Course Search Results
Description: This course analyzes the major political institutions of the American political system at the federal and state levels; considers major public policy issues and the interests which influence policy making; examines the civil and political rights of American citizens under the Constitution; and evaluates the democratic system of campaigns and elections. 13/FA:HYBRID
Description: The course is an introduction to the study of comparative politics. It will provide the basis for understanding and comparing different political systems, political histories, political attitudes, and political institutions. The course will introduce different approaches to and methodologies for comparing political phenomena. It will also familiarize students with global political geography, through map quizzes and current events.
Description: The course is a general survey of political theory, with a particular focus on the classical forms of government and major concepts in political ideologies. The four chief goals of the course will be to increase the students appreciation of political ideas and the particular ideas shaping Western Civilization (as a grounding for later explorations of non-Western traditions), to help students appreciate the contributions they can make to political life, to serve as a foundation for the departments upper level courses to follow, and to begin an inquiry into ethics and politics which will be continued in department seminars and the capstone senior seminar.
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Description: This course is an introduction to the study of international relations (IR) between the states of the world. We will explore such concepts as global interdependence, international political economy, foreign policy, and international conflict and cooperation. We will consider current problems such as the tension between globalism and nationalism, the problems of national security, conflict and migration, and the role of international organizations like the UN in resolving (or complicating) these matters. We will study different approaches to understanding these issues, including traditional ones like realism, and alternative ones like feminism and postmodernism.
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Description: The course examines the executive and legislative branches of government, with particular emphasis on current controversies in presidential-congressional relations. Evaluating the constitutional duties and individual personalities of the politicians in each branch will give the course the opportunity to reflect on the distribution of power in the American political system. Prerequisite: PO 210.
Description: Considers the Supreme Court as a major policymaker in the American political system. Will include analysis of major doctrines of constitutional law through examination of the leading cases. Prerequisites: PO 210, PO 211. (Not offered in 2002-2003)
Description: An examination of the legal protections of liberty in the First Amendment, including freedoms of speech, press, religion and assembly. These issues are explored through major court decisions, supplementary materials and class debates. Prerequisites: PO 210, PO 211. (Not offered in 2002-2003)
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Description: A systematic examination and evaluation of the main currents in American political thought as manifest in the key works of prominent thinkers. The course gives special attention to the role of democracy, capitalism and individualism as guiding ideologies, and uses a variety of materials to explore the development of current debates in American political life. Prerequisite: PO 210.
Description: An introduction to the study of comparative political cultures and ideas of Western Europe. Political systems will be examined in historical perspective and include analysis of totalitarian interludes, the development of communist parties and contemporary issues. Prerequisites: PO 210, PO 211.
Description: A comparative examination of ideological approaches to political life, with particular attention to the ways human societies have organized their political communities. Major political systems, such as democracy, socialism, communism, fascism and anarchism will be considered, as well as modern ideologies of feminism, environmentalism, and multiculturalism. Prerequisite: PO 211. (Not offered in 2002-2003)
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Description: This course explores different cultures and political institutions by focusing on the problem of ethnic conflict in a variety of countries and historical periods, but mainly in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. We will examine why and how ethnic and cultural factors lead to conflict, other explanations for conflict, and what institutions like governments, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations can do to resolve conflict. Prerequisite: PO 211. (Not offered in 20022003)
Description: This course will provide a general introduction to the criminal justice system in the United States. The primary goal of this course to provide a comprehensive survey of the criminal justice system?s response to crime. Topics of this course will follow five main components: 1.tThe American Criminal Justice System and Crime in America: definitions and models, crime classifications, measurement, causation and consequences. 2.tPolicing in America: historical components of law enforcement, constitutional and procedural law, policing at the local and federal levels, forensics, community policing, the broken windows theory of crime, ethics in criminal justice. 3.tAdjudication of the Law: the American Court System, players in the court system, sentencing, appeals and alternative court systems. 4.tCorrections: Institutional corrections, prison life, inmate rights and disenfranchisement, recidivism, community corrections, restorative justice, and parole. 5.tSpecial Issues: Juvenile justice, female offenders, criminal justice in the modern media, and current events in criminal justice. Through careful survey and analysis of above, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system. Students will learn to explore this field of social science by examining crime through a sociological, economical and public policy perspective.
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Description: This course will give students a critical understanding of the process of foreign policy making, with special attention to cross-cultural (particularly North-South) differences. We will study the factors and actions that influence decision making, including leadership, the roles of blocs and alliances, the significance of new issues such as environmental concerns, and the influence of culture on foreign policy making. We will explore how FP has changes since the end of the Cold War, and what challenged will have to be confronted in the new century. Prerequisite: PO 230.
Description: This course explores the process of political development by exploring the following issues: the rise and evolution of the state in the modern era; the development of political culture (e.g. attitudes towards authority; the influence of ideology and religion, the role of nationalism); the growth of political institutions, including bureaucracies, political parties, and electoral systems; the transition to democracy. It will expose students to political development in the context of conquest and colonization, and will focus on the experiences of developing countries, although the political history of Western Europe and the U.S. will be used for comparative purposes. Prerequisite: PO 211. (Not offered in 20022003)
Description: An examination of the principles and rules of laws which regulate the conduct of nations in their mutual relations. Such topics as international person, nationality, rights of aliens, diplomatic recognition, treaty law and law of sea will be included. Prerequisites PO 210, PO 211. (Not offered in 2002-2003)
Description: This course is designed to give students a full understanding of international organizations, with a particular focus on the United Nations. Students will develop a critical understanding of the history and role of regional and global organizations. Prerequisite: PO 230.
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Description: In examining critical issues of American politics, the seminar participants will confront contrasting points of view about democracy and freedom, capitalism and competitiveness, critical foreign policy issues, individual rights vis-á-vis public interest, as well as globalization vis-á-vis distributive economic justice. We continue to face the challenge of thinking straight, clarifying our values, and articulating with persuasiveness. Honestly confronting these issues is critical to our delineating and refining our own normative perspective that informs our morally defensible political action. The seminar builds on the American politics electives and serves as a capstone course for the American politics field. Prerequisites: PO 210 and at least two courses from PO 306, 312, 315, 316.
Description: This seminar will examine the intersection of politics and sports and the various issues associated with these topics. Sports occupy an important place in our society making them politicized. Sports often reflect the intense emotions often associated with nationalism, race, ethnicity, social class, religion, and gender, as well as with the politics of identity. Sport may be viewed as a glimpse of bigger societal issues. A comparative and multinational exploration of the politics of sport will clarify many of these concepts. This course will examine various countries and sports in order to achieve a wide range of understanding of the globalization of sports and politics. --
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