PSCI136 International Relations
In this class we survey fundamental concepts and major theories in the study of international relations and apply them to current world politics. We address questions such as: What are the implications of international anarchy? Who are the major actors on the world stage, and what roles do they play? In what significant ways has international relations changed in the last century? What are the major theories of international relations? How does the theory one adopts affect ones expectations about the world? Why do we need theory in the first place? What role do states and international organizations play in addressing major world issues such as war, economic development and the environment? What is the place of moral considerations in international politics?
PSCI160 Comparing Democracies
This course introduces students to the field of comparative politics, with a particular focus on comparative democracy. It thereby prepares them for upper-division courses in world politics. In this course we raise such questions as: What is politics? What is political science? How do we make comparisons between different political systems? What is power? What is a state? What is democracy? What are the different institutions used in democracies? Do some forms of democracy function better than others? Why do authoritarian regimes sometimes undergo transitions to democracy? Why do some democracies fail? What roles do culture, ideology, and ideas play in politics? What are the different ways of organizing an economy? How can poor countries develop economically? These questions and others will be explored by investigating a variety of democratic and non-democratic regimes from around the world.
PSCI240 Political Theory: Ancient and Medieval
This class is designed to introduce the student to political thought through a survey of the major ancient and medieval political theorists from Plato to Aquinas. We will explore such questions as: What is the relationship between politics and morality? What is justice? What are the duties of a citizen? What are the advantages and disadvantages of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy? What are the characteristics of an ideal statesman? Can war be just? What is “natural law” and what bearing might it have on our understanding of politics?
PSCI240 Political Theory: Modern
This class is designed to introduce the student to political thought through a survey of the major modern political theorists and philosophers from Machiavelli to Freud, with a particular emphasis on three themes - power, reason and history. We will explore such questions as: What is the relationship between politics and morality? What is power and how does one acquire it? What are the “state of nature” and the “social contract,” and why are they worth talking about? What is the role of reason in politics? What is the role of tradition? What is the relationship between economic and political power? How does history affect political values? What is the role of a political scientist, and what is that of a politician?
PSCI250 United States Foreign Policy – Writing Intensive
In this course we assess the causes and consequences of U.S. foreign policy by surveying America’s rise as a world power from World War I to the present day. In doing so, the student will become familiar with many of the major developments in 20th century foreign policy; appraise that history in light of primary documents; evaluate and debate contradictory interpretations of events; and assess opposing theories (world-system, cultural, bureaucratic politics, etc.) of U.S. foreign policy. Because this course is writing intensive, more than half of class time will focus on developing the student’s academic research and writing skills. These skills include generating good research questions, using library resources, writing an annotated bibliography, evaluating primary and secondary sources, writing a literature review, correct citation, structuring a written argument, commenting on rough drafts, and writing effective introductions and conclusions.
PSCI1290/HONR101 Book Club
Close reading of significant books in political science. Each offering of this course focuses on a single book and associate readings.
PSCI295 Research Methods of Political Science
Introduction to the methods used for empirical research in Political Science.
PSCI301b Special Topics: Marx and Marxism
This course takes a deep dive into the history and development of Marxist political theory through close readings of many of the important works in that tradition. The class begins by examining the historical context in which Marx’s ideas originally developed and the early influence of Hegel on his thought. This is followed by a comprehensive survey of Marx and Engel’s major writings. The remainder of the class examines the subsequent history of Marxism, from late-19th century European Marxist political debates (Bernstein, Luxemburg), through the 20th-century evolution of Marxism around the world (Lenin, Du Bois, Gramsci, Marcuse, Galeano, Vogel), and ending with a consideration of several early-21st century American Marxist theorists (Dean, Davis).
