Course Descriptions
POLS-140 Introduction to U.S. Politics
The most enduring questions about politics are the who, the what, the when, and the how of politics. This course seeks to answer these questions as they pertain to the American political system. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-180 The United States in World Affairs
A first course in international relations, focused on current problems and concerns in United States foreign policy. These include both "off-shore" issues such as human rights and peace-keeping and "intermestic" issues such as trade and immigration. The course will begin with an overview of American foreign policy traditions and attitudes and of the 20th century background. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-221 Politics in Literature & Film
Exploration of a single major theme of politics through the medium of literature and film. Possible course themes include Latin American film, revolution, war, utopia, propaganda, the Cold War and American political culture. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-222 Civil Rights Movement
This course examines the causes, history, and tactics of the struggle to guarantee African- Americans equal treatment under the law in the United States. The primary focus of course material is on the political movement for racial equality in the United States from 1954-1968. Winter III only. 3 hours. Fulfills Cross Cultural Core Requirement.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-224 Environmental Politics
This course introduces students to environmental disputes and the forces that affect environmental policy. Topics include the history and evolution of environmentalism and environmental policy and an extensive case study of a local environmental issue. Cross-listed in ENV. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-226 The Politics of Surveillance
In this course students will explore the politics of surveillance and its theoretical roots in state legibility projects. As students examine the general contours of surveillance, they will answer numerous questions: What is surveillance? How and why has surveillance evolved through history and what role has technology played in this evolution? How does surveillance affect social relations? The course explores how surveillance occurs in the real world and how it intersects with civil liberties and the practice of dissent. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-239 The Conquest of the Americas
Survey of Latin American history from 200 C.E. to 1650 C.E. with a focus on the pre-Columbian Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations; the conquest and settlement of Mexico, Central America, and South America by the Spanish and Portuguese; and the establishment of early colonial institutions in Spanish America and Brazil. Special emphasis will be given to the clash of indigenous and European religious/spiritual outlooks, political economy, and the interaction of issues of race, class, and gender in the emergence of sycretic New World societies. May be counted toward the Cross Cultural core requirement. 3 hours. Cross listed with HIST 239.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-240 Colonial & Neocolonial Latin America
Survey of Latin American history from 1650 to 1914 with a focus on the mature period of Spanish and Portuguese colonialism in Latin America, the independence struggles of the early 19th century, and the first century of independence for Latin America. Special emphasis will be given to the evolution of indigenous/European and African/ European relations and the tension between formal political independence and continuing cultural and economic dependence on European societies even after independence. May be counted toward the Comparative Cultural core requirement. 3 hours. Cross listed with HIST 240.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-241 Modern Latin America
Survey of Latin American history from 1914 to the present with a focus on the rise of populism, socialism, and economic nationalism; the collapse of populist democracies and the rise of bureaucratic authoritarian military regimes; and recent transitions to democracy combined with economic liberalization. Course will also include attention to issues of class, race and gender, over the course of these political and economic transformations and the history of US-Latin American relations in the 20th century. May be counted toward the Comparative Cultural core requirement. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-255 Special Topics
See department for course description.
Credits: 1.00
POLS-295 Independent Study
See department for details.
Credits: 1.00
POLS-299 Political Analysis Seminar
This course introduces students to some of the basic forms of political analysis including scholarly research, policy analysis, and political strategy. The course is organized as a seminar in which students will be required to present their own projects to the class and actively participate in class discussion. Required for majors (should be taken sophomore year). Prerequisite: POLS 101 strongly recommended. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-301 Politics and The Media
Examines the impact of the media upon the political process; the relationship between the press and politicians; and whether the press is a "neutral" force in American politics. Biennially. 4 hours. Staff.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-302 Parties and Elections
The development of political parties and their organization, function and campaign methods. Analysis of interest groups and their effect on government and political parties. Public opinion and propaganda. Involvement in a political campaign encouraged. Biennially. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-304 Grassroots Politics
Course examines how citizens and interest groups shape "grassroots" politics, state and local government in the United States. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-306 Presidency and Congress
This course explores the relations between the U.S. presidency and Congress, and how these relations have evolved over time. Students will examine long-term trends in this relationship and will consider compelling, instructive anomalies as well. Students will study the formal and informal powers of both Congress and the president and also explore case studies of conflicts between the two branches in the realms of both domestic and foreign policy. They will also carefully follow congressional-presidential relations as they unfold over the course of the semester, closely tracking the news as it emerges from Washington, DC. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-309 Classics of Pol Phil:Plato-Postmodernsm
Examines the evolution of ancient, modern, and contemporary political thought from the ancient Greeks to the 20th century. Major political theorists who may be studied include: Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Mills, Marx, Arendt, Rawls, Nozick as well as feminist and postmodernist critics of traditional, political thought. Required for majors. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-310 Markets, Politics & Justice
