units

Various theories of world politics, such as realism, liberalism, long cycles, domestic and bureaucratic politics, and decision-making level theory.

Prereq: 1300 (145). Not open to students with credit for 550.


 

Other courses:

3191: Political Science Internship

4191: Political Science Internship

4998: Undergraduate Research in Political Science

4999: Undergraduate Thesis Research

4999H: Honors Thesis Research

5797: Study at a Foreign Institution

 

* = indicates a cross-listed course. A cross-listed course may only be counted once, toward one of the specializations it is listed under.

Students should consult with an academic advisor prior to scheduling. You can make an appointment with an advisor by calling (614) 292-6961.

Note: These requirements are effective for students entering the university June 1, 2012 or after. Students who entered the university before June 2012 should talk with a political science advisor and consult the transition policies from quarters to semesters. 

 


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