PSCI328 Politics in the Third World
This class examines the politics and problems of selected Third World countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America and their relations with the United States and the rest of the world. We address questions such as: Are designations such as “Third World,” “Fourth World” and “developing countries” useful? What economic, social and cultural problems are typical of Third World countries, and in what ways do they reinforce each other? To what extent is political democratization a solution to these problems, and to what extent is it a problem in itself? What impact do international developments have on Third World countries? What policies are most successful in addressing Third World problems such as economic development, the status of women and environmental damage? What role should “developed” countries and international organizations play in addressing such problems?
PSCI351 European Politics
In this course we examine the political institutions, culture, history and problems of selected European countries (e.g. Austria, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the European Union, as well as their relations with the United States and the rest of the world. In doing so we will address questions such as: What are the different ways in which democratic government is organized in Europe? How does this affect the actual outcomes of the political process? What are the most important issues facing these countries presently? What is the relationship between the European Union and its member states? What purposes does the EU serve? Could the EU evolve into a “United States of Europe,” and would that be a good thing? What role does and should Europe play in world politics? Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be familiar with the basic institutions and workings of the major European democracies and those of the European Union. At the same time, she or he should be able to engage in informed discussion about European current events.
PSCI352 Central and East European Politics
This course introduces advanced political science and history students to the politics of Central and Eastern Europe. The class begins as a survey of the region’s history starting in the Middle Ages, thereby providing the background necessary for understanding current events. It then turns to such topics as: how Communist economies did and did not function; why the Cold War ended; how one turns a bunch of small countries from single-party dictatorships to multiparty democracies; how to create a market economy; how well these political and economic transitions are going after 20 years; why Yugoslavia broke down into ethnic violence, and how similar occurrences might be prevented in the future; the role of the European Union in Central and Eastern Europe; the role that Germany, Russia, Austria, and especially Turkey have played and continue to play in the region; and a variety of other political, social, and cultural issues of current interest. The class will focus primarily on Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Hungary, the former Yugoslavia, and Ukraine, although students will be free to explore any other country in the region that interests them. Although PSCI351 “European Politics” is not a formal requirement for this course, the two are designed to complement each other, together providing the student with a broad perspective on Europe and European politics both East and West.
PSCI370 Democratization
In this course we examine the processes by which authoritarian regimes become democratic, as well as current understandings of why some democratic transitions are more successful than others, by examining a number of historical and contemporary cases from around the world. In doing so, we will address questions such as: What is democracy? What patterns of democratization and de-democratization occur in history? What is the relationship between political democracy and economic prosperity? What can different theoretic approaches such as modernization theory, comparative historical sociology, game theory, or the “new institutionalism” teach us about democratization? What roles do such factors as the international context, economics, culture, gender, and civil society play in democratic transitions? How important is the correct design of democratic institutions? What are the most significant similarities and differences between the rise of democracy in post-communist Europe, the “Arab Spring,” and democratization in other times and places? Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to explain and assess some of the major theories of democratization. Furthermore, he or she should be able to explain actual historical and contemporary cases of successful and failed democratization in light of current scholarship in this area.
PSCI371 Democratic Theory
This course examines competing definitions of, justifications for, and criticisms of democracy, as well as standards for evaluating the quality of democracy, by surveying classic and contemporary theories. Topics include: democratic core concepts (“freedom”, “equality”, “representation”, “majority rule”, “citizenship”); socialist, conservative and feminist critiques of democracy; the relationship between democracy and other contemporary social, economic, political, cultural and intellectual phenomena (e.g. markets, nationalism, multiculturalism, civil society, rational choice theory, etc.); and new developments in democracy such as “liquid democracy” and other forms of digital democracy. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should have a much more sophisticated appreciation for the varied meanings of “democracy” as well as the questions and challenges democracy presents for both political theorists and political actors. Furthermore, she or he will have honed her or his argumentative and writing skills by developing, critiquing and defending a particular view of democracy over the course of the semester.
PSCI409 Research Seminar
The research seminar is designed to assist students in completing their senior research project, which is the culmination of their undergraduate study of political science. In this seminar students draw on their accumulated understanding of political science as well as their research and writing skills to produce an original 25-40 page piece of research on a topic of your choice.