An examination of political economy (the interaction of politics and economics) with respect to topics such as macroeconomic policy- making, industrial policy, income distribution, development strategies, and the welfare state plus the political dimensions of economic ideologies including classical liberal, Marxist, and social democratic perspectives. Prerequisite: Economics 101 or 102 strongly recommended. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-321 Protest, Dissent, & Social Change
This course examines the causes and history of widespread movements that use protest to promote political change. Topics include theories of social movements and case studies that may include the labor movement, the civil rights movement, the women's movement, the environmental movement, and the recent rise of conservative Christian activism. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-322 The Suppression of Dissent
This course explores how the state, mass media, and other forces suppress dissent. Students will first gain a theoretical foothold in the field of social-movement studies, along the way exploring the following questions: What is dissident citizenship? How, when, and why does the state suppress dissent? What role do the mass media play in the suppression of activism? Students will also study specific historical instances of political suppression, such as the suppression of the American Indian Movement, civil rights movement, environmental movements, and the Global Justice Movement. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-325 Constitutional Law
An introduction to the judicial process, legal reasoning and interpretation of the Constitution through analysis of court cases. Subjects include federalism, property, race, gender, and privacy. Biennially. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-326 Civil Liberties
This course examines the development of civil liberties in the United States by focusing on the role of the Supreme Court. Subjects include freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, and the rights of the accused. Biennially. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-330 National Systems & Global Challenges
Survey of national political systems in the context of the challenge of globalization. Countries studied and compared will include most or all of the following: United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, India, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, and the European Union (as emerging or quasi-state). Issues analyzed will include competing theories of the origins and consequences of different political institutions, the relationship between domestic political arrangements and the ability to cope with globalization, transitions to democracy, and the consolidation of democracy, and the future of the nation-state. Prerequisite: Junior standing and one other POLS course or consent of instructor Biennially. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-331 Modern Dictatorship
A survey of non-traditional, 20th century dictatorships and the theoretical concepts and explanations political science has developed to categorize and explain them, including especially controversies surrounding the concepts of "authoritarianism" and "totalitarianism." Cases examined will include some or all of the following: the USSR, Nazi Germany, the People's Republic of China, Latin American military dictatorships, and the Iranian quasi-theocracy. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above and one course from POLS. 3 credits.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-332 Contemporary Latin America
An introduction to the politics of the region with a brief survey of history, race relations and political economy of Latin America followed by an analysis of selected individual countries including Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and others. Meets cross-cultural requirement. 3 hours. Staff.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-340 Security, Rights & Globalization
Nationalism and cultural identity; the international system and world organization; problems of conflict and war; issues of human rights and democracy; economic globalization and development; and security issues such as the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Prerequisite: upper-division standing. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-345 International Political Economy
This course explores the post-WWII world economy, the place of the United States in that economy, the role of theory and differing world views, and possibilities for future economic realities. Particular emphasis is placed upon understanding U.S., European and Japanese, and post-Communist international economic policy and business decisions. POLS 180 and ECON 101 strongly recommended. Meets comparative cultural core requirement. 3 credits.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-350 Special Topics in Political Science
Courses of varying formats on specific topics not included in the regular curriculum. Recent examples include Conservative Political Thought, Contemporary Mexico, and Salmon Crisis. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
POLS-355 Special Topics
See department for course description.
Credits: 1.00
POLS-395 Independent Study
Student-conducted individual research/theoretical project. Faculty supervised. 1-3 hours.
Credits: 1.00
POLS-401 Senior Seminar and Thesis
In the first semester, students will define their research project, gather necessary information, and write the first draft of their thesis. The seminar will also meet four hours per week to discuss selected readings in research methods, theories of power, and approaches to policy analysis. In the second semester, the seminar will meet two hours per week and students will revise and complete their written thesis and prepare their public presentation of the thesis. Both semesters required of all majors in their final year. Prerequisite: POLS-299 and two 300-level POLS classes. 4 hours first semester, 2 hours second semester.
Credits: 4.00
POLS-402 Senior Seminar and Thesis
A continuation of POLS-401. In the first semester, students will define their research project, gather necessary information, and write the first draft of their thesis. The seminar will also meet four hours per week to discuss selected readings in research methods, theories of power, and approaches to policy analysis. In the second semester, the seminar will meet two hours per week and students will revise and complete their written thesis and prepare their public presentation of the thesis. Both semesters required of all majors in their final year. Prerequisite: POLS-299 and two 300-level POLS classes. 4 hours first semester, 2 hours second semester.
Credits: 2.00
POLS-475 Internship
Off-campus placements in political settings can be undertaken for credit. Requirements vary. See Department Chair for more information.
Credits: 1.00
POLS-495 Independent Research
Student-conducted individual research/theoretical project. Faculty supervised.
Credits: 1.00