In this class we survey fundamental concepts and major theories in the study of international relations and apply them to current world politics. We address questions such as: What are the implications of international anarchy? Who are the major actors on the world stage, and what roles do they play? In what significant ways has international relations changed in the last century? What are the major theories of international relations? How does the theory one adopts affect ones expectations about the world? Why do we need theory in the first place? What role do states and international organizations play in addressing major world issues such as war, economic development and the environment? What is the place of moral considerations in international politics?
PSCI160 Comparing Democracies
This course introduces students to the field of comparative politics, with a particular focus on comparative democracy. It thereby prepares them for upper-division courses in world politics. In this course we raise such questions as: What is politics? What is political science? How do we make comparisons between different political systems? What is power? What is a state? What is democracy? What are the different institutions used in democracies? Do some forms of democracy function better than others? Why do authoritarian regimes sometimes undergo transitions to democracy? Why do some democracies fail? What roles do culture, ideology, and ideas play in politics? What are the different ways of organizing an economy? How can poor countries develop economically? These questions and others will be explored by investigating a variety of democratic and non-democratic regimes from around the world.
PSCI240 Political Theory: Ancient and Medieval
This class is designed to introduce the student to political thought through a survey of the major ancient and medieval political theorists from Plato to Aquinas. We will explore such questions as: What is the relationship between politics and morality? What is justice? What are the duties of a citizen? What are the advantages and disadvantages of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy? What are the characteristics of an ideal statesman? Can war be just? What is “natural law” and what bearing might it have on our understanding of politics?
PSCI240 Political Theory: Modern
This class is designed to introduce the student to political thought through a survey of the major modern political theorists and philosophers from Machiavelli to Freud, with a particular emphasis on three themes - power, reason and history. We will explore such questions as: What is the relationship between politics and morality? What is power and how does one acquire it? What are the “state of nature” and the “social contract,” and why are they worth talking about? What is the role of reason in politics? What is the role of tradition? What is the relationship between economic and political power? How does history affect political values? What is the role of a political scientist, and what is that of a politician?
PSCI250 United States Foreign Policy – Writing Intensive
In this course we assess the causes and consequences of U.S. foreign policy by surveying America’s rise as a world power from World War I to the present day. In doing so, the student will become familiar with many of the major developments in 20th century foreign policy; appraise that history in light of primary documents; evaluate and debate contradictory interpretations of events; and assess opposing theories (world-system, cultural, bureaucratic politics, etc.) of U.S. foreign policy. Because this course is writing intensive, more than half of class time will focus on developing the student’s academic research and writing skills. These skills include generating good research questions, using library resources, writing an annotated bibliography, evaluating primary and secondary sources, writing a literature review, correct citation, structuring a written argument, commenting on rough drafts, and writing effective introductions and conclusions.
PSCI1290/HONR101 Book Club
Close reading of significant books in political science. Each offering of this course focuses on a single book and associate readings.
PSCI295 Research Methods of Political Science
Introduction to the methods used for empirical research in Political Science.
PSCI301b Special Topics: Marx and Marxism
This course takes a deep dive into the history and development of Marxist political theory through close readings of many of the important works in that tradition. The class begins by examining the historical context in which Marx’s ideas originally developed and the early influence of Hegel on his thought. This is followed by a comprehensive survey of Marx and Engel’s major writings. The remainder of the class examines the subsequent history of Marxism, from late-19th century European Marxist political debates (Bernstein, Luxemburg), through the 20th-century evolution of Marxism around the world (Lenin, Du Bois, Gramsci, Marcuse, Galeano, Vogel), and ending with a consideration of several early-21st century American Marxist theorists (Dean, Davis).
PSCI328 Politics in the Third World
This class examines the politics and problems of selected Third World countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America and their relations with the United States and the rest of the world. We address questions such as: Are designations such as “Third World,” “Fourth World” and “developing countries” useful? What economic, social and cultural problems are typical of Third World countries, and in what ways do they reinforce each other? To what extent is political democratization a solution to these problems, and to what extent is it a problem in itself? What impact do international developments have on Third World countries? What policies are most successful in addressing Third World problems such as economic development, the status of women and environmental damage? What role should “developed” countries and international organizations play in addressing such problems?
PSCI351 European Politics
In this course we examine the political institutions, culture, history and problems of selected European countries (e.g. Austria, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the European Union, as well as their relations with the United States and the rest of the world. In doing so we will address questions such as: What are the different ways in which democratic government is organized in Europe? How does this affect the actual outcomes of the political process? What are the most important issues facing these countries presently? What is the relationship between the European Union and its member states? What purposes does the EU serve? Could the EU evolve into a “United States of Europe,” and would that be a good thing? What role does and should Europe play in world politics? Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be familiar with the basic institutions and workings of the major European democracies and those of the European Union. At the same time, she or he should be able to engage in informed discussion about European current events.
PSCI352 Central and East European Politics
This course introduces advanced political science and history students to the politics of Central and Eastern Europe. The class begins as a survey of the region’s history starting in the Middle Ages, thereby providing the background necessary for understanding current events. It then turns to such topics as: how Communist economies did and did not function; why the Cold War ended; how one turns a bunch of small countries from single-party dictatorships to multiparty democracies; how to create a market economy; how well these political and economic transitions are going after 20 years; why Yugoslavia broke down into ethnic violence, and how similar occurrences might be prevented in the future; the role of the European Union in Central and Eastern Europe; the role that Germany, Russia, Austria, and especially Turkey have played and continue to play in the region; and a variety of other political, social, and cultural issues of current interest. The class will focus primarily on Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Hungary, the former Yugoslavia, and Ukraine, although students will be free to explore any other country in the region that interests them. Although PSCI351 “European Politics” is not a formal requirement for this course, the two are designed to complement each other, together providing the student with a broad perspective on Europe and European politics both East and West.
PSCI370 Democratization
In this course we examine the processes by which authoritarian regimes become democratic, as well as current understandings of why some democratic transitions are more successful than others, by examining a number of historical and contemporary cases from around the world. In doing so, we will address questions such as: What is democracy? What patterns of democratization and de-democratization occur in history? What is the relationship between political democracy and economic prosperity? What can different theoretic approaches such as modernization theory, comparative historical sociology, game theory, or the “new institutionalism” teach us about democratization? What roles do such factors as the international context, economics, culture, gender, and civil society play in democratic transitions? How important is the correct design of democratic institutions? What are the most significant similarities and differences between the rise of democracy in post-communist Europe, the “Arab Spring,” and democratization in other times and places? Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to explain and assess some of the major theories of democratization. Furthermore, he or she should be able to explain actual historical and contemporary cases of successful and failed democratization in light of current scholarship in this area.
PSCI371 Democratic Theory
This course examines competing definitions of, justifications for, and criticisms of democracy, as well as standards for evaluating the quality of democracy, by surveying classic and contemporary theories. Topics include: democratic core concepts (“freedom”, “equality”, “representation”, “majority rule”, “citizenship”); socialist, conservative and feminist critiques of democracy; the relationship between democracy and other contemporary social, economic, political, cultural and intellectual phenomena (e.g. markets, nationalism, multiculturalism, civil society, rational choice theory, etc.); and new developments in democracy such as “liquid democracy” and other forms of digital democracy. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should have a much more sophisticated appreciation for the varied meanings of “democracy” as well as the questions and challenges democracy presents for both political theorists and political actors. Furthermore, she or he will have honed her or his argumentative and writing skills by developing, critiquing and defending a particular view of democracy over the course of the semester.
PSCI409 Research Seminar
The research seminar is designed to assist students in completing their senior research project, which is the culmination of their undergraduate study of political science. In this seminar students draw on their accumulated understanding of political science as well as their research and writing skills to produce an original 25-40 page piece of research on a topic of your choice.